Page 32 of Unforgettable Cowboy
Edna beamed.“That would be wonderful.If you’re truly interested, I can see that you get updates as she progresses.”
“I’d like that,” Bailey said, which resulted in her filling out a much shorter form.
“Keep in mind that if you do decide to adopt, Storm will need a permanent home for several months before you take her on the road.Stability is key.”
“We can see to that,” Hayes said.Bailey somehow managed not to give him a sharp look, which might have blown the reassuring effect his words had on now-smiling Edna.Hayes was going to help her out.It almost felt like they were going to be parents together.
Fine.She could handle being dog parents.It was simply a matter of one friend giving another a hand.
“Did you honestly know you wanted a dog when we left the ranch?”she asked as they exited the facility.She wasn’t yet ready to bring up his easy assurance that Storm could stay on his ranch for the stability period.Or perhaps he’d simply assumed that Bailey was going to return to the homestead after her season ended.Was she?
She hadn’t thought that far ahead.There were tons of places where she could park and live between rodeos.But the homestead was free.
“I’ve been thinking about getting a dog for a while now.I couldn’t have a pet on the Buckhorn, but I’m not there anymore, so it feels like the right time.”
“Did you quit the Buckhorn to take care of Wade?”
“I did, but the day was coming no matter what.”When Bailey slid him a curious look, he said, “The Buckhorn might look like a ranch on the outside, it’s a corporate monstrosity on the inside.”
“How’d you come to work there in the first place?”
“Lack of better options.That’s the downside of pro rodeo.You train year-round, so it’s hard to build the skills for a real job.But, thanks to Wade, I know ranching, and I did well there.Until it sold.”
“Then?”
“Not so well.”
“Very clarifying.”Bailey made a face at him before climbing into the cab of the truck.
Hayes got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.He put the truck in gear and turned onto the surprisingly empty highway before saying, “Let’s just say common sense practices went out the window once the new managers with no ranching experience took over.”
“That sounds awful.”
“They dressed funny, too.”
Bailey laughed and their gazes connected in a way that made her remember the times when they’d been so at ease with one another.When things had felt right.
You’re older now.No more starry eyes of youth.Most importantly, Hayes seemed to be on the same page.
So why do you still feel low-key threatened?
Because she didn’t trust herself not to fall for this gorgeous cowboy again?
The thought hit her hard as she stared through the windshield, watching the lines on the road disappear under the front of the truck.She wasn’t doing that.They could be friends.They could be more…but she was not going to change her life.
She pulled in a breath and a sense of calm came over her.She was the one pulling the strings of her own life.No one else.She shot Hayes a sideways glance, saw that he was lost in his own thoughts, then focused back on the road as they approached the Marietta city limits.As he’d said before, communication was key.
They weren’t kids anymore.
But she also wasn’t going to let him know that the old fears she had before were raising their ugly heads.
*
Marietta was notthe place to buy wireless headphones.Bailey had a feeling Hayes knew that going in but had hoped for an easier solution than online ordering or traveling to Costco in Bozeman.Their last stop was Big Z’s Hardware store, which carried a nice mix of everything from cookware to nuts and bolts.Hayes was immediately shot down by a helpful employee but decided to mitigate his losses by replenishing the fencing supplies that Bailey had burned through that month.
They were in the checkout line, both carrying a heavy basket of various screws and staples when a man eased up behind them.Bailey’s grip unconsciously tightened on the basket as he moved just a little too close to her.
“It’s been a while.”The voice was familiar and charming and made the hairs stand up on the back of her neck.
