Chapter 17
Nash paced the kitchen floor with the phone in his hand, eyeing the screen with Wyatt's name on it.
Just last week, Nash had moved out of Wild Buck’s lodge since his volunteer hours had been met, and he’d officially moved into the bunkhouse with Rem for the season. But soon, in another week’s time, he’d fly out to Dallas with Ellie.
And while he’d spend some of his time with her, he’d have a hefty chunk of free days on his hands, too, as strenuous as filming could be.
Ellie had done her best to explain what those periods might look like.
She’d spend nights between her trailer and a nearby hotel, depending on how late filming went.
She planned to share accommodations with him, saying the suite had three full bedrooms, three bathrooms, and access to a private rooftop area, too.
Still, Ellie thought Nash may want to stay at Wyatt’s from time to time since she’d be gone so often. If he were honest, Nash sensed an ulterior motive where his brother was concerned, as if her real purpose was to bring him and Wyatt closer.
Nash had already gotten the okay from dad and the rest of the ranch crew, but now he needed to ask Wyatt about coming to visit and possibly spending some time together during Ellie’s long hours.
"You going to use that thing or stand there and stare at it all day?" Rem asked as he sauntered into the kitchen.
Nash pulled his eyes off the screen and looked at him. "It's Wyatt," he explained, figuring that might be enough. "I’m working myself up to calling."
Rem nodded. "Well then, good luck with that." He poured himself a cup of coffee, left it black, and shuffled onto the porch patio with a stretch.
"Nice talking to you,” Nash mumbled.
Unwilling to let Rem rattle him with some surly comment from the back patio, Nash made his way to the front of the house and stood on the porch. He tapped the call button and felt his heart race as it let out a ring.
It was Saturday, so Nash hoped that meant that Wyatt wasn't at work.
"Well, would you look at what the coyote dragged in," Wyatt answered. "Long time no talk, brother. How are you?"
It was a friendlier greeting then Nash was used to. "I can’t complain," he said.
"I hear you've got yourself a mystery girlfriend. Aunt Jackie told me as much, but she said she'd leave it to you to give me the details."
Whoa, way to jump right into it.
Adrenaline pushed through him as he considered delivering the news. News he'd have been a lot happier to deliver before the whole contract came into play. "Yeah, she's remained a mystery until recently,” he said, “but we’re kind of going public now so…"
"Sounds serious. And by going public, do you mean you've already got all the tongues in town wagging about it?”
Nash considered what going public could really look like. He had no idea what Ellie's PR team had in mind. TV interviews on the set with questions about her new cowboy boyfriend? Leaked details of their whereabouts with photos of them having an evening out?
"Well, I’m dating somebody who’s in the public eye. It's an actress, actually. Ellie Blaire."
A loud noise came from the speaker, and it sounded a lot like someone spitting their coffee across the room. "Are you freaking kidding me? Tell me you're kidding me right now."
A grin made its way over Nash's face. "Dude, I kid you not. She was sent out here to Wild Buck's Ranch. That's how we met."
"What were you doing at Wild Buck’s?” Wyatt asked. “Or did you meet someplace else?"
Nash recalled Rem’s prodding question at the bar when his time with the Riding Free program came up. ‘Do you plan on telling Wyatt why you signed up to help at the ranch?"
Nash had been dreading this question, but since it was small potatoes compared to the contract, he went ahead and spilled the beans.
He told him all about the tabloid Grandma C showed him, the red tape he'd cut through to become a volunteer, and how his connection to Tucker ultimately got him through the door.
“You lucky dog, you,” Wyatt said. “Good thing you didn’t have me there. I might have gotten to her first.”
Nash chuckled. “You wish. Oh, and I meant to tell you. I got to volunteer for the Riding Free program while I was there, so that was cool.”
"Yeah, that is cool. Man,” he said, “I can't believe you're actually dating Ellie Blaire. That's wild. Is she doing all right? No addiction issues or anything like that?"
"No, she’s not battling any addictions. I mean, she had a rebellious run, which is why she ended up at good ol’ Rehab Ranch, but she was going through something at the time.
Ellie wants to get out of the business. In fact, she's got one last movie to film, and then she’d like to be done with Hollywood altogether. "
It went quiet.
"So…" Nash was trying to think of a way to address the upcoming visit when Wyatt spoke up again.
"She told you that? Do you think she's serious or just telling you what you want to hear?"
Nash clenched his jaw shut as his nostrils flared. Don’t get ticked off, Nash. Don’t get ticked. That was a normal question. A fair one, even. "I think she's really serious."
Wyatt didn’t argue.
"Anyway,” Nash said, “They have a month-and-a-half carved out for production, and it’ll be right there in Dallas."
"So I’ll get to meet her?”
“Yep. I’m hoping to introduce you in person and to maybe hang out with you guys while I’m out there.”
“How long are you planning to stay?”
“The whole time,” he said.
"Well shoot, this is as good news as I've heard in a long time. I’m actually starting to miss your sorry butt for some reason, you know that?” Wyatt’s voice tore on that final word, and Nash would be danged if he wasn’t flooding with emotions of his own, an odd sort of longing for his big brother.
They’d never been apart for so long, which was probably why Uncle Lloyd and the rest of the guys were so willing to carry Nash’s weight while he was gone.
Nash sniffed and nodded, wishing he’d reached out to Wyatt a whole lot sooner. "Thanks, brother. I’ll text you with the details once I have them."
"I'll be waiting. Oh, and Nash?"
"Yeah?"
"Remember that rule we once made—saying that we could kiss each other's girlfriends if we wanted?"
Nash furrowed his brow and glared down at the phone.
Wyatt barked out a laugh. "Just teasing, man. You’re one lucky son of a gun."
Nash couldn't help but wonder if Wyatt would still think so if he knew about the contract Nash had signed. Come Easter, he’d know just how fortunate he was.
With that in mind, Nash gave his reply. "I know I am,” he said. “Trust me, I know."