Page 155 of Burn the Wild

“Yeah,” he gruffs. “I did.”

I smother a smile at the pink flush on his cheeks. He can act like a bulldog all he wants, but he’s really a golden retriever in disguise.

I take my medication, covertly popping the pill into my mouth.

“How’s it going with DiFeo?” Ford asks.

I finger the newest necklace around my throat, tracing the small gold cowboy hat. “I like her. She’s no-bullshit.”

After six therapy sessions with Dr. DiFeo, I feel strong. Happy. I wonder why I didn’t do it earlier and that’s when I remember Gavin wouldn’t let me. Well, fuck him.

I’m learning from Dr. DiFeo that I am worthy. And Ford’s been showing me too, in the way he looks at me, the way he treats me. I am his obsession, and he doesn’t hide it.

He’s stocked his kitchen with honey bears just because I love them, stays up late with me to talk about our days, and after every therapy session, he buys me a new necklace as a reward. Most people assume who I am, but Ford understands who I am. And he doesn’t try to change me. He treats me in ways I’ve never been treated. Plain and simple, I love being with him.

“So, is this our date?” I ask.

“Hell no.” He looks offended by my question. “An actual date off the ranch, Birdie Girl. No ranch shit.”

“But I like ranch shit.”

“Yeah, but I want to know what you like.” He takes my hand, braiding his fingers through mine. “It’s important.”

Heart hammering hard, my eyes scan the picnic tables, the Montgomery’s.How do I leave him? How do I leave all this?

But I remind myself, there’s been no promise of the future. No three little words exchanged. We’re more than friends, yet there’s no real commitment.

Soon, the crowd dwindles, and the booth is closed. An announcement goes up over the loudspeakers.

“If you can believe it,” I tell Ford. “Thisismy first rodeo.”

“We’re done,” Dakota announces, collapsing beside me.

Davis hands her a bottled water while Ruby sets a platter of hand pies in the middle of the picnic table.

“Got a blueberry for me?” Wyatt asks, rocking the table as he drapes himself between me and Ford. With clumsy hands, he hunts through the stacked pastries.

“Right on time,” Dakota quips.

Ford elbows his brother. “Move your ass.”

“Hey, man, I gotta eat.”

Charlie sighs.

“Soothing your self-destructive tendencies with sugar?” Fallon’s husky voice settles over us. Eyes on Wyatt, she slips through the crowd to join us. “You did it, Koty.” A rare smile graces her pretty face. “Hand pies.”

Standing, Dakota pulls her sister into a hug. “Hand pies at the rodeo. Although, I seem to remember you sticking around to serve them.”

Fallon laughs.

Dakota tugs the fringe on her sister’s vest. “Did you take your medication?”

Wyatt looks like he’s about to burn right through Fallon with his stare.

She sighs, levels her sister with a stern glare. “Dakota.”

Stede appears, walking Duke on the tops of his boots. “Pumped him full of sugar just for you.”

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