Page 2 of Cheyenne

While Cheyenne knew that was true, part of her resented it. She could take care of herself. Not only that, but she could have fun to boot.

Determination burned inside her. She would be fine, she decided.

Cheyenne dropped her bag on the floor and headed through the little kitchen to open the sliding glass door, giving her a clear view of the beach. The warm breeze was inviting. Unable to stop herself, she took off her tennis shoes and socks and moved out onto the little deck that had a cute swing. Then she ran out onto the beach and laughed. She rushed to the ocean and dipped her feet into the chilly tide.

She laughed again, relishing the knowledge that she wasn’t back in Montana or Wyoming. Her brothers would freak if they knew she was alone. How could she get out of telling them?

Her phone buzzed. It was Porter. Think of the devil, and he shall call. It was impossible to avoid talking with him, so she pressed accept. “Hello.”

“Hey, so did you get there?”

“Yep.”

“And Samantha got there?”

Ugh. She wanted to lie to him, even though that felt childish and petty. But she couldn’t. “Uh, no. Unfortunately, her grandmother is having problems, so she couldn’t come.”

“What?”

She spoke faster as she walked out onto the beach, noticing a handful of families and couples lounging on the sand. “I’m fine. One of the reasons you felt good about me coming to South Port was because it’s safe.”

“It is safe, but you need someone there with you.”

“I’m fine.” It was almost six in the evening. She thought about Samantha and again felt a little sad. They had picked out this condo so they wouldn’t be in the main area of spring breakers. They could enjoy the quiet and fun of the beach without all the crowds. They had wanted to explore, hit the main beaches and enjoy a volleyball game or try to crash some barbecue, but they also wanted time to read and maybe meet acute guy. “I’ll still do some things I want to do, even if I do them by myself.”

Porter sighed. “Just come to the ranch. Play with all the kids. All of us are concerned about you. I’ll get you a ticket home and pick you up in Cody when your plane gets here.” She could imagine him sitting at the big desk in what used to be her father’s old office, shifting uncomfortably in the chair.

“Porter, no.”

He said something else, but she didn’t hear it. She’d spotted someone walking toward her—a barefoot guy in jeans and a white shirt. Adrenaline spiked through her, and she realized it was Eli, the guy she’d almost married. Her heart raced as she remembered turning down his proposal over a year ago.

“Chey … I’m looking at tickets now.”

She turned slightly away from him and focused on her brother. “Porter, I’m staying here for the week. Deal with it. I’m almost twenty-two and graduating this year, remember?”

“That doesn’t matter to me.”

Her heart thumped. “Do. Not. Book. That. Ticket.”

He sighed.

“I’m getting off the phone.”

“I’m sending someone to check on you. The Stones are out of town this week, and I’m nervous.”

“Donotsend anyone to check on me.”

“Can’t make that promise.”

Cheyenne turned back to her almost fiancé, who looked dang good in this moment. He was standing about ten feet away from her, giving her some space.

“Cheyenne,” Porter said.

“What?”

“You wouldn’t be down there to look into the gold, right? Because you know Nash’s lead in Florida went cold and it’s been almost a year and a half since we’ve found anything.”

She knew her face was turning red, and she was thankful Porter wasn’t here to see it. “No. I told you Samantha and I just wanted a good place to go for spring break, and it seems like everyone in our family and their dog has been to South Port except me. It’s my turn to check out this beach town.”

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