Page 1 of Chasin' Cole

Chapter 1 – The Blisterin’ Summer Heat

There's nothin' worse than the Oklahoma heat in the middle of summer. It's muggy and sweaty andgross. I wipe the back of my hand across my forehead, removing the beads of sweat collectin' there.

"Guess we're in for another hot day," I tell Sundance, the grey and white-spotted appaloosa standin' beneath me. She's a smaller horse, a little over 14 hands, but she's good with cattle. She's not so great with long trail rides. We're workin' on it.

She was a gift from my dad. Myrealdad. Biological Dad? I'm still new to this. I spent the first 17 years of my life thinkin' Rowdy Young was my father. He was a good and decent man. Well, until he got Brock's fiancée pregnant. Brock's my older brother, but that's another story for another time.

Anyway, when Mama finally told me the truth, I think I was relieved. Oh, and a little angry. But Sundance helped soften the blow when Howard Linton—that's my real dad—asked us to move in with him three years ago. He said we wasted enough time being apart and he didn't want to waste any more.

It was all a little fast for me. Mama on the other hand? She had her suitcase packed before she put our hobby farm on the market. She never smiled much when I was growin' up, but the moment she ran into Howard's arms, she hasn't really stopped.

True love makes things better, I suppose.

My life was turned upside down for a long time after that. I think it still is, but I'm adjustin'. That's the thing about being a Young—er a Linton? AYoung-Linton?

Whatever I am, I'mtough.

You have to be if you want to survive life in a small town. Just ask my sister-in-law, Lacey. Every corner is full of people just waitin' to gossip. I think they mean well, they're just bored. And boredom makes people talk. Especially about their neighbors.

The sun continues to beat down on me as Sundance trots along the dirt path. It's the same one Brock and I used to race down every summer to cool off. There's a cold-water spring at the end of the trail.

Cole, Brock's best friend, used to come with us when he wasn't busy filming videos. He was always into that sort of stuff. That's probably why he became a filmmaker. Documentaries, mainly. Last I heard, he was in Alaska filming some project. He may be a big shot outside of this town, but in it? He's just Cole Strickland, the kid who used to tip cows with Brock when they were teenagers.

Sundance slows as we seek shelter from the blisterin' heat beneath the tall Sycamore trees. I close my eyes, listening to the sound of the cicadas buzzin' close by. The sound rattles off the trees and earth before fading into the background. Nature has its own symphonies. Like the creek trickling along the smooth river rocks and Sundance's hooves pounding against the hard ground.

Up ahead, there's crystal clear water just waitin' for me to jump into it. The perfect remedy for a hot day.

I hop off Sundance and grab the reins, pulling her along with me. I loop the leather strap around a branch before slippin' out of my cowboy boots and pulling my shirt over my head. I glance around quickly, checking to see if anyone's close by. This part of the creek borders Brock's ranch. The chances of seeing anyone is non-existent.

Still, I look around just to be sure.

In record time, I have my jeans off and I'm stepping carefully over the slippery rocks to in only my bra and underwear.

A sigh of relief escapes the moment I sink my toes into the brisk, frigid water. I wade deeper, keepin' a watchful eye on the line of trees bordering the rocky creek bed. Sometimes, Brock and Lacey bring my niece, Annabeth, here to swim. But they don't usually come down this early in the day.

The water only comes up to my waist, so I kneel, feeling my body cool instantly as I submerge myself beneath the sparkling surface. Cold water runs over my shoulders and my long, blond hair. I close my eyes and breathe in.

"Looks like we have a trespasser," I hear behind me.

My cheeks heat before I turn around in the water, covering my chest with my arms.

"You've got to be kiddin' me," I roll my eyes. "What are you doing here, Cole?"

Cole Strickland.Brock's best friend.

Dark eyes, the color of charcoal, meet mine. He's breathtakingly handsome, but I'd never admit that out loud.

Cole crosses his arms over his chest, the white T-shirt he's wearing stretching across his toned muscles. I use every ounce of willpower to look away. He's always been cute, but today, he's gorgeous. Maybe he always has been, but I've been too busy tryin' to keep up with him and Brock to notice.

"I didn't know you still came down here," he ignores my question, and peers up and down the dirt path. "Not much has changed around here, has it?" Sundance lets out a snort of disbelief. I try to hide the smile on my face as Cole's dark head swings in her direction. "You don't believe me?" he asks my horse.

"What are you doing here?" I try again.

Cole notices my shirt and jeans hanging on Sundance's saddle.

"Please tell me you're not skinny dipping," Cole groans.

"What if I am?" I challenge. "Would you leave then?"

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