Page 6 of Duke
Didn’t know what to expect when Mollie told us she was bringing her business partner to visit the ranch. I think I speak for all of us Riverses when I say Mollie Luck surprised us. We worried she’d be a spoiled brat who’d sell the ranch to the highest bidder. But she turned out to be a deeply kind, incredibly intelligent human who’s about to become my sister-in-law.
Wild the way life works.
Also wild that Wheeler—who clearly comes from money and is well educated—is so fucking good at darts, despite this initial hiccup.
Doesn’t add up.
Shedoesn’t add up.
Not understanding her feels like an exciting challenge. I like the idea of stretching my wings and being able to explore who she is. What turns her on.
Nice to be on my own for a minute without one of my brothers interrupting me.
I love my family, don’t get me wrong. But sometimes I feel trapped in my role as “rancher’s son” or “one of the Rivers boys.” Being part of our family comes with expectations that I’m not sure really fit. I try to be a good brother. Good cowboy. Upstanding member of the community. But that doesn’t leave a lot of time for exploration. For doing something different, something that’s better suited to my interests. My personality.
Wheeler’s form is flawless. Strategy is solid. Makes me wanna pick her brain, then take her home so I can fuck her senseless.
“Where’d you learn to play?” I pluck the trio of brass-tipped darts off the board.
“I fooled around with darts back in college. I needed some money to get Bellamy Brooks off the ground, and gambling seemed like the most fun way to make it.” Wheeler lifts a shoulder, her Shiner in hand. “I only recently started playing on a regular basis again, though. There’s this great little bar around the corner from my place in Dallas that I go to a couple times a week. Darts are good stress relief.”
“What’re you stressed about? Work?” I hand her the darts.
The playfulness in her expression dims. Just for half a heartbeat. Just long enough for me to know I’ve hit on a sore spot.
I’d know, because I’m plenty sore myself. Losing your parents at fourteen will do that to a body.
“Work. Yeah.” Her fingers linger on mine a little longer this time when she grabs the darts. “But now that Mollie’s got all the ranch stuff figured out or mostly figured out anyway, I’m hoping we’ll be on the upswing.”
I sip my beer as I watch Wheeler hit the tiny ring around the bullseye. She lets out a yelp of delight, throwing up her hands.
“See? All cowgirl.”
She glances at me over her shoulder. “How so?”
“You got knocked down, but you sure as hell ain’t staying down, are you?”
Wheeler narrows her eyes. “You lay it on thick, you know that?”
“Can you blame me?” I sip my beer and glance around the bar. “It’s always the same people hanging out in the same places around here. Nice to meet someone new.”
I’m happy that Cash found his person. No one deserves happiness more than he does. Not gonna lie, though, I’m jealoushe nabbed the only new person to come to Hartsville in what feels like forever.
Really, I’m jealous he has an excuse to get out of town. Mollie and Wheeler’s business is still based in Dallas, where the rich ladies who buy their boots live. No one in Hartsville is going to buy a pair of thousand-dollar boots.
I wouldn’t say I’m a wannabe city boy. It’s just hard not to feel suffocated sometimes by a life as small as mine often feels. I also wouldn’t say I’m a playboy like Wyatt, but I do love to get out. Have some fun and work off some of this restless energy I got.
Maybe I can convince Cash we need to get away somewhere for his bachelor party. New Orleans, maybe, or Austin.
Reading my mind, Wheeler replies, “Grass isn’t always greener. Especially when the grass is in Dallas.”
Easy for you to say.
“Why boots?” I ask.
Her arm hinges at the elbow as she lines up her shot. “Why cowboying?”
“It’s what I was born into.” I shrug. “I like it just fine.”
