Page 1 of Born Wild
PROLOGUE
TIM
1977 in Wilder Valley, Arizona
I don’t know what I expected to feel walking out of my final class of high school, but it’s not this. All around me the mood is full of excitement and possibility. But not for me. My feet drag as classmates pass by, racing to the parking lot in a cacophony of laughter and chatter.
I don’t know what has me filled with this touch of melancholy. I wasn’t a particularly good student. I’ll be relieved to never again fumble my way through a week of homework.
The thing is, I’ve never quite fit in here; I’m more comfortable working on the ranch than in a classroom. Still, I’m not quite ready to embrace this next phase of my future. Mostly because it means I won’t get to see her every day.
Cassie Higgins—the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on. Kind and sweet. Smart and patient. And totally out of my league. I glance across the courtyard, looking for her. I can’t help it; whenever I’m on campus, my eyes search for her.
My shoulders sag when I don’t find her in the crowd. Not that I’d go up and talk to her if I saw her. She’s always been polite, especially when we were paired up in science last quarter, but she’s got a line of prospective suiters—all cooler and much more outgoing than me.
I shake my head, annoyed at myself for not having the gall to talk to her more when I had the chance.
I pick up my pace and lift my chin when I spot my older brother leaning against the ‘64 Ford F-Series truck that used to be his. The morning he asked if I’d go with him to check out a used Camaro down in Payson. So like old times, he dropped me off at school, and is now picking me up today.
My brother nods with a slight smile, taking a long drag from his cigarette before tossing it to the ground and grinding it into the dirt with the heel of his boot. “Hey, Smarty-pants! How’s it feel to be done with this place?”
I refrain from rolling my eyes. “Same as I felt this morning.”
“Forever grumpy.” He chuckles and shakes his head. “You ever gonna do something fun?” Bob is almost eight years my senior, and was the type of student who never missed out on a good time. He spent his high school years popular, our town’s favorite football star, and married the captain of the cheer team a year after graduation to start a family. He’s basically everything I’m not. We couldn’t be more opposite, but he’s my best friend and closest confidant.
“Maybe.” I shrug, joining him to lean against the truck and scan the lot once more.
“Maybe?” He shoves my shoulder. “You’re graduating, little brother! You’ve gotta celebrate that shit.”
Graduation doesn’t mean much to me—not in the way it might for some folks. Sure, I’m proud of the work I’ve done here, but my future is already sealed. I’ll work for my father until the day he passes our family ranch on to my older brother, and then I’ll work for Bob and his children, carrying on the family legacy. I love the ranch, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. We have a good life—better than most in this town. But sometimes I wish I weren’t the second son. Bob got all the charisma, and one day he’ll own the ranch. I’d do anything for him, but I’ll forever be in his shadow.
“Do you need me to buy you a case of beer?” Bob asks.
“For what?”
“The bonfire down by the creek.” His brow furrows. “Don’t tell me someone ended that tradition?”
Oh, that. “No. It’s still goin’.”
“But you’re allergic to fun?” he teases.
“Probably,” I scoff, fighting back a grin. I’m too embarrassed to admit I don’t want to commit to going unless Cassie’s gonna be there.
As if my thoughts conjure her presence, the woman who’s unknowingly captured my heart appears around the corner.
Cassie walks alongside her best friend, her head tipping back and the corners of her eyes crinkling as joyful laughter escapes her perfect lips. Her chestnut brown hair falls around her face, the sunlight highlighting the lighter strands. She’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen in real life, but that’s not the only reason I harbor a secret crush.
Cassie and I have gone to school together for the better part of ten years, and in that time I’ve probably said less than ten words to her. Not because I don’t want to; quite the opposite. This girl makes me more nervous than most, and that’s really saying something. Yet I think her laugh is my favorite sound in the whole world.
Our eyes lock and my feet fill with invisible lead, holding me in place as my breath catches in my chest.
She walks closer, keeping pace with her friends, and my throat closes up like it does every time I’m in her presence. To be fair, I don’t have a lot of experience talking to pretty women. I’m not a big talker as it is. But the universe must hate me, because I’m especially bad at conversation when she’s involved.
“Hi, Tim.” Cassie smiles, lifting her hand in a wave as she passes by.
“Hi,” I manage to say before she walks past us.
Bob chuckles, drawing my gaze back to him. “Just ask her out already.”
