Page 22 of Drive Me Wilde

"What an ordeal you must have gone through." Her phone beeps. "And speaking of ordeals, it's going to be lunch hour at the shop. I've got to help Nev. Help yourself to whatever you like in the fridge." Kinsley looks at her phone and cheers. "Yippee, Nev said it's not that busy today, so she doesn't need me. We can spend some time together." She claps. "Let's go to the ranch."

"The ranch?" It takes me a second to understand. "You mean the Wilde ranch?"

"The only ranch I know of in a fifty-mile radius and probably past that too. I wouldn't know because I rarely leave my tiny three-mile circle here in Rockhurst. What do you say? Zander invited us. I haven't been out there in ages."

"Maybe I'll just hang out here and rest. I'm still kind of tired."

Kinsley reaches over and grabs my hand. "No way. You're coming. He said the twins are back in town, and there's nothing finer than Ronan and Colin Wilde on horseback." She put on her puppy dog eyes. "Please. It's been so boring around here, and you've been all snooty and ignoring me while you were in the city." I know Kinsley well enough to know she won't stop begging until I say yes.

"Jameson will be there with Rio. Zander is giving her riding lessons," Kinsley adds.

"That is not the selling point you think it is. Jameson and I left on sort of rough terms this morning. I feel bad about it because he took me in last night, but—" I shake my head and realize how disappointed I am about the way things ended this morning. "We just went right back to our old ways—always angry at each other. Something about the man just raises my hackles. I get instantly defensive."

Kinsley is not working very hard to hold back a grin.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing. Let's just say I think there's a lot more layers between you two than either of you see. But us outsiders can see them plain and clear."

"That is about the most riddle-laden comment I've ever heard."

"Come on. I bought the cutest straw cowboy hat for country music night at the Gold Rush, and I'm dying to wear it."

"So, this is more about a cute hat than a visit to the ranch," I tease. Before she can start up again, I nod. "All right. A short trip to the ranch. I need to visit the cemetery when we get back. It's been too long since I stopped by Dad's grave."

"Think I'll pull on some cowboy boots too." Kinsley practically skips out of the room.

I slather on sunblock, and Kinsley finds me a cap to wear. It isn't nearly as cute as her cowboy hat, but it's better than nothing. The sun is hot today, and though I haven't been there in years, there was always a lack of shade at the ranch.

Kinsley's small car wobbles side-to-side as it shambles up the gravel road to the ranch. The big farmhouse, a beautiful log cabin, looms into view, and seeing it takes me straight back to my teens. Suddenly, I miss Weston. I pick up my phone and take a photo of the house to send him later. My brother still doesn't know about the sharp turn my life has taken.

"Memories, eh?" Kinsley says, echoing my thoughts exactly.

"We did have some good times up here. It was like a teenager playground with absolutely no supervision. Sometimes, Nate's mom, Stevie, would come out and tell us not to race tractors or jump out of the hayloft, but for the most part it was a nonstopcarnival. Weston broke his arm twice hanging out here with the brothers."

"Seems like someone was always getting hurt. You could always count on exciting chaos when the Wilde boys were around." Kinsley looks up into the rearview to check the tilt of her hat.

"And trouble," I say as we reach the barn area. Jameson is holding onto a dirt bike, and Rio is straddling it, lowering herself down over the handlebars like she's racing.

"Forgot about the Founders' Day disaster," Kinsley says quietly. "I still remember them on those dirt bikes, causing complete havoc in the parade."

"Yeah, havoc is a good word for it. Disaster too." Seeing Jameson makes me consider staying in the car. I'm definitely regretting my decision to tag along. This morning's bitter words are still fresh in my head.

Kinsley practically flies out of the car. I, on the other hand, trudge behind. Rio spots us first. "Hey, look at me!" She lifts her hands off the handlebars and slips sideways. Jameson catches her and sets her back on the seat with an admonishment we can't quite hear.

Now that Rio has pointed out our arrival, there's no turning back. Jameson's gaze falls directly on me, then we both look away. This morning's argument seems stupid considering we're both adults.

Rio turns to her dad. "Can we start it?"

"Told you that wasn't going to happen. Honestly, it probably doesn't even work right now."

Zander steps out from the shed. He's carrying a helmet. "Actually, I've been working on the bikes. Got bored a few weeks back and decided to get them back in shape for a little racing."

Rio takes her hands off the handlebars to clap. This time Jameson is ready. He catches her before she slips. She turnsto her dad with a pleading look. I knew that look well, and it worked wonders on my own dad. "Please, Dad. Can Zander give me a ride? He's even got a helmet."

Zander grins at Jameson as the helmet dangles off his finger.

"Fine, but go slow," he tells his brother.

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