Chapter 5
Rhett
Imarvel at the number of trucks zooming by me. Up to now, I never had a good reason to be on the road this early. One of the perks of having to get up at the same time as the roosters is watching the sun rise. It’s already shining bright above the treeline.
It’s going to be another hot one.
The ride to work is smooth. With the new parts, Emmylou is running like a charm.
Thank God.
I can’t part from this truck.
I take a right and steer down the long stretch of gravel lane and park where Jenkins suggested. “We’re here, Emmylou.”
I’m twenty minutes early, but no way am I going to be late on my first day at the ranch. I turn off the ignition and wait it out. I might as well take advantage of it. I’m pretty sure I’ll be bone tired by the end of the day. Jenkins had to show up at five this morning, but my start time is six.
Soft music seeps through the speakers and before long, my mind wanders.
Who are you, little sweetheart?
This was the ninth morning in a row I woke up from a dirty dream about the curvy girl I met ten days ago.
This time she was on top, riding me wild, taking her pleasure, gyrating her body as her warm pussy swallowed my cock.
Her dark hair was spilling free and partially obstructing my view of her magnificent tits that hang nice and low.
I watched fascinated as she bounced up and down on my hard cock until she came, screaming her head off with my name on her lips.
“Fuck.”
The number of times I’ve jerked off since meeting her is obscene. I’ve been walking around with a permanent hard-on. I’m sure there’s something wrong with me. It’s not normal for a guy to have his cock consistently on alert. I’m horny all the time.
I just have to flashback to last week and I’m rock hard. It’s driving me out of my fucking mind with need and I still haven’t got a clue who she is.
Jenkins and I were away fishing all weekend, but the minute I got back into town, I resumed my search. All week I’ve gone back to the same spot at the same time to see if I would bump into her again.
I had no such luck.
It’s unlike me to put that much effort into a girl. I don’t date—or fuck—girls from town.
Until recently, I was never around long enough for that to happen, but now it’s even more important. No point in setting yourself up for a lot of drama… especially in a small town.
I like to keep my one-night stands when I head to Dallas or Fort Worth for a good time. It’s easier that way, but if this little honey is from around these parts, I might be willing to throw my rule right out the window.
I have to stop obsessing over this girl.
The alarm on my phone rings.
Time to step into my new career.
At least this new job should keep my mind preoccupied for most of the day.
I grab my phone, ready to shoot Jenkins a text, but when I lift my eyes up, I spot his long, lean body strolling towards me. I jump out of my truck and meet him halfway.
He jerks his chin in the direction of my truck. “The drive here was okay?”
I look up at him. “It was hard getting up this early, but getting here wasn’t a problem.”
At six-three, Jenkins is a little taller than I am by a couple of inches. Like April, he has light brown eyes, but he has dirty blond hair. The girls love that about him.
“Your body’ll get used to it real quick,” Jenkins says.
“I hope so because it feels like I’ll fall asleep any minute now.”
“Trust me, the bosses will keep you so busy, you’ll barely have time to go for a piss.”
We laugh.
“Sure looks like there’s a lot to keep me busy.” I let my eyes take a tour of the ranch before bringing my attention back to Jenkins.
“Let’s get you started.” He extends a hand. “Jake and Hunter are waiting for you.”
“Lead the way.”
I follow Jenkins.
“All right, you can take it from here,” he says when we arrive in front of a tiny house that seems to double as an office. “I have to go back to work. I’ll catch you later.”
“I owe you a lot.”
“Shut up. You’re like a brother to me. Of course, I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks. I’ll catch you later.”
With that, he’s gone.
When I walk inside the office, two tall guys I’ve met before greet me with a warm smile.
“It’s great to see you again, Hunter,” I say, extending my hand.
“It’s great to have you on board, Rhett,” he says, reaching for my outstretched hand and giving it a sturdy shake.
The man is not only tall, but he’s incredibly strong.
I turn to the guy with blue eyes standing next to Hunter. “Thanks again for the opportunity, Jake.”
“Welcome aboard, Rhett,” he says. “I’m sure you’ll do a better job than all of us breaking in the colts and fillies. We’re growing too fast. Hunter and I need to pull back.”
“I won’t let you down.”
“I have no doubt.” Jake offers a warm smile.
His confidence in me means a lot.
“Honestly, I’m not sure this’ll feel like work,” I say. “I get to be around horses and ride them every day. I couldn’t ask for more.”
“Well, we have a lot of land and without obedient horses, we can’t herd and control our Angus,” Jake says.
“Yeah, we just hit a thousand heads,” Hunter says.
Jenkins didn’t fill me in on that part. “Very impressive.”
“That’s why we hired you,” Hunter says. “You’re the guy in charge now. We’re excited you’ll head the team that’ll take care of all our horses.”
Jake holds my gaze. “You’re ready?”
“I’m ready.” I nod.
“Good. Let’s go meet Dirk and the rest of the guys,” Jake says. “Dirk Edwards is the foreman and he manages all the ranch hands.”
“Got it.” I nod.
“We have a broodmare who’s ready to foal anytime now, so a few guys are looking after the mom,” Jake says.
“I see.”
“And we also have another full-term mare being examined by the vet as we speak.”
I swing my attention to Hunter.
“She’s due any day now,” he says. “Lots happening this morning.”
“Life on a ranch.” I chuckle.
“Exactly.” It’s Hunter’s turn to chuckle. “Wouldn’t change a thing.”
“Later on, I’ll introduce you to the girls,” Jake says. “Allison is my wife. Miranda is Hunter’s fiancée. They live on the ranch, so it’s important you get to know them. Riley will be back on Wednesday from Houston. Her four kids and her nanny will also be around. You can meet them then.”
“I’m looking forward to it. April only has good things to say about your sister.”
“Riley is a handful.” Hunter chuckles. “The same goes for her twins.”
“You have no idea,” Jake says. “In fact, I should warn you. When Riley found out about your background, she insisted on throwing a big get together. She says it’s going to be low-key. Trust me, it’ll be anything but. The woman can’t spell the word.”
Whoa. “I’m honored, but she doesn’t have to go to any trouble on my account.”
“Let me tell you something about my kid sister,” Jake says.
“When she gets an idea in her head, you might as well get out of the way—Rhett Sullivan will receive a hero’s welcome, Jake.
It’s just right.” He lowers his voice by several octaves to say that last part as he imitates Riley, which makes this even funnier.
Hunter snickers.
“Those days are long behind me.” I can’t help the ping twisting my stomach.
My friend’s gone, but his cowboy boots still walk beside me.
Hunter frowns, takes a step closer, and drops a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss, Rhett, but you’re still a hero and a champion in my book.”
“I agree,” Jake says. “You’re an eight-time world champion.”
Hunter nods. “That’s eight gold buckles under your belt, champ.”
I avert my gaze for a beat.
“You were the best bareback bronc rider on the circuit,” Jake says.
I was. Past tense.
“No one can take away your achievements. And no one will ever forget the selfless way in which you leapt in front of the face of danger.”
I nod, too choked up to answer.
Like always, the memory of that day tears something loose inside my chest, as the tragic images flash in front of my eyes.