19. Nineteen
Nineteen
Kyla
I didn’t know what it was about the arena, but I completely broke out of my comfort zone. I was trying and doing things I never imagined I would do—adding more things to that list Rhett loved to remind me of. Working the Ground Hog, as Rhett called it several times, was close to being the highlight of the day—the first being the kiss.
The unexpected kiss from Rhett that left me wanting more once the day was done.
That kiss was meant for me. It was mine, and I decided to hold onto it.
It had to have been that kiss that gave me the green light to let go. I wouldn’t have driven that tracker if not for that freeing feeling that followed the touch of his lips, just like in the bar. And now look what it’s turned into. Everything about Rhett helped build that courage in me. The way he cupped my jaw as he pressed his lips to mine, and the way his hands felt on my hips as he helped me back to the ground with ease. His eyes focused on me as his voice reminded me what to do with the tractor even through Grace’s laughter.
It all sent chills up my spine.
A few days later, I found myself in my Buick waiting at the Boise airport for Grace to land. Rhett had offered to drive me, but with work still to be done at the arena, I told him I would do just fine on my own. I could still see his raised brow, his hand reaching up to tip his hat and the wink he threw in my direction before heading out with Lachlan.
My stomach flipped just thinking about it.
Chills, stomach knots, everything about Rhett made my body and mind react. Even the simplest memory.
Once prompted, I drove to the pickup area and basically jumped out of the car once I saw Grace. Her copper hair was up in a tight ponytail, and she looked comfortable from flying, wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Her sunglasses resting on top of her head screamed that she came right from the Arizona summer. Even her skin was tanned. She squealed as she ran towards me, wrapping her arms around my neck, pulling me in as close as possible.
The hug felt good, felt like home in a way. Solid and warm, her cinnamon scent rushed into my mind, flooding me with memories of when I slept on her couch. Grace was that comfort, my best friend, and she was here.
“I’ve. Missed. You!” she exclaimed. “It’s just not the same when we aren’t in the same state. ”
“I know, but—”
Cutting me off, she pulled away. “Let me see.” Grabbing my left hand, she studied the ring on my finger. “You really are married!?”
I let out a small huff. “I told you I was. It’s simple . . .” I looked at the ring.
“Are you happy?” she asked, dropping my hand to hold both of my shoulders.
I sighed, hoping to show her relief. “I’m safe,” I responded. “We haven’t seen David since, so it’s probably all for nothing.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s not for nothing. Now.”—wrapping her arm around my shoulder, she led me to my car—“meeting him on FaceTime was fun and all, but I cannot wait to meet the cowboy in person.”
“Rhett,” I corrected her. “Only I can call him Cowboy .” I held back a smile.
“Is he still playing that nickname game?”
“No, he’s settled on one,” I admitted, secretly loving the nickname he had used since we were married.
“What’s that?”
“Mrs. Hartwell.”
Instead of taking Grace to the ranch, I took her straight to the rodeo arena, where I knew Rhett, Lachlan, and Wyatt would be. They were transporting the livestock today and I was just a little bummed I was missing out on the action. I saw all three men, plus Abi, leading the bulls into the gates. The only person not on a horse was Lachlan.
Reaching into the back seat, I grabbed my straw hat and the extra I snagged for Grace. I plopped it on her head, her ponytail keeping the back end of it up slightly. Grace let out a small chuckle, giving me a strange look as she went to adjust her hair.
“Trying to get me to fit in completely, huh?”
“Trust me.” I raised my eyebrows. “You’ll want it.”
Grace laughed and then looked towards the arena pinching her eyebrows as she watched. “What are they doing?”
“Moving the livestock for the rodeo,” I answered, confident in what I was saying. Hell yeah, I know what I’m talking about.
I caught sight of Rhett trotting on Buckle next to a bull, leading it into his area. The sun hit his face just right, the rim of his hat only hiding his eyes. His shoulders broadened as he guided Buckle past the bull and into the corral, turning only once Lachlan had shut the gate. Once the bull was safe, he took off back towards the truck where Wyatt was waiting to release another.
“I take it, that’s your husband? ” Grace said, forcing my gaze from Rhett back to her. “He knows what he’s doing for sure. Guiding a bull does not look easy.”
I laughed, linking my arm with Grace’s. “Come on, I want you to meet Abi.”
“Abi?” she parroted. “I thought I was meeting Rhett.”
“You will, but Abi is phenomenal and you’re going to love her.” I began to lead her toward the stock gates, but decided staying out of their way would probably be a better idea. Sure, they had a good grip on the bulls, but you never know what could happen. “On second thought, let’s go meet the calves, I’m sure they brought Josie.”
“Josie?”
“My calf.”
“You have a calf?”
“Damn straight she does.” I heard Rhett’s voice as hooves approached us. I smiled as he got closer, feeling Grace’s posture stiffen.
He smirked down at us as he slowed Buckle, tipping his hat in Grace’s direction.
“Nice to finally meet you, Grace.” His smooth voice rolled off his tongue.
“It’s nice to meet you in person,” Grace smiled, “Not on FaceTime.” She slid her arm from my grip to shake Rhett’s hand. He reached over and shook, his smile only growing. “Gonna tell me about the calf Kyla has adopted?”
I shook my head and met Rhett’s gaze. He winked, forcing me to take a breath.
“She helped bring her into the world, so it was only appropriate. Let me get Buckle settled, I’ll be right back.” Rhett gave me another wink before turning Buckle, running to the gates. I watched as he dismounted and grabbed her reins leading her towards Abi.
“Soooo . . .” Grace drew out the word, almost singing. “You’re not moving to Washington anymore, right?”
I pinched my brow. “No, that’s still the plan.” I only half-believed myself.
“And leave that!?” With her palm facing the sky, she reached her arm out towards Rhett. “My dear Kyla, if you move to Washington, I will gladly take your place as Mrs. Hartwell. ”
“I’m sorry . . .” I blinked, trying to register what she had just said. “What?”
“What did I miss?” Rhett came jogging up to us, his blue button-down shirt flying off to his sides. His silver belt buckle shined, making it hard not to notice.
“Absolutely nothing,” I responded, turning to Grace and glaring at her. A silent plea to stop wherever she was going with the conversation.
“I’m going to convince Kyla to stay here,” Grace blurted out, ignoring me completely. “Washington has nothing on this place.”
Rhett folded his arms and widened his stance, looking at my friend as if she was his new best friend. “Please do, I’ll forever love you if you could convince her to stay.” His gaze met mine as his smile cocked to one side. “I’m quite enjoying her company.”
“So, you two really got married? Like it’s official, you are actually married,” Grace asked Rhett as he handed her a glass of wine.
It was her third time asking that question. The first was in the airport, the second was during dinner and now here, in Rhett’s cabin as we settled on the couch. It was as if she couldn’t believe it, not until she had heard it a million times, or had seen it for herself. Her eyes were focused on Rhett as he nodded.
“Do you need to see the marriage license?” he asked, taking a seat next to me on the sofa across from her. He relaxed, his arm draped on the back of the couch as he sat close to me, with his knee touching mine and his fingers finding their way into my hair. He wasn’t afraid of a little PDA, even if it was just in front of Grace. She knew every single detail of this charade, yet he still acted as if he was my husband. I welcomed his warmth though, even finding myself leaning into him a little.
“I mean, maybe,” Grace said softly, taking a drink of her wine. “Not that it’s hard to believe, it’s just so crazy to think about. Did she tell you how long she was engaged to David?”
“Too long,” I mumbled, raising my own glass to my lips.
I could feel Rhett’s gaze turn to me and from the corner of my eye I saw him raise his beer to his mouth. “She did, well . . . he did. Two years?”
“Two years too long,” I reiterated.
Grace scoffed. “I still can’t believe he showed up. Have you seen him since?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Like I said, all for nothing.”
“Well.” Rhett let out a long breath. “Not for nothing.”
Grace narrowed her eyes and nodded. “Honestly, I agree with the cowboy.”
My jaw dropped slightly as I turned to look at Grace.
“What?” she exclaimed as she took another drink. “I’m just saying, I’ve never seen you like this. Never. And I’ve known you for a long time.”
“Like what?” Rhett asked, bringing his forefinger to my jaw to close my mouth. I turned to him, trying to give him a glare, but when his smile hit, I couldn’t help but give him a smile of my own.
“Relaxed. Content. Her shoulders aren’t tense, and her breathing is normal. She’s not worried about what she needs to do, or what she’s going to say.” Grace looked over at me and exhaled, a subtle look of ease crossing her features. “Happy. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you happy, Kyla. She used to be this way all the time. It’s been too long, Kyla, and I really love seeing you like this.”
“And that has something to do with her marrying me?” Rhett asked.
“I think it has everything to do with marrying you.” Grace met my gaze and scrunched her nose. “But, I still need to see that marriage license.”
Shaking his head giving a small chuckle, Rhett placed his beer on the coffee table and stood. “I’ll go get it.”
I watched as he disappeared into the room, making sure he was out of earshot before leaning towards Grace.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“Nothing, just noticing the things that you aren’t.”
I flopped back on the couch. “I never said I wasn’t noticing them. I just . . . know it’s not going to last.”
Grace leaned forward this time. “Okay, but let me ask you something, why can’t it last?”
Why can’t it last?
I didn’t answer her. I wanted to tell her that the thought of staying had entered my mind more than once, that staying with Rhett was a possibility, even though it wasn’t a logical one. But the part of me that was louder was saying over and over again it’s only temporary.
I opened my lips to tell her just that, defending the logical side of me when Rhett came bolting out of the bedroom, our marriage license in his hand .
“Here it is.” Rhett handed Grace the cream piece of paper from behind her shoulder. “Proof that Kyla is Mrs. Hartwell.”
“Mrs. Hartwell.” Grace smiled at me as she took it. “Oo, love the date you guys got married.”
Rhett took his seat next to me, his arm once again draped over the couch.
I rolled my lips. “David asked when I got married, and I blurted it out.”
“And I”—Rhett looked over at me, a tight lip smirk growing—“made it happen.”
I quickly turned my attention back to Grace, “He doesn’t know where I’ve been, so he assumes I’ve been here the whole time. The marriage license is just in case he asks for proof.”
Shaking her head lightly, she leaned forward and dropped the license on the coffee table. “Knowing him, he would want it, so”—she gave Rhett a wink—“good call. So . . . when’s the rodeo?”