“You’ve opened your mouth and then closed it a number of times over the years. Like you were holding onto the world’s biggest secret and at the same time were desperate to tell someone. I always figured you’d told Winter and Peyton.”
“Nope.”
I stare up at the ceiling that’s just visible in the dark room. “Have you told anyone?”
“My mom knows. But we act like…”
She trails off, but I get her point. Her mom isn’t a bad person, but she never would have been nominated for world’s greatest mother. And making sure her daughter was okay emotionally wasn’t high on her list of concerns.
“Ash.” I say her name more gently than I think I ever have. “I’m all for keeping things to myself too, but when something is weighing on you heavily? That’s probably not healthy.”
“I know it’s not. But I can’t share it with you when I’m buzzing.”
“I agree. Let’s talk when we’re both sober. Tomorrow?”
I can hear her shaky inhale before she says, “Okay. Good night.”
“Good night, Ash.”
* * *
Ashley
Jared’s still sleeping when I wake up the next morning. His first game is tonight, and I don’t want to disturb his rest, so I slip out of bed quietly.
Louie follows me into the kitchen.
I spend a few minutes loving up on her with pets and kisses, and then I prepare her breakfast and clean her litter box before getting ready for my second day of work.
After showing me around the corporate headquarters yesterday, Mia asked me to meet her at the main house of Wild Ranch this morning. That’s a much shorter commute, and I enjoy the walk to the stables. It’s cool out this morning, and I’m glad I wore a warm jacket.
Mia shows me around the barn, and I enjoy petting a few of the horses. I take a few quick photos for my daily social media post while Mia fills me in on what she’s looking for.
“Haley was in charge of our socials all last year,” she explains. “But once our foundation grew larger, we needed more help. So Haley is focusing on the sales side of marketing now. Which means you’ll have a lot of freedom to do what you think is best for growing the foundation even more, and you’ll still have Haley to turn to for support.”
“That’s great. I’m looking forward to it. And I adore horses. It’s part of the job I’m most looking forward to—spending time with them.”
We’re still chatting when the barn door swings open.
“Good morning, ladies.”
Three hot-as-hell cowboys stride into the barn, and Mia introduces me to the Wild Brothers.
Luke remembers me from when I was in Montana last year, and I certainly remember him. He’s dark-haired and built; the scar on his right cheek adds to his intimidation factor, and I get the feeling he likes it that way. His twin brothers, Chase and Cooper, are blond and full of mischief.
All three guys are wearing worn blue jeans, flannel shirts, and cowboy boots.
“You don’t look dressed for a ranch,” Chase teases me.
I laugh as I look down at my sneakers and parka. “I’ve got jeans on, though. Does that count?”
“That definitely counts,” Cooper says with a grin. “You’ll pick up the rest in no time.”
“You should have Jared take you shopping for boots,” Luke says dryly.
I roll my eyes. “I don’t think Jared ever goes inside a store of any kind unless forced.”
“What makes you say that?”
