Chapter 3 Ford
THREE
FORD
Wild Vista Ranch is quiet, the bachelorette party gone, leaving a handful of small families, a bachelor party, and three other groups to the wide expanse of land owned by my bosses.
Thankfully, I don’t need to spend much time around the guests; my job leaves me working the ranch side of things, not the guest relations.
Which is probably for the best. I’ve not been in the best mood since talking to my brother.
I heave a breath as I toss another bale of hay down from the loft of the barn. Straw goes flying, but another ranch hand is there to grab it and carry it out to the waiting truck. Even though working helps take my mind off everything else going on in my life, it doesn’t seem to be enough today.
“That’s enough,” our lead ranch hand shouts from below. He and a couple of the other guys get the rest of the bales set up in the bed of the truck.
I straighten, wiping the back of my hand over my forehead as my boss walks into view. “You take off. They need some help at the main lodge with something. When you get there, find Carl,” he explains, cowboy hat tipping over his forehead. “You good with that?”
I blow out a harsh breath, tasting sweat on my tongue as I press my lips together.
“No problem,” I mutter, picking up my baseball cap where I left it on a post. Pushing my hair back, I set it on my head.
The cowboy hats are a common uniform around here, but sometimes they get in the way.
I keep mine in my lodging half the time when doing chores, though I have a feeling while on my way to the main lodge, I’ll need to stop by and pick it up.
The guests love knowing they’re around real cowboys. Part of the appeal and the gimmick, even if some of us aren’t even close to being them.
The boss and the other ranch hands disappear into their own trucks and leave to take the hay out. Meanwhile, I make the slow climb down from the loft and into the main barn.
Horses nicker when I pass, some butting their heads against the doors of their stalls. I walk by, nodding to a couple of the trainers gearing up to take guests out, likely on one of the advertised trail rides.
It doesn’t take me long to get to the employee lodging, put something a little less sweaty on, get my cowboy hat, and jump into my truck.
I’m not sure what it is about today that has me feeling so…
restless. It clings to every fibre of my being and doesn’t want to release me.
My bones ache like they know I need to be doing something, but I just don’t know what.
I take the turn by the pond and pull around the main lodge.
There are a few cars out front; families checking in and parties checking out, I assume.
Before I jump out, I scrub a hand through my hair and push it under the hat.
I don’t know what it is they want from me, and I can’t wrack my brain for any activities I’m meant to be helping with.
Shaking my head, I jump out and start for the entrance.
I scan the small parking lot for any sign of Carl or his wife, Lucinda.
The couple who owns Wild Vista Ranch have their hands in just about everything.
There’s probably some dance or a party they need help setting up for.
The ranch hands might be tasked with working the paddocks and barn, but our job also extends to the guest side of the ranch when needed.
I almost miss her when my eyes pass over the lot. Sunlight shines against her silky dark hair, and the dress hugging every one of her curves almost makes her look out of place. Large sunglasses cover the upper portion of her face, obscuring the green eyes I know they hide.
It’s impossible, and yet I stumble to a halt to take her in as she heaves a purse onto her shoulder, looks around—though doesn’t seem to notice me—and walks towards the main lodge entrance.
“Ah, there you are,” the events coordinator says, appearing alongside Carl. “Need your help setting up the singles night over at the dance hall.”
My mouth goes dry as I watch the woman of my dreams—my wife—disappear inside the lodge. “What?” I ask as Carl claps me on the shoulder.
“Help,” Carl reiterates, chuckling. “Singles night.”
“Since when are we doing singles night?” Suddenly, I want to throw up. Would the universe really put me back on the path of my accidental wife only for her to be here for some ridiculous singles night?
What are the chances she’s here for that and not me?
Could she be here for me, though?
You don’t even know if it’s her, I remind myself, teeth gritted, mouth dry.
“Since now,” Carl states, releasing my shoulder. “You go down, we’ll meet you there. It’s something new Lucinda wanted to try.”
With that, he and the new event coordinator head back to the main lodge. But I’m locked in place, can’t move as I wait for her to come back out.
Is it her? The woman I’ve been thinking about for months—years?
Or is this my heart’s last-ditch effort to keep the dream alive, even though Tucker made a good point about her?
I don’t see her again, though the set up for singles night takes a lot of energy and time. Part of me wishes I were with the others bailing hay or out with the horses. Not hanging streamers while Carl shouts orders or helping Lucinda set up tables for mingling.
The only thing I can’t escape is the feeling of throwing up.
By the time Lucinda has the band set up and the food out buffet-style, I’m ready to crawl back to my lodging and sleep the day off.
I’ve tried convincing myself the woman from check-in isn’t Olivia, but a random woman who looks similar enough.
I hadn’t seen half of her face. So, I jumped to the wrong conclusion.
The woman who checked in is just that—a woman. One I don’t know.
“Oh, could you stick around just in case anything happens?” Lucinda asks, stopping me before I can make my escape out the back of the Saloon. The space has been transformed from the usual dance hall it acts as and now gives a more…romantic feel.
My boss pushes her long black hair behind her ear as she waits for my answer.
Fuck, I want to say no. But instead, I give her a nod. “Yeah, sure,” I murmur. “Where do you want me?”
“Just hang around the doors, keep an eye out for anyone who causes trouble. Oh! Our first singles have arrived! There will be folks from town, not just guests, so be wary. If you notice anyone drinking a little too much, there’s a minibus that’ll take townsfolk back into Saddlehorn, okay? Just guide them out.”
I give her a tight smile, then the woman is off, greeting her guests.
Slinking into the shadows, I lean against the far wall and simply watch. I can’t help myself. My gaze strays to the doorway where guests file in, getting name tags and drinks.
Part of me wants to be wrong. Wants to see her and know she isn’t the woman from Vegas or my past.
My heart thunders wildly, blood thrumming in my ears as I wait. Eventually, the crowd slows until only the occasional person trickles in. No sign of the woman.
I should be relieved and yet, hope still swells within me. For a moment, I take my eyes off the door to look around. The dance hall is full of mingling singles who sway to the country music playing on the stage.
Carl joins me by the wall. “Lucinda says you can leave,” he says, clearing his throat. “Couple of the other guys volunteered to take over.”
Again, I should feel relief, and yet something sinks into the pit of my stomach. “Sure,” I mutter, pushing off the wall. “Thanks.”
Carl gives me a nod as I tear my eyes off him and the dance floor. Disappointment swells within me as I slip out the side door. It takes me behind the Saloon to the trash, which stinks. My nose crinkles, but it’s easy enough to ignore as I make my way to my truck.
I take in the gathered vehicles; mostly looks like guests were driven over, though the cabins and tents aren’t far. Most could walk if they wanted to. There’s a direct route here. As for the folk from town, they either took the bus or drove in, though they appear to have done the former.
My gaze catches on a nearby woman. Dark hair pulled back in a slicked-back ponytail and no glasses allows me to see her face clearly despite the darkness.
I come to a complete halt as she steps under one of the floodlights lining the Saloon. And for a moment, I can’t breathe.
I’d know her face anywhere. The soft features, the green eyes. Those plump lips as they moved against my own.
Even the drunken haze from Vegas clears enough for me to know it’s her.
Olivia.
My wife.
I’m walking towards her before I know what I’m doing. Each long stride that propels me forward is filled with purpose. Need.
As if she senses me, Olivia’s eyes swing over the darkness before landing on me. For a moment, confusion swells in her expression. Until I whip off the cowboy hat, and realisation slams into her.
“You,” she says as I stop in front of her. “Ford?”
God, the sound of my name on her lips is divine. It makes me shiver, watching as she tastes it, like she’s saying it for the first.
“Howdy, darlin’,” I murmur, heart racing as I inch closer. “You are not who I expected to see tonight.”
Colour flushes her cheeks as she ducks her head. “You know why I’m here, then?”
I thumb the ring on my left hand before holding it up. “I think I have an idea.”
Her eyes, green like the paddocks in spring, flicker to the band. The colour drains from her face as she reaches for my hand. I let her take it, enjoying the softness of her fingers all too much. “You have a ring?”
“You don’t?” I ask, stepping forward. The heat of her body sears through me, tempting. I’m almost certain she’s the same woman from the bar now. “I could change that, you know.”
Olivia shakes her head slowly, blinking hard as she drops my hand. “No. I, uh, only have the certificate.” She drops her stare to her purse and digs out a piece of paper. It’s almost identical to the one I found online and printed. “Here.”
“I know about this,” I reply, not taking it. “I have my own.”
Finally, her bright eyes flicker up to mine. “Oh, okay.” Surprise flickers in her eyes, but she puts the certificate back in her purse. “Well. I think it’s obvious why I’m here, then.”
I raise a brow. “No, I don’t think it is.”
“We accidentally got married in Vegas,” she says, looking at me like I’m crazy. “The only logical thing for us would be to get an annulment.”
I knew this was coming, and yet, I shrug. “I was going to say we give it a shot,” I reply, smirking. “Maybe let the Vegas magic have some time to…marinate.”
The look of you really are crazy settles on her face. “What?”
“You and I were drawn to one another for a reason,” I explain, setting my cowboy hat back on my head. For a moment, something flickers in her eyes. “Maybe it’s the universe's way of saying we should give it a shot.”
Instead of listening, she shakes her head. “You might actually be insane,” she mutters, stepping back. “I need an annulment.”
Something sinks into the pit of my stomach. “Is there someone else?”
“It wouldn’t matter if there were,” she snaps, crossing her arms. “Me asking is more than enough reason for you to give up. I’m here to give you the heads-up and get your consent to make this easier on us both.”
She’s not wrong. After Tucker and I talked, I looked into the legalities, though I’m no divorce lawyer. We might be able to get an annulment without a divorce if we both agree, even though we got married in Nevada. But I’m no legal professional. And neither is she, based on her uncertainty.
“How long are you staying at Wild Vista?” I ask, ignoring everything else. Might not put me on the right side, but I have to try.
Olivia rolls her eyes. “Tomorrow, leaving the following day. I’m getting the annulment.”
“Give me tomorrow to convince you,” I suggest, stepping towards her.
She sighs. “Convince me of what?”
“That you and I are meant to be.” I take another measured step towards her, once again feeling the heat of her body. It’s enough to make me shiver.
“You don’t know anything about me,” she murmurs. “You probably didn’t even know my name until you found the license.”
“You would be right there, darlin’. But I haven’t stopped thinking about you. Had you not found me, I would have sought you out myself. The only reason I didn’t was because your name is common, and you didn’t tell me enough about yourself that night for me to find you.”
Her arms tighten around herself as she watches me, but she doesn’t make a move to step back. “It’s more than that. I have other responsibilities. A good reason why this won’t work.”
“What reason?” I ask, curious. “What would make me run?”
She opens her mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. Instead, she shakes her head. “If I give you tomorrow and I still want the annulment, will you give it to me? Will you sign the papers?”
I can’t stop the sinking feeling, but I give her a nod. “I’ll give you what you want, darlin’. You have my word.”
She holds out her hand for me to shake. “One day.”
I take it, heart racing. “We have a deal.”