I know she’s right. That doesn’t mean I’mreadyto open my mind up to it. More importantly, my friendship with Mags is not something I’m willing to lose. Not now, not ever.
“You know,” Mags starts, her voice soft and contemplative, “this road trip was a good idea. I know I was worried about leavin’ the diner and bein’ away for so long, but now that we’re here, I’m not sure what I was worried about.”
“Control freak,” I cough into my fist, earning a kick to the foot.
Mags chuckles. “Takes one to know one. But at least I can appreciate a good meal I didn’t have to cook, the fresh mountain air makin’ me feel alive, and a much–needed break from life back home.”
“I’d say that sounds like the recipe for a mighty fine vacation—even if there is still some work I have to do while we’re here.”
When a big yawn escapes her, I know it’s time to call it a night. I jerk my head back toward the only bed in the cabin. “You’ve got the bed, I’m takin’ the couch.”
“Red…”
“No arguin’, sweetheart. Already told you I can sleep anywhere, and I’ve definitely bedded down in much worse places. A sofa bed is a luxury as far as I’m concerned.”
"Only if you're sure…"
“Sure as a cowboy wears his hat,” I reply, earning a wry grin.
“OK. Thank you. We can switch out tomorrow night.”
"Nope. The bed's yours for our stay. My mama raised me to be a gentleman.”
As she unfolds her legs and pushes up onto her feet, another yawn escapes her. “OK. I’m goin’ to get ready for bed. We’ll both be up early in the mornin’ anyway. The rodeo never sleeps, remember.”
He winks. “The rodeo does, it’s the cowboys kickin’ up their boots that don’t.”
“Do you miss it? Life on the road, I mean?”
I shake my head. "I’ve got a good thing goin' back home. The ranch is almost back to lookin’ like she should. The mountain is too. And if my meetin' with Rod the rodeo owner goes well, then we'll have a few more stud bulls comin' our way as well as more buyers for our calves too. I also like my hometown. My best friend lives there, don't you know."
She bites her lip and I realize she’s nervous. "So, you haven’t thought about leavin’ now that you’re an empty nester?”
“You tryin’ to get rid of me now that my boy’s gone, Mags?”
This time her smile is softer, warmer, and I care to say, a genuinely happy one. “Nah. You’re stuck with me just like I’m stuck with you, Red. Wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Later on, when I’m lying on the sofa bed, trying to fall asleep, out of everything that’s happened on this trip so far, there’s only one thought that keeps going through my brain. It’s not about leaving Spring Haven, it’s not about Wy and wondering how he’s going. It’s that I want my life to stay exactly how it is right now, and I can’t imagine a life without Mags by my side.
More importantly, I don’t want to.
13
MAGS
It’s the second day of the rodeo so we’re both up early, me fixing breakfast while Red grabs a quick shower.
Yesterday was spent watching the qualifying events and catching up with all of Red’s old friends from the circuit. We were both so tired by the end of the day, we barely had the energy to grab a quick dinner at the bar in town before coming straight back to the cabin to sleep.
I’m busy plating up some scrambled eggs and bacon onto our plates when I hear what sounds like a quack outside. Curiosity piqued, I look out the window to try and find the duck in question, knowing it can’t be that damn Duck Norris from back home but having been around the menace for far too long, I’m suspicious all the same.
Hearing the bathroom door creak open, I turn around with a smile only to freeze in place when I’m met by the sight of Red Grayson standing in front of me in just a towel held tight around his waist.
“Forgot my damn clothes, didn’t I,” he jokes, but I don’t move. I can’t.
When I don’t answer, he looks up, our eyes locking. Then, as if I can’t help it, my gaze drops lower, moving over his bare chest and the water droplets clinging to the hair covering his pecs, trailing down toward his…shit.
I shriek as the breakfast plates slip out of my hands, the food flying everywhere as the dishes crash to the floor and shatter, snapping me out of my daze.
