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Chapter 5

Gavin

Ashleywouldbebetteroff riding out the storm in her fancy SUV than in her dad’s cabin.

And I would be a lot better off if I could stop thinking about her.

But I can’t.

I finish plating the eggs, bacon, and toast that I made for myself and Cade, setting both of our portions on the table. He’s bent over in the fridge and comes out holding a jug of orange juice. I make a final trip to bring the carafe of coffee before sitting at the table.

And still, Ashley’s golden eyes staring at me with such hope and longing are the only thing on my mind.

Something tells me she didn’t go to scout out the cabin in advance, and she’s just decided to put herself in harm’s way for a reason that isn’t clear to me.

In addition to the elements, it won’t take most people around town too long to figure out exactly where she is. The cabin has been sitting there abandoned, but it hasn’t been forgotten.

She’ll be secluded in the middle of nowhere.

And while I’d like to think that no one would actually physically hurt her, losing money and being made to look like a fool does something to a person.

A lot of people want revenge. They say out of sight, out of mind, but now she’s back and everyone knows it.

Jesus.

The girl is not my problem, not anymore.

I never should have let her kiss me, let alone kissed her back.

Touched her.

Let myself feel and remember again.

“I could get used to this treatment,” Cade says. “You’re like my second wife.”

He’s sitting across from me at the kitchen table in my new place. We recently renovated one of the outbuildings on the ranch to turn it into a separate house for me.

Bobby and I were both living with our folks in the main house until he met Savanna. Since they had to make their fake relationship look legit, Bobby constructed his own place on the property so Savanna could move in with him.

And that’s when all the pretending turned real.

When Bobby decided to “move out,” I figured it was finally time for me to do the same, even though I’m in the main house with my folks a lot.

We were raised with a very strong family culture full of hugs, laughter, and lots of “I love yous.” Some things never change.

“Next time, I’m coming to your house,” I return. “But get Victory to cook because I don’t want burnt toast for breakfast.”

Cade is a large animal veterinarian and he stopped by my place before starting his work day, a ritual that we try to do at least once a week.

Life gets busy, but you make time for the people who are important to you no matter what else you have going on. Health and relationships with loved ones are really all that matter in life, and I never put either one on the back burner.

“You’ve got everything all set here now?” Cade asks, stuffing bacon into his mouth.

The storm is expected to hit hard overnight and, for the first time, I’m starting to believe it will happen and isn’t a mass exaggeration.

I’ve lived in Montana my whole life and can recognize the smallest changes in the air and sky. A snowstorm is coming, but whether it will be record-breaking or not remains to be seen.

I nod but finish chewing some scrambled eggs before elaborating. “We’re right on track. All the pregnant cows will be seconded inside the barns by noon at the latest. Are you guys still going to ride out the storm here?”