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Ford swears and his head whips to me. “The Wolfingtons are dead—they’re fucking roadkill.”
I nod, rage simmering in my veins.
Wyatt can get knocked around on horses all he wants. Break ribs, get concussions, but someone fucks with my little brother, with my family, all bets are off.
“Keep it together,” Davis orders. “We won’t solve anything if you two go off half-cocked.”
“Fuck that, Davis, and fuck you,” Ford snaps. He yells so loud the whiskey glasses rattle. “They’ve gone too far this time.”
“I’m with Ford.” Stomping toward the door, I yank it open and scan the ranch. Outside, big black storm clouds threaten to unleash. “Go out there and snap some fucking necks.”
If the Wolfingtons are stupid enough to come onto our property and attack our brother, they better watch their backs.
Davis draws himself up, eyes flashing, pissed at being out voted, ready to knock our skulls together, but Wyatt waves a hand, silencing all of us. “I don’t think it was them,” he says with a wince. “That’s givin’ ‘em too much credit. They couldn’t find their dicks with a lasso.” He huffs a laugh, then groans, pressing a hand to his ribs.
I whip around, my boots grinding to a halt. “Then who the fuck was it?”
Ican’t concentrate on working with Charlie’s offer hanging over me.
Pack a bag. Come over tonight.
Charlie and I—we’re not keeping our distance. Every boundary, every agreement we’ve made since I arrived at Runaway Ranch is dust in the Montana sky. I only have a month left and the thought of leaving hurts.
This ranch is good for me. For my heart.
I push my laptop away, deciding to give up on editing the photos and finish them later. From the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of my bucket list on the fridge. A bright smile spreads across my face. I’ve crossed off more to-dos here than anywhere else. All thanks to Charlie.
He makes me feel like I can do anything.
He makes me see how my entire life could be different.
My smile fades when my gaze lands on the cowboy hat in the middle of the kitchen table. It’s beautiful and fits me perfectly. I love it, but it’s a gift. It’s too intimate.
Permanent.
The cowboy hat changes things. For the better, I don’t know.
Even though I’m already in love with him, Charlie absolutely cannot fall in love with me.
He isn’t.
I squeeze my eyes shut, feeling the shaky beat of my trembling heart.
He won’t.
All I am to him is a fling. Good sex.Greatsex. He’s not emotionally invested. He’s made it clear we are summer bound.
Saying no to him and staying at home tonight would be the smart thing to do.
But I can’t stay away from him. I’m obsessed with Charlie Montgomery, this rough around-the-edges cowboy. The days are ticking down and I’ll have to leave soon, but until then, for just one summer, I very much want to be his girl.
Because I won’t beg anyone to love me and I won’t shame myself for wanting good love.
This is how it has to be.
For so long, I’ve held my heart hostage. No more.
I check my phone, and a squeak pops out of my mouth when I see the time.
