“The warmth feels good,” I said once he had the fire roaring.
“Might be chilly on the ride back,” he said.
“I’ve got extra layers in my saddlebags, or we could stop as needed so you could find another way to warm me up.” I flashed him a grin.
“I like the sound of that.” His grin matched mine as he pulled me tohim for a kiss. It quickly grew hot and heavy. Eventually, Cal reluctantly drew back. “I believe I promised you a picnic.”
We settled on the blanket I’d spread out in front of one of the benches to give us something to lean against as Cal unpacked the bag. Marc had gone all out. Instead of your more typical picnic fare of fried chicken and various cold salads, we were treated to chicken and beef kabobs with veggies and a delicious glaze on top. The salads were garden fresh and I knew the burrata came from a local cheese monger east of Beaumont. Marc and Aurora had met her through some local foodie group and she supplied much of their cheeses.
“This is amazing,” I finally said. “And the setting is like something out of a movie. I can’t believe I’ve never been out here.”
“Rafael recommended it. He used to come out here when he was a teen. I guess it’s a local hangout.” He pointed to the posts and rail. “Riders must come through here. I noticed the hoof prints were relatively new.”
“Oh, that might be the Caffertys. I wouldn’t be surprised if they come out here on their trail rides. Their riding program has become really popular, especially as a company teambuilding exercise.” Fiona had offered to slot me in to one of the group rides but I had yet to say yes. Maybe I needed to take her up on it after the rodeo.
“That sounds like fun. Both the riding and the running of the program.”
“Fiona likes it. You met her and her fiancé, Eli, that night we went to Buckman’s. They both love how much time they get to spend on horseback, though it has its drawbacks, too—especially for Eli, since the women groups always enjoy flirting with him and he has a hard time figuring out if they’re teasing or serious.”
“I can understand that. On the circuit, we have buckle bunnies.” Herubbed the side of his head with a sheepish look. “I guess you can call them rodeo groupies.”
Cal didn’t elaborate but I knew what he meant and I tried to stomp down my sudden flash of jealousy. Luke had his fair share of groupies when he was playing football, and they seemed to treat the players with committed girlfriends as some sort of challenge. Cal was good looking and personable. I was sure women regularly threw themselves at him, and I didn’t like it. Thankfully, he seemed to pick up on that and quickly changed the subject.
As we ate, the conversation flowed and we shared stories about how we grew up. Cal had grown up in Austin and his childhood had been similar to mine in Norfolk, where my parents co-owned a real estate firm. We’d both had the typical, suburban large town upbringing and yet, both of us managed to find our way into such different ways of life. Here I lived in a town with a population that wasn’t much bigger than my high school and he spent most of his life on the road, sometimes completely alone and other times, surrounded by massive crowd. It was odd how life could turn out like that and yet, it also brought us together.
When the meal was over, Cal put his arm around me and pulled me tight against his body and I rested my head on his chest. He was warm and strong and I relaxed against him. “I’ve got something to say to you.” His tone was serious, making me tense slightly. “But first I want to kiss you again.”
I didn’t bother to speak as I lifted my lips to his. The kiss was different from the wilder, more intense ones we’d shared. It was more tender, more heartfelt. It made me want to weep and laugh at the same time.
When it ended, he met my eyes. “At the risk of sounding too forward or, I don’t know… unhinged given that it’s only been a couple of weeks, I have to say that I’m quite sure I’m in love with you, Amy.”
Any nerves I felt disappeared, replaced by a sense of openness. I wasn’t going to keep in my feelings either.
“I love you, too,” I said, knowing it was true. At some point during our time together, I’d fallen head over heels for Cal.
His smile was warm and instant. “I’m so glad you do.” He kissed me again, a long and lingering kiss. By the time it was over, the sun was dipping below the horizon and the sky was alight with pinks and purples. No setting could have been more romantic for the moment. It had been perfect, and the thought made me sigh in happiness.
“You’ll come with me when I go, then? Join me on the road? You and Henry?” Cal said, his face expectant in the firelight. “It’s not what you’re used to, but as long as we’re together, does it matter where?”
“Go on the road?” I said. He wanted me to leave the ranch, leave Poplar Springs? My heart sank, the happiness from a moment ago evaporating.
“Yeah, it’s not a glamorous lifestyle, but you’ll get to see some amazing places. Rafael is always talking about all the different events and the parts of US history that tend to get glossed over. It’d be a great education for Henry to see all that stuff in person,” he continued. “I’ll contact the network and let them know, so they can change my accommodations.”
He’s convinced I’ll agree,I thought. But I couldn’t, I just couldn’t, no matter how I felt about him.
“Cal, I can’t raise a child on the road like that,” I said, willing him to understand. “Why can’t you stay here? You know about horses and ranching. You could find a job locally. Maybe the Caffertys are looking for another trail guide.” I knew everyone in the community. If not the Caffertys, I was sure I could find someone who would be happy to have his expertise on staff.
“I can’t do that,” he said. The raw declaration made me lean back to see his face better.
“Why not?” I asked. I couldn’t believe he wasn’t even willing to try. Not even for me.
“I left the circuit once, several years ago, to follow a woman.” He turned his face and gazed into the fire. “She wanted to settle down in a small town, and I agreed to it. But I was miserable from the beginning. Everything went wrong. I hated my job, and I didn’t seem to fit in with the locals. Then we started fighting and the relationship ended. I know myself, sweetheart.” His eyes came back to mine. “I’m not meant to stay in one place. I can’t stay. But that doesn’t mean you can’t come with me. Please just give it a chance. We could try it for six months.”
My heart told me to agree, my mind said that a trial seemed fair…but in my gut, I knew it wasn’t right. “I’m so sorry, Cal. Life on the road isn’t for me. I have a job I like here, and I love the Thornes. They’re my family. This place has been good to me. I can’t just abandon all that. And even if I could, what about Henry?”
“Are you worried about school?” Cal asked. “Other parents manage it. They hire tutors or do schooling online.”
I shook my head. “It’s not that. Henry is a Thorne. He deserves to be raised on the ranch. Luke wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.” I recognized my mistake instantly when Cal’s jaw tightened, and he looked away again. Cal didn’t want to hear about Luke, but I couldn’t ignore that he was my son’s father. “There must be some other way…”
