Page 73 of Untamed

“Just don’t be lookin’ out your windows at night.” He winks at me. “And you won’t have to worry about seeing a thing.”

“Well, now I’m intrigued,” Poppy says. “Maybe this is something I need to explore with Rhett.”

“Maybe coordinate,” I joke. “That way, y’all both aren’t running around naked outside at the same time. Would hate to latch onto the wrong partner.”

Poppy lets out a loud laugh at that.

“Can you imagine what Rhett would do!” She laughs even harder. “Shit. It would be worth it just to see his face.”

“No, thank you,” Wells counters. “I am quite attached to my balls, and that man would rip them off without a second thought.”

“That I believe.” I give Betty one more kiss. “I’ve gotta get going. I’ll pick her up tonight after my shift. Oh, and Poppy? Katherine stopped by this morning and chatted about living arrangements. Can I call you later?”

“Sure thing.” She smiles, and her cheeks blush. “Maybe not during my lunch break, though…”

“Gross. You guys are too happy,” I tease her and roll my eyes. “Keep that shit to yourselves.”

She sticks her tongue out at me.

“Have a good day!” they both call out as I leave.

“Thanks, guys!”

I walk back to my car, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. God, my heart is so much lighter than it was just twenty-four hours ago. It’s crazy what getting out of an unhappy home will do for your mental health. Shoving my key into the ignition, my Jeep turns over, and when I look up to buckle my seat belt, Hayes is standing on the front porch of his momma’s house, staring right at me.

Good mood gone.

Not sure what to do, I raise my hand in a small wave. He does the same and starts to walk down the stairs.

No, no, no. Not yet. Not right now.

I throw the gear shift into reverse and damn near spin out as I try to escape him. His face is unreadable in my rearview, and I can’t help glancing back at him until he’s out of sight.

I take a deep breath. This is going to be harder than I thought.

Well, that wasn’t how I wanted that to go. I figured the first time I saw River would be more orchestrated and I’d have time to ease her into talking to me. But the way she looked at me just now as she practically did doughnuts getting down our drive, I don’t think she’s ready yet.

I check my watch. It’s early for her to be visiting Betty, but when she’s staying on the property, I guess it’s easier for her to make time. She’s probably hoping I don’t know she’s here, but Pops is horrible at keeping secrets. He came over yesterday when Momma told him she was moving in for the foreseeable future.

Pops gave me another good talkin’-to, making sure I knew I wasn’t to bother her. I’m supposed to stay out of her way until she’s ready to come to me. But that makes all of zero sense to me since I’m the one that asked for space. It has to be me that goes to her. End this stupid shit.

Because, yeah. I’m tired of finding things to get angry about. I’m tired of spending time and energy on things that aren’t love for River. And I do love her. So now I just need to tell her and try to put all of this nonsense behind us. I’m ready to start fresh for real this time and give her all the things she deserves.

“She’s quicker than a cat on a hot tin roof,” Pops says, walking up behind me. “Never seen someone peel out of this driveway that fast.”

“Haulin’ ass.” I grin over at him.

“Think you can help your brother get the cattle ready for the fair this week? I know a lot of the guys have their own shit goin’ on with the festivities and their own kids. He could use the extra hand.”

The fair is a weeklong event starting on Monday, which means we’ve got to get our shit together today and then haul cattle over there tomorrow. They open the gates a day early, letting everyone come in and set up. It takes a few days, but the main shows and activities don’t start ’til later in the week anyway. A lot of ranchers actually end up stayin’ there if they’re out of town, parking RV’s and shit on-site. Luckily, we live close enough where we can lock up the animals and come home for the night.

“Yeah, I figured I needed to head out and find him. Gonna stop in and see Poppy, then I’ll head out.”

“Don’t bother her either,” Pops says, givin’ me a stern look.

“Not gonna bother her.” I roll my eyes and walk the rest of the way down the steps. “Just gonna say hi to my sister-in-law.”

Dad’s eyes go a little soft and misty as he looks out over the ranch. Of course, Poppy isn’t actually my sister-in-law yet. But she may as well be because there ain’t no way Rhett is going to let that one go. And I like thinking I have a sister again.

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