Page 198 of Giddy Up, Daddy

“How did you know?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“I make it a point to know all my visitors. Plus, I’m alerted when we have new arrivals. I like to introduce myself and make sure my guests are happy and well taken care of.”

“He’s a control freak,” the little human backpack chirped from behind him.

“And you’re a brat.” He reached back and swatted her bottom the best he could with how he was holding her.

“That’s me: Sadie ‘The Brat’ Hawkins. Nice to meet you.” She reached her hand out for a handshake.

“Ripley Buck. Nice to meet you, too.”

“Ripley is such a cool name. Daddy, can I change my name to Ripley?”

Derek chuckled and shook his head. “If that’s what you want, angel, but let’s think about it for a bit before you run off and have Uncle Jared start writing up the paperwork.”

“Deal.” She nodded, obviously happy with that stipulation.

“Anyway, I’m Master Derek. Welcome to Rawhide. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. My staff are top-notch, and they will take very good care of you. I need to get this rugrat to bed before she wreaks more havoc around here. I hope you all have a pleasant evening.”

We waved goodbye and watched them head back in the direction they had come from.

“Want to grab some food before we head to our room? Erika at the front desk said the Cafe is open twenty-four hours a day.”

I was too jazzed to eat, but I knew I probably should. I would sleep better with something in my tummy.

I nodded. “Yes, please.”

Armed with a smoothie and half a sandwich, we headed to our room, which was actually a two-bedroom suite.

“I have my own bathroom? Oh my gosh! It has a huge tub!” I squealed in excitement. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d taken a proper bath. “I’m going to be completely ridiculous and run a bath and eat in the tub,” I announced.

Cade laughed. “You serious?”

“As serious as a turtle in a tornado.”

“Well alright then, that does sound pretty serious. I’ll see you in the morning, but I plan to sleep in. The staff said the horseswill be taken care of for us, so we don’t need to get up early to tend to them.”

“Awesome.” I only half listened as I rummaged the basket of bath goodies and tried to figure out which bubbles I wanted to use.

“Sweet dreams, Rip.”

“You too!”

I turned and smiled at him as I unwrapped a bath bomb that boasted it smelled like an ocean breeze and would turn the water into a “shimmery lagoon”. I didn’t really know what that meant, but I sure was excited about it. I grabbed my tablet to turn on a movie while I ate and relaxed in my bathtub lagoon. If my entire trip to Rawhide continued like this, maybe Iwouldconsider staying forever.

Chapter Three

Cade

The change in Ripley had been instant and had my mind racing with thoughts as I laid alone in my luxurious king-size bed in the nicest hotel room I’d ever been in.

Hotels had basically been a means to an end and a waste of money, so we’d never stayed anywhere really nice, although anything was better than the bus sometimes. Although, I sure did love my home on wheels. I loved my job. I loved the changes in scenery. All of it. And up until we’d pulled up to Rawhide, I thought Ripley loved it, too, but maybe I was only seeing what I wanted to see. Maybe she was tired of being a rodeo wife. For fuck’s sake, I wasn’t even her husband. We took care of one another like we were married, minus the bedroom stuff. Not that I wouldn’t throw her into a bed and make sweet, slow love to her before fucking her so hard she would walk funny the next day…

Fuck.

That was an intrusive thought that had my cock instantly hardening beneath the sheets. I needed to get rid of it as soon as possible.

She’s your dead best friend’s widow, you asshole.

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