“How are you liking Wyoming so far?”
“It’s gorgeous. I can’t stop looking at the mountains, it doesn’t feel real.”
“I know what you mean. I grew up here, and I still can’t believe it sometimes. Especially this time of year when everything is so green,” she sighs. “I love summer.”
“Me too,” I agree. “Although, I am a little sad to be away from home. I’m missing the peak horseback riding season back home with my best friend, Hazel.”
Codie’s eyes light up. “You ride? I used to jump growing up! You can totally find a place to go riding in Jackson, that’s like, our number one tourist activity in the summer.”
I laugh, rubbing my fingers along the edge of the cold glass in my hand. “I should. I love touristy things. I don’t even care if that makes me cliche. Give me all of the cowboy themed shops and wild west photo booths. The cheesier the better.”
“You know,” Codie tilts her head. “If you’re into touristy things, you can’t miss getting a custom cowgirl hat made for you. I work at a shop in town that makes them, I can probably swing a discount for you. It’s called Sage and Felt.”
“You work at the barandat a custom hat shop?” I ask.
Codie shrugs. “I like to mix it up a little. I volunteer on the elk ranch in the winter too. Keeps my life interesting.”
“Maybe I’ll have to stop in sometime. That does sound like fun,” I say.
“Oh hey,” Codie nudges my arm, “I finished that new Willa Gray.”
“No way, how was it?”
“Five stars, no notes,” she smiles.
I sigh, a bit dramatically. “I knew it. She could never write a bad book.”
“If I knew you were coming tonight I totally would have brought it for you. If you come by the shop, I’ll give it to you then. Youhaveto read it, it’s so good. The love interest is my new favorite.”
I laugh, “Awesome, I can’t wait. I’ve been dying to read it, and I definitely have some free time up here at night.”
After a while of talking about romance books with Codie, Reed, the one with the shoulder length brown hair under a straw cowboy hat interrupts. Codie wags her eyebrows at me as soon as he approaches.
“Would you like to dance with me?” He drawls, hand outstretched.
I nod, taking his arm as he leads me over to the field where there is a large speaker setup and a whole lot of people doing a line dance I’ve never heard of before.
“I thought Parker was just being Parker when he said that a beautiful girl bought the old cabin on the ranch, but man, did he under-exaggerate,” Reed says with a wink as he spins me around to the beat of the music. He has the swagger of a rodeo cowboy. I can already tell he’s a favorite with the ladies. “Are you planning on moving up this way?”
“Technically, my company bought it, I’m just here to renovate and then manage it after,” I clarify. “I’ll probably be coming back up every once in a while to check on it, but right now, I’m okay in Idaho.”
“Just okay?” He furrows his brow. “Doesn’t sound too permanent.”
“I’m not sure where I want to end up,” I say truthfully. I never considered leaving Juniper Ridge until my Aunt Millie moved away. Now, the only things that keep me there are my vacation rentals and my best friend. I don’t think I’d be opposed to moving somewhere else, just haven’t found a reason to yet.
The song speeds up a bit, causing me to majorly lose my footing a few times. I stumble into Reed, laughing. Who knew line dancing in a field in Wyoming could be so fun? We’re spinning around in the twilight surrounded by dozens of cowboys, no one caring about what they look like or what tomorrow will be like.
“Well while you’re here, I’d love to take you out sometime. Show you how much fun we have up in Wyoming,” Reed says with a wink.
I laugh, spinning again as he leads me through all of the moves of the song. “Sounds like fun.” I like Reed, he’s a blast. Maybe he would take my mind off of a certain stick in the mud standing over by the barn by himself.
I look over at Miles and immediately regret it. Why does he always have to look so attractive? It’s infuriating. Tonight he’s sporting his signature look of a black button-down shirt, Wranglers, and boots. But, he’s forgone a hat. His raven hair is combed back, and shines just a bit in the orange sunset glow of the sky. He’s talking to another man, who I assume works for him by his body language. Miles is all take-charge around the cowboys. I wouldn’t want to piss him off if he were my boss.
Thank goodness he’s not.
“Let me buy you a drink,” Reed drawls, reaching out his hand. I hesitate for just a second before taking it. I don’t know why, it’s not like he’s proposing marriage. I just wish I could shake the feeling of being around Miles. I feel like I’m constantly pulled towards him. But, he clearly doesn’t want to be around me. He’ll pretty much talk to everyone but me.
I let Reed lead me over to the ‘bar,’ standing off to the side a bit since all of the barrels are spoken for. He brings a couple of beers over, handing me one.
