7. Seven
Seven
Kyla
Earlier, before Rhett found me again, and after I hung up the phone with Grace, I ventured outside and found Abi quickly. I could tell she had been busy, gloves on her hands and buckets of water by her feet.
“Ah,” she had said with a large, welcoming smile on her face. “Just in time to get the troughs full. I’m Abi.”
She was a ray of sunshine from the moment we shook hands, and she was able to distract me just enough with small tasks that I had almost, almost , completely forgotten about Rhett.
Until he showed up. Once he was on the ground in front of me, I turned back into who I was the night before—except I couldn’t go there again. So, with a small pep talk before climbing on his horse, I told myself to put an end to it. I had to be logical. I knew what his hands felt like, what he felt like inside of me. I knew I wanted more. It wasn’t easy to talk myself out of it.
But then we sat by the lake, and his eyes bore into mine as he said we would find a place that was for me. A place I could love with my entire being. He had said we. As in him and I.
I folded my arms over my body as we walked back to his house in silence. I could feel myself closing off, easing back into my normal rhythm as the night came to a close.
Where was the other Kyla? The one from last night? I wanted her to come back.
“I need to get Buckles’ things. I’ll be in the house soon, okay?” Rhett’s hand lightly grazed my elbow as he began to head in the direction of the stable. A chill danced up my arm from the simple touch.
I mimicked his smile, nodding before turning back to his house, watching him jog to the stables. Once inside, I leaned against the door, exhaling through my lips, closing my eyes and seeing Rhett here with me. Nothing could happen tonight, I knew that much. As much as I wanted it, I knew—I just knew— I had to be the sensible one here. I’d stay the night and then leave shortly after he did in the morning.
I gathered my things quickly, getting a fresh pair of pajamas from my car before settling onto the couch, pulling my knees up to my chest, waiting for Rhett to return.
The day of cowboys was over. I had to stop pretending to be someone I wasn’t and move on. It was fun while it lasted—and I would have a fantastic story to tell later down the road—but . . . it was over. Time to move on and find me again. No more pit stops .
Moments later Rhett came back into the house, giving me a small, fleeting kiss before beginning to pack, moving around his house quickly. My lips tingled from his kiss. I wasn’t expecting it, but the way he acted, it seemed like the normal thing to do. A kiss between partners. Heat rose in my cheeks at how little thought it took for him to kiss me. Like it was something he did everyday. Like kissing me was just . . . habit.
Rhett moved seamlessly as he pulled out a suitcase and duffel bag. He was a very organized packer, not to sound cliché, but this wasn’t his first rodeo. I watched as he pulled a few button-down shirts from his closet, laying them on top of one another carefully before returning to his bedroom. He came back out with three hats on his head, and one in each hand. He looked adorable with the tower of hats, concentration on his face as he carefully placed each one down as if they weren’t just stacked on his head. He pointed at each, silently counting to himself before he mumbled, “I may need more . . . ten days . . . how many rides,” then he turned, only to come back with two more hats.
“How many hats do you own?” I scoffed. “And don’t they go in boxes?”
He slid on his heel and threw me a crooked smile. “A cowboy can never have too many hats.” His smile grew and he lifted his eyebrows before turning back to his room.
I studied him, every inch of him. Remembering the way he fit with me so well last night, and the way he treated me today. I found myself wishing he would almost do something that remotely reminded me of David. But he was simply too perfect. He was going to make it hard to forget him .
He paused, catching me watching him. He smiled again and instead of turning back to his bedroom, he took the moment to pour me a glass of white wine. In one fluid motion he came over to the sofa and handed me the glass, his eyes never once leaving mine.
“You trying to liquor me up, Cowboy?” I took the glass from him, shocked by how easy it was to tease him.
He winked. “It’s not rum and Dr. Pepper.”
I stopped myself from taking the teasing further. “Listen.” I paused, eyeing him for half a second before looking at the wine. “Last night was a—”
“I know, I know. A one-night thing. Just a friend offering a friend a drink. You just relax.” He turned back to his things, leaving me in the living room to “relax.”
Taking a small, sweet sip of wine, I kept my eyes on him, and once I had caught my breath I pulled out my phone to update Grace.
Me
Rhett is packing now . . . the day of cowboys is coming to an end.
Those three small dots danced as Grace answered but I could predict her answer, You could still make it the Summer of Cowboys, not just the day.
Grace
You know, you could still . . .
I laughed, not even finishing reading the text as I began to respond.
Me
I knew you were going to say that.
“I like your laugh,” I heard Rhett say from behind me. “It fills the entire room and it’s just . . . beautiful.”
I dropped my phone and twisted my body, hanging my arm over the back of the couch to get a good look at him. He was folding up a pair of Wrangler’s, placing them in the suitcase along with ten other pairs. He still had his work jeans on, his boots tucked underneath, paired with a gray t-shirt, untucked, but still fitting him perfectly, showing off his perfectly toned body.
Sighing, I pulled myself back to the moment. “It’s been a long time since someone has told me that,” I admitted because it was true. David had told me that while we were dating . . . once. It used to be a memory that endeared him to me, but now it was tainted. That should have been a small clue that he wasn’t worth it. In hindsight . . . it’s always in hindsight.
Rhett furrowed his brow. “No one told you you’re gorgeous? No one asked what you wanted to feel in bed? And no one pointed out your amazing, knee weakening, laugh?” He placed the pair of jeans in the suitcase and folded his arms, his eyes heavy on me. “Your ex must have been a miserable man.”
“David,” I finally said, my voice softer than it was two minutes ago. “His name was David, and he really was . . .” I trailed off, not exactly sure how far I wanted this conversation to go tonight. How much did Rhett need to know?
But then I met his gaze, his shoulders square as he took a long, deep breath. “Did he hurt you?”
He was still, but his voice deepened as a storm raged in his eyes. Biting the inside of my check, I slowly nodded.
He took a deep breath, and I could see exactly where his mind went. His eyes rapidly blinked as his breathing quickened. He tried to hide it, but the complete stiffness to his posture wasn’t letting him hide the anger that began to surge through him. I had known this man for less than twenty-four hours and he was already more concerned for my well-being than anyone else. My own mother told me to be the wife I was supposed to be, she never bothered to listen to me. Rhett’s mind went directly to the worst case scenario, but there was more than one way to hurt someone.
“It wasn’t physical,” I added, making sure to clear the air with him. “He never hit me. Came close the night I broke off the engagement, but he never hit me. It was more emotional—verbal.”
“That’s worse sometimes,” he said, his voice soft and caring. “Getting in someone’s head like that? Making you believe things that aren’t true. Hell, that will kill you from the inside out.”
I turned and leaned to set my wine glass on the coffee table, bringing my knees to my chest. It had taken me years to see that David was crushing me, gaslighting to the extreme—and when I finally decided to act, I was manipulated into staying by my mother. Which only made leaving that much harder. Not only was I letting her down, but I was making David look like the person he really was. The facade that he had worked so hard to build would come crashing down the moment his trophy wife left him. And I wasn’t even his wife yet.
“I left,” I finally added, “and I’m starting over.”
“Moving to Washington?”
“Remember how I said I’m a teacher?” He nodded in response. I inhaled, urging myself to continue. “I still have my license, but I left my school after Christmas, on good terms. They understood and knew what was happening. I’ll recertify once I get to Washington, He was careful not to reach out for me, though I could clearly see he wanted to. I would welcome the touch, but I also appreciated the space he was giving me. “Until I can find another school in Washington, I have a tutoring job set up.”
“Does he know where you’re going?”
I shook my head. “Only my friend Grace knows. I haven’t talked to my mom since I left David. I completely broke away. New phone number, new car, new everything. I’ll call my mom once I get settled in August.”
A line formed between his brow. “That’s months away. What are you doing until then?”
Letting out a small laugh I dropped my knees, reaching forward again to grab my wine. “That’s the funny part. I had a list of things I wanted to do, wanted to see. I kept enough in my savings so that I could find a place to live once I got to Washington after spending the summer ‘finding myself.’” I air quoted. “But now I’m being a rational adult thinking I need to get to Spokane now or there will be no apartments left in August. Almost like everyone is moving to Spokane and they all will need an apartment at the same time I will. That girl you met last night—the one in the bar who took your hat and played pool and teased the living hell out of you—that’s not me. I teach, and overthink things, and do as I’m told, but I figured why not be free for one night? You helped me be free for one night—hell one day —and I loved it. But I have to get back to the real world sometime.
“And honestly”—I took a sip of my wine, the sizzle of the alcohol sliding down my throat—“I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this. Just because you said some nice things to me and gave me one of the best nights in my life, doesn’t mean . . .” I shrugged and took another drink, hiding the blush I felt rush to my cheeks. At this point I was rambling. Rhett didn’t need to know any of this. I was better off locking it up. I began to guzzle my wine until I felt Rhett’s hand on my arm, forcing me to lower the glass.
“You’re telling me because you can trust me, and I think you know that.”
I met his gaze. I didn’t trust many people with my story or inner emotions except for Grace and my therapist, but Rhett gave me the same feeling they had. He would listen to everything I had bottled up and take it. He wouldn’t give me advice, unless I asked, but he would sit and listen. It was an odd feeling to have, especially with a man I had just met. I knew very little about him, yet I felt completely safe next to him. I trusted him.
“Come with me,” he whispered softly.
I furrowed my brow. “What?” The word came out more like a laugh, the corners of my lips tugging into an unsure smile.
“You said you wanted to see and do things? Come on the road with me and Wyatt. See things before you overthink again. ”
It was tempting to say yes. I almost let the word slip through my lips, but the logical part of my brain went into gear, and I shook my head.
“I can’t go with you. I need to find an apartment and get my life set in stone before I screw it up even more.”
Rhett let out a long breath, his nostrils flaring as he tilted his head. His jaw tensed as he began to look around the room. I tightened my lips, keeping the three letter word that started with a Y in my throat. That couldn’t . . . wouldn’t happen.
“Then why don’t you stay here?” He broke the silence that was growing between us, his gaze moving back to me on the couch.
I blinked. “I’m sorry?” I asked.
“We’re only five hours from Spokane. You can stay here while I’m gone. Spend some time with Stetson—I’m sure Abi will appreciate that, she’s always busy during the summer months. And you can search for an apartment.” He bent his knee as he got comfortable on the couch, his entire body leaning towards me.
I could feel his heat radiating off of him. His woodsy scent swirling around me. Everything he was suggesting felt right, but that stupid logical side of my brain . . .
“Stay here?” I repeated. “On the ranch?”
“In my house.”
“You’re not serious?” But the way he was looking at me, the way his eyes lit up, told me he was being one hundred percent serious.
What was crazier? Going with him on the road, or claiming his space as my own for ten days ?
“Sure I am. Wyatt and I leave tomorrow and then we’re gone on the circuit for ten days. You can stay here and make yourself at home.”
Stay in his house? Without him? Just pretend that I live here, hang out on the ranch all day until he gets back, and what . . . what happens then?
“Wouldn’t that be weird? Wouldn’t your family think that’s . . . unusual?” I asked, furrowing my brows and biting the inside of my cheek.
Rhett’s expression told me it wasn’t. It would work out. I should stay. Our eyes were glued to each other for a moment, until he blinked, taking a deep breath and shifting his weight on the couch.
“Only if we make it weird. My family won’t question anything.”
“Oh, so you’ve been in this position before?” I half-joked, cocking an eyebrow, trying to ease the heaviness between us.
“No,” he stated, his voice toneless. “Sometimes I rent it out as an Airbnb while I’m gone. Ten days doesn’t normally warrant that, but I think they would understand making an exception for you.” He met my eyes again, and I melted. The blue of his eyes got brighter as he held my gaze.
He cleared his throat. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I won’t be here to be in your way, and you can do whatever you want. I can tell my family to treat you like an Airbnb guest and leave you alone, or they can keep you company. It’s your call but . . .” He reached his hand out to me, gently placing a piece of hair behind my ear. “You’re welcome here, Kyla.”
“Is this how all men are supposed to be?” I asked, my mind reeling with the idea of him. It was hard to imagine he was real .
“Decent men, I’d like to think.” Rhett faintly smiled. “My mama didn’t raise me to treat a woman any other way.” He leaned across the couch. The fingers that were just in my hair moved and his palm cupped my face. I leaned into him, simply loving the warmth he offered. “Stay here as long as you need.”
Sighing, I studied his eyes. I wanted to lean over and kiss him; tell him to treat me like he did last night. To make love to me like no one else had—but that’s not why he was doing this. He simply just wanted me to be safe, and I believed that. Instead of giving in to what my body wanted, I placed my hand on his and gently kissed his palm.
“Did you really just see a girl sitting alone at a bar and decide to buy her a drink?”
He touched my bottom lip with his thumb. “Honestly, that’s all. I didn’t expect you to stay, but I was terrified you would leave.”
“I almost did, until I saw your note.”
“I’m just glad you could read my chicken scratch.” He chuckled, a small smile tracing his lips.
I let out a laugh. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe. I felt wanted. I felt . . . secure. “Okay.” I sighed. “I’ll stay. Thank you.”
He let out a sigh of relief, steady and sure. His calloused thumb made soft, small circles on my chin, sending shivers down my spine. His hold on me was intense, another thing I never experienced. Inhaling, I moved my chin from his grip, trying to force the feeling off my skin.
But then his unsure, shaky whisper pulled me back to him. “Can I kiss you? ”
I sighed, that same three letter word screaming to be let out. Instead, I heard my answer. “That’s not who I am, Rhett. I was honest with you when I said I don’t do that kind of thing. I had to talk myself into being free. ”
“That may be the case, but I really . . . really . . . would love to kiss you. Even if it’s the last kiss we ever share.” His eyes searched my face, the deep blue turning back into that ocean I wanted to swim in.
I hesitated briefly, but as I looked into his ocean eyes, I began to swim. I couldn’t—didn’t want to—resist. “One last kiss . . .” I leaned in and our mouths met, the taste of his beer still lingering on his lips. The butterflies grew in my stomach as I longed to take it deeper. But simple, sweet, loving, that’s all this needed to be.
Our last kiss.
Rhett leaned his forehead against mine and took a deep breath, almost as if he knew that would be our last kiss too. The air between us still felt thick. It made sense in my mind to step back—we both wanted something we shouldn’t. It would be better to start a friendship now that I would be living in his house.
“I’ll change the sheets and sleep on the couch tonight,” he whispered.
“You know.” I lifted my head, still not believing that this man was real. “Most cowboys named Rhett are the ‘bad boys.’ They wear black hats and have long hair. Your name doesn’t fit you.”
“You must not have met a real Rhett before. I can promise you, my name fits me.” He kissed me again, another fleeting kiss against my temple before he stood and disappeared into his bedroom.
Grabbing my phone again, I sent an update to Grace.
Me
I’m staying for the summer.
Grace’s response was instant.
Grace
Summer of Cowboys—I approve.
Not cowboys . . . just one.
The next morning, Rhett was awake before the sun came up. He moved silently around his room as he dressed, and I rolled to my side in his bed. I was tempted to reach out to him, pull him down with me, and beg him to stay, but I stayed still. Last night, I made it clear that wasn’t going to happen again. I had to stick with that. He was a gentleman and honored it. I had to keep my hands to myself.
So I simply watched him. I had known the man for a little over thirty hours and yet I felt like I had known him for a lifetime. I sat up, bringing my knees to my chest. From his bedroom I could see into the kitchen perfectly, and Rhett was focused on the coffee machine in front of him. He had a baseball cap on, not the cowboy hat I had grown accustomed to seeing him in, but the baseball cap fit him just as well. He looked relaxed, ready for whatever was going to come his way.
“Good morning.” He smiled once he noticed I was awake. He walked into the room, bringing me a mug of coffee. “I don’t know how you take your coffee—if you need a splash of creamer or an insane amount. I guessed . . .”
I looked at the liquid gold in the cup. Coffee was coffee, and it was hand delivered.
“It’s perfect,” I answered, raising it to my lips. “How long have you been awake?”
“A few hours . . .”
“A few hours? Rhett, you could have woken me up.”
“You were too peaceful, I couldn’t. I set out some clean towels for you, and let my family know you’ll be staying here while I’m away. Abi is excited.” He smiled. “And Lachlan knows not to be too much of a hassle.”
“They can put me to work. I can earn my keep.”
“Well first, you won’t be ‘earning your keep,’ you’re a guest. But Abi may have some things she will ask you to do. If not, treat this as a vacation. Maybe take a drive around Idaho . . . check some things off that list of yours.”
I smiled. “I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think there’s anything on my list that I can do here at the ranch.” I sipped my coffee, taking in its scent.
“Well, add a few things. Trust me, there is plenty to do here.” He shoved his free hand in his pocket. “I have to get Wyatt, but . . .” He pulled out a sticky note and handed it to me. “There’s my number. Please, keep in touch? ”
I looked at the numbers on the sticky note, and then back up at him with a smile. “Can I text you every day?”
“You better.” He gave me the sexiest smile I had ever seen. That temptation to pull him into the bed with me got stronger. “I have to get going,” he added, tugging me from my fantasy. “Don’t worry about anything here, just”—he spread his hands out in front of him—“relax.”
“Relaxing is not really my personality. Good luck out there, Rhett. I’ll be rooting for you.”
He gave me a wink and then flew out the door, grabbing one last bag before the door shut behind him. It took all of my strength not to beg him to kiss me goodbye.