Page 55 of Live, Ranch, Love

Because that’s what friends do, right?

We go on pretending like I’m not currently rubbing his leg and continue eating our chilli.

There’s a smirk on Malia’s face though as she continues. “Yes, I was quite surprised to hear about your new British girlfriend who,” she turns to her husband as Wyatt and I freeze with mouths full of food, “what was the phrase?”

Beau clears his throat. “Climbs him like a tree.”

Mine and Wyatt’s eyes meet, widen, and then we’re both choking on our food, coughing back the shock. But also, the hilarity of it—because I can just imagine how pinched Holly’s face must have been when she said that.

Cherry’s absolutely beside herself with laughter, tears already streaming down her face. She holds her hands up, barely getting an apology out for how loudly she cackled, trying to compose herself.

The whole time, Wyatt’s just looked at me, biting back a grin that I bet his family doesn’t see often. He coughs once more, taking a sip of his drink to help. “Well—”

“That’s my fault, sorry to disappoint you. I just thought it might make Holly stop parading her man around and finally leave Wyatt alone.” I give Malia and Beau a nervous smile. “I also definitely did not climb him like a tree.”

Wyatt rubs his face with a muffled groan.

“Oh no,” Cherry mumbles quietly next to me. “You just stuck your tongue down—ow! Wyatt, don’t kick me!”

To be fair, even I heard the thud under the table. That must have hurt.

“Wyatt, don’t kick your sister.” Malia gives him a tap on the arm, causing him to pout like a massive baby and shoot daggers at Cherry. She sticks her tongue out in response, whilst I struggle to hold back my smile at how heart-warmingly childish they are, despite being grown adults. Even Beau shakes his head and laughs before we settle back into a content quiet.

But then he has to go and ruin it all by saying, “Maybe if you’d gone to law school like Easton, it wouldn’t be him that she’s parading around.”

The whole room goes still. A cloud passes over the setting sun in perfect timing, its shadow bleeding through the windows. The silence makes my skin prickle, but it’s the way I can feel Wyatt buzzing from here that worries me.

He lets out a long breath, then carries on eating, as if nothing was said. I don’t get why he isn’t saying something back.

Unless he’s too worn down already by it.

I slide my foot under the table to try and stroke his leg again, but he’s moved them back so I can’t reach. He won’t even look at me now. My whole body aches to be able to touch him, to hold him, to tell him that I’d do anything to get to parade him around to everyone I know.

Because, God, he’s so fucking perfect.

Even if I’ve been trying to deny it.

Aside from the fact that he might be the hottest guy I’ve ever met with his messy black curls and those dark, soul-reaching eyes, he also makes me smile so much my cheeks are constantly aching.

And I’ve never known anyone to care so much before. About everything. The ranch, the animals, his family, his friends... me. He literally pours every inch of himself into the work he does and the way he tries to be a good person for those around him. Without ever asking for much back. He deserves so much more than feeling like a disappointment.

God, I feel like there’s fire burning in my bones. I didn’t expect to be so protective of him. So easily riled up by Beau’s words.

“Beau.” Malia glares at him. “Not tonight, not when Wyatt and Rory have cooked us such a lovely meal.” She turns a gentle smile back onto me which I struggle to return.

Beau sighs, shaking his head. “I’m just saying, he can’t still get upset that she chose someone else. Come on, Malia, it’s not like you go around showing off how I work for pennies on Jack’s ranch. We both know there’s nothing to brag about there.”

Malia just presses her lips together. Cherry sighs and digs her spoon around in her leftover chilli. Auntie Grace would never have dreamt of letting such a conversation play out in her house.

So, neither will I.

I suddenly stand, my chair scraping loudly, and say, “If you’re going to carry on talking like that, Beau, then I’m going to have to ask you to leave. We don’t put people down in this house.”

Everyone just blinks at me, stunned. Honestly, I’m shocked at myself too. I’m not normally this fiery, but right now I’m seeing red.

So, I just smile and start clearing up, stacking Cherry’s bowl on mine, along with her cutlery. I place it on the counter behind us and head back to the table.

“Excuse me?” Beau raises his brows, running a hand over his moustache.

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