Page 2 of Every Single Wildflower
We ride out to my family’s ranch without another word spoken. As subtly as I can, I use the darkness to snuggle into his jacket, letting the hint of spice mingled with the scent of fresh soap comfort me. It smells like home and masculinity. It smells like a man.
When we pull up to the old farmhouse, the lights are off, the stillness showing not a soul is in sight.
“You staying alone?” His eyes are on the house, his brow furrowed.
“Mom, dad, Cooper, and Ryder are gone. But Clyde is in the bunkhouse," I say as I unclip my seatbelt.
“I don’t like it," he bites out.
I let out a light laugh. “I’ll be fine. No one can get through the gates anyway.”
Maddox unfolds himself from the seat of the truck, stepping out, before he's rounding the hood. I have the door halfway open, but he catches it, offering me his hand.
“I’ll walk you.” He nods.
Maddox wasn’t a man of many words, but he didn’t need them. His actions seemed to always speak in their place. Which is why we kind of had our own language. I would get in some sort of bind, where Brady was typically at fault, and Maddox would randomly show up and save the day. Just like tonight.
We step onto the wrap around porch, and I use my house key to open the door. I crack the it before I reach up and remove his jacket. I immediately miss the warmth but reluctantly hand it over.
“Thank you." I give a small smile, suddenly feeling embarrassed over the fact my boyfriend forgot me. Again.
“Give me your phone.” He holds out a large palm.
I track his eyes as they cautiously watch me place my phone in his hand. His thick fingers quickly type something out, before he hands it back.
“If you ever need me. Call.”
Hazel eyes narrow on mine, waiting for a verbal response.
“Ok.” I swallow thickly.
He nods again, leaving me standing at the door as he walks to his truck.
I don't even bother turning on any lights. I go straight upstairs, take a shower, then crawl into bed.
I'm sound asleep when a distant rumble wakes me. Rolling over, I check my phone to see it’s five in the morning. Curious, I creep across the cold wooden floor, then peer out from in between my white lace curtains. A swirl of something I’ve never felt sparks deep inside of my chest when I see Maddox slowly backing out of the driveway to leave the ranch.
He stayed all night?
Reaching for my phone, I scroll down to his contact that he put in just a few hours ago, then type out a text.
Ivy: You didn’t have to stay.
Maddox: I know.
But he stayed anyway.
Chapter one
Ivy
Present day
The parking lot to Simpson Memorial Hospital is eerie at this time of night. Nothing but a few random birds and a doctor in a white lab coat taking a smoke break.Ironic.My swift steps carry me across the pavement, my nerves curled tight in the pit of my stomach. Exactly sixteen hours ago I received at text from my brother, Cooper.
You need to come home.
I stared at the words, debating on whether to ignore what I assumed was just another attempt to get me back to Texas, but the following text had my world shifting on its axis.
