“We don’t know that,” I say softly. “But it doesn’t matter. It’s in the past and I’ve decided to move forward. Summer is almost over and I refuse to keep dwelling on one bad night.”
The lodge door swings open, and my skin tightens. Without looking, I know it’s Lane.
I knew it was a risk, coming here for lunch with Lyd. She warned me Lane still eats here every day. It was his routine, even before he and I were anything. It’s been almost two weeks since things ended, but seeing him still feels like swallowing glass.
His steps slow as he spots the only empty seat—right next to me.
The urge to get up and run claws at me, but I stay, frozen. We both live and work at the same place. It’s a miracle we haven’t crossed paths sooner.
He sits, nodding at Lydia and me. “Hey. Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Hi, umm…I thought we could both benefit from…some space,” I admit, voice tight.
He nods once. His nose still has a nasty brownish-yellow bruise, but the swelling has gone down for the most part.
Lydia snatches my half-eaten plate away and takes it back to the kitchen. She’s clearly still upset, but I wish she would trustmy judgment. I’m ready to move past everything. Why can’t she respect that?
“And I guess I’m done now.” I press my lips into a thin line as I slip off the barstool. “Take care of yourself, Lane.”
Before I can turn, his hand closes gently around my wrist. There’s no force in it, no threat, but my pulse spikes anyway. I suck in a sharp breath and he releases me immediately, but the echo of his touch lingers on my skin.
“Sorry. I just—was hoping we could talk.”
My thumb rubs the spot where he held me and I glance over to the swinging door leading into the kitchen. I swallow, knowing he wouldn’t have asked if Lydia was still out here.
“There’s nothing left to say, Lane.”
He opens his mouth to reply but snaps it shut at the same time I feel a presence behind me.
“Ready to go?”
The familiar scent of cedar and rain covers me like a warm blanket fresh from the dryer. I look over my shoulder to find Wesley standing behind me, smirking.
We didn’t have plans, but the look he gives me saysgo with it. My pulse stutters, but I play along.
“Mhm,yes. I was just coming to meet you.” The lie rolls off my tongue easier than I thought it would. “I’ll see you around, Lane.”
Wesley guides me out of the lodge, holding open the door for me.
“Sooo, where are we going?” I fall into step beside him, curiosity blooming as we walk toward his truck.
He raises an eyebrow. “Nowhere in particular. I saw you standing there alone with him and you looked…uncomfortable. Figured I’d give you an excuse to leave.”
“Well, now I’m curious about our pretend plans.” I grin up at him. “Where are you taking me?”
“I guess that’s a surprise.” He swings open the passenger door with a flourish. “Hop in, Princess.”
Wesleybringsmetothe wildflowers again—the same spot as last time. But I don’t mind. This place truly is magical.
The wildflowers sway in the breeze, the petals brushing each other in an endless, quiet rhythm. A little reminder of how easily things shift—how one moment with someone can change everything you thought you knew.
We sit in the cab talking for hours. About upcoming events on the ranch, and me wanting to ask Heath about inviting my friends out to visit.
He asks how my solo training with Iris is going—I love that dog. I ask how he and Outlaw are getting along—they’re not.
It says a lot about him, how patient he is with that horse. How even though he’s made almost no progress, he isn’t giving up on him. Like he can see the potential beneath the surface and knows he needs a little more time.
The sun is almost set when we head back to the main house. Wesley has the windows rolled down and the late-summer air rushes in, warm against my cheeks. I lean my head against the seat, watching the pastures roll by in a blur of gold and green.
