Damn, I’m good.
I’ve never had to work this hard to impress someone before, but I think I finally did it. Then again, maybe I don’t get to take all the credit, since the Wright family and their staff were the ones that truly went above and beyond to make this happen.
They had our afternoon packed, and I’m not even sure I could’ve planned it better even if I tried.
We kicked things off with Boone and his younger brother, Austin, as we partook in some friendly competition. There were wheelbarrow races, hay bale tossing, and horseshoe throwing—giving me the ultimate opportunity to prove to Hollis that I am, in fact, a real cowboy at heart.
Boone even got us to try our hand at cattle roping, giving me yet another chance to show-off as I "accidentally" lassoed Hollis instead of the dummy steer. What can I say? I’m a sucker for being close to her. Sure, I’d prefer to not have to do so by force, but her smile made it all worth it and I’d do it again.
After that, we went on a trail wagon ride around the property as Boone pointed out all the popular landmarks Hollis recognized from TV, while telling all the hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from filming his reality show. Sure, it was interesting enough, but it was Hollis I couldn’t stop staring at as she leaned into me, our bodies incredibly close. Hell, Boone could’ve been confessing to murder and I wouldn’t have noticed or cared.
Then came the massive barbeque dinner with all the fixings. Maybe gorging myself wasn’t the most attractive move I could’ve made, but when I’m surrounded by all-you-can-eat, brisket, smoked sausage, baked beans, and cornbread, what’s a guy supposed to do?
And just when I thought I couldn’t eat another bite, they had the audacity to bring out the fresh peach cobbler with homemade vanilla ice cream.
By the time we’d polished off our dessert and I was only one bite away from needing to be rolled out of there in a barrel, Hollis asked if that was all for the night.
I'm never going to want my time with Hollis to come to an end, but I can’t help feeling a thrill as I let her know I have one more surprise up my sleeve—or rather, two.
“There’s more?” she asks, her eyes lighting up.
“With me, there’s always going to be more.” I wink and stand, offering my hand to help her up.
She follows as I lead her toward the barn where Boone is waiting with two horses, saddled and ready to go.
Genuine, childlike excitement radiates off her as she steps toward one of the horses, her fingers lightly brushing over its mane. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever been this grateful that you still haven't figured out when to quit,” she giggles, glancing at me over her shoulder.
“When it comes to you, quitting’s never been an option,” I say before we’re helped into the saddles and mounted on our horses.
We ride out past the pastures, the air cooling with each slow trot of the horses as we follow the guide Boone hooked us up with. Rounding a small bend, the final surprise comes into view—my truck pulled up alongside a shimmering creek as it catches the last rays of sunlight. That isn’t all though. The bed is piled high with luxuriously soft pillows and blankets. Just in front, a newly lit fire crackles to life. Next to it, a log sits beside a tray laid out with all the fixins’ for s’mores.
Hollis glances over her shoulder, a few stray hairs escaping her braid to brush across her cheek as she smiles—and damn if it doesn’t hit me like a fastball to the heart. She looks like she belongs on the cover of a country music album. Hell, I’d buy the deluxe version if it meant I could keep replaying this moment over and over again.
“You really did all this?” she asks.
“What can I say? I’m a man of many talents. Baseball, kissing, cowboy shit,” I list and shrug. “Is it really that much of a surprise that I’d be a master at date planning too?”
Okay, so maybe Boone helped—or rather did most of the heavy lifting here—but she doesn’t need to know that.
She laughs, the sound a perfect accompaniment to the soft rush of the nearby creek. “You’re too much.”
“Maybe,” I admit, slowing my horse to a stop. “But you’re still smiling, so clearly I’m doing something right.”
I swing off my horse and step toward her, offering her my hand. She takes it, and the moment her boots touch the ground, we’re stuck. A perfect moment—her hands on my shoulders, mine on her waist. Everything around us fades and it’s just the two of us, or at least it feels that way as she stares up at me.
“Anything else you need from us before we head out?” our guide interrupts. The spell shatters as Hollis takes a step back and rubs her hands down the side of her jeans.
“No, I think we’ve got it from here,” I say, attempting a smile, despite the man being a bit of a cock blocker.
The two ranch hands who’d been responsible for driving my truck and setting this up grab our horses and follow our guide out back toward the Ranch.
“So…” I trail off, turning my attention back to Hollis, who seems stuck in a perpetual state of awe as she gazes out at the setting sun.
I don’t blame her. The sky is ablaze in hues of orange and pink, but I’m the pathetic man who instead of looking up, is staring at the gorgeous woman beside him. Nothing will ever compare to the picture-perfect view that is Hollis Clemmins.
“I still can’t believe you did all this.” She lets out a contented sigh as she gazes out.
“Why wouldn’t I?” I ask, and in no way am asking it as a hypothetical question. “Plus, with this being your last first date ever, I had to make it extra special,” I add, only half-joking.
