Page 43 of Wild and Unruly
“Bonnie sure seems to have stepped up to the plate.” I look to my brother, whose gaze is on someone behind us. When I turn, I have to take a deep breath at the sight. Thea is animatedly telling a story, using her hands to demonstrate something, and Bonnie has her hand over her stomach, and her head tipped back in a laugh.
She was in boots, jeans, and a pink button-up shirt, ready for showing.
I hadn’t even seen her yet, and she was already chatting and hanging out with my family like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I bite my lip to keep my grin at bay and look back to the arena. “She did. I think we have a good shot.”
Logan looks at me. I can feel his gaze drilling a hole into my cheek. “How long is she staying?”
I feign nonchalance and shrug, giving him a quick, unconcerned glance. “I’m not sure. I think another week for the article.”
“And then she heads home?”
A swirling feeling makes its appearance known in my gut, and I have to take a breath so I don’t give in to it. “I’m not sure, Logan.”
“Stetson,” he starts, his big brother tone in full throttle. “Don’t go getting too attached.”
Too late, I think, then give him a wide smile and shrug. “It’ll be a fun thing while it lasts.”
Logan shakes his head, not believing my bullshit for a second. “That’s not you, Stet. You’re already way too deep for that kind of comment.”
I sigh, resting my forearms over the top rung of the gate, and shake my head. “I’m not. I’m fine. She’s super cool. I like getting to know her.” And have intimately enjoyed the time getting to know her so much so that I would love to take her back to my place and continue what we started on that mountaintop. “If she heads back and wants nothing to do with me, I can’t stop her. But if she goes home anddoeswant something to do with me, then I’ll keep dating her. That’s all there is to it.”
“I think you’re oversimplifying your feelings.”
Shaking my head, I look at my older brother. “What am I supposed to do, Logan? Profess my undying love for her? Never try with someone because it’s complicated?” Even saying the words makes my gut clench. Not try with Bonnie? Not an option.
“Well, well, look who it is, my two favorite brothers!” Jax’s loud and obnoxious voice draws a crowd as he reaches us, arms outstretched, and we’re both pulled into one-armed hugs.
I glance behind him and am surprised to see Mitch has tagged along. I nod at him. “Hey, man.”
Mitch nods at me and avoids the group hug. I don’t blamehim for that. Ever since he came home last summer, aside from helping out when Thea was in trouble, he’s kept to himself.
“What are you doing here, knucklehead? Should you even be walking on that?” Logan asks in a true big brother fashion, nodding at the medical boot wrapped around Jax’s foot.
“Ah.” He waves a hand at Logan, dismissing his words, even though waving that hand makes him wince. “You worry too much.”
Logan grumbles and turns back to the arena where they’re cleaning up the barrels.
“Fuck, did I miss the barrels? Those ladies are always so hot.”
Logan glares at him while I shake my head, a smirk on my lips. “That was the high school class.”
Jax purses his mouth, his eyes widening. “Never mind then.”
I look from brother to brother, wondering when it was that all four of us were together last. I think it was two Christmases ago, and even then, Jax and Mitch came for the day and then left immediately.
It’s almost weird to have them here.
I see a flash of pink approaching from behind my brothers and step off the fence, heading around them to wrap Bonnie in a bear hug. “You actually showed.”
Bonnie scoffs, and when I pull back, I keep my hands on her hips and resist, barely, from planting a kiss on her lips. To the side of us, Thea and Logan are talking with my brothers, giving Bonnie and me a minute. “As if I could let you endure this alone.”
“Endure?” I look around at the horses and cattle, the stands full of people, and the distinct scent of fried foods in the air. “This is paradise, baby.”
“Your paradise has cow shit in it?” She tilts her head adorably. “That explains a lot.”
Feeling bold and cheesy, I lean my forehead down to hers, grateful neither of us is wearing a hat yet. “My paradise has you.”
