Page 30 of Head Over Spurs

Riley raised his eyebrows at her in surprise. “Why did you need stitches?”

“Anything to get the shot,” she offered with a shrug, as if that was explanation enough.

She leaned towards the group and started in about themisadventure, and he couldn’t help but think about how well she fit. Here at his side, but also with these people. This place.

It was as if she had been here for far longer, naturally falling into their lives. Was it like that everywhere she went? Was that part of her success as a traveling photographer—her ability to make people feel connected to her in such a short time?

He wanted it to be about more than her skill at her job. He wanted her to feel connected to him, to the ranch, as well. And as she leaned back against him, using him as a support in a fit of laughter, it felt like maybe he’d get what he wanted.

Deep in his gut, a flicker of hope ignited.

15

JULES

If there was one thing she missed when traveling to more remote areas, it was a coffee shop that offered lavender lattes. She didn’t ever turn down a classic tin cup of black coffee, but being able to step inside the chic white brick café of West & Honey was a delight on a morning off.

The sound of steam whistling from the chrome machine behind the counter was music to her ears. She stepped up to the counter, a smile stretching across her face as the barista recognized her.

“Hello dear, what brings you in on a weekday?” she asked, already reaching for a medium cup to make her usual. Because she already managed to have a usual here. The fact sent warmth blossoming through her chest.

Leaning on the counter across from the dark-haired woman, she replied, “I am hanging around town until the body shop opens. I get to pick up my car today.”

“Did you have a big problem?”

She expertly poured the warm, frothy beverage into the cup, making a leaf like pattern across the top before depositing awhite lid atop the cup and holding it out to Jules. Trading the cup for her debit card, Jules took a sip before responding. It burned her lips as it passed through them, but she was too impatient to care.

“It sounded like it was a serious issue when the mechanic described what parts and fixes were needed. But he got it done in no time, and for next to nothing.”

A knowing hum escaped the barista as she swiped the card and passed it back. “Well that makes sense. You probably got the friends and family discount.”

“Why would I get that?” She furrowed her brow.

“I saw you with Riley Walker at the rodeo the other day. And you know our local auto expert is his cousin. Right?”

She blinked back in response. No. She was not aware of that little fact. It made sense though, this had to have been one of the first times in history a part for a vintage car cost less than a run of the mill one. He didn’t try to upsell her anything else additional, which was her traditional experience as a woman.

“That’s interesting, I didn’t know they were related,” she replied. With another sip, she wiggled the fingers on her free hand in goodbye.

It sounded like she had a stop to make after getting her car this morning.

Riley

“I’m not actually convinced that you have a home. Do you ever leave this barn?”

He turned to find Coop leaning in the doorway of the tack room, a beer in hand and backwards baseball cap tamping down his mullet. Based on his smirk, he was clearly amused by himself.

“I work here,” Riley replied with a chuckle.

“I got up around four this morning to take a piss, saw your headlights right out my window. That’s early even for you. And now you’restillworking?”

“Had to be here earlier to get everything done on my own this morning. I’m just wrapping up,” Riley replied, crossing the room to meet him.

The truth was that he needed to dosomethingafter another week with Jules. Lying in bed at night, he was tortured by every moment that replayed in his mind. Since last weekend, he had slept restlessly, remembering the way she had smiled at him out at the sanctuary, so full of joy, so open and free. The way she had let her walls down for him just a hair at the bonfire.

It was becoming clear that his plan of not letting her into his heart again was failing. Miserably. A trainwreck up in flames. He knew the moment his chest swelled at her beaming, freckled face. She was working her way back in, filling the cracks from the last year with hope. And not just cracks left by her quick departure from his life. Being back at Blue Sky Sanctuary, sharing that important part of himself with her, it was like a small spark igniting in him once again. An ember of the passion he used to have for life.

“By yourself? No Jules today?”

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