Wes stares me down. I realize I'm overstepping, but I'm not his employee, so technically I can say what I want. His pulse pounds in his neck, and I have no idea what he's thinking. He's so damn good at keeping his emotions in check.
Unlike me. "What do you think?" I press. "I could—"
"We're done." Wes's voice rings out with finality. I want to argue, but I know better. Challenging the ranch boss in front of his subordinates will get me nowhere fast.
I turn away, pointing the nozzle of my sprayer at another dandelion. Yeah, it's a weed. But it has a function. A purpose. It's actually doing some good.
My brother, the de facto head of the Hayden siblings, needs to up his ranching game.
17
Sawyer
"We're shuttingdown the hotel for the time being while we deal with the problem."
I blanch at the general manager of The Sierra. "You're shutting down the entire hotel?"
He apologizes again. "It's necessary. The termite inspection showed we have an issue, and quite possibly a hazard to our guests' safety. This is not a precaution, Mr. Bennett, but a response to a very real problem." He gestures to the front desk. "Geraldine will be happy to call around and get you set up at one of the other hotels in the area."
I nod curtly. "That won't be necessary, I can make my own arrangements. Thank you." I head upstairs to my room, where, per the manager's instruction, I am to pack all my stuff and vacate the hotel immediately.
As I fold my slacks and pressed button-up shirts, it reminds me of what Wyatt and Jo said about my clothes. Maybe I should do some shopping before my date with Jessie tonight.
I get everything packed and walk out of The Sierra. I place it all in the back of my car, then use my phone to search for a place to shop. Boutiques dot High Street, but many of them don't carry clothes I'm interested in wearing. I'm not a cowboy, and I don't need to dress like one.
I text Jo, asking her where a guy can get clothes that fall somewhere between Wrangler and business casual. She sends me the name of two stores Wyatt likes, which are perfect. He never looks one-hundred-percent cowboy.
By the time I'm done shopping, I don't have time to check in to a new hotel. I call around, find one place that has a vacancy, and head out to the HCC to pick up Jessie for our date.
I'm nervous as hell. It's been years since I've been on a first date. And I thought I'd never have to go on another one again. Brea was supposed to be my last first.
I drive the same route I drove two days ago, veering off on that dirt road I’d noticed as I drove toward the homestead. At the time I didn’t know it was how to get to Jessie’s cabin.
I pull up and cut the engine, wiping my sweaty palms on the front of my jeans before climbing out. My heart races, and I take a deep breath.Should I have brought flowers?I look around, and when I don't spot any, I vow to get them for our next date.
Next date?Whoa there, buddy. Maybe I need to slow down.
Jessie opens the door before I can knock. "Hi," she says, breathless. "I saw you from the window."
I like how honest she is. She didn't make me wait out front, counting down so she wouldn’t look too excited. Nothing with Jessie is manufactured. What I see is what I get. And damn do I like what I see.
A watermelon-pink dress skims her legs, hitting the middle of her thighs. Her shoes lend her a few inches in height, but she's still shorter than me by a good five inches.
"You look beautiful," I tell her. I pretend to hand her a bouquet. "These are the flowers I didn't think to get you until it was too late."
She takes the pretend flowers and scrunches her nose. "I hate roses," she says.
"It's a good thing they’re sunflowers," I respond.
She laughs and drops the act. "I like you, Sawyer Bennett." She steps out and closes the door behind herself. "Let's go. Show me a good time."
"Where are we going?"Jessie asks, propping her forearm on the door. She peers over at me expectantly as I navigate my way off her family's land.
I glance at her, then back at the road. I make a left and head toward town. "Do you like French food? There's a place about twenty minutes from town."
"I sure do, and I'm starving, too."
"Perfect."
