Chapter 2 Hope
Out of all the places in this whole goddamn county—we had to end up on Hope’s porch.
The last spot I wanted to show my face today. Especially not tonight. Especially not with another woman in my arms.
But I couldn’t leave her with a bunch of drunk idiots.
Couldn’t watch her limp out of Dalmore like I didn’t give a damn.
And—fine.
I didn’t want her going with anyone else either.
I slid off the saddle and reached up to help her down.
Her hand found mine. Light. Confident. Like none of this rattled her.
She didn’t even blink when we walked up the steps.
Me? I was already bracing for the fallout.
I knocked.
Three sharp taps, just loud enough to be heard over the porch wind chime she never took down.
The door swung open.
And there she was.
Same dark braid. Same tired eyes.
“Cash,” Hope said flatly. “Are you drunk again? I told you—stop showing up here. My decision is final. Go home.”
I cleared my throat.
“Uh… I’m not alone.”
Her gaze dropped to the girl beside me.
“Hope,” I started, rubbing the back of my neck, “let me introduce—”
I turned to her.
Still didn’t know her damn name.
But she didn’t miss a beat.
Held out her hand, cool as ever.
“Willa Martin. Hi.”
Hope looked her over, eyebrows lifting.
Willa smiled politely. “It’s really just a minor thing. I didn’t mean to come here. But he insisted.”
Hope didn’t smile.
But she stepped aside.
“Come in.”
Willa stepped past me like a princess.
Heat crawling up the back of my neck.
Hell of a night to reunite with your ex.
And bring backup.
I followed them inside. Mostly because I didn’t know what else to do. Stand outside like I didn’t care?
Leave her alone with Dr. Hannibal Lecter’s daughter?
Yeah. No.
Hope turned around the second we stepped into the exam room.
“You should probably wait outside,” she said, eyes already narrowing. “Only family allowed back here. And I’m guessing… you’re not.”
That one stung more than it should’ve.
Willa, though? Unbothered.
She tilted her head. “Actually…”
I took a step back. Just in case this went south.
But she didn’t even hesitate.
“Cash is my family.”
I froze.
What the hell?
She wasn’t done.
“We’re basically engaged,” she added with a proud little grin. “Missed it by a minute.”
I blinked once. Twice.
Then turned to Hope. “Yeah… she hit her head too.”
Hope crossed her arms. “So she’s confused?”
“Nope,” Willa said, still grinning. “I’m perfectly fine.” She laughed. “There was just this whole betting thing at the bar.”
“Betting?” Hope’s gaze shot back to me. “Cash, what did you drag this girl into?”
“He didn’t drag me anywhere,” Willa cut in smoothly. “I came to Dalmore all on my own. And for the record, he was about a minute away from becoming my fiancé.”
I nearly choked.
But damn if that smirk didn’t kill me.
Hope blinked a few times, clearly trying to reset her brain.
“Well… if he’s your fiancé…” She raised an eyebrow. “I suppose he can stay.”
Not gonna lie.
Watching Hope lose her footing a little?
Kind of satisfying.
But the truth? The absolute, undeniable truth?
I was falling for this girl.
While Hope checked Willa’s pupils, I watched her fumble with the blood pressure cuff like it was her first day on the job.
She picked it up. Dropped it. Picked it up again.
Lost it under a pile of folders on the desk.
By the third time, I was starting to feel… weirdly relaxed.
Like maybe I wasn’t the only one knocked sideways tonight.
She must’ve felt me grinning behind her, because she didn’t even look up when she said:
“McKenzie’s yours this weekend. I trust you remember you need to be here by nine sharp tomorrow.”
Ice. She could’ve been carved out of glacier rock.
Like I needed reminding. Like I hadn’t shown up every single Friday since the breakup.
Never missed a damn one.
“Got it, boss,” I said, cheerfully.
Hope glanced over her shoulder with the kind of look that could sterilize a man.
Then turned back to Willa.
“Well, everything seems fine. But it’s good you came in.”
Willa grinned. “Told my darling here I was totally fine. But he just loves to worry.”
If Hope weren’t mid-exam, I might’ve kissed Willa right there.
Instead, I just chuckled under my breath and helped her slip her arm back into her jacket.
Hope stood, peeled off her gloves, and added—deadpan:
“I’ve wrapped the ankle with a support bandage. So it might be advisable to avoid, well… any vigorous activity tonight.”
Willa saluted. “Yes, ma’am. Orders understood.”
I nearly choked laughing.
Managed to steer her toward the door before Hope could hit us with more medical sarcasm.
Willa leaned into me without asking—like I was hers already. And for the first time in ages, I let myself believe that maybe… just maybe… I didn’t mind.
I turned at the doorway, gave Hope a nod, and kissed the top of Willa’s head.
She giggled into my jacket.
And I knew—soon as that door closed—we were gonna laugh our damn heads off.
As soon as we stepped outside, Willa grinned.
“Okay, that was fun. Weird, but fun. So what’s next?”
“Next?”
If I told her all the scenarios running through my head right now… Hell, I’d blush too.
This girl had no clue how many times I’d undressed her in my mind since she walked into Rick’s bar like a living dare.
She tilted her head. “Think you can take me back to the bar? Or is there a place around here I can book a room?”
“Room?” I blinked.
“Yeah. You know, inn? Motel? Airbnb?”
I thought I’d maxed out my laughs for the night, but apparently not.
“This is Dalmore, baby. You’re either born here, or they let you stay out of pity. That’s it. No tourists. Just horses, cows, and barflies.”
I saw it hit her—just for a second. That grin she wore like armor slipped, and something like oh shit flashed across her face.
“Okay… so what’s the closest actual town? With… I don’t know. Stuff?”
I adjusted my hat. Looked down the road like I hadn’t done that math a hundred times before.
“Red Lodge. About forty-five miles. But maybe…”
“Maybe?” she asked, hopeful. Like I might say, just kidding, there’s a Hilton behind the feed store.
I smirked. “Well, now that you can saddle a horse and last two seconds on a bull, maybe you can pull it off.”
She groaned and playfully punched my chest. “You’re an ass. Not funny. I’m not sleeping in Rick’s hayloft.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m slightly more refined than that.”
“Right, of course. Totally makes sense.” I nodded, mock serious. “So tell me, Miss Refined—what was the original plan here?”
She shrugged, a little sheepishly. “Honestly? Ride the bull, check it off my list, and then book a room online. Thought it’d be easy.”
“Check it off your list?”
“Long story,” she muttered. “Let’s just find a place to crash.”
I gave her a slow nod. “Alright. First step—back to town.”
I mounted up and reached down to help her up again. As I lifted her, her hips brushing mine like they belonged there, and spent the whole ride trying to figure out how to tell her she’d be sleeping in my bed tonight.
I wasn’t planning to have company. But hell, she looked better in my saddle than half the women I’ve dated—and that ain’t a short list.