Page 31 of Wilder Heart

“Yes, sir,” Billy groused, glaring at the dying fire.

Unwilling to stay and argue another moment when he’d much rather be basking in Wilder’s bright mood, he turned on his booted heel and strode away.

He found Wilder and Blaze in the barn together. He’d already removed the tack and saddle and was now brushing Blaze’s sleek, golden fur, which was a shade darker with sweat. Wilder was speaking in low tones, his mouth curved into a soft smile. Blaze’s liquid black eyes tracked his movement right up until Cash appeared in his line of sight. Then his ears went back and he lifted his head, always uncertain about anyone who wasn’t Wilder.

“Hey,” he said as he approached, not wanting to catch Wilder by surprise. He didn’t imagine the man would like being snuck up on, even accidentally.

Wilder turned the full force of that smile toward him. “Did you see him? He was amazing.Damn, he’s fast.”

I saw you, he wanted to say.

“Blew your hat right off your head,” he said instead. Mindful of Blaze tied beside them, he eased closer and dropped Wilder’s hat on his head.

Wilder chuckled, reaching up to adjust it. “He did so great. Took direction from me when needed, but he just wanted togo. It was incredible.”

“I think you’ll be able to ride him when we move the cattle, don’t you?”

“Definitely. I think he’ll love it. Not just the running but having a purpose, too. I think he’ll like having a job to do. He’s so smart. Being in that paddock all day with nothing to do makes him restless.”

“Why don’t we move him into the field with the other horses, then? I think he’s learned his place well enough by now. He comes to you when he sees you, so we won’t have to catch him amongst the others like we did before.”

Wilder’s face softened. “I think he’d like that. Can we do that tonight? I’m almost finished up here.”

“Of course. You finish up with him. I’ll put the gear away and then walk with y’all.”

He beamed. “Thanks, Cash.”

Cash slung the bridle over his shoulder and picked up the saddle and saddle pad from the sawhorse. By the time he returned from the tack room, Wilder had Blaze on a simple lead. Warmth bloomed in Cash at the sight of him, lean and long-legged and silhouetted in the hazy light spilling through the barn doors. He’d waited for him, and he dared to hope that Wilder liked the time they spent together as much as he did.

When they emerged from the barn, Cash glanced over at the fire pit. It seemed that everyone had cleared out in his absence. Someone had put the wire mesh lid on the fire, and the dying embers sent lazy curls of smoke wafting into the air. Several of the bunkhouse windows glowed with light from within, and the night around them was quiet.

Neither of them spoke. Words weren’t needed. Their shoulders brushed, and Blaze’s hooves were the only accompanying sound as they walked to the neighboring field. They would be stabled at night during the winter months, but in mild weather like tonight, they could stay in the pasture all night. There was a small barn inside the fence that was open onone wall for the horses to go into if they needed to seek shelter, but most of them rarely did even if it rained.

Cash opened the gate for Wilder to lead Blaze inside. For safety, he latched it shut while Wilder unclipped the lead from his halter. Some of the other horses had noticed them and were wandering over. They all knew the staff of Blackwood Ranch and that human visitors usually meant food or treats. As soon as he was free of the lead, Blaze trotted out into the field to greet them. They’d spent some time together before Blaze was moved into the smaller paddock for training, so Cash wasn’t worried about them not getting along.

He opened the gate again to let Wilder out, but neither of them seemed in a hurry to leave, watching as Blaze was surrounded by the other horses for thorough inspection after his time away.

Wilder chuckled. “He’ll probably like being back with the others.”

“I hope so.” Cash glanced over. Wilder was awash in the starlight, looking more like a god than a man. A god of freedom with a golden steed, as limitless as the sky. “Hey.”

Wilder turned to look at him, brows lifting curiously.

“You want to go somewhere?”

His lips parted. “With you?”

Heat danced across Cash’s skin. “Well, yeah.”

Wilder turned bodily to face him, his body language opening like a flower blooming in the sun. “Uh, yeah, sure.”

“Great. Meet me by the fire pit, okay? I’ll grab my truck and pick you up there.”

“Okay.”

Cash bit his lip as he turned away to hide his smile. Maybe this was stupid. Maybe Wilder would think he was crazy for going to this effort for him. Maybe Cash would look back on this night and regret putting himself out there. But he liked Wilder,liked spending time with him and coaxing those beautiful smiles to his face. He’d been alone for a long time, and he wanted totry.

He grabbed the Twinkies and a blanket from his room, tossed both into the backseat of his ancient pickup, and guided it around the bunkhouse. His heart pounded nervously in his chest, and his palms were sweaty on the steering wheel as his headlights beamed across Wilder’s figure, waiting by the fire pit just like they agreed. He jogged around the truck and climbed into the passenger seat.

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