Wildfire Omens (Wildwood #1)

Chapter 30

Chapter Thirty

Rhett

Settling into my new life felt so easy and natural it almost felt wrong. For the first time ever, I started enjoying working on the ranch. Mom’s idea of partnering me with Chey for the trail ride side of the business was brilliant. Since I could do it full-time, it freed Jonathan, Beth, and Claire up from the rotation, which meant Mom and Travis both had consistent help. And being out on the trails with Chey made my new role a pleasure instead of a drag.

She was incredible. Patient and gentle with the horses and their riders. Always found ways to make the experience new and exciting. Kept everyone safe, taught them a bit about horsemanship, and showed them Wyoming’s natural beauty all at the same time. She was a natural guide, able to answer any of their questions about the landscape around them. Full of great stories about the history of the Bighorns. And she had a way with the horses that put even her most nervous riders at ease before it was over.

It was no wonder half her riders seemed to fall head-over-heels in love with her by the end of every tour.

Beyond that, she’d amazed me at SAR training. Watching her navigate the swift water rescue techniques with ease had impressed me more than I could say. I’d grown up in this country, had white water rafted and spent summers splashing around the creeks and rivers, but I wouldn’t have managed those exercises half as well as she did. It was incredible.

I was damn proud of my girl.

When we got back from a morning tour, I pulled her aside before we headed to lunch. Wrapped my arms around her waist in the barn and pulled her in for the kiss I’d been imagining all morning. Loved feeling her body pressed up against mine and running my hands through her hair.

Still couldn’t believe this was my life.

“What was that for?” she asked when she pulled back, breathless.

“Missed you.”

“You’ve been with me all day,” she teased.

“I’ve been sharing you all day,” I corrected. “All week, actually. I miss being alone with you. Let’s not stay for dinner tonight. Let’s go out. Me and you.”

“Alright,” she agreed. “Where do you want to go?”

My mind instantly wandered to all the places I’d love to take her in Austin. Our options were pretty limited in Wildwood. But it didn’t matter.

“I don’t care,” I said, shrugging. “I just want time with you.”

“Is the bar okay?”

“It’s great.”

But there was worry in her eyes, clear as day.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I hope Pete’s feelings aren’t hurt.”

I shrugged. “If they are, that’s his business. He asked you on one date that didn’t even happen. Any feelings he has about that aren’t your responsibility.”

Her mouth twisted into a wry grin. “You make everything seem so easy.”

I shook my head. “Nah. Life’s hard. I just don’t see the point in complicating it needlessly.”

“And yet, you’re here,” she said, staring up at me with those big brown eyes. “Complicating your life to help your family. Complicating it more to be with me.”

“Some things are worth it.”

Her face relaxed. “Yes. They are.”

Travis had taken care of the tires on my bike while I was recovering, so I talked Cheyenne into taking it to dinner. When I suggested it, the concern on her face was clear, but I reminded her that I’d been riding a horse all week and was doing just fine. My headaches were pretty much gone and I was nearly back to full strength.

Besides, if I couldn’t manage the bike, I knew she could. I told her as much and won another smile.

“Fine,” she said. “We’ll take the bike.” She glanced over at it, a wistful expression on her face. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been on one.”

“How long?”

“Since you left.”

That stabbed. She’d always loved riding with me. I hated that she’d missed it all these years. “We’ve got a lot to make up for.”

But she smiled. “You’ve been doing a pretty good job so far.”

“I don’t guess you still have your helmet?”

She shook her head. “No. But Claire has one. I’ll borrow it.”

I stopped cold in my tracks. “Since when does my sister have a motorcycle helmet?”

Cheyenne laughed. “I guess you missed that. She briefly dated a biker a couple of years ago. It didn’t last, obviously, but she enjoyed the ride.”

I frowned. “Hmmm. I don’t know if I like that.”

She rolled her eyes, grinning. “You’re one to talk. You ride cross-country on these things.”

“I wasn’t talking about the bike part.”

She gave me a quick kiss. “I know. I’ll be back in five. Then we can go.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

I watched her walk off with a feeling of immense satisfaction.

Coming back to Wyoming had been the best decision of my life.

Half an hour later, we pulled into the parking lot of Pete’s bar. Cheyenne hopped off the bike and pulled the helmet off her head, shaking out those gorgeous brown locks. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes were bright.

“That was awesome,” she said, her whole face lit up in a grin.

“Yeah, it was. I always love riding, but having you on the back of my bike, holding on to me? Makes it ten times better.”

Those cheeks pinked even more. “Come on,” she said, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward the door.

“You hungry?”

“Yes. But I’m also thinking that the faster we eat, the faster we get to go home.” She winked.

“I like the way you think.” I grinned. “And I love that you can’t wait to take me home with you.”

She threw her head back, her laughter lighting up the night like sweet music. “I’m just ready for another ride—on the bike, I mean.”

I held my fist to my heart. “Way to break a man’s spirit.”

“Oh, there’s nothing broken about your spirit,” she said, grinning again. “That’s part of why I love you.” The moment she realized what she’d said, she turned white and tried to backtrack. “I mean—”

“I love you, too, Cheyenne.” I put my hands on her face and stepped close, keeping my eyes locked on hers. “I’ve already told you that, but I’ll tell you again. I love you with every ounce of my being.”

Her hands came to my wrists, holding on like she was holding for dear life. “Really?”

“Really. Always have. Always will.”

And right there in the parking lot, she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me in a way that made me know she finally believed it.

It should have been perfect. But when she pulled away, flushed and happy, I felt an uneasy prickle on my neck.

I glanced around the parking lot and didn’t see a thing out of place.

But that didn’t stop the cold fear from creeping up my spine.