Page 67 of Wild and Unruly
The woman behind the counter beams while she talks animatedly with me, telling me all about her and her mother’s bakeries and the franchise, how her husband was a local woodworker and helped build The Lodge I was staying in.
She was the perfect image of a small-town girl with big dreams, and as her little girl, who couldn’t be more than four, came running under the counter and out to greet what I assume is the woman’s husband, I feel envious of their life.
Maybe the small-town life was growing on me.
I never imagined I would like it as much as I do, but leaving this town was starting to feel harder and harder as my time here came to a close.
I pay for the goodies and head out the door, placing mycowboy hat on my head and making my way to my truck. As I drive, I picture my life here.
I could do it. I could write and work still but come home to this small little town and start calling it home. I could find a little house somewhere, maybe nothing crazy special considering my salary wasn’t that much, but I could make something my own and move there. Maybe Stetson would want to do that with me.
The feeling in my heart and gut grows with the images that filter through my mind, making me want it more and more.
I was imagining the little house as I approached the long drive that led down to Three Rivers Ranch and smiled at the vision I painted for myself. I could have a big wooden front deck that led to a large wooden door, with a wreath on the front for every season.
I’d have wood floors and pretty, soft rugs on the floors with a deep-set couch that I could lie on. I’d have pictures of my family on an entry table that led into a kitchen that was bright with natural light and had plants all over every spot that had that light.
I smile as I pull my truck up to the main house, noting the other trucks parked there, including Stetson’s.
With an invitation to come in whenever I want, I open the screen door and smile at the sounds of voices and people laughing.
Didi Cash sees me first, and I freeze for a second until she aims a beautiful smile at me. I smile back, waiting for her to approach and returning the gesture when she pulls me into her arms. “It’s good to see you, hon.”
“You too,” I reply, letting her go and following her lead into the family room where everyone is sitting.
Everyone calls out greetings when they see me, and I set the large baked goods box down. Stetson stands, making his way over to me with a wide grin on his face.
“Hey, baby,” he says with a husky voice that I feel reverberate through my veins. I shiver when his arm wraps around my waist, and he pulls me in for a chaste kiss. “What’s with the treats?”
“Well…” I turn, getting everyone’s attention. Dani and CT look back at me as I look to them. “I just wanted to celebrate the end of the article and thank you all so much for allowing me to have a peek inside your lives, for letting me be a part of your family for a few weeks, and graciously allowing me to tell your story.” I give a nod and fold my hands together. “I’m truly grateful.”
“Aw.” Dani stands and makes her way through her family, pulling me into a hug. “I’m so glad we’ve gotten to get to know you, Bonnie.” She peeks over to Stetson and grins. “I have a feeling this isn’t the last we’ll see of you.”
I blush but glance at the man I was deeply in love with, and he grins back at me. “I don’t think it is, no.”
“Hell no, it’s not.” He leans over to whisper in my ear, “You’re stuck with me, Helix.”
I turn, my face close to his when I reply, “I’m okay with that.”
Just when I think Stetson might pull me away from the family, he guides me to the couch he was sitting on and has me perched on his lap. I’d feel bad if it weren’t for the fact that Dani copied our movements, sitting on CT’s across from us.
I chat with the family like they’re my own, and guilt needles me as that comfortable feeling hits me. I wish my brother washere, that he would give them the chance to help him recover, that he would take the steps necessary to gain back his life.
Cal Trevors, CT’s dad, distracts me with conversation about the local rodeo, and I chime in, adding my two cents.
“It’s always nice to see different disciplines working together,” he states, nodding at Stetson and me. “We’ve always been predominately a reining and working cow facility, but the team roping and the cutting he’s doing”—he points to Logan, who was listening to our conversation—“just gives us an even better opportunity to grow. I hope we can see a lot more of you two in the show arena this summer.”
“Well, I do have to head to Kentucky for work next week.” Stetson squeezes my hip, and I interpret that as he was going to miss me. I knew the feeling. I hadn’t even left yet, and I felt like time was slipping through my fingers. “But I’m hoping I can come back and keep competing every now and then.”
“Well, I’m not competing without you, so we’ll ride when we can,” Stetson pipes up, and I turn to look at him, raising a brow.
“You can find someone to cover my spot while I’m gone.”
Stetson’s steady gaze meets mine. “You’re my partner. I’m waiting for you.”
Dani coos beside us and looks to Thea, who’s sitting on the ground, playing some video game with her stepdaughter and another little girl who I think is CT’s niece, and she smiles back at Dani.
But my eyes are trained on this man beside me, on his words and his promises he’s made out loud for all to hear.
