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“Thank you.” He looks effortlessly sexy in his flannel shirt and cowboy hat, like something out of an old western. He catches me looking and I tear my eyes away from him, my heart pounding.
Dammit.
I shouldn’t be thinking these things about a man I just met. I only just called off my wedding, for goodness’ sake. My life is chaotic enough right now without drooling over a grumpy cowboy who I don’t even know. I’ll stay in his guestroom for a couple of nights while I try and put my life back together, and then I’ll get out of here. Maybe I can rent an apartment in Winterdale so that I’m still close to Willow. I’ll find a job in the town and start over. That’s what I need to focus on right now.
Not Hunter Ryder’s intense green eyes.
2
Hunter
I’m trying so hard to look calm, but my veins are thrumming with energy now that this gorgeous girl is standing in my living room. Avery looks fucking angelic with her wide brown eyes and pouty pink lips. And those curves…those deliciously thick hips, the generous swell of her breasts, the creamy skin of her neck. Everything about her makes my heart thump in a way I’ve never felt before.
What the hell was Grayson thinking?
I’m pissed off that my brother decided to leave this perfect girl on my doorstep. I don’t trust his motivations. Just because Grayson has turned his back on single life and fallen hard for a girl he just met doesn’t mean I want to do the same. I’ve spent all forty years of my life alone, and that’s not going to change now. I’m happy out here working the ranch with my brothers. I don’t need anything else. Especially not a beautiful twenty-something with eyes like liquid chocolate.
Fuck, why am I even thinking about the color of her eyes?
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Avery asks nervously, biting her lip in a way that sends a shiver through my body. She looks so anxious, like she’s walking on eggshells around me, and I feel a ball of guilt harden in my chest. This girl hasn’t done anything wrong—she only came here in the first place because Grayson sent her. If she’s this desperate for somewhere to stay, she’s probably going through a hard time, and the last thing she needs is some miserable old cowboy like me making her feel bad.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” I tell her, ushering her toward my comfiest chair. “Sorry for the lack of warm welcome. I don’t get many visitors out here, but you’re welcome to stay in one of the guestrooms for a couple of nights.”
Avery visibly sags with relief, her body relaxing back into the leather seat. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I promise I won’t be any trouble.”
I wave off her thanks and sit on the couch opposite her chair. Now that she’s staying, I’m desperately curious to know what brought her here. Why does she need a place to stay? Why is she desperate enough to stay with a stranger?
“So, what brings you to Blaze Valley?” I ask, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Oh.” She takes a shuddering breath. “It’s kind of complicated. I…well, I actually just called off my wedding.”
Something icy claws at my chest. Something like jealousy. The thought of Avery being engaged to another man turns my stomach, and it takes me a moment to mentally pull myself together.
“You called off your wedding?”
Avery nods. “Yeah, I was engaged…until about an hour ago.” She laughs hollowly, shaking her head. “His name is Edmund Fontaine.”
“Edmund Fontaine?” I echo, frowning. “The guy who lives up at Fontaine House?”
She nods.
The Fontaines are one of the richest families around, and their enormous chateau-style mansion is nestled up in the mountains overlooking the ranch. I could probably see their house from here if I squinted hard enough into the distance. I’ve heard all about the arrogant, ice-cold Fontaine family, and Edmund in particular is known for being an entitled asshole, constantly speeding his expensive cars through the winding mountain roads of Crave County.
“We were together for six months,” Avery continues, opening her mouth like she’s about to say something else before closing it again with a sigh.
“I’m sorry to hear things didn’t work out.” I try to sound like I mean it, but my teeth are clenched.
“No!” Avery says suddenly. “No, don’t be sorry. He was a complete asshole. I was so stupid to ever…to ever…” Her words dissolve into a whimper, and my heart sinks.
Shit. Nice job, asshole, you made her cry.
Instinctively, I spring up off the couch and sit down beside her, patting her shoulder as her body shakes with sobs. I want nothing more than to pull her into my arms and hold her tight, but I don’t want to freak her out. So instead, I just keep on patting her shoulder, feeling painfully useless.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s n-not your fault,” she sobs. “It’s m-mine. I’ve been s-such an idiot.”
She buries her face in her hands and leans into me, and I can’t help but loop my arm around her shoulder, pulling her soft body closer to me. She cries against my chest, and I hate myself for the way my body reacts to our closeness. She must be able to hear my racing heartbeat. It’s battering against my ribcage so hard that I’m starting to think it might break out of my damn chest.
