Page 161 of Ride the Sky

“I want this,” he says, voice choked. “I want us.”

“Me, too.” I cup his strong jaw, stare into those bright-blue eyes. “I don’t want to get divorced.”

Something—relief, love—breaks in his face.

“Thank fuck,” he growls then slams his mouth to mine.

“Wyatt,” I moan, my lips muffled by his.

“Baby, I know,” he rasps, his tongue stroking over mine.

Need this man.

Love this man.

Now if only I could fucking stop lying. To myself. To him.

I’ve never hated myself more.

His hands slip into my hair, and I’m already unzipping his jeans.

A crackle on the two-way radio pulls us apart. Charlie’s frantic voice sounds over the speakers. “I can’t find Ruby. I can’t find my wife.”

We come in hot, all of us congregating in front of the barn. Three horses are tied to the fence.

Charlie’s pale beneath his beard. Pacing. I’m by his side in a flash. Fallon follows me with wide, worried eyes.

“What happened?” I ask.

All eyes land on Charlie.

“She was upset about the baby,” he says, tearing a hand through his dark hair. “Wouldn’t stop talkin’ about tryin’ herself, and I put my foot down. We argued. She was upset. When I got back this afternoon from town, she was gone.” His eyes close. “She ain’t pickin’ up her phone.”

Fallon and Dakota glance at each other.

I can see my brother’s fighting to stay calm. Blaming himself for Ruby taking off.

“Is her horse here?” Davis asks, looking toward the barn. Reese has her phone to her ear, most likely trying Ruby’s number.

Wild-eyed, Charlie nods. “Yeah. Winslow’s still there.”

“Keep it together,” Ford advises. “Fairy Tale just wouldn’t take off,” he says, but even he looks worried.

I arch an eyebrow at Charlie. “You sure you’ve hit everything on your bucket list?”

“Fuck you,” he growls.

Glaring, Fallon digs her elbow into my side. “Not helping.”

“Take some horses, some UTVs, and let’s search the ranch. She’s gotta be here.” Davis scans our group. “Ford and Reese, you take the area where the chalets used to be. Me and Charlie will head to the river. Wyatt, take the training grounds. Dakota and Fallon, you stay at the lodge in case she comes back.” His hand goes to his hip. “Keep your radios on. Keep us updated.”

Everyone disperses.

Fallon and I reach for Pepita’s reins at the same time.

“No,” I order. “Stay put.” What the fuck she thinks she’s doing is beyond me.

“Fuck you, Wyatt,” Fallon blasts, hanging her cane on the fence. “She’s my friend. I’m notnotlooking for her.” Guilt’s etched on Fallon’s beautiful face. She still feels guilty for that dinner. What she said to Ruby.

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