22. Warren
“My dad said you’re staying for supper, FYI. You can’t run this time.”
Dane pops a chip into his mouth with a grin.
I still can’t believe this guy took me to the fair and won me a giant stuffed rabbit before rocking my world and falling asleep in my arms. The next day, we absolutely blew out the competition in the second go-round for team roping and took home the big money.
He was so fierce and dialled in. There was no way we would be anything less than first.
Same guy. Two totally different scenarios. Same fucking result. Me being absolutely enamoured by him. He’s practically perfect, and more than once, I’ve had to laugh at how fast things have changed.
“I suppose I should be polite. He’s my sponsor, after all.” He chews a few more chips. “Although I’m not pleased to be thrown into another Burke family dinner.”
Dane’s small smile has me believe otherwise, but I’ll play along.
“Pfft, it’s not that bad.”
“Dude! The first time you fought with your dad over a slice of roast beef like a toddler.”
“And look where that got me. Pops gave you all the leftovers to stop us from fighting. So I’d say you did pretty well.”
“Actually…I did. I’ve changed my mind. Can’t wait for dinner.” Dane grins and throws a chip at me.
“I’ll tell him not to be so nice this time. Nobody will get leftovers.”
Dane rolls his eyes and relaxes back in the seat.
He watches the scenery go by as we head back towards Kissing Ridge, but the closer we get to home, the more anxious I feel.
This past trip with Dane was not just the best rodeo of my life, but the best time.
I kind of don’t want to have Dane go back to his own place.
I want him to keep waking up with me. To keep looking at me over breakfast and telling me I should eat more fruit with breakfast and put less sugar in my coffee. I can’t tell him that, though. At least not so directly.
“We’re only home for a few days before we head out again,” I start. Dane nods.
“Yeah. I need to see Darla tomorrow, and I want to hit the gym at least once and do some laundry before we head out again. You want me to check out the hydraulic hitch on the trailer before we go? I can do that and tune up the generator properly, too.”
Who knew handyman talk would be so arousing? Certainly not me.
“That would be so fantastic if you could. If you need parts, we can get them in town fast, hopefully. I need to check in with Jesse. He hasn’t been to any rodeos this season yet. Maise is still having a rough time without her mom, and he doesn’t want to add to that.”
Not to mention he’s been handling the rodeo school solo this whole time, too. I should check in this week before me and Dane leave again.
“Um, if you want to do your laundry at the ranch while you work on the generator and stuff, you could kill two birds with one stone. Maybe more time with Darla.”
I’m holding my breath, hoping he doesn’t read more into my offer.
I just want to make things easier for him and keep him in my space.
If I had a place of my own, it might be easier, but I live at home…
again. This might take extra convincing because Dane doesn’t see my dad as just my dad.
He sees Hunter Burke, his boss, and rodeo legend.
“Thanks. I might do that.”
Or maybe I’m just overthinking again. That was easier than I thought.
“Cool.”
Ugh. I’m anything but cool right now.
The familiar signs for Kissing Ridge appear and before long I’m pulling into the ranch yard. My brother’s truck is already here. Jesse, not Clarence. Dad is out in the yard blowing bubbles with Maise.
Maise stands and waves furiously, and I wave back before concentrating on parking the trailer in a level spot while not interfering with anyone’s vehicles.
After setting the parking brake, I turn towards Dane. “Prepare to be peppered with questions by a four-year-old.”
“Can’t be any worse than you.”
Before I can reply, he winks and exits the truck. The thumping of tiny sneakers running across dirt sounds, and I brace myself for the force of Maise.
“Uncle Bunny!”
She slams into my legs with a giant hug, and I laugh before scooping her up to lay kisses all over her face. “Hey Maise girl. You keeping Grampy busy out here?”
“He made us bubbles! And I fed Lewis!”
“That sounds like fun.” I walk back to the horse trailer, where Dane already has Trigger backing out. “Do you remember Dane? He’s my partner at the rodeos.”
Maise has never been a shy kid. She waves to Dane as he walks Trigger by. “Hi!”
“Hi. Would you like to pet my horse? Her name is Trigger.”
I step closer with Maise in my arms, and she pets the horse’s neck.
“She’s nice, right?” Maise nods. “Maybe you can ask Dane if she can have a carrot later.”
She smiles and places a tiny hand on my cheek. “Can I sit on Petey?”
“Yes, but just into the barn, okay? You’re not wearing pants, and you’ll be itchy.”
My dad has already joined us at the trailer, probably expecting Maise to ask for a ride, and he’s backed Petey out. “I warned her if she wanted a ride, she should’ve had pants on.”
“Grab that blanket, Dad.” I motion with my chin to an extra one I stuffed on the side of the trailer, and he drapes it over Petey before I settle Maise on his back.
She grips fistfuls of his mane, and he stills.
He might be a rodeo horse and used to working, but he’s also used to Maise up there, and I trust him to be patient.
“Hi, Petey. Good boy.” She pats his neck, and he looks at me to confirm he’s a good boy.
“He is. The best.” Clucking my tongue, I grab his halter and take her for a slow circle in the ranch yard.
“Daddy said I’m big enough for a pony.”
“Did he?”
“Yep. He said we can look cuz Grampy will take care of it here while I go to school.”
“Wow. You’re super lucky.”
She keeps stroking Petey’s neck, and my heart bursts for my niece. She loves animals and especially horses. It was only a matter of time before she wore down Jesse to get her a pony, and I know my dad has been dying for this day to come. She’ll have no shortage of help, that’s for sure.
“Okay, kiddo. End of the line. Petey has had a long day and needs some rest.” She slides into my arms, and I let her pet him on the nose since she’s careful before she walks back to my dad.
“We’ve been holding dinner waiting for you two to get here, so come in as soon as you get the horses settled. I’ll let Gabe know you won’t be long.”
“Thanks, Dad. Sure thing.”
Leading Petey through the barn, I get to his stall and find Dane leaning outside of it. “It’s all set for you. I saw you were busy with your niece…Uncle Bunny.” He snort-laughs as I close the gate to Petey’s stall. Dane wordlessly hands me a carrot, and I raise an eyebrow.
“Is this because you were thoughtful and brought Petey a carrot, or because she calls me Uncle Bunny?”
“You decide.”
His lips tilt in a mischievous grin, and I shake my head as I offer Petey the carrot.
“Fine. It’s you being super sweet.” Curling my fingers into his shirt, I pull him closer to me for a kiss. “And dinner is almost ready, so we need to get inside.”
Dane melts against me, and his kisses don’t stop. When my back bumps into the stall door, I push back with a soft laugh. “We can’t go in there looking like we were making out in the barn.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
“Have you told your parents anything?”
I want to fucking shout it to the entire town. The only reason I haven’t is that Dane seems scared to do that.
“No.”
“I think your dad knows already. Or at least suspects.”
“You think so?”
Dane shrugs and turns to leave the barn. “He seems like a guy who doesn’t miss much.”
Well, that’s not wrong. He knew I hid a rabbit in my room when I was 17 overnight after explicitly being told I couldn’t.
Although I probably wasn’t as sneaky as I thought I was.
But he knew it was me without asking who ate the entire block of cheese that one time.
He just looked at the empty spot in the fridge and pinned me with a stare. Not Jesse or Clarence. Me.
So yeah, he might be more observant than I’d like to admit.
“Well, I’m sure he won’t bring it up.”
Dane gives me a look as we exit the barn. “I’m not confident about that.”
“Thank you, Gabe. That was fantastic.”
Dane’s manners are impeccable, and I know it impresses Pops when he stands to help clear the table.
“Please sit. You’re our guest, Dane. The boys can do this.”
Pops raises an eyebrow, and Jesse and I pop up with a nod. “Yes, of course.” Jesse grins as Maise carefully stacks her utensils on her plate for him. “Warren and I will clean up.”
After gathering a load of plates and serving dishes each, Jesse and I clean up the kitchen together.
“You two are having a good start to the season,” Jesse says as he loads the dishwasher.
“We are. We’re very in sync. I don’t know if I could team with someone else.”
Jesse hums in the way that means he thinks there’s more to it. After closing the dishwasher, he leans against the counter as I wash up the pots. After a quick glance towards the dining room, he lowers his voice.
“Something else you want to share?” I stare at Jesse before scrubbing the pot more than it needs. “Dad thinks something is going on with you two.”
The pot splashes into the water, and Jesse laughs.
“Did he say that?”
“Come on, Warren. You never hide feelings well. You’re practically salivating while watching him, and I’m sure it’s not because Pops cooked a damn fine chicken. Which he did, but I’m warning you…. Dad will ask questions.”
“Great. I guess I’ll have to warn Dane.”
“You’re probably too late.”
I follow Jesse’s gaze into the dining room and watch Dane step onto the back porch with Dad. The place where all our dates get ‘The Talk.’
“Oh god. Kill me now.”
“He seems nice, but, ah…I have to ask you something.”
“About Dane?”