Page 58 of On the Wild Side

Thankfully, that should be the last snow of the year. Although, this was the most satisfying winter I can ever remember having, despite the colder than usual temps and harsh working conditions at the ranch.

I’ve had Abbi. And Daisy. I can’t get enough of the two of them, and over the past few months, we’ve settled into a routine that seems to be a balm to my battered cowboy soul.

“I’m on my way,” I assure Abbi as I drive into town from the ranch. “Do you need me to pick up anything from the store?”

“No, I think I have everything. The bread’s toasting in the oven, so we can eat when you get here. Daisy isimpatient. You know how she gets.”

I grin as I slow down for a deer that’s decided to cross the highway.

“Yeah, I know. Friday movie night is her favorite. I’m only a few minutes out. I have to stop by the coffee shop to dropsomething off to my sister, and then I’m there. Ten minutes, tops.”

“I’m not the one you have to answer to, Cowboy,” Abbi says with a smile in her voice. “And don’t worry. We’re fine here. See you in a few.”

“’Bye, Blue Eyes.”

I hang up and turn onto the main street and park in front of Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co. It’s too late in the day for Millie to still be open, but she said she had a book club meeting there this evening, and she left something out at the farmhouse that I’m dropping off to her.

I push through the door and find my sister at the counter, looking at her phone.

“Hey,” I say as I approach. “Here’s your…whatever this is.”

“It’s a hair straightener,” she informs me with a laugh. “Thank you. I wish Billie Blackwell would pull the trigger and open a bookstore next door so I wouldn’t have to stay open for this book club.”

“The last time I checked, you’re notrequiredto do anything. They could have it somewhere else.”

“But they’re socute,” Millie says. “And they buy a lot of coffee and snacks, so at least it pays for itself. Anyway, thanks for this. What are you up to?”

“Movie night with Abbi and Daisy.” I grin and tuck my hands into my pockets. “It’s a Friday night thing.”

“You guys are so sweet, you make my teeth hurt.” She smiles and pats my arm. “I’m happy for you. All of you.”

The bell over the door dings and Chase walks in. “You’re still here.”

“Book club,” I say, and my brother nods.

“I could use a coffee,” he says. “I’m going to work all night, and I can’t do that without a shot of caffeine.”

“Why are you working the night shift?” I ask him.

“We had someone get sick. It’s fine. I just didn’t plan for it.” Millie whips up what she knows he likes and passes it to him, and then the door dings again.

But this time, it’s Holden Lexington who walks in.

No, he doesn’t walk. Hestalks, his blue eyes trained on my sister, and it puts my back up.

Our family has a complicated history with the Lexingtons. We were rival families for more than a hundred years, with property that borders each other and grandfathers who hated each other, so we’re not exactly friends.

Holden doesn’t spare either Chase or me a glance as he marches right past us and over to our sister.

“Are you fucking Bridger Blackwell?” he asks, leaning into her, his entire body tight with frustration.

“You’re going to want to watch yourself,” Chase says casually as he takes a sip of his coffee, as if every muscle in his body isn’t poised to knock Holden on his ass.

My eyes narrow as Millie’s face goes hard, and her hands fist at her sides, staring up at Holden almost defiantly.

I wonder what in the hell happened between these two?

“That’s absolutelynoneof your business,” she snaps back.

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