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“No, just my sister. I take it that you have a sister and brother?” I thought of Blake, the nice, funny, outgoing guy—the opposite of Wade, and then his assumed sister, Hazel. She was much more difficult to read, but there was something about her that I liked. I had a good feeling that she could keep up with the men in her family...
And maybe even outdo them.
“Yeah, just Blake and Hazel. A couple of the ranch hands are kind of like brothers. Their dads worked here and then they went on to join them, but I don’t know. I don’t have any complaints about how I was raised. My dad was pretty hard on us, but I think that’s just part of growing up a cowboy.”
“Mmm, right. Cowboy.” I giggled, shaking my head. “The cowboys I knew back home were rowdy and rough around the edges. You dress like you’re out of some western wear magazine.”
“Ha ha,” he groaned. “That’s because you caught me on my way home from a meeting. I don’talwayslook all spiffed up and shit. Most of the time, I’m right out there with everyone else. I can’t help that I look good doing it.”
“Wow, so youdohave some of your brother’s charm then.” I continued to giggle as Wade groaned. “I’m just giving you a hard time.”
“I know, I know. But it’s the truth. Blake hasalwaysbeen the one who’s got it together. His girlfriends have always been those sweet, southern belle types, and there’s nothing the man can’t do.”
“Yeah, but I bet he can’t be as big of an asshole as you can,” I pointed out, hoping that Wade knew I was teasing.
“Once you get around my dad, you’ll know where I got that trait of mine. Dad has a way of doing things, and I just seemed to fall right in step with them, picking up his attitude. Blake and Dad don’t get along—you can’t leave them alone for ten minutes before they get into it over something.”
“And what about your sister?”
“She just falls somewhere in the mix, I guess. Hazel is real quiet and reserved. You never really know what she’s thinking, but then when shedoessay whatever it is, it’s usually very blunt and to the point.”
“I like your sister.”
“She likes you, too.” He chuckled, running strands of my hair between his fingers. “The two of you probably have a lot in common—other than the fact that youdon’thave a filter on your mouth.”
I laughed, snuggling up closer to Wade so that there was no space at all between us. “You know you like that about me.”
He was quiet for a moment, but then kissed the top of my head. “You bug the shit out of me, Cheyenne, but yeah, I guess I do like it.”
I smiled into his chest, knowing that those words coming out of Wade’s mouth could be considered a compliment. I didn’t say anything more, drowsiness slipping into my body and taking hold of my mind. Taking a deep breath, I let the sleep take over, pulling me right off into my dreams...
And Wade was there, too.
ChapterFourteen
Wade
“Y’all better hurry the hell up!” Dad called out, his voice hard and loud as Hazel and I rode alongside each other, heading out to check on the cattle. “I have a bad feeling we’re gonna have to move these guys.”
“We’re coming,” Hazel shouted, her face filled with annoyance beneath her Stetson. Hazel rode as hard as the boys, and her auburn hair was usually braided to the side beneath her hat. There was a grit about her that intimidated a lot of the men in her life, but all the better for me. I’d gotten into fist fights with all two of the boyfriends she’d had over the years.
“We’ve only got two hours before it’s gonna start raining again, so we need to take advantage of the break,” Dad continued as we rode up beside him. “I’ve got the others feeding and bringing in the east side herd—so we’re gonna have to tackle these just the three of us.”
“Where’s Blake?” I asked, noting the absence of my brother.
“I sent him to head the hands over on the other side. Bob ain’t feeling the best, and so I had Blake take his place and let him rest.” Dad didn’t elaborate on what was wrong with Bob, one of the assistant ranch managers, but I didn’t pry.
More than likely, Bob just had too much to drink last night.
“Well, let’s get this done then,” Hazel grunted, letting out a heavy sigh as she gazed up at the darkening sky. “I don’t like the way things have been shaping up, and you know the flooding is going to be overreaching the bounds of the flood zones now.”
“We don’t have enough room for the entire herd to move up here,” I thought aloud as we trotted onward, all three of us in a line. “I don’t know how we’ll do it.”
“We’ll just have to do the best we can.” Dad’s voice was somber.
I nodded, falling into silence beside my family. My mind wandered back to Cheyenne, who was feeling better, but still not one-hundred percent. As much as Iwantedher to feel better...
I knew it meant she would be leaving soon, and I hated the thought of that.
