Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
BECKETT
I ’ve been around wealthy people before today. I’ve flown on a private jet before today. I’m lucky enough to have influential people in my life who I count among my friends, and I’m not a stranger to getting dressed up for fancy events.
But I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this.
The ballroom of this hotel—a sister property to the one we’re staying at just a few miles away—has been transformed to look like a super classy carnival. The food tables resemble carnival food trucks. Balloons and games and colors are all over the place.
And I have to admit, it’s not only fun but also appropriate for a children’s charity.
Despite the fun aspect, it still looks fancy as fuck. And security is everywhere. From what I can tell, Miller’s in charge, and I know it helps put Skyla at ease, which is Connor’s priority. Considering the millions of dollars in jewelry floating around this room, not to mention the clothes, security is a no-brainer.
But best of all, Skyla is in her element.
We’ve been here for an hour, and the woman hasn’t stopped smiling and talking, greeting guests as if they’re old friends. She works a room like she was born for it.
And I suppose she was. She not only comes from an affluential family but also has a dozen years’ experience in performing.
My girl can work a crowd like no one else I’ve seen.
Her dress shimmers under the glow of the crystal chandeliers as we hold glasses of champagne that we’ve hardly touched and move toward the edge of the room where the silent auction is being held.
“I’m not supposed to bid on anything,” Skyla says, leaning in so only I can hear. “But I’m always tempted because there’s some beautiful stuff offered. Oh look, a weekend at a chalet in Colorado. Just like in that book we read.”
She pauses, then looks up at me, squeezing my hand. I fucking love that she hasn’t let go of my hand once since we walked into this room. She has no problem leaning into me, letting me touch her, and touching me in return in front of all of these people. She has no issue revealing to every person here that she’s mine.
“I have a question,” she says.
“Do you want me to bid on Colorado? I will if you have your heart set on it.” Jesus, I’d do anything for her.
“No.” She chuckles and shakes her head, making her red waves move around her shoulders. I can’t resist setting my glass down so I can reach up with my free hand and wrap one of those curls around my finger. It’s so fucking soft and so beautiful against my skin. “I was wondering if you’d ever offer a stay at your ranch for one of our auctions.”
I tip up an eyebrow in surprise. “ My ranch?”
“Of course, yours. It’s a beautiful place, Beck. It would fetch a high bid. Anyone looking for a mountain getaway would love it.” She smiles up at me so sweetly, it makes my heart ache. Jesus, I’m falling in love with her so fast that it makes my head spin, and I know there’s no way of stopping it. Not that I want to stop it.
“If you want to offer the ranch, Irish, it’s yours.” Her green eyes dilate as I sweep my knuckles down her soft cheek. “Anything you want. You know that.”
“It would be good advertising for you as well.” Her gorgeous mossy eyes fall to my lips, and she licks her own before continuing. “Because those who don’t win would likely also book a stay.”
“If you say so.” I want to kiss her. I want to kiss her so fucking bad. So I cup her cheek and lean down, but before I can get my lips on her, someone says my name.
“Beck? Is that you?”
I turn to look behind me and am stunned to find Ryan Wild, along with his wife, Polly, standing behind us.
“Ry?” I accept his hand and pull him in for a quick hug. “Holy shit, I know someone here.”
“Same,” Polly says, hugging Skyla. “Oh, you’re so beautiful. Is this Dior?”
“Aye,” Skyla says with a shy smile as her gaze drifts down Polly’s dark blue dress. “And that’s Chanel. Oh, it’s just lovely, Polly.”
“Thanks.” Polly kisses her husband’s shoulder, leaving a smear of lipstick that he doesn’t seem to mind at all. “Someone spoiled me on Valentine’s Day.”
“I don’t have any idea who that might have been,” Ryan says, but then offers his wife a grin. “You deserve it.”
“Oh, I know,” Polly replies, making us all laugh.
“I’m so sorry,” Skyla says as she frowns at someone waving her down. “It seems my mother needs me. I’d better go mingle.”
“Do you want me to?—”
“No, stay.” She smiles up at me, then at our friends. “I wish I could stay, too. This was a lovely surprise, and I mean it. Thank you both for coming. Polly, I’ll see you at our book club meeting next week?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Polly agrees before Skyla bustles off to mingle.
“So you and Skyla.” Ryan sips his whiskey. “I like it.”
“Do you know her well?” I ask him.
“Not well,” he replies, shaking his head. “I didn’t realize she’d moved to our town until Polly mentioned she went to their book club. I know Connor a bit, as I’ve invested in hotels in the past few years. When I was invited to this, Polly and I decided to take a couple of days away. I like her brother. And her family as a whole seems like good people.”
I nod and let my eyes move over the crowd, looking for my girl. I find her laughing with a woman, and it makes me jealous.
I want to hear her laughter.
Fuck me, I’ve gotten soft.
“I have to say,” Polly adds with a grin. “I like the way you look at her, Beck. I’ve known you a long-ass time, and I’ve never seen you look at a woman like that. Not even Tori.”
Polly and I grew up together. Her brother, Mac, is one of Ryan’s and my closest friends. And, once upon a time, she was tight with my ex.
“And how do I look at Skyla?”
“Like you love her.” She smiles softly and reaches out to pat my arm. “It looks good on you.”
“Yeah, well, I think this weekend is teaching me that our worlds are pretty different.”
“Fuck that,” Ryan says, shaking his head. “Money is just money.”
“Says the man with a shit ton of it.”
“She came to Bitterroot Valley on her own because she likes it. Who she is has little to do with her parents’ investment portfolio. Don’t be a dick about it. Enjoy her. If she’s the one,” Ryan continues, “love her.”
I blow out a breath and nod.
Ryan makes it sound simple, but it wasn’t so long ago that he was a confirmed bachelor. Just as Polly said, however, love looks good on him.
Is that what I want? To love Skyla and have her love me back?
Fuck, yes.
“I’m not letting her go. I’ll do charity events if she wants me to, and then I can go back to my cows. She does like the ranch, so that’s something.”
“Who wouldn’t?” Polly laughs at that. “It’s beautiful. Also, FYI, I need ice cream for all the summer parties we’re about to host since we’re opening the pool soon.”
“I’ll hook you up.”
“We’re having a house party in a couple of weeks,” Ryan informs me. “Bring your girl.”
“Sounds good, thanks. We’ll be there.” My eyes skim the space again, and I find Skyla talking with her father and another man who looks to be her father’s age. Her body is relaxed, her mouth in a smile. She’s fine. “Hey, how is the ranch merger going between the Wild River and Lexington ranches? Is it final yet?”
Ryan’s family ranch borders the Lexington ranch. They were always bitter rival families, but Ryan’s younger sister, Millie, married Holden last year, and they’ve decided to combine ranches, making them the biggest cattle ranch in Montana.
It’s impressive.
“It is,” Ryan says with a satisfied grin. “And so far, it’s great. Everyone’s happy.”
“Even your father?” Everyone knows how much John Wild hated the Lexingtons.
“He’s come around,” Ryan says with a nod. “It’s been a good thing for both families.”
“I’m glad. I hear Holden broke ground on the house he’s building for Millie. He showed me the plans. It’s going to be an awesome house.”
“Yeah, there’s never a fucking dull moment.” Ryan laughs and leans down to plant a kiss on his wife’s head, and I search the crowd for Skyla. She’s moved farther away, almost on the other side of the room, but I can feel it as soon as I spot her.
Something isn’t right.
Her shoulders suddenly stiffen, her eyes go wide, and every ounce of color leaches from her face. There is no universe where my woman should look like this.
What is it, Irish?
“Excuse me,” I murmur as I make my way to her.
Whoever just put that fear on my girl’s face is going to fucking pay.
I move quickly through the crowd, and when I see Connor, I put my hand on his shoulder. “With me.”
“Excuse me,” he mutters, falling in behind me. “What’s up?”
“I’m about to find the fuck out.”