Udom is the first person on my mind when I wake the next morning, and just like that, I’m mad all over again. How dare he leave here the way he did, talking about being “just friends.” If he liked me enough, wouldn’t he have worked harder to keep the relationship?
I enter the living room, and there’s his picture, smiling back at me like everything is perfectly fine. I want to snatch the photo off the wall and tear it up, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Partially because I’m looking way too cute in the picture. It’ll have to stay where it is for now.
I head outside just as I receive a text from Daddy, who’s on his way for his visit. He’s decided he’ll only spend one night because someone rented out the man cave for a special event tomorrow evening. That works for me, because I’m not really up for company right now anyway. I’ve had enough visitors for a while.
I walk over to the barn and find my new ranch hand standing outside. I hurry over to greet him.
Tambara: So, you’re the new ranch hand?
Harvey: Yes, ma’am, Miss Banks. Harvey Stone, at your service.
Ma’am? We have to be around the same age. Still, the word makes me sound like a boss, so I don’t correct him.
Tambara: Good. My dad is due to arrive soon. Please make sure the stable and barn are clean.
Harvey: Yes, ma’am. I was just fixing your bot vacuum. It was left out here in the snow and no longer works.
Tambara: Thanks, but the barn is the priority.
Harvey: Yes, ma’am.
Harvey pulls out his phone and holds it up.
Harvey: And if you need anything else, just go to the Buckaroo Ranch Services app to send me an alert. I can repair and garden. Just let me know, and I’ll get the job done quicker than you can say yeehaw!
I won’t be saying yeehaw… ever, but I get the sentiment.
Tambara: Um, okay. Thanks.
I spot Daddy at the gate and rush over to greet him. We share a family kiss on the cheek.
Wade: Whew! This place is something else, Princess. You did well.
Tambara: Thanks, Daddy! Let me show you inside.
Daddy looks around, taking everything in as we head into the house.
Wade: Looks like you’ve gone full circle. This reminds me so much of growing up in Henford, except it’s a ranch instead of a farm.
We enter the house, and I nod toward the guest room — the room where Udom stayed, where we shared our first morning.
Tambara: You’ll be staying in that room.
I try to hide the feelings that suddenly creep up on me, but memories of Udom haunt me everywhere I look. And it only gets worse when Daddy and I sit on the couch, and I’m stuck staring at the fireplace in front of me.
Daddy’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.
Wade: I didn’t expect this place to be so big. I remember when I first moved into my house in Brindleton Bay. It was too quiet, and I had a hard time sleeping at night. And I felt incredibly lonely those first few days. Do you feel that way?
I avoid his eyes.
Tambara: Yeah, at times.
Wade: So, how are you really doing?
I’m torn between wanting to tell him everything and keeping it all to myself. I choose the latter.
Tambara: It’s good.
It’s a lie, and the lie slaps me in the face when I turn back toward the fireplace again. Udom is there, holding me in his arms, whispering to me in Tomarang. I push the memory away.
Tambara: You haven’t seen the barn yet. Let me show you where Finesse lives now.
Daddy admires the stalls, the barn, and the paddock.
Wade: Growing up, my chore was to clean the cowshed. I don’t miss it at all. I ruined so many sneakers.
Daddy pauses as his eyes land on a fresh pile of horse manure.
Wade: This is a lot to take care of.
Tambara: Yeah, that’s why I hired a ranch hand.
Wade: Smart. Your Pop‑Pop had a gardener he hired to help him out. Speaking of which, I’m dying to check out the greenhouse.
Tambara: Yeah, go ahead. I need to brush Finesse.
Daddy heads off, and I’m grateful to have a moment alone with my horse to get my thoughts together.
The moment doesn’t last long. By the time I finish with Finesse, Daddy is hurrying back with bad news.
Wade: You need to fire that ranch hand.
That’s the last thing I need to hear right now.
Tambara: Why? What happened?
Wade: This stall is a mess, but he’s out there half naked relaxing in your pool.
Tambara: What?
Wade: Don’t worry. I’ll get rid of him.
The emotional weight of the last few days lands heavy on my shoulders. Before I can stop myself, everything rushes out of my mouth in a whirlwind.
Tambara: I can’t fire him because this ranch is too damn big, and I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I’m lonely, and I tried to get Udom to stay, but he refused. He wants to “just be friends.” And now I’m all by myself again, and I have no idea what I did wrong. Maybe I gave it up too fast!
Daddy suddenly throws his hands up to his mouth in shock.
Wade: Excuse me? Gave what up? Who the hell is Udom?
I close my mouth in a hurry, realizing I’ve said way more than I intended. If I could take it all back, I would, but it’s too late. Daddy’s face is still as granite.
Wade: Who’s Udom, Tami?
Tambara: The guy I met in Tomarang.
Wade: He was here?
Tambara: I invited him. I was lonely, and the people in town here are mean.
Wade: Is that why you postponed my visit?
Tambara: Yeah.
Wade: You woohooed with this guy?
My silence tells him everything. Daddy pulls out his cell before I can respond.
Tambara: Daddy… what are you doing?
Wade: Booking a flight to Tomarang.
Tambara: *alarmed* What? Why?
Wade: It sounds like Udom needs a good old-fashioned beat down.
Tambara: Don’t you dare!
Daddy keeps typing on his phone.
Wade: Nobody does that to my little girl and then leaves!
My fingers tighten into fists.
Tambara: I’m not a little girl! Nothing happened with Udom that I didn’t want to happen. Put the phone away!
Daddy’s finger freezes in the air.
My anger redirects itself toward Daddy. I don’t need him to fix anything. I invited Udom here, and I woohooed with him. It’s my mess to fix, not Daddy’s.
I need another moment to myself. I walk over and place Finesse’s saddle on her back.
Tambara: I’m going to practice jumps.
Wade: I’m sorry, Tami. I realize you’re not a little girl anymore. Can we talk about this?
Tambara: Maybe, but I need to be alone right now.
I lead Finesse out of the stall and toward her jumping posts.
Once I’ve calmed down and my mind has cleared, I find Daddy sitting at the firepit with a big campfire roaring in front of him. I sit beside him. Without saying a word, I pull out my cell and open the ranch services app. Daddy is right — Harvey needs to be fired.
After the call, I turn to Daddy.
Tambara: I’m sorry I yelled.
Wade: It’s okay. But I’m not sorry about being pissed at Udom. You deserve a lot better than that. Your first time should have been special.
Tambara: It was special. And honestly, I can’t place all the blame on him. He didn’t just leave out of the blue. I drove him away.
Wade: How?
Tambara: I tried to convince him to stay here on the ranch with me, and when he refused, I said some mean things to hurt him for rejecting it.
Wade: I see. I’m sorry.
Tambara: I’m not, because like you said, I deserve better.
Wade: That’s my girl!
He pauses, then corrects himself.
Wade: I mean… young adult!
Satisfied, a smile replaces the concerned expression on his face. The tension between us finally eases, and for the first time all day, I feel like I can breathe again.
He suddenly gets up with a little more pep in his step.
Wade: You can’t live on a ranch and not know how to make campfire chili. I brought the ingredients with me. I can show you how to make it!
Tambara: Why do you know how?
Wade: I don’t, but I brought the recipe with me too.
I grin as Daddy sets the campfire up for cooking. As it warms, we sit and tell silly campfire stories. I’m suddenly very glad that Daddy is here.
After we’ve eaten too much chili and laughed way too hard, Daddy and I settle in for the night. Dressed in our pajamas and robes, we gather in the movie room. Suddenly, my cell phone rings. I look down and see Udom on the caller ID. I freeze, stuck between answering and letting it go.
Daddy walks over and sits beside me just as I choose to ignore the call.
Wade: Was that him?
Tambara: Yeah.
Wade: It’s not too late to book that flight.
It’s not, but Udom doesn’t deserve the time or effort.
Tambara: No, he’s not worth it. Let’s just enjoy the movie.
Daddy nods and settles back into his seat as we start one of our favorite films. For the first time since Udom left, I feel like I’m going to be… okay.
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
