Page 8 of Lasso Lovebirds

Before Sky could protest, I picked up their suitcase and found that it was way lighter than I’d expected. I carried it into the house with them right behind me, leading the way until we reached the long hallway.

“Beau’s bedroom has a lasso on it,” I said, gesturing toward the end of the hall.

“Oh,” Sky said, cheeks flushing. “I guess that’s good to know.”

I smiled wistfully and slowed, rapping on the door to my bedroom. “This one is mine.” I pointed at the door across from us. “And that can be yours. It’s not too much. The rooms are humble, but they’re cozy. And you get used to them.”

Sky stepped past the threshold, head tilting as they looked around. I leaned in through the doorway and set their bag down, and then propped my shoulder against the frame.

“What do ya think?” I asked.

They smiled. “It’ll do. Not too glamorous, but neither was the motel in Johnson Springs. And this is a lot safer.”

My chest squeezed. “It is. If you ever need anything, I’m here. Although, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble out here.”

They breathed out, their shoulders sinking.

“How about you take some time to get settled in? I’ll give you some peace.”

“I think I'd rather help you,” Sky said. “I can settle in tonight, but I kind of interrupted your entire morning. And Beau told me you have lots of work to do.”

“You just went through a tornado, and you want to work?” I raised a brow.

Sky shifted from side to side, then shrugged their shoulders. “If you don’t mind.”

“I don’t. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to. But, I suppose I can show you around the ranch. I already did most of my work before anyone was up, and I’ll do more after lunch.”

“Okay.” Sky smiled and dragged their suitcase to the other side of the room, then pulled their phone out of their denim pocket. They made a face.

“Oh yeah,” I said. “Cell service out here is rough. Beau has better internet access in his office if you need it.”

“I will later,” Sky said with a nod. “But it’s fine for now. How on earth do y’all live out here without good cell service?”

“It’s kind of nice sometimes,” I said. “And frankly, I just sneak into Beau’s office when I need to connect with the rest of the world. I have an Instagram account I started a couple years ago to post pictures from around the ranch.”

They grinned. “Really? I’m sure people love it.”

“For the most part,” I chuckled. “Alright, Sky. Come with me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

4

beau

The next morningthankfully didn’t start with a tornado.

I kissed Dolly’s soft nose as I offered her an apple. It crunched as she bit into it, her tail swishing with the contented happiness I took pride in seeing from our horses. I rubbed my hand up the bridge of her nose, her hair soft as velvet. Dolly was my horse, a gorgeous Palomino Appaloosa mare with the temperament of sunshine and rainbows. She made a damn good roping partner, too.

“You’re a good girl,” I said softly. “Should I get you another? Probably shouldn’t, huh? Everyone else will be jealous.”

“Someone’s lucky.”

My head twisted in surprise. Sky stood in the doorway to the stables, their expression brightening as they looked around. I smiled as they came closer, their eyes darting to Dolly.

“Morning,” I greeted. “How’d you sleep?”

“Good,” they said. “Really good.”

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