Wildfire Omens (Wildwood #1)

Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

Cheyenne

As soon as we stepped into the barn, Claire punched me lightly on the shoulder.

“You guys slept together,” she announced.

My face turned crimson. “Shhh,” I said, looking around to make sure no one was around.

“Sorry.” She grinned, letting me know she wasn’t sorry at all. “Considering it’s my brother, I should feel totally creeped out. But it’s Rhett, and it’s you, so we all knew it was just a matter of time.”

“Oh really?” I asked, giving her a look.

“Yep. And I’m so happy for you. I’d ask for details, but you know. It’s my brother.” She made a disgusted face.

“I wouldn’t give details anyway. Except that… We’re okay.”

“Really?” The look on her face changed to curiosity. “So it wasn’t just a one-time thing?”

I couldn’t hold back my smile. “No, I don’t think it is. It turns out we both had some misunderstandings about what happened all those years ago, and now that we’ve talked about it, we can move forward.” I shrugged.

Her smile became wistful. “That’s great. I’m so happy for both of you. Mostly him, because he’s definitely getting the better end of this stick. But I’m happy for you, too.”

I glanced around. “Can we keep this to ourselves though? I don’t know if I’m ready for everyone to know. That feels like a lot of pressure, especially when things are so new.”

“Got it,” she said, using her fingers to zip her mouth closed. “Your secret is safe with me.”

“Oh, Cheyenne!” Naomi flagged us down, jogging toward us.

Claire leaned over and whispered in my ear. “But no promises she won’t figure it out on her own.”

Naomi was grinning from ear to ear when she reached us. “Rhett’s playing cards with Walker.”

Claire’s jaw dropped. “Really?”

“Really.” Naomi beamed. “I can’t tell you how good it feels to have him here, safe, and on the mend. Thank you, Cheyenne, for everything you did for him.”

“It was my pleasure,” I said—then blushed furiously, realizing I’d chosen my words poorly.

Claire nearly choked.

A sly smile crossed Naomi’s face. “Stay for dinner tonight, won’t you? It will do my heart good to have Rhett here for longer, so I can lay my worries to rest and see that he’s really getting better. Plus, we’d love to thank you for being there for him.”

“Um, sure,” I stammered. “Thanks.”

“Wonderful.” She gave me a meaningful look, then pulled me into a firm embrace.

When she walked out of the barn, I looked at Claire. “Think she knows?”

“She definitely suspects,” Claire confirmed.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

I loved my job, but for once, the morning ride felt unbearably long. I found myself counting down the minutes until I saw Rhett again. I missed him, but more than that, I worried about him. Walker could be intense. Depending on what kind of mood he was in, their morning of cards could be exactly what Rhett needed or it could push him to run again.

When we finally trekked back to the ranch, I caught a glimpse of Rhett standing by his mom, grinning as he helped pull foil-wrapped potatoes from the campfire. He looked up, catching my gaze, and winked at me.

My heart felt like it might flutter right out of my chest, and I couldn’t begin to hide my smile.

Claire rode up beside me. “No way you guys are going to be able to keep things secret for long.”

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in years. “You might be right.”

“Except from Travis and Jonathan,” she mused. “Sometimes I think they’re blind to most of what happens right underneath their noses. But Beth will know before the day’s over. You can count on that. She won’t say anything though.”

“No,” I agreed, “she won’t. She’s too respectful of boundaries to mention it. Unlike you. ” I gave her a good-natured grin. I loved Claire with my whole heart, even if we had completely different personalities—maybe even because of it.

Claire threw her head back and laughed, the sunlight catching on her blonde curls. “It’s a good thing I’ve found a job where I’m supposed to ask questions and not feel awkward about it.”

“Yes, that is a good thing.”

Claire urged her horse to a trot, heading to the dismount block ahead of us so she could help guests as they arrived. I stayed back with the group, letting them fully enjoy the last few minutes of their ride. Rhett never took his eyes off me and walked over to meet me as I came off Stormy.

“Wish we didn’t have to keep this secret,” he said under his breath, deliberately brushing my body as he took the reins from me. “I’m dying to have my hands on you again.”

Delicious shivers went down my spine. “I’m dying for that, too,” I whispered.

His dark eyes met mine, sending heat right through me. “Soon.”

“Soon.” I bit my lip. “By the way, I told your Mom we’d stay for dinner. Is that okay?”

“It’s great, except that it adds an hour or two to how long I have to keep my hands off you, and I don’t know if I can make it.” His low voice made me tremble. “The truth might slip out.”

“Claire already knows,” I said. “And your mom suspects.”

“Does that mean you’re done keeping secrets?”

“I don’t know.” The idea of everyone knowing sent a surge of panic through me.

“Well, tell me when you are. I’m ready to let the whole world know you’re mine.” His grin turned wicked, leaving me speechless as he walked away with my horse.

“Ready to eat?” Claire asked, coming up behind me and putting an arm around my waist. “Or should I play guard and keep everyone out of the barn for half an hour?”

I laughed and turned, heading toward the courtyard and dragging Claire with me. “Food. Definitely food.”

I was digging into my potato when Rhett strode over and motioned with his head for Claire to move so he could have the spot beside me.

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Why are you guys even pretending to hide this?”

He plopped down beside me, plate in hand. “Yeah, Chey, why are you pretending to hide this? Wouldn’t it be nicer if I could sit down beside you and plant a big kiss right on that pretty mouth, here in front of everyone?”

I shoved him with my shoulder. “So much for giving me time to get used to this.”

“We’ve already lost too much time,” he said, his voice turning seriously.

My heart fluttered. “I know. But this is my job. It matters to me. If things between us go wrong…”

He shook his head. “They won’t. Not this time.”

“But if they do…”

He sighed, deflated. “Alright. We take as much time as you need.”

“Thank you.”

His grinned returned. “But I can’t hide the fact that you’re my favorite.”

I smiled. “You’re my favorite, too.”

We had an afternoon of short tours. I normally hated those, but today, I was grateful for them. The mindless loop allowed me to let my mind drift to all the places it would rather be.

One night with Rhett had washed away all the pain of the past ten years. I couldn’t even grieve the time apart anymore. It had turned us into the people we were—people who could actually make this work. But we were together again, and my soul felt at peace. He had told me he was in this for the long haul, and I wanted to believe it.

But I still didn’t want to tell Naomi and Walker. I didn’t mind if Claire, Beth, and Travis knew. They would be supportive but also understanding about the whole thing.

Naomi and Walker knowing added a whole new pressure—pressure that I worried would make Rhett pull away again. If Walker’s insistence on him settling down had made Rhett take off before, would history repeat itself?

Walker might never understand Rhett’s desire to live here but run a business completely separate from the ranch. The ranch was Walker’s whole life. It had to be in order for him to make it work.

But it would never be Rhett’s passion.

I worried that, if Naomi and Walker knew, they’d start pushing for Rhett to make a commitment. Pushing for him to stay on at the ranch and build a life there. Maybe even offer land for us to build a house again.

I didn’t even want that. I loved my cabin in the woods.

Naomi would understand, I reassured myself. But Walker…

Walker could make things very complicated.

When the day’s work was done, I stopped by Diablo’s stall to give him some sugar cubes.

“Hey, boy,” I said, stroking his velvet nose. “Missed you.”

He nudged my pocket and whined.

“I know. I’m ready for another ride, too.”

“Me too.” Rhett’s voice surprised me, coming out of nowhere. He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist before dipping a hand into my pocket and pulling out a sugar cube for Diablo.

Diablo gave him a wary look, then gobbled up the treat from Rhett’s hand.

“He let you give him a treat,” I murmured. “He doesn’t even take them from Travis.”

“He’s yours,” Rhett said simply. “And he knows I am, too.”

I rested my head back against his chest.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

“I’m happy.”

He chuckled, that low voice sending vibrations through my body. “You sure seem down for someone who says she’s happy.”

“I am happy. And that’s scary. Because that’s usually about when I lose everything.”

“Not this time.”

I didn’t answer. Because even though he’d told me he was staying, I didn’t want to ask for a promise he couldn’t keep.

“Let’s head in for dinner,” I suggested. “Everyone will be wondering where we are.”

“I bet they know exactly where we are,” he said, chuckling. “Why else are they all steering clear of the barn right now? No one will care if we’re late for dinner, but we’ll go if you want.”

“I’m nervous,” I admitted.

“Why?” He let go of me so I could turn around and face him.

“I haven’t stayed for dinner since … before.”

“It’s just dinner,” he said gently. “It doesn’t have to be a big deal.”

“It’s never just dinner with the Hawkins family.”

“Do you want to go home instead?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I already said we would stay.”

He interlaced his fingers with mine and gently pulled me toward the main house. “Then we go. I’ve got you.”

“I know.” But I was a ball of nerves as we approached the house. I pulled my hand out of Rhett’s as we walked in the front door, and I couldn’t help looking at everyone when we made it to the dining room, wondering if the truth was as obvious to everyone else as it had been to Claire. Thankfully, if anyone else noticed anything, they didn’t mention it. Naomi beamed when she saw me but didn’t make a big deal out of it.

And nobody said anything when I took my old seat right in between Rhett and Claire.

But the feeling was so surreal I couldn’t shake it. The last time I’d sat here for dinner, Rhett and I had been together. Two silly teens, hopelessly in love. I’d been so happy—and so blissfully unaware of the heartbreak ahead of me.

Somehow, we’d found ourselves picking up right where we’d left off. But that added to my unease. Was I walking straight into heartbreak again?

Like he could read my mind, Rhett squeezed my knee underneath the table. I looked over at him and he gave me a wink, as if to say I worried too much.

I took a deep breath and tried to put the doubts out of my mind as we dug into dinner, chatting about Jonathan’s upcoming graduation and Claire’s latest adventures as a deputy. After a while, I finally relaxed and began to enjoy myself.

The rest of us were almost finished eating when Travis walked in, looking exhausted. He tossed his hat onto the kitchen bar, then plopped down at his dining room chair with a heavy sigh.

“Everything okay, son?” Naomi asked, giving him a thoughtful look.

He reached for the green beans and heaped a mountain of them onto his plate. “Had a calving go wrong today.”

“Oh no. Did you lose them?”

He shook his head. “No. Made it to them on time, but it wasn’t pretty. That, on top of burning the candle at both ends lately, and I’m just worn out.” He grabbed the corn and looked at Rhett. “You’re looking better.”

Rhett grinned. “I’m feeling better.”

“I guess you’ll be moving back into the loft soon and easing back to work? I tell ya, I’ll be grateful for the help.”

Naomi cleared her throat. “Rhett can start easing into work an hour or two at a time whenever he feels ready, but I’m afraid the loft is no longer available.”

Every head at the table jerked to attention.

“No longer available?” Travis asked blankly. “What do you mean?”

“You’re drowning,” Naomi said firmly. “I decided it was time we gave Jimmy another chance. Hired him back on. He starts tomorrow, and he’ll be moving back into the loft.”

She turned to me and Rhett. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice apologetic. “Rhett, unless Cheyenne’s willing to extend her hospitality for a little while, I’m afraid you’ll need to bunk with Jonathan temporarily. I have a cabin we can block off as yours in about two weeks, but until then…” Her voice trailed off and she shrugged helplessly.

Rhett looked at me. His face was solemn, but laughter danced in his eyes. “Well, Cheyenne? You mind rescuing me from bunking with Jonathan? It seems I have no place else to go.”

Based on the way Naomi had her mouth set, like she was fighting a smile, I had a feeling she knew I wouldn’t mind at all. In fact, I was pretty sure she’d orchestrated this whole thing on purpose.

I knew I’d have to thank her for it someday.

“That’s fine,” I said, attempting to look cool. “You’re not bothering me.” I picked up my water glass and took a long sip, hoping to hide any smile.

“Oh, I’ll bother you alright,” Rhett muttered under his breath. He slipped his hand up my thigh and I nearly dropped my glass.

“Wait a sec,” Travis interrupted, angry. “Don’t I get any say in this?”

“No,” Naomi said, turning her attention to him. “No, you don’t. I’m still ahead of you in the chain of command, and the decision has been made.” Her eyes softened. “You’re killing yourself, Travis. You’ve got to have some help.”

“He stole from us.” Travis’s face showed pure outrage.

“And you need to learn to forgive and give people second chances,” Naomi said, giving him a warning look. “It’s not up for discussion.”

Travis opened his mouth, then clamped his jaw shut. He finished filling his plate in stony silence, then announced he had a lot of work to do. He carried the plate with him and stormed off, letting the door bang behind him on the way out.