Page 45 of Smokin' Situation

“I’m gonna head back to the cabin to change. You wanna come with me?”

She looked adorably rumpled as she sat upright, her hair an absolute disaster. The covers slipped to her waist, and I held back a groan at how sexy she looked, determined to get things done today.

“I don’t have anything I can wear in a barn,” she replied between yawns. “Or underwear.”

“There’s some riding gear in the tack room I can set you up with.” It kind of blew my mind that some guests just left behind boots and jeans at the ranch because they didn’t use them in their daily lives. But since Rhey only had the clothing she’d been wearing yesterday, I was thankful for the easy access. “But you won’t hear me complaining about the lack of panties.”

I’d have to take her into town for essentials eventually, but I was kind of enjoying staying insulated in our little bubble for now. If we showed up in town together, the gossip train would inevitably start monitoring our every move. While I didn’t want to hide her, I also didn’t want to share her just yet. Especially with my mother and aunt being some of the worst gossips in town.

Thelingeringsmokefromthe day before had mostly cleared, making it easier to breathe outside. Today was going to be a scorcher, the sun high overhead while we walked hand in hand down the trail that led to my cabin. Rhey had found something a little more ranch hand friendly during our barn excursion with the help of a belt on an oversized pair of Wrangler jeans.

“When do you need to go back to work?” I asked, secretly hoping she wasn’t needed so I could keep her to myself for a while longer. Not that I was opposed to taking up residence at the bar to keep her company. I knew she wouldn’t need me there for protection, because she could handle her own, but I wasn’t ready to let her out of my sight just yet.

“I’m not sure. Charley told me she could help cover my shifts, but I don’t want to take advantage.”

“Sweetheart, you’ve had a shitty few days, take the time to reset if they’re offering it.”

“Yeah,” she sighed, leaning her head against my shoulder as we walked. “I know, but honestly, the distraction might be good. Too much alone time and I know I’ll start dwelling on all the things I’m gonna have to do over the next few months.”

“Even more of a reason to prioritize some time away from everything.”

“I probably need to talk to Reese today. We need to call the insurance company. I wonder if they’ll have opened the roads back up, and…”

Squeezing her hand, I stopped, leaning my head to the side so I could make eye contact. “It’s gonna be a few days, maybe even a few weeks, before they let you up there. Even if they’ve got the fire mostly contained, crews are going to need to assess the safety of the roads before they let anyone but emergency personnel past those barricades.”

“But I know how to…”

“Rhey, no more off-road adventures. I don’t care what shortcuts you think you know. That area isn’t safe right now. I promise once I hear something, I’ll drive you up there myself, but right now, filing insurance reports can wait.”

“I don’t even know where I’m going to live,” she whispered, and I tugged her into my chest, holding her tight.

“I know. I know this is hard, and there are so many unknowns right now, but there are enough people in this town who love you that you’re not gonna have to worry about that stuff.” She sniffled, nodding against my shirt. “I’d love for you to stay with me, sans panties, if you want, for as long as you need.”Or indefinitely.

Pulling back, she swiped at the tears on her cheeks, scanning my face. “Living together already, you sure you’re not gonna get sick of me?”

“Sweetheart, who says I’m not already?” I joked. “You’re kind of a handful.”

Her eyes narrowed, but a small laugh escaped her lips, so I knew I’d done my job of distracting her.

“Fine. I’ll just go live with Baker and Reese,” she taunted, but we both knew that was the last thing she wanted to do. Especially if her sister and her arch nemesis ended up banging like I thought they might with all the built-up tension.

“Might wanna invest in some earplugs, then. Cause whether they’re fighting or fucking, that apartment of his is not big.”

She sighed loudly, “Looks like I’m on my own.”

Not if I fucking had anything to say about it.

Her somber mood seemed to lift once I’d led her inside my new home. It wasn’t huge, and definitely needed some work, but it was mine as long as I was at the ranch. And when I came back out of the bedroom after changing into fresh clothes, the sight of her on my couch, with a paperback open on her lap, just seemed natural. Like that beat up old leather sofa was just waiting for her.

“Can I use your phone before we leave?” she asked, seeming hesitant. “I need to talk to Reese, but I can see if I can use the one at the lodge if you don’t—”

“You don’t need to ask,” I responded, cutting her off. Picking up the device from the coffee table, I extended it toward her. “Whenever you need it, feel free. We can stop while we’re in town to get you a new phone.”

There was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes when she took it, and I wondered if there was something deeper to her hesitation.

She slipped out the front door and settled into the lone rocking chair with my phone pressed to her ear. I was taken aback by how much I wanted more of her. I had told her she could stay here for as long as she wanted, which appeared to be a temporary offer, but I couldn’t imagine her presence here as casual. Although, I hoped I wouldn’t be left disappointed if she didn’t feel the same way.

I’d never lived with a woman before, and I knew our schedules would rarely align, however, I couldn’t deny how normal and natural it felt coming “home” to her and curling myself around her last night.

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