Page 7 of Whiskey and Wildfire

“But you don’t want Dakota?”

“No, Caroline. I don’t.”

“Well good,” she nodded. “Because if I can’t have him, neither can you.”

“That’s a bullshit rule.”

“Doesn’t matter though, does it?” she teased. “You don’t want him, anyway.”

I opened my mouth to tell her that it wasn’t that I didn’t want him, just that nobody wanted me. After years in New York all I had were a few hookups and a couple boyfriends that lasted less than two weeks combined. In a city of millions, I would’ve thought it be easy to find someone. Turns out, it wasn’t. Either that or I just wasn’t appealing to anyone. Most days I believed the latter.

And Dakota was no different. He was everything I liked in a man, quiet, calm, handsome as could be. Plus, there was something about those deep brown eyes of his that just drew me in. But the moment I made an offer of friendship to him outside his cabin, he turned me down. To get shot down after asking something so innocent, I figured there was no point in trying to push it any further. Dakota didn’t want me. And I wasn’t likeCaroline, badgering people into submission wasn’t my style. If I was gonna have a man, it would be because he wanted me, not because I annoyed him until he gave in.

“So, who’s taking your place on this cattle drive then?” I asked, changing the subject away from Dakota. “It better be someone who knows what they’re doing.”

“Don’t you worry, I got a good replacement,” she grinned, looking very sure of herself.

“Who?”

“Beau Turner.”

My jaw hit the floor. “Are you fucking kidding me?!”

“Did I hear my name?”

We both looked up to see a figure step into the barn, illuminated by the bare bulbs hanging above us.

“Speak of the devil!” Caroline laughed, heading toward him. “We were just talking about you Beau Turner!”

“Nothin’ bad I hope,” he replied, his Texas drawl thick as ever. He sounded like everyone else in Sagebrush and it annoyed the piss out of me. Everything Beau Turner did annoyed me. Especially him dating my best friend, Lucas.

“I was just tellin’ Logan here how much help you’re gonna be on this cattle drive. If there’s anyone else in Sagebrush that knows ranchin’, it’s Beau Turner.”

I felt my face flush with anger. “Caroline, can I talk to you for a second? Alone?”

I dragged her by the arm to the far corner of the barn, out of Beau’s earshot. “Are you out of your mind?” I hissed. “You know how I feel about him!”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on, Logan. You’re gonna have to get over this childish grudge, eventually. Beau’s a good guy, and he knows this land better than anyone.”

“I don’t care if he can herd cattle blindfolded,” I snapped. “I’m not spending a week out on the trail with him.”

“Well, tough luck, little brother,” Caroline said, crossing her arms. “It’s either Beau or no one. And you can’t do this drive alone.”

I glanced over at Beau, who was adjusting the saddle on one of the horses, pretending not to hear us. His movements fluid and practiced despite his discomfort. As much as I hated to admit it, Caroline was right - he did know what he was doing.

“Fine,” I grumbled, turning back to my sister. “But I’m not happy about this.”

Caroline grinned, patting me on the shoulder. “You’ll survive. Who knows, maybe you two will even become friends.

I snorted. “Not likely.”

We walked back over to where Beau was standing. He looked up as we approached, his blue eyes meeting mine for a moment before quickly looking away.

“Everything alright?” he asked, his voice low.

“Just peachy,” I replied, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

As we led the horses out of the barn, leaving Caroline behind, Beau glanced over at me.

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