Page 6 of Hard Bred

From the far end of the table, Claire clears her throat and speaks up. “That one’s from me,” she says with a smile. “I thought you might use it to jot down things about the ranch or maybe sketch a little—just something for yourself.”

Her thoughtfulness catches me off guard. It’s a simple gift, but it feels extra personal, like she sees something in me that others don’t.

Before I can fully process the moment, the server appears with a candle-laden cake, and the room erupts into singingHappy Birthday.

Later, as I’m driving away from the restaurant, I spot Claire walking down the sidewalk on her own. Eagle Falls isn’t exactly dangerous at night, but my protective instinct kicks in anyway. Before I can think too much about it, I pull over, rolling down my window.

“Hey,” I call out. “Let me give you a ride home.”

She turns, surprise on her face. “Oh, no, that’s okay. I don’t want to trouble you.”

“It’s no trouble,” I say. “Come on, it’s late. Hop in.”

She smiles at me, then climbs into the passenger seat. The cab of the truck suddenly feels smaller and warmer with her in it. The scent of her shampoo shouldn’t be so alluring, yet I find myself taking a deeper breath, drawn in by its sweetness.

“That was a nice celebration, wasn’t it?” she says, clicking her seatbelt into place.

I make a low noise of affirmation.

She’s quiet for a moment, then asks curiously, “Do you have any favorite birthday memories from when you were a kid?”

I’m hesitant at first, but then I find myself sharing. “Once, when I was seven or eight, my dad took me fishing, just the two of us. Caught the biggest trout I’d ever seen. My dad convinced me it was a world record, and for a while, I actually thought it was.”

Claire laughs, the golden sound filling the space between us. “That’s sweet. For me, it was my tenth birthday. My grandmother baked me thisridiculouscake—three tiers covered in sprinkles. It was lopsided and the frosting was a mess, but it was the best cake I’ve ever had.”

“Nice.”

Claire shifts, turning to face me a little more. “So, any big plans for the rest of the night? Wait, let me guess. You’re going to eat all that leftover birthday cake, aren’t you?”

“Nah, probably just turn in early. What about you?”

“Nothing too exciting. Just heading to my shift at the strip club.”

I nearly choke, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “What?”

Claire bursts into laughter, and I feel like an idiot for taking her seriously. Jesus Christ.

“I can’t believe you fell for that,” she says. Then, after a pause, she adds, “I haven’t worked there inyears.”

This time, I’m ready. A low laugh escapes my throat as I shake my head.

“What?” Claire says, giving me a serious look. “What’s so funny, Brady?”

But even she can’t hold her poker face for more than a few seconds.

When we reach her place, Claire gives me a warm goodnight. “Thanks for the ride, Brady. And happy birthday, again.”

I watch her disappear inside, the porch light casting a warm glow on her retreating figure. On the drive back to the ranch, my thoughts churn, endlessly replaying moments from the night—her smile, the hug she gave me at the restaurant, the way she looked holding the baby.

It’s the last thing I should be focusing on, but I can’t shake it.

When I arrive at the ranch and step inside my house, the place feels colder and emptier than usual. The silence is oppressive after the noise and warmth of the party. I change and get ready for bed, my movements mechanical, my mind elsewhere.

Alone in bed, I lay there with Claire still on my mind. It takes fucking forever to fall asleep, and when I do, it’s anything but peaceful. My dreams are hot and vivid, overflowing with images too obscene to name.

I wake with a start, sheets tangled around my legs, my heart pounding. The last dream lingers, fragments of it pulsing through my mind—Claire’s needful whispers, her slow and sensual touch, the heat of her body pressed against mine. I situp, running a hand over my face, trying to shake off the residual heat of the dream.

But as I sit there in the dark, my breath audible, I know I’m in trouble.

---