Page 119 of Love in the Wild

Hurrying back to his truck, he blazed a hot trail for Travis’s place. The faster he got cleaned up, the sooner he could see her again.

Showered and dressed in clean clothes, Gage fired off a text to Travis before heading out.

Gage: Going to the Barn tonight. Want to come?

Travis had a crazy work schedule at the fire station, but he should’ve been home already.

Travis: I’m cleaning out a shed at the Bensons’. I’ll catch you later.

With his one friend invited, Gage headed for the Barn. His foot leaned heavy on the accelerator as images of Hadley’s smile from earlier led him straight back to her.

Gravel crunched under his tires as he pulled up in the dark lot. Ridge’s truck was parked on the far side, and Gage found a spot close to it. He practically sprinted inside until the bright lights inside greeted him. He blinked as his eyes adjusted and scanned the place for Hadley. Signs and car tags hung on the wooden walls, and a few tables and booths were scattered around the stage and a small open area for dancing.

A man wearing a cowboy hat, pearl snap shirt, and boots sang on the stage as he played an old, upbeat country song. A dozen people already swayed to the music, and every stool at the bar was occupied.

He spotted Ridge above the crowd and headed toward him. Hadley would be close-by.

His feet locked to the floor when he caught sight of her. With her long hair draped over her shoulders and the yellow dress she wore flaring out around her, she was a light in the darkness.

Sunshine. Bright and beautiful sunshine. Being near her warmed him as if he’d been frozen his entire life.

“Dude, just ask her.”

Gage turned to three young guys standing together holding beers and staring into the crowd.

Hadley. They were staring at Hadley. He couldn’t blame them. She was gorgeous and smiling as she danced in the dim lights.

But the urge to claim her rose like hot coals in his throat. It wasn’t jealousy. These guys didn’t have what Gage did, and he almost felt sorry for every other man in the world.

“Who are you looking at?” he asked.

One guy pointed. “The girl in the yellow dress.”

The one beside him elbowed his friend. “I saw her first.”

Gage shrugged. “You’re all too slow. She’s mine.”

Their expressions fell in unison as Gage started toward Hadley. He didn’t look back once he had her in his sights. She sang as she twirled with her arms out to her sides and snapped to the beat.

When she noticed him walking up, she stopped and let her arms fall to her sides. Her flowing dress settled, and her smile grew even wider, lifting her cheeks and narrowing her sparkling eyes.

He walked straight up to her and cradled her face in his hands. He took her in for two short seconds before pressing his mouth against hers. He wasn’t sure how she felt about kissing in public, but she didn’t push him away. Instead, her hands slid around him, burning hot through his T-shirt.

Kissing her slowly, all the darkness of the past fell away. Hadley was all-consuming as she gripped his heart and branded her name on it.

There would never be another woman for him. Hadley was it for him, but the realization didn’t send him running. Instead, he leaned into the path his life was taking. Every moment of his life from here on would be a step in the right direction–a step toward being the man she deserved.

34

HADLEY

Hadley stretched her arms above her head and let out a huge yawn. Little drips of coffee fell into the carafe slower than her brain was functioning. She grabbed two to-go mugs and rested her hip against the counter to watch her morning drink being made.

Not morning. Pre-morning. The sun wasn’t even up yet.

A door creaked, and Emerson padded into the kitchen rubbing her eyes. “What are you doing up this early?”

“Gage is picking me up. We’re working at the Bensons’ ranch.”

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