Gray claps me on the shoulder as we march back to the house. “Come have a beer with us,” he grumbles. His buddy Beau nods along like a damn bobblehead, the gesture causing me to groan loudly.
Every fiber is still sore as hell, and I’m already exhausted from the flight out here yesterday.
“I think I’m gonna get some sleep. We wrapped up everything we needed to do today, so I am gonna try to head back to Montana tomorrow.” The thought of attempting to find a different flight makes me groan again. This back and forth is going to wear on me real quick. It didn’t seem like it wouldbe any worse than the travel I often do now, but coming home always takes a little something extra out of me. It’s a constant reminder of what I promised I’d never leave behind.
“All the more reason to have a beer with us now. Next weekend will be too busy,” Beau interjects. I’ve only met the guy a few times. He’s the last person who could get me to venture to a bar.
We clear the hill to the east of the house, Betty coming into view. Instead of those shorts, she has on a sundress. The type that appears innocent, but you can’t wait to whip up once your woman is bent over the bed of your truck while you drive into her from behind.
That used to be my life. A long time ago. A lifetime ago.
A soft breeze whips through her loose waves and the bottom of the dress. My cock is twitching in my jeans, wondering what’s underneath.Briefs. Boyshorts. Thong. Nothing.
An audible groan leaves me. “You good?” Gray snorts.
“Uh, yeah. Just sore as hell. Let’s get that beer. I’ll drive.”
The three of us cut left, jumping in my truck without so much as another word.
But I feel her eyes on me. And when I look in the rearview mirror, all I see is her.
Chapter 3
Betty
From the very first moment I walked into the Thirsty Pony holding my hand-written paper application, I wasn’t nervous. When I faced my first astronomy exam in college, I felt only excitement. Yet now, as I sit on the Miller house sofa, my hands knot in my lap, and anxious butterflies soar through my stomach.
My palms sweat, knowing that in a matter of moments, our first guest will arrive. Though I’ve never been close to the Garrison brothers, letting them down in any way is not something I am willing to do. Worrying my bottom lip, I shoot to my feet for the tenth time, pacing the short distance between where the cream and brown rug meets the original natural oak hardwood floors.
It’s been months of watching this place come together. Months of organizing every detail and ensuring we were not only serving those who come to compete or vendor for the rodeo, but also the business. That’s how Tate asked me to look at this. BoulderRanch may be a place for family, but it has to be more than that if it’s going to survive and then thrive.
I’ve only just slumped back onto the opposite couch when the sharp crack of a knock at the door launches me back to my feet. My body involuntarily jumps as if I hadn’t expected a guest to arrive.
Smoothing the simple business casual dress down my thighs, my heart rate instantly races, hoping I didn’t leave palm prints on the soft green fabric. The heels River insisted I wear click across the floor as I make my way to the door, swinging it wide.
My classic Betty grin stretches across my face as the stranger comes into view. “Welcome to Boulder Ranch.” Flashing all of my teeth, the young cowboy on the other side immediately smiles back. His crooked grin is the type that could make a woman blush, but not this one. Not when a piece of me was hoping it would be Nash coming to sweep me off my feet, knowing that was never going to happen.
“Howdy, ma’am,” he drawls, removing his hat while briefly dipping his chin in greeting. His grin matches mine, wide and forthcoming. Only his appears genuine, while mine is the practiced expression I mastered before I even entered high school.
I’d thought it would be hard to turn on the charm after being away from the bar these past few months, but it came naturally. Perhaps I shouldn’t have doubted myself when this is who I’ve always been to everyone around me.
But the optimist in me hopes it’s the excitement of working with people drawing out my natural joy. When it was time to find my first job, I knew it was a must. I may not have always felt like the fun girl everyone thought I was, but I endured because I’ve always loved being there for others and helping them through life. Looking back, a people-pleaser like me might see it that way.
“Please come in.” Gesturing my arm to the side as I angle my body out of the doorway, he quickly steps over the threshold. A ratty brown duffel bag hangs over his shoulder, likely some sort of good luck charm he refuses to travel without. “Name?” I ask, moving ahead toward my laptop, which I left on the living room coffee table.
“Ward. Ward Ferrell,” his deep baritone hits me from behind. His presence at my back has my nerve endings crackling with awareness.Weird.
Spinning to face him, he’s closer, but not intrusively so. It’s a respectful distance with his hat still poised over his stomach. The last man, aside from my brother and father, I was this close to was Nash.
Dammit, I need him out of my head.
“Alright, Mr. Ferrell, I have you out in cabin 1A. There are no keys. The code is seven-five-three-seven for the front door. If you need anything, I’m usually here at the main house, or you can find my phone number in the reservation email.”
Soft hazel eyes meet mine, that crooked grin pulling a fraction higher. “Is that your personal number?” His tone is hopeful, as if he genuinely wants to know. Usually, I would be creeped out by now, but there’s something trustworthy about the man standing in front of me.
A flush creeps up my chest and neck, flooding my cheeks with color. It’s not that I don’t get hit on. I do. All the time. Some I’ll date, but most I compare to Nash and decide they’re not worth my time. Which, looking back now, was stupid. I barely know the man now, yet my heart has always belonged to him.
With an awkward laugh, I place my laptop back on the table. “They are one and the same; however, let’s keep it to business.”
