Page 9 of Still A Cowboy
Or maybe needing space to figure out if he even wanted it anymore.
Wild Rose Point was smaller, quieter. But somehow, it spoke to him. He could understand now why Eden had talked about it as if the town itself was some kind of a second chance. Despite the weird curses, the soulmate legends, and the fact that the entire population seemed to run on gossip and coffee, the place felt peaceful. It felt… settled.
The image of Willa popped into his head, sharp and clear. Her green eyes, her quick mouth. That face.
Cal sighed and shook his head. “Well, maybe peaceful and settled’s a stretch.”
He watched the waves roll in, already knowing this town was going to get a lot messier before it got simpler.
Cal pulled out his phone, his thumb hovering over Eden’s name in his contacts. He figured he should at least text her to let her know he was in town. Maybe they could meet for coffee, something simple. Nothing about this trip was supposed to be complicated.
Before he could press the call button, his phone buzzed.
It was a message from Darlene Sanchez, his office manager. She was sharp as a whip, took no nonsense from anyone, and used to ride broncsback in the day. She was the kind of woman you trusted to keep your business standing while you limped away to figure yourself out.
You are not going to believe this.The text from Darlene lit up his screen.The charity bull from the event? He’s gone viral. Internet famous. People are trying to book him for birthday parties.
Cal stared at the message, torn between laughing and cringing.
The phone buzzed again, and a second text rolled in from Darlene.I am now negotiating appearance fees for a bull named Captain Ball Crusher. This is what my life has become.
Cal rubbed his jaw, a slow grin tugging at his mouth. Of course the bull that nearly wrecked his knee was now a star.
Don’t book him for kids’ parties.Cal typed back.He hates balloons.
Darlene’s response came fast.Too late. He has merch now. The T-shirts arrive Thursday.
Cal let out a low laugh, pocketed his phone, and shook his head at the waves rolling in. Maybe walking away from the rodeo circuit wasn’t the disaster he’d made it out to be. At least the bull was enjoying his second act.
He thumbed out a quick text to Eden.Hey, made it to Oregon. Would be good to catch up while I’m here. Let me know.He hit send and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
The words had barely left the screen when a blur of white came hurtling toward his head. Theseagull screeched like it had a personal vendetta, wings flapping wild, aiming straight for his face.
“Seriously?” Cal ducked, moving fast, stepping sideways across the damp sand. The bird circled back for another pass.
Cal waved his arms. “Back off. Go find a French fry.”
The gull let out another angry cry and veered away, swooping low toward someone farther down the beach.
That’s when he saw her.
Willa, jogging along the shoreline, earbuds in, head down, lost in her own rhythm. She had on black leggings, a worn zip-up sweatshirt, and her hair was pulled into a loose braid that bounced with every step.
Cal’s stomach tightened, and it had nothing to do with the gull.
The bird locked onto her as if it had a score to settle.
“Hey!” Cal called out, already limping toward her. “Watch out!”
She didn’t hear him.
The seagull divebombed, close enough that she finally noticed the incoming feathery menace. Willa let out a startled yelp, swatting at it as she stumbled sideways in the sand.
Cal pushed his pace, trying to reach her. His knee gave a sharp warning, but he didn’t slow down.
“Duck!” he shouted.
She turned toward his voice just as the bird swooped again.
