Page 31 of The Story We Wrote

Fourteen

Aspen

A few days passed since the date with Boone, and it gave me plenty of time to sit with my thoughts. Whether that was a good thing or not, time would tell. It turned out to be a perfect night, but it also made me feel things I hadn’t experienced before. When he helped me off the horse and we both froze, I felt my heart beating in my throat, despite putting on my best calm face. My whole body felt on alert, wanting to lean into my thoughts of wanting to see if his lips felt the same sober. First time in a while, I was genuinely happy and excited. I thought I knew what it was like to feel that way, yet I was wrong.

The stand was doing well, The Cassidys appreciated everything I was doing, I saw more of my friends, and I felt inspired to start writing. That night, Boone was a complete gentleman, not that he wasn’t on a regular basis. He was gentle, patient, and attentive. He never raised his voice or made my questions seem like a burden. He showered me with attention, and let’s not forget, saved the muffin and shared it with me while we watched the sunset. The more I got to know him, the more Iwas in awe of the man who was once the boy I knew. He opened up to me, showing a vulnerable side that I imagined not many people got to see from Boone Cassidy.

Whenever I thought about that night, I wanted to write it down. I want to take all my thoughts and feelings and put them to paper to savor forever.

Luckily, Theo and Penny both agreed to come to the bonfire. The time was here, so I had to text them a reminder.

Aspen: Don’t forget. Cassidy Ranch, 8 pm.

Penny: ?? yes ma’am!

Theo: Will do!

Penny: What should I wear?

Penny: Better yet, will Mac be there?

Aspen: Last I heard Rhodes and Mac will be there.

Theo: Penny, I will pick you up at like 7:30! You better be ready!!!!!!

I was excited to have Penny and Theo come to the ranch. Tonight, it would be me and my friends with Boone and his. I liked the idea of our worlds colliding. If anyone had told me that years later, I’d be hanging out with Boone, Penny and Theo, Rhodes, and Mac at a bonfire, I would’ve called them crazy. But, here I was, getting ready in my cabin to go hang out with the “hot neighbor” and his group; life definitely keeps you on your toes.

* * *

Boone and I were outside getting things set up for the bonfire. I brought drinks to put in the cooler while Boone poked the fire. He was squatting down by the flames, using a metal poker to move the logs around. The signature hat was on his head and his mustache on full display.

My goal was to keep my wandering thoughts in check. Meand alcohol haven’t had a great track record the last few weeks, especially when Boone was involved. I made it my sworn oath to control myself and keep things completely platonic. He looked good tonight wearing his straight-cut jeans, hat, and a plain t-shirt, which made it that much harder. That man had one style, but it worked so well on him.

I decided to opt for a little bit more casual outfit choice. I wore my favorite—and really, only pair—of flare jeans with a black tank top, cowboy boots, and my hair half up and half down held by a claw clip.

“Hell yeah!” Mac yelled, coming out from the trees with Rhodes walking next to him. Mac was a slender guy, taller than most. Describing him, most would say he looked like he belonged as a bartender with a bad boy vibe about him. His brown eyes match the color of his wicked curly hair. He was wearing a cut-off t-shirt, clearly made at home with a pair of old scissors. His hair was tamed by a backward cap, and tattoos covered each arm. He had a patchwork style, nothing cohesive, yet the little pieces told some kind of story. One thing about Mac is that his personality showed whenever he was in the room, over the top and electric. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of him and Penny together; what a presence they would bring, like fire and brimstone.

Rhodes was roughly the same height as Boone and reminded me of a grizzly bear. His hair was as black as you could get, a messy mop on his head. Something all these men had in common, haircuts or a hair routine were completely off their radar. His bright eyes were sharp, the green of summer grass. Rhodes kept his style simple, matching the theme of a t-shirt and cowboy boots. He was reserved, yet still outgoing. I feel like you had to be to some degree in order to be part of Boone’s crew.

Rhodes and Mac both carried a six pack of beer in each hand. I assumed it was their drink of choice for the night. Other thansome beers in the cooler, we had good ol’ faithful tequila, and I, of course, brought my favorite red wine. Not that I thought anyone outside of Penny would drink it. Theo was more of a beer kind of girl. “I have a cooler set up by the steps!” I pointed towards Boone’s cabin where I placed the ice in the cooler.

“Atta girl,” Mac said, sending me a wink. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. I poured a glass of wine and claimed one of the chairs around the fire. Boone was no longer tending to it. Instead, he was heading over to greet his friends. The sun was almost set, the sky getting darker by the minute. I took a swig of my wine, feeling the warmth from the fire on my skin.

“How have you been?” Rhodes asked, sitting in the chair to my left. He cracked open his can of beer, the foam spilling over the lip.

“I’ve been good!” I said back. “What about you? How’s the ranch life treating you?”

I haven’t spoken much to Rhodes or Mac, except for the last time we had a fire. I didn’t really know what to say to keep the conversation going.

“Working with Boone is easy, I can’t say I have much to complain about.” He took a sip of beer. “I, uh, saw Theo was back in town.”

That took me by surprise. “Yeah! She is. I think she may be staying for a while. She and Penny are coming tonight,” I replied.

“Nice.” Rhodes cleared his throat. “People have loved the farm stand since you took it over. My mama is one of them. I swear she makes a special trip every weekend to see if anything is new.” I loved hearing positive feedback about what I was doing to the stand. It gave me a boost of confidence to know I was doing something right.

“I think I’m loving it too,” I confessed. “I enjoyed working at The Coffee Cup, but something about the stand just feels right.”

Rhodes and I kept the conversation flowing while Boone and Mac talked on the other side of the fire. Rhodes asked if I had anything else special planned. Of course, I couldn’t divulge all my secrets.

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