Among Wildflowers Read Online Free Page B

her seat. “I do.”
    “Good.” Jackie reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Hang in there.”
    “I will,” Macy said smiling. But inside she didn’t feel quite so optimistic.
    ***
    “Two reporters are coming out here?”
    “Yep.”
    Michael rocked back on his heels. “That such a good idea, Ryland?”
    Ryland shrugged. “Got no choice in the matter really. It’s either this or let what’s left of my career goes down the toilet. I’m pretty shocked there’s even a magazine that’s interested in doing a story about me at all.”
    “Sure they’re just not coming out here to the get inside scoop of how Ryland Quinn has really gone off the deep end?”
    “Thought crossed my mind.”
    “Then why are you doing this?”
    Ryland shrugged again. “Don’t really know, to be honest. I guess I just feel I should do something to start getting my career back on track.”
    “Well, a big piece of that is to get back into the studio.”
    “Yep.”
    “So why aren’t you?”
    Ryland kicked at the ground with his boot. “Don’t really have anything to write about.”
    Michael took his hat off and slapped his thigh with it before slamming it back down on his head. “Jesus, Ryland. It’s not like you had to be a musical genius to write It’s Time to Party . You have got to get your ass back in that studio.”
    “I know and I will.”
    “When?”
    “I don’t know... soon.”
    “Damn it, Ryland. How long is this going to go on for? It’s been two years.”
    Ryland towered over Michael. “Don’t you think I goddamned know that? Don’t you think I count the days? Don’t you think I watch the clock, counting the hours, the minutes, the seconds since… she left?”
    “Yes, Jesus, calm down. Of course you do. I’m just trying to say…”
    “What exactly are you trying to say, Michael? I would love to hear it right about now.”
    “You know what, Ryland?” Michael pulled his hat down over his eyes. “I’ve done my best to stand by your side throughout everything that’s happened. I’ve done everything in my power to help. I smoothed things over when you canceled your tour. I’ve been the middle-man talking to the producers when you never showed up. I’ve done everything I can for you. You’re like a son to me and I love you. But you’ve been acting like a jackass lately, and a man can only take so much bullshit.”
    Ryland shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and stared at the ground.
    “Listen, maybe this will be a good idea. But you also need to start actually working on your music or this story is just going to be about why you’re a has-been. Get it?”
    Michael headed for the house. Ryland watched as Helen greeted him on the front porch. They exchanged a few words, glancing over in Ryland’s direction before disappearing inside.
    Ryland wandered to the barn and let himself in. The noises of the horses as they neighed to one another and stomped their hooves brought him comfort. He approached one of the stalls and found Belle munching on some hay.
    “Hey there, pretty lady,” he said softly, patting her neck. The horse regarded him briefly before returning to her meal. “What do you think I should do, Belle?” She snorted in response, shaking her head back and forth a few times. “Yep... I guess it’s now or never, isn’t it, girl? Time to stop hiding.”
    Ryland pulled his cowboy hat off and ran a hand through his shaggy hair before turning on his heel. Back at the house, he found Michael and Helen standing in the kitchen. Their animated conversation abruptly stopped when he entered the room, and Ryland could easily guess what they had been talking about. Helen turned to him, wiping her hands on the dishcloth and offering a warm smile.
    “What can I get you, Ryland? Something to eat?”
    “No thanks, Helen. I just have something I want to say.”
    “Oh?” Helen said lightly.
    Michael leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed over his chest, his expression