Page 121 of Huckleberry Hill
When I got back to the living room, Declan was off the phone, his expression furrowed.
“Bad news?” I asked, taking a seat next to him.
“No. Not bad news. Bowman got a brand deal.”
“And you’re not happy for him?” I pressed my fingers to his wrinkled brow and sank my fingers into his hair. He turned his head and kissed my wrist.
“No, I’m extremely happy for him.” He fell silent.
“So what’s the issue?” I placed my hands in my lap.
“The brand—a coffee company—is looking for other riders to sponsor. Bowman floated my name and there was . . . interest.”
“Interest.”
“Yeah. A lot of interest, actually. I’m only a few months off the circuit and my name still rings out. I left at the top, Hadley. He said they’d be calling me to discuss an offer.”
“Oh. Oh wow,” I murmured.
He took a deep breath. “I’m going to say no.”
“Because you’re retired?” I asked.
“Yeah, because I’m retired. That’s not the life I want anymore.” He looked at me, his gaze steady. “Doesn’t matter how much money they throw at me.”
“When are they supposed to call you?” I asked quietly.
“Next few days, probably.”
“Don’t tell them no,” I said. “Not right away. Give yourself time to think about it.”
“I don’t need time to think about it.” He cupped my cheek in his hand. “I already know what I want.”
His voice turned husky, and my insides melted.
“How much longer do we have on that slow cooker?” I asked.
“About twenty minutes.”
I stood slowly, his hand dropping from my cheek. “Better make the most of the time.”
He shot up from the couch, a huge smile on his face. “I can be efficient.”
I placed my thumb on his lips. “Oh yeah?”
“With twenty minutes I bet I can make you come three times.”
I dropped my finger and stepped back. “You love a good challenge, don’t you?”
He laughed. “This isn’t a challenge, sweetheart. This is just a warmup.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The Ranch
* * *
“Declan and I are going on a ride tonight and we’re going to camp near the hot spring,” I said to Muddy the next morning.
