Page 71 of Wildest Forever

“I actually don't have a phone,” I shrug a shoulder up and she blinks at me.

“How do you communicate?” she laughs softly.

“I just head to where I need to go, if the person I need to speak to is there, great... if not, well, I’ll go back. I've never been out of this town; everyone I need is here.”

Silence crackles.

“What about your husband... does he have a phone?”

My eyes widen.

“Dusty isn't my husband,” I laugh, looking at the man who is like my brother and he laughs back.

“No?”

“No, my husband owns Rivera Ranch,” not exactly the truth but also not technically a lie.

“Riggs?” Nate eyes me and I roll my lips.

“Pacey, the youngest brother.”

“Ohhh, the Sheriff,” James nods a knowing nod.

“Yes, the Sheriff,” my cheeks turn pink.

“Riggs popped up a couple of days ago, think he has met my friend Titus,” his lips twitch into a smirk

“Yeah, I am sure Riggs made himself well known when he saw the moving trucks roll in,” I laugh, Barley lifting her head, ears turned forward.“This is a nice place you have here, glad it's finally got a family living in it, it's been empty for so long,” I sigh and glance over my shoulder.

“I had my eye on it for a while, and like I said, my grandparents used to live in Blossom Cove way back when, and when it finally came up on the market I knew I wanted to make it into a horse rescue and well, it seemed like the perfect spot.”

A blissful sigh leaves her as she smiles into the distance.

“I think you made the right choice.” I admit, finally letting my eyes drift back to her.

“Me too,” Nate steps close and Tanner throws his arms around his mom's neck, kissing her on the cheek.

“Anyway.” I falter back and foot my stirrup to climb into the saddle and Dusty follows. “It was nice to meet y’all,” I tilt my head down at her, fingers pinching the cowboy hat.

“Right back at you,” she winks. “And about that coffee, how does Friday work?”

“Friday, one, Sunny's?” I ask.

“Sounds perfect, can I bring my friend?” her head tilts and her eyes glisten in the sunshine.

“The more the merrier,” I lower my chin before turning Barley and kicking her on, a soft trot forming as Dusty catches me up.

“They seem nice,” he says as we approach the top of the drive.

“Yeah, they do, don't they,” I smile, looking at him as we make our way back home for lunch.

My heart flutters in my chest when I see Pacey's truck parked up front. I know it's only been a few hours, but those hours feel like days.

Slowing Barley I lead her to the stable and untack her before putting her into her stall. She makes a move for the fresh hay, and I stand and watch her for just a moment longer.

Turning, I make my way towards the house. Letting myself through the door, I kick my boots off and sigh in relief. It's been a long morning, and I am so ready to have a hot bath and climb into bed.

But I still have more work to do.

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