24. Twenty-Four
Twenty-Four
Rhett
Kyla yawned, stretching her arms over her head as she left the cabin. It was still dark, the light from the porch illuminating her as she made her way over to me and the truck. She looked comfortable, ready for the three-hour drive we had ahead of us wearing leggings and an oversized t-shirt. Her hair was in a messy bun, and she looked gorgeous.
“Morning, Mrs. Hartwell.” I sauntered up to her, shoving my hands in my pockets to keep myself from scooping her up. “You ready for a few weeks on the road?”
“Actually . . .” She looked up at me and gave me a sexy, sleepy smile. My mind was suddenly taken back to the night we met. After we calmed our breaths she lay in my arms, and she had the same smile on her lips. She was relaxed, she was calm, and I still couldn’t believe that in this moment she was mine. “I’m really looking forward to it. Just tell me I have enough time to get coffee.”
I pulled my hand from my pockets and lightly reached out for her. Stepping into my embrace, she leaned her cheek on my chest. “I made some, did you see the thermos?”
She hummed, rolling her forehead before lifting her head. Her eyes were closed, but she softly spoke. “I think so? Honestly, I wasn’t paying attention. I just knew to get dressed and come help you pack up the truck. Buckle’s ready to go?”
“Yup. She’s settled and ready for the drive. First ride is at 3, and then again at 7:30.”
“Two rides today?”
I kissed her temple. “Then a hotel and all day on the road tomorrow to Montana.”
“I’ve never been to Montana.” Kyla yawned again.
“Bucket list?”
She chuckled. “Bucket list.” Raising her head she put her chin on my collar bone. “What is there to see in Montana?”
“Everything,” I replied.
Closing her eyes she relaxed into me. “Wyatt still sleeping?”
“He’s not announcing these ones, he’ll fly out to Billings and meet us there.” I rubbed her back, feeling the way her body melted into my touch. “Today and tomorrow is all ours, Mrs. Hartwell.”
“Believe it or not, I like the sound of that.”
And I loved the sound of that.
I couldn’t wait to get Kyla all to myself for the next forty-eight hours .
The days leading up to leaving were quiet. David hadn’t shown his face at the ranch like he told me he was going to—which told me he had taken me seriously—and Kyla’s mom had been sticking to text messages. She responded, but kept it simple and blunt. She had finally agreed to one dinner, that was it. I had even made sure to pack the marriage license just in case her mother needed to study it the same way David had.
I was preparing myself for the worst, ready to defend this union as much as I could.
I wanted Kyla to stay with me, I wanted her. And with how her body had eased into mine, I had a feeling she wanted it too.
Yawning again, Kyla sighed, her arms wrapping around my waist to tug me closer. I pulled myself away slightly, forcing her grip on me to loosen as I began to lead her back to the cabin. Everything was set and ready for us to climb in the truck and go . . . right after we got the coffee.
“We’ll have time for me to change before the rodeos, right? I packed the sundress you like so much. I have to be hotter than those buckle bunnies you claim you know nothing about.”
I stopped and pulled her back to me. I didn’t even make it three steps before needing to be near her again. Her hands hit my chest as she looked up at me. Placing my hands on her lower back, I gracefully lifted my fingers under her t-shirt, pressing my fingertips into her skin.
“You’re the only bunny I’ll have my eyes on, Mrs. Hartwell.”
Tilting an eyebrow, she shot me a glare. I knew the line was cheesy, but I gave her a grin all the same .
“You sure do like that nickname, don’t you?” she grumbled before placing her forehead on my chest.
“It’s the only one that fits.”
“You promised coffee.” She pushed off me. “And you didn’t answer my question.”
I laughed, following her into the cabin. I grabbed my hat and placed it on my head, watching as she found the two thermoses and filled them with coffee, yawning yet again.
“We’ll get checked in at the hotel before I take Buckle over to the arena. Then the events start.”
“Perfect, I’m sure you don’t want the other cowboys to see your wife looking like this.” She moved her head, making the bun wobble on her head. She turned and handed me my thermos, her eyes growing wide. “Do I have time to say goodbye to Josie before—”
“Kyla, your cow will be fine.”
“Lachlan better not brand her.” She glared at me as she came up, allowing me to place my hand on her lower back as we made our way back out to the truck, turning to lock the door behind us.
“He won’t . . . probably.”
After dropping Kyla off at the hotel, I went straight to the rodeo arena. I set Buckle up in her stall, making sure to give her hay and a peppermint, and once I knew she was settled I left to walk around the grounds. The rodeo was attached to a fair, complete with carnival games and a Ferris wheel. There were lines of vendor booths selling their crafts or clothes, and even a few face painting stations were set up. I caught a glance of flowers that adorned one vendor’s booth, reaching for the brightest bouquet of sunflowers there.
I paid, holding the bouquet close to me, wishing Kyla was here.
She wanted to change and freshen up, assuring me she would meet me at the arena before my ride, but that didn’t stop my eyes from searching the crowd, hoping to find her among the strange faces. Would she even think to find me here, or would she head straight to the arena?
As if she knew I was thinking of her my pocket buzzed, and Kyla’s photo lit up my screen.
“Hey, Mrs. Hartwell,” I answered, my eyes starting to look for her more than before.
“Hey, Cowboy,” she responded. “So, I have no idea where to go. This place is a lot busier than I thought.”
“I was just wondering if you were going to find me here. It’s packed.” I turned in a circle, thinking that she could be closer than I imagined.
“I don’t think I could find you even if I tried. Meet me by . . .” Her voice faded, but then I saw her.
Kyla stood at the end of the vendor line, wearing a stunning lavender sundress, her white cowboy boots, and her hat perched on her head. The sun hit her just right . . . she was radiant. Even standing fifty feet away from her, I lost my breath, still in disbelief that she was my wife.
She looked around, the dress’s skirt flowing around her thighs. Her eyes squinted as she searched for me .
“How ‘bout this. Look for a cowboy wearing a tan hat and red button-down shirt, holding sunflowers.” I took a step towards her, knots growing in my stomach as I got closer and closer to her.
“That’s oddly specific. How about I head over to the arena.”
“Or, you can look for the cowboy.”
“You’re close aren’t you. You can see me?” She spun, her hair flying as she moved.
“Maybe.”
“Rhett.” She smiled and damn, my knees went weak.
“Kyla.” I smiled back, getting closer to her. “You look gorgeous.”
I could see her cheeks turn red as she went on her tiptoes, scanning the crowd. “It’s not the yellow one, but I thought you would like this one just the same. Where are you?”
“I think this may be my new favorite dress of yours.”
“Where”—she spun, her back to me now—“the hell are you!”
“Here.” I came up to her side, dropping my phone to give her a kiss on her neck. “For you.” I swung the sunflowers around and held them in front of her.
Arching her back, she looked over at me, taking the sunflowers from my hand, the heat in her cheeks deepening as she completely turned to face me. Her eyes danced as she brought the flowers to her nose, a small sigh filled the air between us, and when her lips lightly touched mine, I melted. Cowboys didn’t melt, but here I was, turning into a puddle in front of her.
“You’re stunning,” I whispered against her lips, pulling myself back to her as I lifted my hands to cup her face. A faint blush moved across her cheeks as the butterflies in my stomach fluttered. It was involuntary when it came to her, everything was out of my control. Lightly trailing my thumb across her cheek, I found the will to form words again. “Just . . . wow.”
Giggling softly, she lowered her chin and smiled. “Thank you.” She sighed, her voice shaking slightly. “You’re handsome as always. I thought this was a rodeo, not a fair.”
“Most rodeos take place at state fairs, this just happens to be a county one. Buckle’s set up and I have an hour. Walk with me?”
Lifting the sunflowers to her nose she hid her smile. I moved my hand to find hers, gently taking her palm. Her fingers clasped around mine quickly, and the sparks and heat flew up to my shoulder and down my body.
“Where are we going?” she asked, her body relaxing in mine as she stepped closer.
“We’re at a county fair, let’s get a terrible, overpriced corn dog, some funnel cake, and then head on over to the arena. Families have their own section—great seats.” I squeezed her hand.
“You mean I can’t stand down there while you take your ride and kiss you after?”
I let out a laugh. “Don’t you want to enjoy the rodeo?”
“I want—” The loud ringing of her phone made her pause. Stopping to look at it quickly, she lifted her head back. “My mom.”
Tugging her along, I pulled her attention back to my grip on her. “Don’t answer. Remember, today and tomorrow are ours.”
Silencing her phone she twisted, slipping it into the small bag on her shoulder before turning back to give me the sweetest kiss on my lips.
“Let me treat you like my wife. ”
She hummed. “Starting with an overpriced corn dog.”
Three corndogs and two funnel cakes later, I ushered Kyla over to the seats. I didn’t want to leave her alone in the stands, but Zeke’s wife instantly linked arms with her and assured me she would be in good company. Jaxon and Zeke were already there waiting for me, ready to go. First was the Mutton Busting, where we got to rile up the sheep and hype up the kids, then we stood back and watched the Saddle Bronc and Steer Wrestling. But once it was Buckle’s and my turn to run—the moment I roped that calf and mounted Buckle—I looked towards Kyla. Her smile was all I needed to know she was having the time of her life. The moment the rodeo was over, and the crowd dispersed I grabbed Kyla and headed to get Buckle in her trailer.
“Wait, I want to see Jaxson!” Kyla shouted as I tied Buckle up. “Can’t we say ‘hi’ to the guys?”
“Jaxson will be at the rodeo tonight, so will Zeke, and I guarantee you they will drag us out for drinks later.”
She turned, the dress flying as the dirt crunched under the heel of her boot. Her white boots were already covered in dust and dirt, but they still looked perfect.
“I like the sound of that. So,” she began even though I had already started to make my way towards the cab of the truck. “Did this one qualify for the NFR?”
We both settled in the cab and buckled up, Kyla shifting in her seat to face me.
“It does, and it’s a good time too.”
“Still top in the nation? ”
I turned the truck on and turned to her, smiling as I removed my hat and placed it on the dash. “Still top in the nation.” Shifting the truck in gear I leaned across the console, wiggling my eyebrows at her as her smile grew. “You ready for the next one?”