Every Single Wildflower (Every Single #1)

Prologue

Ivy

Seven years ago

I punch the green icon for the fourth time in a row, letting the line ring until my soon to be ex boyfriend’s voice comes through the speaker with the voicemail greeting that I’ve been getting more often than not for the last four years.

"Sup. It’s Brady, leave one."

With gritted teeth I glance at the empty parking lot of the Mayson Jar, my aunt’s restaurant that has been closed for over an hour now. She was shorthanded this evening, so I worked a shift, and was supposed to be picked up by Brady when we closed at ten. But here I am, freezing my ass off, because as luck would have it, it’s those rare two weeks that Texas actually has a winter. My eyes roll in annoyance, my anger flaring as I’m obviously forgotten, yet again.

It’s your own fault, Ivy. Put your big girl pants on and end it.

I know I should have months ago. We’d been friends since kindergarten. He was my first kiss. My first boyfriend, and as much as I love Brady, I’m not in love with him. I would have had the hard conversation a couple of years ago, but when his dad died suddenly in a horrible accident, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. He needed me during his grief, so I set aside my concerns and was there for him. But now…. it’s becoming plain bullshit.

The vacant parking lot only reminds me that everyone is gone for the night, and I now need to find someone to drop their Friday night plans to accommodate my lack of backbone. My thumb scrolls, about to land on the only other person who could pick me up, when my phone dies.

“Excellent,” I mutter, shoving the useless device into my bag before sliding it over my shoulder.

Luckily the crime rate is particularly low in Mayson Ridge, so it’s the only reason I’m even considering walking these darkened streets alone when it’s nearing midnight. Most of the time on a Friday night downtown would be buzzing, but it’s show season, and for towns like mine it means that everyone is gone north to Ft. Worth. Including my parents and my older brothers, which is why Brady was designated my ride since my car is in the shop.

My aching feet carry me past the Mayson Jar’s neon sign, and past the entrance of the hardware store, until I’m standing next to the small, faded brick building that’s been empty since I’ve been alive. The large picture window would be a perfect spot to display buckets of wildflowers and other floral arrangements. Especially the ones I pick in the pasture at the east end of the ranch.

Lost in my secret daydream, the sound of an engine pulls my attention away and I turn to see a familiar Chevy truck idle up next to me. The driver side door flies open, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered cowboy, with a scowl planted on his handsome face that’s barely visible beneath the brim of a black Stetson hat.

“What the fuck, Ivy?” His deep voice rumbles through my chest like a violent earthquake.

Maddox Sheppard, my inconsiderate boyfriend’s older brother stalks toward me, peeling his coat off in the process. “What are you doing out here this late? It’s freezing.”

I blink, my breath stuttering as I watch the man that I’ve known just as long as Brady, completely remove his Cinch jacket before draping it over my shoulders.

“Get in the truck," he commands; his tone hard like it usually is when he’s around me.

But I'm hungry, cold, and have no desire to dig deep enough to muster up the energy to argue. I allow him to usher me to the passenger side, where he opens the door and helps me climb in. When he hops in the driver seat, slamming his door, I finally manage to speak.

“I can’t get a hold of Brady.” I wave my phone between us. "Then my phone died."

His jaw clenches as he grips the steering wheel before peeling one hand off to grab the charger that's hazardously coiled in the floor of the truck. “He was supposed to pick you up?” He asks as he hands it my way.

“Yeah. We talked about it this morning.” I plug my phone in before dropping it on the bench seat.

His eyes close, his head shaking as he mutters a string of curse words under his breath. The truck shifts into drive, and the cab grows silent.

“You know where he is?” I ask.

I cast a glance at his profile. He and Brady may be brothers, but they only favor in terms of hair color. Maddox has piercing hazel eyes, like their mother, while Brady has light honey brown like their father. You’d have to be diagnosed legally blind not to see that Maddox is as handsome as they come.

“He went to Shreveport with Clay. They left about noon," he finally says, irritation lacing his tone. “Clay has two rides tonight.”

A rodeo. He ditched me for a freaking rodeo he’s not even riding in.

“I don’t know why I even keep doing this," I say aloud.

“There’s no excuse, Ivy," he grits out.

I swallow, knowing he’s right. Maddox never was one to sugarcoat. He meant the things he said, and even though he always seemed pissed off at anyone and everything, I knew deep down it was because he cared.

More than I can say for his brother.

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.