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6
Day of Firsts
The road narrowedas we climbed the mountains in the direction of the guys’ ranch. I hadn’t spent much of my life enjoying the great outdoors, but hey, I could go with it. I wasn’t one of those women who freaked out at the sight of a spider, or who thought dust was akin to germs. I could chill out in the great outdoors.
For a few hours, anyway.
But I was facing a bigger quandary. I didn’t know what it was about these guys. Maybe it was that they were so different from the others I’d dated before. They sure as hell were nothing like Daniel.
They were so nice… and hot... and manly.
“So uh,” I asked, trying to not focus on my own issues, “what did you guys do at the rodeo?”
“Watched mostly,” Shawn said, glancing up into the rearview mirror and smiling. “Maybe a generation ago or something, working ranch folks could compete, and I guess at the lower levels you still can. But to be any good? Those boys and girls are full on professional athletes.”
“Besides,” Nick added, the first time really I’d heard him speak, “it’s more fun to go to the rodeo and enjoy yourself. Half those dudes aren’t real cowboys anyway.”
“No?” I asked, and next to me, Derek nodded.
“World champ from two years ago?” he said, chuckling. “The dude was born inBeverly Hills.”
Nothing like a working man calling out theposeurs.
Fuck Daniel and his manicured nails and expensive moisturizer. I’d always thought it odd that he was so vain but I’d cast those, and a bunch of other, concerns aside. He’d wanted to marry me, so I guess I figured I needed to say yes.
No more of that shit.
In fact, maybe I’d thank him someday. Rhonda too. Without meaning to, they’d taught me a lesson.
Starting today—actually, the moment I’d walked out of the church—I was going to be looking out formyself. No more pleasing my mother. No more pleasinganyone. Unless the pleasing was mutual.
I glanced out the window. All signs of crappy weather were dissipating.
I looked down at the expensive bridal manicure Rhonda had treated me to, now all chipped up, and gathered the last bit of courage I needed to really make a change in my life. “Hey Shawn, do you think you could pull over in that turnout up there?”
He shrugged. “Sure. You feeling okay?” he asked, slowing the truck.
I smiled at no one in particular. “Yeah. I am. I just need a little break.”
As soon as the truck stopped, I got out, pine needles crunching under my dirty feet. I stretched up toward the sky, taking a deep breath.
The guys, who’d followed me out of the truck, watched, their heads tilted in curiosity.
In a burst of energy, I jumped up and down, swishing my full skirt, then skipped back to the truck. But in my exuberance, I tripped over the hem of my dress.
Because of course.
To keep from going splat on the pavement, I extended my arms and… fell right into Nick’s.
“Oh my gosh, sorry about that,” I giggled. “Such a klutz.”
Was there no end to the ways I was embarrassing myself today?
After a bit of a scuffle, I regained my balance and looked up at his eyes, wide from the surprise of catching me. His hands were still on my arms.
And I made no attempt to move away.
Instead, I inched toward him, close enough to really study his handsome face. In his deep, intense eyes I saw concern, and care… and hunger.
