Page 30 of Untamed

“Then you have no idea how beautiful you are.” His voice is smooth and buttery, and I try to tell my heart just to give him a chance. It’s just one date. Hell, maybe I’ll end up liking him.

“Okay, lover boy. Calm down.” I laugh.

“Next weekend? Let me take you to dinner before your shift.”

I take a breath. I can do this. I can totally do this. I am available. That kiss with Hayes meant nothing.

“Yeah. Let’s do it.” I put on my brightest smile. “I just have to be at work by seven, so it’ll have to be an early one.”

“Fine by me.” He leans back and taps the top of the car. “See you then, River.”

I give him a little salute and then roll the window up. Not waiting for him to get back up on the horse and leave, I back out and gun it down the driveway. I have to get off this ranch before I run back and cancel the plans. Forcing myself to go on this date will be good. I need to get out more.

Although, I can’t help but wonder what Hayes’ reaction will be when he hears about this…

I spent all weekend trying not to text River too much. After what happened on Saturday, I figured I should give her some space. But that’s a lot more difficult in practice than in theory.

“You comin’ to see River today?” Wells asks as we sit at the old dining room table in the main house. Momma cooked us all a huge breakfast, and we’ve been sittin’ here shooting the shit while ranch hands wander in and out.

Mondays are slow.

“Planned on it.” I lean back in the rickety chair. “Got some people headin’ in today to rent out some stalls for their barrel racers. Their barn is being upgraded, so they need a place to stay while that’s being done. After that, I’ll head over for a bit.”

“How’s that sweet dog doin’?” Pops asks.

“Making a lot of progress,” Wells tells him with a smile. “Between Hayes, Poppy, and River, they’ve got her playing outside and going on walks every day. She’s not jumpin’ at every little noise anymore either.”

“Crazy what love’ll do to ya.” Pops’ eyes slide over to me for the briefest second, but I catch it. And so does Wells. An ornery smile comes across his mouth. I don’t like it.

“Pops, did you hear about Sawyer askin’ River out on a date?”

My blood runs cold. I can physically feel all of the blood rush out of my head, leaving me dizzy.

Pops glances at me and then back to Wells, but I’m frozen, staring at the table in front of me.

“Didn’t hear that,” Pops finally says, breaking the silence. “Good man, that Sawyer. He’s been with us a long time.”

“You feeling alright, Hayes?”

My eyes shoot up to where Wells is sitting across the table. I’m going to punch that smirk off his face. I am. There’s no stopping me. Once I get him alone, I am going to absolutely smack the shit out of him.

“Fine.” I smile. “Why wouldn’t I be fine?”

“No reason.” He’s still grinning. “You just started lookin’ like shit.”

“Language,” Momma whispers as she walks into the kitchen. Wade and Jo are behind her, talkin’ a mile a minute about something fun they did with Poppy over the weekend.

“Hey, everyone! Look at my lightsaber!” Wade shouts to the heavens. He jumps in front of Jo, cutting her off midsentence as he thrusts the glowing green toy into the air. He’s quite the sight, still dressed in his pj’s with a chocolate milk mustache.

“That was rude,” Jo mumbles, walking around him to join us at the table.

“That’s super cool, bud,” Pops tells him as they start inspecting the thing together.

“Hey, Uncle Hayes.” Jo sidles up to me. “Why do you look so sad?”

“Someone pissed in his Cheerios.”

Her eyes shoot to her Uncle Wells, who is trying his hardest to not laugh at her shocked expression.

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