Before I can segue the conversation, she does it for me.
“We need to get going anyway. Ashley said that Logan Wild is expecting us in an hour.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
Haley
The drive from lunch to Wild Ranch isn’t as awkward as it probably should be.
Sure, I just basically propositioned Liam, and yet somehow, we spend the time chatting and enjoying each other’s company like we have been.
He’s so easy to be with. Fun to joke with, doesn’t take himself too seriously despite the broody exterior, and he’s great to talk to.
“Are you going to play cowboy for the rest of the day?” I tease him as we enter the town of Darcy and head for the ranch.
“Not a chance,” he says. “I learned from being on the Wild Ranch in Montana how little I know about that life.”
“Do you ride?” I ask him curiously.
“No. I’m willing to try, but I’m going to need some lessons first.”
“I understand. I could teach you when we get to Montana if you like.”
And that comment right there just proves Liam’s point. We aren’t going to say goodbye at the end of this road trip. Even if we never keep in touch once he returns to Louisiana, he’s going to be in Montana all summer, and I’m going to bump into him often.
When we reach the turn-off for Wild Ranch, Liam plugs the directions into his truck, and we follow along until we’re pulling into a driveway lined with live oaks and cypress trees.
“This is gorgeous,” I say.
“It is.”
I park in the driveway and text Ashley that we’re here.
Then, I organize what I’ll need for work—tripod, phone, iPad—and call the number Ashley gave me for the Wilds.
When a man answers, I explain who I am and why we’re here.
He tells me to head on over to The Cowherd Bar next door. “Logan is there with his wife, Macey. They’ll get y’all some cool drinks before you go out to the ranch. It’s hotter than blazes out today.”
* * *
Macey is behind the bar when Liam and I walk into The Cowherd. We’ve only been outside for about five minutes, and I’m already sweating.
“This place is hotter than New Orleans,” Liam mutters.
Macey calls out hello, and I introduce myself.
“Oh, you’re the Montana lady who’s crazy enough to film outside in this darn heat!” she says with a wide smile. “And you brought a hockey star with you. I don’t watch the sport myself, but no one will bother you here. Welcome to Darcy, Texas, y’all.”
She shakes hands with Liam and me, and I immediately like her. She’s forthright and friendly with eyes the color of whiskey. She’s casually dressed in a pink tank top and cut-offs.
She’s standing behind the bar with a blond woman she introduces as her younger sister, Riley, and an older man named George. Both women have their hair up in ponytails, and I wonder if they always do that because of the heat.
George tips his cowboy hat in our direction and then tells Liam what a huge fan he is.
“You like hockey?” Macey asks him.
“Love it. Never played, but I watch when I can.”
