* * *
I fall asleep on the couch, and when I wake up the next morning, I’m running late.
Jamie Beth calls to ask if I want to meet for drinks after work.
“I can’t tonight,” I say.
“But why…oooh,” she says with a laugh. “Right. Declan comes home tonight.”
Yes, Declan’s coming home, and I can’t wait to see him. I haven’t wanted to admit to anyone, even Jamie Beth, how much I’ve missed him.
But right now, I need to put my husband out of my mind and focus on my upcoming day.
I tell Jamie Beth I’ll meet her at the café at noon, and I hurry to get ready for work.
After a quick shower and a piece of toast, I rush out the door and onto my motorcycle.
I stopped horseback riding after Mom died. That was something she and I did together, a passion we shared. I still love horses, but the riding part I haven’t been able to bring myself to do since I lost her. Instead, I ride a motorcycle. Dad wasn’t happy—he felt like I went from one potentially dangerous hobby to something even worse.
But I have a meeting at a ranch on my way to the office, and the idea of riding there in the sunshine and fresh air is too appealing to pass up.
I’m halfway down the ranch road when I spot Luke in the pasture. He walks toward his truck parked on the side of the dirt and gravel road but then keeps on going, stepping right into the middle of the road to block my path.
I’m sure he’s going to tell me not to ride my bike to work. But instead, he holds up a finger and then reaches into the back of his truck.
When he holds out a pair of wool gloves, I look up at him.
“What are these?”
“They’re my mom’s. They’ll keep your hands warm for the ride,” he says with a tip of his cowboy hat.
“You’re a good guy, Luke,” I say as I take the gloves from him gratefully. “I’m honestly surprised you’re single.”
He shakes his head, those blue eyes of his filled with an emotion I can’t read. “Don’t fool yourself, Mia. Declan’s a good guy. I’m the man no woman should want to bring home to meet her parents.”
“Why do you say that?” I ask him curiously.
He doesn’t answer me; he simply raises an eyebrow. “Declan probably won’t be home until late. You coming to dinner again?” he asks me.
“If you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. You’re family now.”
My heart warms.
He waves as he turns away. “Have a good day.”
I’ve been eating with the Wild cousins nearly every night Declan’s been gone. Between Luke, Cooper, and Chase, one of the cousins always texts or stops by to check on me and invite me up to the house for dinner.
They’re all sweet and friendly, and I feel lucky to have married into such a kind and loving family. Even if it’s temporary—a word that already feels like a twinge in my chest—being a Wild is pretty great so far.
* * *
“You certainly have a beautiful spot here.” I walk across the gravel driveway with Valerie Benson, owner of Benson Ranch in Mountainview, and follow her to the barn. “I understand paying taxes on the land can be a hardship.”
“Yes, but we’re managing okay. However, with my husband wanting to retire from the rigors of raising cattle, we’re looking for ways to diversify our income,” she says as we step into the barn. “I thought maybe we could involve the horses somehow. Many of ours love people and are great with kids.”
“Trail rides could be a fun idea,” I say. “Or riding lessons. You’d need qualified instructors for lessons, but I have a list of recommended people I could give you if you’d like.”
