I reached the fence line just as the sun was beginning to peek over the horizon. The boundary between McGrath Ranch and the neighboring property was marked by a barbed wire fence that had seen better days. I easily slipped between the strands and crossed into neutral territory, feeling the tension leave my shoulders with each step away from McGrath land.
Ten minutes later, I spotted Ryder’s truck idling on the old logging road, just where he promised he’d be. My pace quickened despite myself, and when I opened the passenger door and slid inside, the smile that broke across his face was worth every risk.
“Hey,” he said, his voice soft with affection.
“Hey yourself,” I replied, drinking in the sight of him. His hair was slightly longer than it had been, curling at the edges, and he’d gotten some sun. The bruise on his throat had faded completely, leaving only golden skin behind.
“I missed you,” he admitted, reaching across to take my hand.
I squeezed his fingers, allowing myself this small indulgence. “I missed you too, pup.”
He shivered at the nickname, his pupils dilating slightly. “We should go,” he said, reluctantly pulling his hand away.
I nodded, settling back in my seat as he put the truck in gear. My body hummed with anticipation, every nerve ending alive with the knowledge that we’d have hours together, uninterrupted.
“How’s it been at the ranch?” Ryder asked as we bumped along the dirt road, putting distance between us and McGrath land.
“Miserable,” I admitted, watching his profile as he drove. “Your father’s on a rampage. Has everyone walking on eggshells.”
Ryder’s jaw tightened. “I heard he fired two of the regular hands last week.”
“Yep,” I confirmed. “They stood up for Joey when Pete accused him of stealing tools. Joey didn’t take anything, of course. But when they proved Pete wrong… well, he lost his shit. He’s just looking for excuses now to come after anyone.”
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “This is all because of me.”
I reached over, resting my hand on his thigh. “None of this is your fault. Your father’s digging his own grave. He’s firing people faster than he can replace them, and word’s spreading to other ranches. Soon nobody is going to want to work for him.”
A small, satisfied smile tugged at Ryder’s lips. “Good. Maybe he’ll finally learn he can’t treat people like disposable trash.”
We fell into comfortable silence as Ryder navigated the back roads. The morning sun bathed the landscape in golden light, the mountains in the distance sharp and clear against the blue sky. I rolled down my window, letting the fresh air wash over me. Freedom. Even temporary, it tasted sweet.
“How’s the job at Nelson’s working out?” I asked after a while.
Ryder’s face brightened. “Better than I expected. Jesse’s been teaching me the business side of things. Says I have a knack for it.”
“Not surprised,” I said, watching pride bloom across his features. “You’re smart. Just needed someone to give you a chance to prove it.”
His cheeks flushed at the compliment. “Jesse says the same thing. He and Cole have been... they’ve been like family. The kind that supports you instead of tears you down.”
“You deserve that,” I told him. The sincerity in my voice surprised even me.
Ryder glanced over, his eyes soft. “We’re almost there.”
He turned the truck onto a narrow path I wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t pointed it out, the branches of pine trees scraping against the sides as we pushed deeper into the woods. After a few minutes, the trees opened up to reveal a small clearing beside a creek, the water sparkling in the morning light.
“Cole used to come here to fish when he was a kid,” Ryder explained as he parked. “He and Jesse fixed up the old cabin earlier this year.” He nodded toward a small structure nestled among the trees that I hadn’t noticed at first.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, taking in the secluded spot. It was perfect for us, hidden away from prying eyes, from anyone that might try to interrupt our time together.
The cabin itself was small but well-maintained, with a fresh coat of dark green paint and a sturdy wooden porch. A weathered picnic table sat near the creek, already set with a checkered blanket and the basket Evelyn had promised.
“They said we could use it whenever we want,” Ryder continued, grabbing a backpack from behind his seat. “It’s got electricity and running water. They even stocked the mini fridge.”
I stepped out of the truck, inhaling deeply. The air smelled of pine and fresh water, so different from the dusty, manure-tinged atmosphere of the ranch. Birds called to each other in the trees,and the gentle babble of the creek provided a soothing backdrop. For the first time in weeks, I felt my shoulders fully relax.
“Come here,” I said, holding out my hand.
Ryder came to me without hesitation, his fingers intertwining with mine. I pulled him close, one hand moving to cup his jaw as I kissed him properly for the first time in two weeks. He melted against me immediately, a small whimper escaping his throat as his free hand clutched at my shirt.
