Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Just text Arden,” Stratton said the next morning as he parked his truck in an oversized parking space on Silver Street. “Tell her we’re running late, but we’ll bring her a pastry to make up for it.”
“It’s your fault we’re running late,” I said with a glare as I pulled out my phone.
“My fault? How do you figure?” he demanded. “You were the one who initiated.”
“Yeah, because you sleep naked you giant, sexy beast. It’s too easy to just roll over and get on top of you.”
“So, you blame me for your insatiable gremlin appetite?” he asked in amusement.
“I was just putting a dent into the box of condoms.”
“Which reminds me, we should probably pick up a case on our way back from Coeur d’Alene.”
“That should last us about two weeks,” I quipped.
I fired off a text to Arden who replied a few seconds later.
Arden
I’m not an idiot. of course you’re running late. Props for even managing to get out of his bed.
I shoved my phone in my jeans pocket and then adjusted the sleeve of Stratton’s sweater that I had refused to give back.
It was mine now.
Stratton got out of the truck and then came around to help me down. He clasped his hand around mine and led me across Silver Street to Sweet Teeth.
He held the door open for two older women who poured out of the bakery. They looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place them.
“Stratton,” the wiry woman with a long silver braid greeted. “Hi.”
“Hi, Muddy,” he said with a smile.
The other woman looked at me and then back to Stratton, then back to me. “You’re the bride from yesterday.”
I blushed when I finally remembered them. They’d been in Sweet Teeth when I blew in like a tornado.
“Oh, yes. That’s me. Hi,” I held out my free hand. “I’m Maisie.”
“Lucy,” the woman introduced. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” I said.
The other woman—Muddy—peered me with a knowing gaze. “Well, you kids enjoy your caffeine jolt.”
“Will do,” Stratton said.
The two of them ambled away but kept looking behind them at us as they walked.
I opened the door and went inside to a nearly empty bakery. The cheery bell hanging atop the door announced our arrival. “I didn’t get to appreciate this place yesterday. What with having a meltdown. It’s cute.”
Stratton tugged me to him. “Very cute.”
“Behave,” I warned.
“Never.”
“Hi,” the barista behind the counter greeted. “What can I get for you?”
I rattled off an order and then gestured to Stratton who gave his. I reached for my wallet, but Stratton already had his card out.
“Thanks,” I said.
He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
“You like feeding me,” I said.
“Yes, I do.” He stared down at me and grinned.
“You’re not allowed to help me pack,” I said breathlessly.
“Why not?”
“Because we’ll get distracted,” I said. “Plus, I need some privacy with Arden to gush about you.”
“And your parents?”
“Still on for dinner,” I said. “And they know I’m bringing you. Still not sure how they’ll feel about me moving in with you though.”
The barista handed me my coffee and a pastry bag. “Welcome to Huckleberry Hill. You’re gonna love it here.”
“Thanks,” I said, blushing.
Stratton took his coffee and then followed me out into the sunshine. We headed to the truck as a man on a motorcycle in the spot behind us pulled off his helmet to reveal dark hair and scruff.
“Stratton!” he called out.
Stratton looked at the man, a smile creeping across his mouth. “Declan. How the hell are you?”
He walked toward Declan, his hand outstretched. Declan clasped it immediately.
“I’m good,” Declan said. He glanced at me and smiled before returning his attention back to Stratton. “And by the looks of it, so are you.”
Stratton wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “I’m good. This is Maisie. My girlfriend. She’s moving to Huckleberry Hill.”
Declan raised his brows. “How about that. Well, you know what they say. When you come to Huckleberry Hill, you never want to leave.”
“Truth,” Stratton said. “Anyway, we should grab a beer soon and catch up.”
“Sounds good. Text me. I’m around. I have no life except work.”
Stratton laughed. “I know how that goes.” To me he said, “Declan works at Elk Ridge—the ranch across the valley from Dark Timber.”
“Ranch hand at your service.” Declan saluted. He climbed off his motorcycle and set his helmet on the seat. “Nice meeting you, Maisie.”
He waved and jogged across the street toward the bakery.
Stratton helped me into the truck and closed the door before going to the driver’s side.
“He seems cool,” I said.
“It’s the motorcycle.”
I laughed. “A motorcycle riding cowboy. He’s single, isn’t he?”
“What, you’re ready to throw me out already?” he teased.
“No. I just figured that if he had a girlfriend, you would’ve asked about her. Because you’re that guy.”
“Polite?”
“No.” I snorted. “The kind that actually cares.”
He set his coffee drink in a cup holder and then started the engine. “He doesn’t have a girlfriend. Whoever he meets, though. She’ll be one lucky woman. Declan is a hell of a guy.”
“You totally have a bro crush,” I said with a laugh.
“That’s not a thing,” he said, putting the truck in gear. “Did you tell Arden we’re going to be late?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell her when to expect us?”
“No.”
“Good.” He drove away from the curb.
“Good? Why is that good.”
“Because I’m taking you back to the cabin. I’ve got some directions I want to see if you can follow.”
My mouth went dry. “You want to give me the first one? So I can mentally prepare myself.”
His look was heated. “You. In my sweater. Gripping the counter.”
It was enough of mental picture for my brain to short circuit.
“We better make it two cases of condoms,” I stated, sending him a wicked look. “Just to be safe.”
Stratton stepped on the gas.
“You have good ideas, wife.”
Thank you so much for reading Maisie and Stratton’s love story!
If you’re not ready to say goodbye to Huckleberry Hill, you don’t have to.
You’ve already met Declan—the motorcycle-riding, loyal ranch hand who works at Elk Ridge.
His story is waiting for you in Huckleberry Hill, the first book in the complete Saddles & Spurs series, where rugged men fall hard, friends become family, and love is always worth fighting for.
Read on for the first chapter!
And Huckleberry Hill is only getting bigger…
The Calhoun siblings are getting their own spin-off series, Dark Timber Ranch.
Griffin Calhoun protects everyone. He just never expected his biggest problem to be a sassy photographer with a dangerous photo . . . and a sinful mouth that makes protecting her a hell of a lot more complicated.
Pre-Order here.
Once you come to Huckleberry Hill…
you never really want to leave.
XOXO,
Emma Slate