Page 97 of Fool for You
Ijumpedfromtheback of the trailer, lifting my arms above my head, stretching my back, and letting out a long groan. Why we thought driving from Cheyenne all the way back to Alpine Ridge was a good idea, I’d never know. Even with switching halfway and stopping to let the horses out, the already long drive turned into fourteen hours, and my body was sore from the weeks of rodeos we had just endured.
Okay, endured is the wrong word.
I loved every second of it.
Utah’s Day of '47, a weeklong rodeo event, was straight out of my dreams. I won almost every round, and when I held that gold buckle, I couldn’t even explain the joy that radiated from me. Even if I didn’t make it to the NFR, that moment in Utah made everything worth it. In Cheyenne, I may not have won the top slot, but I made enough to keep my standings. I was still first in the nation—still on my way to accomplishing my goal.
And Wyatt was there. Cheering me on, jumping with excitement as I dismounted my horse, kissing me every time. He would tell me how amazed he was, how lucky he was, and how much he loved watching me. I could feel it in his voice that he meant every word. Every time he whispered in my ear, I melted a little more. Every time his lips met mine, the warmth in my chest spread a little further.
Wyatt climbed out of the truck, shutting the door and jogging around the front to meet me, his arms slipping around my waist. I dropped my arms on his shoulders and snuggled my head under his chin. His woodsy and strawberry scent hit me, and I breathed him in.
“Never again,” I grumbled. “We’re splitting that trip up next year.”
His chuckle vibrated in his chest as he ran his hands up my back, tugging me closer. “It wasn’tthatbad. The drive to Flagstaff was just as long. We can leave the horses in the trailer, right? They can sleep there and be fine.”
As if on cue, I heard the lock to the trailer being opened and the squeak of the hinge. Wyatt raised his brow at me, that sexy grin raising one corner of his lips, which I promptly kissed.
“I texted Cash when you were napping as we crossed the border.” I gave him a wink and pulled away from him.
“I was not napping,” he protested, following me.
We both rounded the trailer, coming face to face with Cash. It was almost midnight, and he looked completely out of placein his flannel sleep pants stuffed into his boots. He yawned, opening the separator to Hook, giving him a pat on the neck.
“I hope we didn’t wake you.” I leaned against the trailer, folding my arms across my chest. From the corner of my eye, I saw Wyatt’s arm above my head as he mimicked my lean. His body heat radiated into my back. I couldn’t help but lean into him.
“Nope.” Cash shook his head. “Were we in bed? Sure.” He glanced at us, shrugging his shoulders. “But not asleep.”
“Thank you for coming to help. I’m so sore.” Pushing myself off the trailer, I stretched my arms again. “Never.” I twisted and glared at Wyatt. “Ever.” I twisted again. “Spending fourteen hours in the car again.”
“Hey,” Wyatt started. “It worked on paper.”
Cash let out a laugh. “It always works on paper.” He pulled on Hook’s reins and led him from the trailer, his hooves hitting with a hard clink. “Get to bed. I got your boys.”
“You don’t want to see my gold buckle?” I asked, the tired tone I had seconds ago gone with the idea of showing my trainer who helped me get here my buckle. “It’s just right here. I’ll go get—ah!”
Wyatt hoisted me in the air, flinging me over his shoulder. “Night Cash! See you in the morning!”
Cash’s laugh echoed as Wyatt began to carry me to the bunkhouse. I used his back to prop up my elbow, resting my chin in my palm, shaking my head as Wyatt took longer strides than necessary.
“You know all my things are in the truck, right?”
“I have extra toothbrushes and oversized T-shirts that will look amazing on you. We can unpack in the morning.” He squeezed my thigh. “Your boots, hats and all the things are safe.”
“The keys are still in the cab.”
“Cash will move the truck, because believe it or not, I texted him too. Whileyouwere napping.” He took a step and climbed, and I flinched, grasping onto his shirt as the ground got further and further away. I wasn’t one to be afraid of heights, but watching the world get smaller as he climbed the steps made my heart rate pick up.Just please don’t drop me.
“I was not napping.” I laughed, knowing full well we both were napping at some point. “You can put me down.”
He shifted but kept a firm hand on me as he dug through his pants pocket. He fumbled with some keys, and then we were inside his small bunkhouse apartment. He took the few strides to his bed and tossed me down. I landed with a soft bounce, a giggle escaping as he climbed over me. This man made me giggle more than I liked to admit. Giggling was annoying and probably my least favorite thing to hear—yet with him, I was constantly giggling.
He rubbed his nose against mine. “There. You’re down.”
“Jerk.” I hit his shoulder playfully. “Pro tip: don’t climb stairs with someone over your shoulder. That was slightly terrifying.” My body fluttered as his baby blues bore into me, landing directly on my lips.
“I had you.” He kissed the tip of my nose and pushed himself off the bed. “I’ll get you a toothbrush and shirt.”
Grabbing his collar, I pulled him back down to me. He rolled on his back, his legs dangling off the edge of the bed, lifting his arm to let me cuddle up into his side, where I fit perfectly. We were exhausted from the car ride, both of us sore from sitting for so long, our minds just as drained. Closing my eyes, I felt my breath slow, and as I listened to his heart beat, thump, thump, thumping against my ear…I felt myself begin to drift.
