“Why don’t you come out to my place?” he asked.
“For...?”
“Riding. You know I got horses, Dylan. In fact, I’m a little hurt you didn’t come right out and ask me.”
“Ohmigod, I don’t know why I didn’t think about that. I’m surprised your horsesare available right now.”
“I’ve rented all but one of them out for Roundup, but you’re welcome to ride a couple in the meanwhile. They could use the exercise.”
“Wow, Wyatt, that would be amazing. Are you sure?”
“It’ll give me a chance to get to know Addison.”
“Oh, I see your ulterior motive now.”
He laughed. “Am I that transparent?”
“Like a window, buddy. And not like one of those stained-glassones at the church. We’re talking clear window here. A clean one. Spit-shined like that old janitor used to do at the courthouse.”
More laughter. “Do you remember how to get out here?”
“You still at your folks’ ranch?” I asked.
“Yep. If you come around eleven tomorrow, we can eat then head out for a ride.”
“I’ll have to call you about our ETA. We need to interview Ms. Long tomorrow, and Addison’snot an early riser,” I said.
“No problem. Just text me when you know, and I’ll get the horses ready.”
“Two questions. First, you said you have a horse free for Roundup? One we could possibly rent since Addie threw down the gauntlet at Brandy’s feet?”
“I have one.” He sounded way too hesitant. “But it’s complicated. I don’t know that you’ll want to use him. You’ll have to meet him and give ita go.”
“Okay.” Why did that sound terrifying? “Second, you wouldn’t happen to have a horse that works with English would you?”
“Did you go and get sophisticated on us, city girl?”
“Hell no. It’s for Addison.”
Wyatt laughed. “Good. I’m glad to hear that you’re clingin’ to your roots. I might have an old English saddle around here somewhere. I’ll look.”
“That’s really sweet, Wyatt. We bothappreciate it.”
“No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He hung up and I smiled. Wyatt would be perfect for Addison. Maybe not as perfect as Jake...Wyatt was way more laid back, which Addie would probably find boring...but as far as meeting her alpha male and heart-stopping sexiness requirement, Wyatt fit the bill perfectly. I set my phone on the nightstand, feeling lighter than I had in a while.
I couldn’t wait to get back on a horse and see my friend happy again.
It was a little after five and I knew Addison would be getting hungry again, so I ordered us some Mexican takeout and crashed her room. Turns out the sappy novels weren’t working, so we put in a shoot-’em-up action movie and vegged out on her bed. All in all, it was a decent second night in my home town.
* * *
Addison
The next morning, Iawoke before my alarm. Rather than feeling refreshed, however, I still felt sad, which pissed me off. I wanted to be over this whole bag of shit that was Jake and the feelies he gave me. Gah! It was so inconvenient to be heartbroken.
I crawled out of bed and into the shower, knowing Dylan was probably dining on the wonders of the motel’s continental breakfast so I had a littletime to blow out my hair. Maybe if I looked good, I’d feel good.
