"Sounds terrifying," Colt says, but not unkindly.
"It is," I agree. "But also kind of... freeing? Like maybe I get to choose something different this time. Something that's actually mine instead of what everyone else thinks I should do."
"That's a good way to look at it." He leans back in his chair. "So, what do you want, Harper? If you could do anything, be anyone, what would it be?"
It's a big question. Too big for a Friday night in a bar with a man I barely know. But I find myself actually considering it, turning it over in my mind.
"I don't know yet," I say finally. "But I think that's okay. I think maybe not knowing is part of starting over."
"Fair enough." He stands up, grabbing both our empty bottles. "Want another beer? Or we could get some food if you're hungry. I know a place."
My stomach rumbles at the mention of food, reminding me that I've eaten nothing but ice cream today. "Food sounds good, actually."
"Great." His smile is warm, genuine, and I feel myself relaxing for the first time since I walked in. "And Harper? For what it's worth? I'm glad you came back tonight."
"Yeah," I say softly, surprised to realize I mean it. "Me too."
Chapter 6 - Colt
I love talking to her.
It's been so fucking long since I've had a real conversation with someone. Since I've wanted to know more than just whether they're coming home with me. Since I've cared about what's behind the nice body and the pretty face.
But with Harper, I want to know everything. What makes her laugh. What hurt her so badly that she ran all the way to Montana. What she dreams about when she lets herself dream. What made her walk into that bar last night looking like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.
And I want to make sure this night doesn't end. I want to keep her talking, keep her smiling, keep her here with me for as long as she'll stay.
I extend my arm toward her, palm up, and she looks at it for a second before placing her hand in mine. Her palm is soft and small, and when I help her up from the chair, she's close enough that I catch that subtle scent again. Something clean and a little sweet, nothing overpowering.
"There's this place," I tell her, keeping her hand in mine as we head toward the door. "Open late on Friday nights. Has the best burgers in town, and it's only about ten minutes away on foot."
She glances up at me, and there's a hint of amusement in those amber eyes. "In a town like Blackwater Falls, isn't everything just ten minutes away?"
Fuck. She's funny, too. "Pretty much true," I admit. "But the town still holds a lot of secret places. You gotta live here to know where they are."
"Secret burger places?"
"Among other things." I push open the door, holding it for her as we step out into the night.
The air is cool and crisp, that perfect Montana temperature where you need a jacket but not a heavy one. Above us, the moon is full and bright, casting silver light over everything. It's the kind of night that makes you want to stay outside, to walk instead of drive, to take your time instead of rushing.
Harper tilts her head back, looking up at the sky. "Wow. You can actually see the stars here."
"Not much light pollution in a town this small." I start walking, and she falls into step beside me, our hands still loosely linked. "Where are you from that you can't see stars?"
"Denver," she says. "Well, the suburbs. But still too much city light to see much of anything."
"Denver's nice. Been there a few times for cattle auctions."
"It is nice," she agrees, but there's something in her tone that suggests nice isn't enough anymore. That whatever she left behind in Denver wasn't worth staying for.
We walk in silence for a minute, passing the hardware store and the post office, both closed for the night. The streets are quiet except for the distant sound of music from the bar we just left and the occasional car passing by.
"So, tell me more about these secret places," Harper says. "What else is hidden in Blackwater Falls?"
"Well, there's a swimming hole about three miles outside town that the locals use in summer. Best fishing spot in the state, according to Boone, though I think he's biased. And there's this overlook up in the hills where you can see the whole valley. Frank used to take us up there when we were kids."
"Frank was the guy who owned the ranch, right?"
