Page 24 of New in Town

They stop at a knock ‘em down game and Grey successfully topples the metal milk bottles over on all three of his turns. She does not. But as a consolation, he has her pick the prize from the booth. Without hesitation, she selects the spotted dog and says to him, “reminds me of Pippa.” His heart stutters at the smile on her face.

They walk until they reach the end of the game alley, food booths lining the path around them once again. “Are you brave enough to eat before the rides?” he asks.

“If I throw up, I’ll just make sure I direct it towards you and away from my new boots.”

He lets out a full laugh and pauses realizing there are a few people watching him. He doesn’t laugh in public, not like that. He’d forgotten they were there for a moment. Like it is just the two of them, alone at his cottage once again. They select their food, an array of fried things from corndogs to Oreos, and take a seat.

“Tell me about life as top cowboy,” she says as she takes her first bite.

“I’m actually taking on some more things right now. Trying to find a balance between my preference of being somewhere on my horse out of people’s business, and having to put myself in the center of the business.”

“Does that mean you’re the point man and new team lead? Laurel told me Floyd is retiring.”

“He’ll never fully retire. It’s not just a job, being a rancher. It’s a way of life. The team lead role though, yeah. Tentatively. I haven’t agreed fully yet.”

“Why not?”

He mules over his answer. “Well, I’m not one for being in the center of things. I love the land, the animals, the peace that comes from the wide open. I don’t want the responsibility of everyone else to take away from any of that. And frankly, I think Brett may have too much confidence in me.”

“I can respect that, it’s probably not for everyone. But the way people react to you around this town, it seems like you’ve already made a name for yourself at that ranch. Maybe you already carry more responsibility than you think. And, by being in charge, you can make sure the land and animals are taken care of like they should be. Protect the peace for yourself, too.”

When she says it like that, it seems so simple. Maybe it can be the right move for him. He takes a bite of corndog and directs the conversation towards her, pushing away the buzz of adrenaline he’s getting from sitting idly in public like this. “Tell me about the move from Denver, what do you miss and not miss?”

“I miss my best friend, and my mom.”

He nods in understanding as she continues.

“I don’t miss being another nameless face in the crowd. People might not trust me here yet, but they know me. And I don’t miss the city. Turns out, I like the wide open, too.”

Hope swells in his chest hearing this. “There’s plenty more wide open I can show you.”

“I’d love that.”

The promise hangs in the air, a step towards more time spent just the two of them. Grey clears his throat in an attempt to clear his thoughts from what he would want to do when alone with her. Things he has no right thinking since this isn’t a real date.

“Ready for some rides?” he asks, crumbling up the red and white checkered paper that held his food. She offers him some of her lemonade and he takes a generous gulp before handing it back for her to finish off.

The sun has dropped low enough in the sky that the vendors and rides have turned on their lights. Bright rainbow fills the darkness. The place is a kaleidoscope of color around them, and as he looks over at Maddie, her eyes sparkle in the glow.

Moving across the carnival to the rides, the first one they come to has a bright red sign that readsScrambler. He isn’t sure what that ride is, but he can see that nothing flips or drops. They climb into the last available car just as the ride starts to move. It’s slow at first, as it spins around the central arm and juts them out and in. Then it starts to gain speed. He’s happy with his choice when the force presses their bodies together, her hair blowing into his face. It smells like wildflowers, and he wonders why he didn’t insist on rides all night to keep her this close.

When the ride ends, he notices one of her dress straps has fallen once again. He reaches over and slides it up her shoulder, dragging his fingers slowly as he goes. She turns towards him, pressing into his touch. Her breathing hitches as his fingers move across her. He can’t help but touch this woman, she’s absolutely intoxicating.

“You getting out, Grey?”

He looks up to see Riley, a fellow Hayes Ranch cowboy. The grin on his friend’s face is smug as he opens the door to the cart and steps to the side for them to exit. He liked Riley plenty, before this moment. Instead of getting in the now empty car though, Riley follows them outside the ride gate.

“I thought you wanted to ride?” Grey asks him.

Riley is practically bouncing with glee beside them. “No, I just came over when I saw you, man. And who’s this?”

Maddie extends her hand to him, “I’m Maddie.”

“Riley, I work for Grey here. Maddie—then you’re the new vet?”

“I am,” she says as Riley looks back and forth between them, a knowing look in his eyes.

“Soyou’rethe reason people have been talking about Grey’s sudden presence in town.”

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