Bourbon & Backroads (Lucky Spurs Ranch #1)

Chapter 1

O f-fucking-course. I barely step foot back in this hellhole town and I already regret my decision.

Hushed whispers of derision skate across my skin like unwanted hands.

“Is that Isabelle Tate?” “I thought she overdosed.” “No, she ran away to strip down in Denver.” “Who’d pay to watch her strip?

She doesn’t have any tits.” “Glad Easy Izzy’s back in town, been needing an easy lay. ”

It’s all I can do not to scream, but I’m next in line at the world’s best coffee shop and there’s no way in hell I’m going to make it through the rest of the day without my fix.

The whispers are suffocating, clogging my throat with all the things I wish I could say back.

Caffeine acquired, I burst out the door onto the sundrenched sidewalk and draw in a needed breath of clean mountain air.

I’ve only been gone two years, but the air in Denver is smog compared to the pure air in the Swiftwater Valley.

I’m careful to keep my head down and not get in anyone’s way.

Being noticed by more townies is the last thing I need.

Enclosed in the safety of my little car, I slam my head back onto the headrest and question every decision I’ve ever made.

Why did I think coming home was a good idea?

This town will never change, and their perception of me sure as hell won’t either. My phone chimes with a text.

Twin: Where are you? You’d better not have chickened out.

Me: On my way home. I just left the interview and stopped by Bean & Brew. And before you ask, yes, I got you something.

Twin: thank you! Well? Did you get the job?

Me: I GOT THE JOB!!!

Twin: Oh my god, I’m so proud of you sissy!

Me: See you in a minute, love you

Twin: Love you too!

I left Swiftwater hellbent on making something of myself away from the rumors that poisoned me here.

Apparently, living in Colorado is fucking expensive, especially when all you have is optimism and a high school diploma.

Needless to say, my little adventure was a failure, and I’m moving back in with my Irish twin, Delilah, in our parents’ dilapidated double-wide trailer.

I don’t know why I still think of it as my parents’ when our dad went out for milk ten years ago and never came back.

Delilah’s been begging me to come home, and after nearly missing rent last month and having a penniless savings account, I didn’t have a choice but to pack up my life and move home.

My angel of a sister got me an interview through the ever-present word-of-mouth train in Swiftwater.

Delilah heard from her best friend, Connor Hayes, who heard from his mom, Nora, that Swift Property Management, wanted a fresh perspective to update their properties, and needed someone with an artistic eye to tour the properties and make suggestions for renovation and interior design.

So, Nora told Mrs. Andersen that her son Connor’s best friend’s sister was perfect for the job.

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I eagerly brushed up my paltry resume and took the first interview slot offered to me.

I suppose positives to living in a small town include the lack of suitable candidates and being a friend of a friend, because I got the job on the spot.

Cool relief washed over me when Mrs. Andersen shook my hand and welcomed me aboard.

The pay is great, and for the first time in my life I’ll have health, dental, and vision insurance!

With a prescription as high as mine, glasses are insanely expensive out of pocket.

Vision insurance is like a dream come true.

I’ll be able to live off my salary, help with bills at the trailer, and build-up my savings account.

Just as I move to put my car in reverse, I freeze. Is that?—?

Reid Andersen.

My hopelessly foolish, undying teenage crush is walking past my car not even six feet away.

I fight every urge to slide down in my seat to hide.

He’s so beautiful. Why does he have to be so irresistible?

I barely have time to devour the first look I’ve had of him in two years because he disappears from my view, and I’d be psychotic to chase after him.

My heart fights against my ribcage to follow him down the sidewalk.

He doesn’t even know I exist. Of the hundreds of people in this town I wish would forget I exist…he’s the one person I wish would see me. But if he hasn’t noticed me in the last eleven years, he isn’t going to start now.

Shaking the ridiculous infatuation from my head, I pull on to Main Street and head back to my personal purgatory, also known as my mom’s trailer, to get ready.

As I was leaving my interview, Mrs. Andersen invited me to their annual company banquet tonight.

My gut reaction was to decline in a panic from years of avoiding town events. But this is a fresh start for me.

Today is the first day of my new life and I’m going to make the most of it.