Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Shelby
What Do You Care?
Finding Wes outside her door that morning was a surprise; riding with him out of town was a relief.
Shelby wasn’t ashamed to be with Wes at all, but for some reason she was worried about what everyone in town would think.
Maybe they wouldn’t understand why gorgeous, tough Wesley Hart was spending time with outcast Shelby Shepherd.
But it was even stranger that only her hometown made her feel that way.
In Atlanta, and in her book world, she wasn’t insecure at all.
“So tell me, when did you start writing? Did you always know that was your passion?” Wes asked.
“I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing, in notebooks, on napkins, any idea that would pop into my head. Little storylines I would create and tell myself. If I wasn’t writing, I was reading.”
“And then you just finished a few stories and sent them to a publisher?”
“Well I went to college to study journalism, but then switched to English Lit.”
“Smarty pants.”
“Not really, I just love to read. I mean basically I have a career based on make-believe.”
Wes’s deep laugh caused a flutter in her belly. “That’s kind of amazing. I mean I don’t know that most people even find their passion at such a young age, much less get to do it for a living and be really successful.”
“There is definitely an element of timing, based on what the market is after. No one can say what the next hot book or genre will be.”
He nodded. “But you’re really good at storytelling. I was up until midnight last night finishing book one.”
“You were?” Her voice squeaked. She felt so vulnerable with him.
He turned his head briefly to look at her and his right hand reached out to grip her thigh.
“You’re a fantastic writer, but if you tell my brothers I’m reading middle-grade, adventure books, I’ll have to arrest you.”
“Your secret is safe with me, for now, but those cuffs are kind of a turn-on.”
A deep growl sounded from him. “So you did like spending time with me?”
“Like, that’s an understatement.”
“Good.”
His grip on her thigh was warm, and she liked that he kept a hold on her. The connectivity between them only made her wish he was taking her back to his place. The one thing she’d made him feel bad about.
They were on a two-lane state road that was heading away from the coast through a forest. There was snow glistening along the sides, and the sun was shining.
“Care to give me any clue about where we’re going?”
“Not really, unless you hate surprises.”
“I don’t mind them. I guess I just associate a surprise with not great news.”
“We can change that today. We’re almost there.”
“Not even a little clue?”
Wesley’s dimple sunk deep into his cheek as he half turned his head toward her but kept his eyes on the road.
“No, I think I’d like to keep you in suspense just a little bit longer.” He flipped the turn signal on and eased the truck onto a dirt road.
Shelby just grinned at him and sat up a little taller in her seat.
“What’s that look about?”
“I just get the feeling most people don’t get to see this playful side of you very often. It’s endearing.”
He followed the road and smiled when the trees stopped and the ranch fencing began on both sides of the road.
“I guess as the sheriff I don’t let down my guard much—part of the job.”
The entrance to the ranch came into sight and Shelby leaned forward to read the sign above the main gate.
“Brookhaven Ranch. What kind of ranch is this?”
“It used to be one of the biggest cattle ranches in the state, but now it’s more of a family resort. They have a lake, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and some of the best custard you’ll ever taste.”
“Are we going horseback riding?”
“If you’re up to it. We can go for a ride or just visit the horses.”
“I’m a little rusty but I used to love riding when I was a kid. I would spend hours out at Pops’s with the horses.”
“I know,” Wes said as he parked in front of the stables and turned off the truck.
“How did you know that?”
“I was paying attention when you talked about why you’re so close to your grandfather. That last night you stayed with me.”
Heat flooded her cheeks again. At every turn, this man made her blush. Just the memory of them tangled in his sheets, after he’d kissed every inch of her body, had her wanting him more.
“Why does that seem so far away now, like a dream?”
He cupped her face and leaned forward. “A lot has happened since that night, but I assure you it was very real. I’d be happy to refresh your memory when you’re ready.”
Before she could answer, he captured her mouth in a kiss. It started soft and sweet but their kiss quickly unraveled into groping, panting, and lip biting. Until there was a loud bang on the hood of his SUV.
“Damn,” Wes said as he pulled away. “My friend is part owner in the ranch, said we could take a few horses for a spin.”
“Okay,” she said, sucking in a deep breath and moving away from him. She opened her door to let in the cool air and hopped out.
“So you’re the reason my old friend finally came out to visit me again,” a man’s gruff voice said as he smiled at Shelby.
“I guess so,” she said, sticking her hand out. “Shelby Shepherd.”
“Jack Sutton. Nice to meet you, Shelby.”
Wes joined them at the front of the truck and stood close to her, narrowing his eyes on his friend, but he didn’t put his arm around her or hold her hand.
She was unsure how familiar Wes wanted to be with her in public.
Maybe he would still want to keep things secret, maybe she should too.
But for some reason she had an overwhelming desire to claim Wes as her own and every inch of her wanted him to claim her back.
Like every hero in every fairy tale, but this wasn’t one of her books and she needed to remember not to get too attached.