Only Wyatt and Cash, the two oldest brothers, have been back to Rock Creek Ranch so far. Rex was busy on the rodeo circuit, and this is the first chance he’s had to return home. Judging by the way his jaw clenches the closer we get, I don’t think he’s all that happy about it.
But Iamhappy to go to Rock Creek Ranch. I should be nervous or scared or straight up freaking out about moving in with a man I literally just met, but I’m not. In fact, sitting with him by my side, holding my hand, feels oddly settling and reallyright.
There’s a small welcoming committee waiting for us in the yard. Two men who look a lot like Rex and must be Wyatt and Cash are standing with two women who look to be closer to my age. They’re waving and excited, and the moment we get out of the car, they both run over and pull me into a tight embrace.
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I can’t believe you’re married to Travis.”
“Welcome to Rock Creek Ranch.”
“Whatever you need, just let us know.”
“And make yourself at home.”
I’m spun back and forth between the two of them so quickly that my head is spinning when Travis steps in and pulls me away. “Ladies,” he says with a smile. “Have you even introduced yourselves?” He shakes his head. “This is Anna,” he tells me. “She’s married to Wyatt, and they have a new baby boy.” I only have a second to nod before he turns me to face the otherwoman. “And this is Kali. She’s married to Cash, and they are obviously expecting their first.”
“Congratulations,” I say to them both.
“Kali here is a city girl from Vancouver, so maybe she’ll have some tips for you.”
“Oh, great. Maybe you can?—”
“But not today,” Travis cuts me off smoothly. “Because it’s already been a long day and I still have to show my new wife home sweet home.”
For the first time, this whole thing is starting to feel real.Veryreal. I’m glad Travis has his arm around me, because the sudden wave of lightheadedness that washes through me threatens to knock me off my feet.
Or maybe it’s that I haven’t eaten since our breakfast that was interrupted by reality.
As if he read my mind, Travis leans down and murmurs in my ear, “I think we could both use something to eat, too.”
This man truly is amazing. I lean into his shoulder and wave at my new friends as Travis whisks me away. “They seem nice.”
“They are,” he agrees without hesitation.
“They’re young.”
He chuckles. “You noticed that, huh? Seems like we Rock Creek Ranch Cowboys have a thing for younger women.”
“Oh?” I spin in his arms to face him. “You have a thing for me, do you?”
“You know I do.” He pulls me in for a quick but hot kiss. “Here we are,” he says when he releases me. “Home sweet home.”
Travis
The tourof my cabin doesn’t take long. It’s not much, but it’s home.
It consists of one main room with a small kitchen tucked into a corner, a bedroom with a comfy king-sized bed that I plan on using very soon, and a bathroom. It’s a little small, especially with two of us, but it will be the perfect place to make my wife fall in love with me over the next few weeks.
Because the only thing that spending a day traveling with Maisey has taught me is that I like her even more than I did the night before. In fact, everything I learn about her only makes me like her more. I don’t need thirty days to know that it’s not going to be long enough.
But I sure as hell plan on spending that time making sure she feels it, too.
After we eat the pasta Anna had thoughtfully put in my fridge for us, I take Maisey outside to show her some more of the ranch.
“Do you have a horse?”
I can’t help but laugh at her innocent question. “You’re serious? I’m a cowboy. Of course, I have a horse.”
