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“Gone,” I whisper into the cool air and Riggs nods.
“I have no idea what I’m going to do about this shit show now,” Riggs sits up, his whole demeanour changing in an instant.
“What are your options?”
“Take down Clay,” he grunts as he pushes from the floor and pulls me up with him.
“And how you going to do that big boy?” I ask in a playful manner, my fingers skimming across the waistband of his jeans, trying to relight any other form of emotion from Riggs than anger.
I hear the low growl as he swoops me up in his arms and I let out a loud, shrill giggle as I circle my legs around his waist before he pushes me against the hay bale.
“Don’t you worry about that Wildflower,” he winks before his lips are on mine.
* * *
I stand leaningover the paddock fence as I watch Austin readying the girls for the stallions.
“Wanna help?” he asks as he passes one of the mares to Harlow and she smiles at him.
“No thanks,” I smile but on the inside fear is consuming me whole.
“I could really do with some help,” he pleads but I shake my head from side to side.
“Fine,” he rolls his eyes before focusing back on the one he has always had a thing for. My old best friend. Harlow Ballerini.
They have a quiet conversation between the both of them, I squint slightly as the low sun rises a little higher and I push my sunglasses onto my face so I can continue watching them. The stolen glances, the small giggles that erupt between them and the odd finger brushing.
I’m not watching them long when I see Harlow walking towards me. A slither of a smile graces my lips as she leans over the fence on the opposite side.
“Hey,” she beams and she is honestly like a ray of sunshine.
“Hey,” I half laugh then look behind her to see Austin standing just staring at us both.
“I feel like we need a girls’ night, it’s been so long and well, after everything I would really like to spend an evening with you if that’s okay?” she asks sweetly and I sigh.
“That would be lovely, I’ve missed you.” I admit and I see her smile widen.
“I’ve missed you more,” she lowers her glasses for a moment and I can see the sincerity in her eyes.
“It’s a date then?”
“Oh yes, Friday next week? The Boot?”
“Yeah, why break the habit of a lifetime,” a laugh bubbles out of me.
“Okay,” she nods, pushing her hands into her back pockets, “and we could really do with some help, so if you’re feeling brave you’ll have to help out ‘cause in a few months there will hopefully be some beautiful foals prancing round your meadows,” she looks over her shoulder at Austin, her shoulders instantly relaxing as she does.
“Yeah maybe,” I mutter, rolling my lips as I do. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to help the way they all want me to.
“See ya later,” she throws me a wink, pushing her glasses up her nose then heads back towards Austin.
I hold my hand up and turn my back on them, walking into the house and spend the rest of the day typing all the words, whilst Butch is out exploring with my mom. He definitely has a new favorite.
Before I know it, Monday evening is drawing in and I am standing in my bedroom trying to work out what I want to wear. I know this isn’t a real date, but it sure as hell feels like one.
I’m not even sure how fancy this restaurant is, it’s been a hot minute since I had been taken out for dinner in these small towns. I was used to all the well-known restaurants in LA where there was a certain dress code.
Tightening my grip on my towel when I hear a knock on my bedroom door, I step towards it and swing it open to see Mom standing there.
