Chapter 30
Rhett
Four months later
Iturn my head so my voice carries. “Still okay back there?”
“We’ve been walking for a bit now,” Carina says from behind me. “Where are you taking us?”
“You’ll see,” I say over my shoulder. “It’ll be worth it.”
She huffs. “I can’t wait to get there.”
“Why? Neither of us has to work. No point in rushing it.”
“That’s my point. The sooner we get to our destination, the sooner I can relax. All this walking under the hot sun isn’t relaxing.”
“As I said, it’ll be worth it.” I chuckle.
The last little while has been a whirlwind.
For someone who traveled to a handful of states to compete during my rodeo days, I’ve been all over this amazing country of ours. Photographers from coast to coast are clamoring for my attention.
When I was at the top of my game, I was lucky enough to land some pretty sizeable winning checks and a few incredible sponsorship deals—that’s how I was able to pay for my farmhouse without requiring a mortgage—but they pale in comparison to the money that’s been thrown at me lately.
After I stepped away from the limelight of being a rodeo star, I never thought I’d step under a new set of lights.
It’s been a good ride for my girl as well. Other than her cookbook deals and her YouTube channel, Food Network offered her a guess spot appearance as a judge on the show she won last season.
Life is good for both of us.
“It better be worth it, or else I’m asking for a refund.” Carina laughs.
“I can’t guarantee I’ll pay you back in cash.”
“Dirty man.”
“You knew that from day one, doll.”
We both laugh.
This is the first time in two months both of us have three consecutive days off. I intend to make the most of it.
I’d normally ride out to the Navarre River, but Carina isn’t comfortable on a horse yet. I want our time out here to be relaxed, so I decided on a road trip to beautiful Cross Timbers Hiking Trail.
After a little over an hour and a half long drive, I parked my truck a few miles back. We’ve been hiking for a bit on a trail through bushes near the river.
“As much as I’ve been grumbling about all this forced exercise, I must say the view is breathtaking,” Carina says.
“It is,” I say. “After visiting so many new cities, I still couldn’t live without being this close to rivers and all this greenery.”
My world starts and stops with the view of the big Texas sky.
“I couldn’t see you living anywhere else.”
She knows me well.
“Let’s take a right,” I say.
“Okay.”
We trek for a few more miles until we reach a bushy area.
“Check this out,” I say, pushing through lush greenery.
Carina comes and stands near me. “Oh, my God.”
Water overflows onto rocks below and then flows into a pool that looks as white as a cloud. The current is pretty strong today.
“Look.” I point. “The whitewater rafters over there.”
“That’s something I’d never have the guts to do.”
“It’s an amazing rush,” I say.
“You’re not selling me on that one, Rhett Sullivan.”
“I wasn’t planning to.” I chuckle. “Come on, let’s go somewhere a little quieter for our afternoon date.”
“I like the sound of that.”
We packed blankets, towels, a bathing suit for her, swim trunks for me, SPF—she insisted—food, and drinks so we can enjoy this sunny day.
“Aren’t there any wild animals around here like bears?”
I shake my head. “Not in Texas. Maybe in Montana or Colorado. There are more chances of us coming across coyotes, opossums, raccoons, squirrels, and armadillos. There are snakes—”
“Oh, God. We’re going to die—”
“Quit being so dramatic, woman.” She’s still very much a big city girl. “I’m packing.”
“You are?”
“Of course.”
“Oh.”
It’s unlikely I’ll ever use my gun, but wildlife can be unpredictable.
A few more steps and we arrive at our destination.
“The river is so much calmer here,” Carina says.
“It is and it’s pretty shallow too.”
“How do you know about this place?”
“Jenkins and I have been up here many times to fish. In the middle of the week like this, it’s deserted.”
“So, this is where you’re taking me for our date?”
My eyebrows knit together. “You don’t like it?”
“It’s the perfect spot after the past few frenzied months.”
My lips break into a wide smile.
“I’m glad you like it.” I remove the backpack and place it on one of the larger rocks and sit down. “Come join me and rest your aching feet and back, you poor thing.”
“Funny.” Her lips twist.
She comes to join me.
By the time we arrived in the parking lot, the blazing morning sun was already broiling all of Texas. It’s even worse now. This heat wave is making it scorching hot this year.
I tip my Stetson back and swipe my forearm across my brow. “I’m surprised we haven’t melted yet,” I say before removing it all together and placing it on the rock near me.
“Glad I wore a hat,” Carina says. She removes hers, revealing her big Hollywood-style sunglasses.
My girl is a convert when it comes to cowgirl boots, but there’s still work to be done when it comes to her headgear. Although cute, her large sun hat is more Palm Beach than Summerville. We’ll get there.
I unzip the bag and pull out a couple of water bottles, crack open the caps, and hand her one.
“Drink up.”
She guzzles down half the bottle.
I do the same.
“Just when I think this state can’t be any more beautiful, you surprise me by showing me more jaw-dropping scenery.”
“I knew you’d enjoy this spot as much as I do. This is Mother Nature at her best. All of Summerville is.”
I pull out a container full of local sweet cherries and hold it out to her. She grabs a handful.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
As she enjoys the cherries, she glances at the forest surrounding us. “It really is just the two of us.”
“Told you. It’s a whole different story on weekends, but on a Wednesday, it’s our own private oasis.”
“I like that.” She smiles.
I reach out and caress her cheek tenderly. “I’ve been looking forward to this time together.”
“Same here. No media interviews. No driving you to the airport. No endless photo shoots.” She grins. “Just Rhett and Carina.”
I return her wide smile. “Just the two of us.”
Almost seven months ago, I saw this gorgeous stranger with big beautiful blue eyes and tempting lips in a parking lot… and now she’s my world.
I thought the discord with her family was going to drive a wedge between us, but I was wrong.
I was afraid she’d come to resent me because she chose me, but her family came around. The media explosion trickled all the way up to the Callahan clan.
That first meeting with her family in New York was terrifying. I’ve faced some feisty broncos in my life, but Carina is protected and loved by an army of men—two grandfathers, a father, and seven brothers—never mind the uncles, cousins, and family friends. That’s a lot to handle for just one guy.
Even with all their quirkiness, her family are good people.
We sit in contemplative silence for a long while, soaking in the beautiful view and relishing the sound of the streaming water.
My growling stomach breaks the silence.
“Let’s eat and we can dip our toes in one of the several swimming holes for a while before making our way back,” I say. “That way we aren’t rushed.”
“Where are we going to change?”
“See that green shed over there?”
Her gaze follows my pointed finger.
“We can hide behind it. I’ll hold a towel up to shield your body,” I say.
“You’re such a gentleman.”
I lean forward over the backpack, her lips too tempting not to claim.
“It’s always about you, darlin’,” I say before dropping a soft kiss against her lips.
“I’m the luckiest girl in the world.” She smiles against my lips.
“So, what do we have in here?” I rummage through the backpack.
As usual, food is a production with my girl. I’m the one who put the container of cherries in the backpack, but God knows what else is here.
“Antipasto salad skewers and three types of sandwiches—mini roasted chicken caprese, porchetta and pesto, and salami and sharp Italian provolone. For dessert, I made some no-bake bite-size tiramisu truffles.”
“When did you have time to prepare all this food?”
She shoots me a side gaze. “It’s just a light meal.”
It’s a miracle I haven’t gained fifty pounds since we’ve been together. She’s truly an incredible cook.
“Down, girl. I appreciate it.” I lean in to kiss her temple.
“I made it with love,” she says.
“I know you did.”
“Let’s eat. I’m hungry as well,” she says.
“You don’t have to tell me twice.”
We sit on the rock while we enjoy our lunch.
I swallow my last bite. “That was delicious, Carina.”
“Thanks.”
“You have to add those truffles to your dessert cookbook. They’re ridiculous.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” she says. “They turned out better than I expected, and you can really taste the coffee liqueur.”
“Yes, you can. They’re winners, babe.”
“I think so.”
I shift my attention to the water. “Let’s go walk off all this food.”
“Good idea.”
I stand up, grab the backpack and extend my hand to her. We walk with fingers interlaced to the shed. When we get there, I drop the bag to the ground, pull out the towel, and open it. I expect her to pull out her swimsuit to change, but she stares at me with an expression I can’t make out.
I furrow my brows. “What is it?”
She bites on her lower lip. “It’s really just the two of us out here?”
“I told you, it’s deadsville around here during the week.”
“Double checking.”
Her eyes shift left then right, something mischievous flashing in them.
“What is it?”
She slides her index finger between her lips. Her fluttering eyelashes are a distraction. The twinkle of malice shining bright in her eyes doesn’t help.
“What’s going on in that devious mind of yours, Carina?”
She shrugs. “Nothing.”
“I ain’t buying it. Come on, fess up.”
“Why do you assume the worst?”
I’m not falling for that feigned innocence. “I know that look by now.”
“Oh, so you think you know everything about me?”
“I’m not sayin’ I do. That’s why I’m askin’.”
“It’s just a passing thought,” she says in a non-committal way.
“Why you beatin’ around the bush, woman?”