Page 5

CHLOE

T oday was getting more and more bizarre. I couldn’t believe I went from dreaming about Hunter to him showing up at King’s Ranch.

I didn’t want to ruin the amazing night we had by finding something out about him that disappointed me. I wanted that weekend to live on in my thoughts as one of the best weekends of my life.

I mentally smacked myself as I walked to the big house. I was having dinner with the girls tonight. We were going over wedding details and relaxing. It was nice to feel like part of the group, but I knew that wasn’t truly the case. I was probably only invited because they wanted to talk about the wedding, or maybe because I was Jessie’s niece. It didn’t bother me. I had my girlfriends in town who were going to stop by this weekend.

I stepped into the mudroom of the Kingston mansion and took off my boots.

“Hello?” I called, my voice echoing around the large foyer.

“In here,” someone called. I followed where I thought the yell had come from and ended up in a crowded kitchen. Everyone was gathered around the kitchen island, sitting on a variety of bar stools I assumed were collected from around the house.

“You’re here,” Jessie yelled. Apparently I had missed the first round of drinks. I smiled and hugged my aunt, then a few of the other women. Victoria and Blake had their arms full. The tiny babies cooed as they rocked in their mothers’ arms.

“Didn’t you have twins?” I asked Tori, searching for the other one.

“She’s sound asleep in the other room. Her brother, on the other hand, does not want to go to bed.” She looked down affectionately at the little boy. “But that’s okay. Neither does Melanie over here.” She tilted her head at Blake, who was swaying back and forth on her feet.

I smiled. Baby fever was far from my mind, but it was adorable seeing them like this. I had to wonder how much the men got to be with their babies when they worked such long and odd hours. I knew a lot of the men who worked here since they grew up in town, but I had never imagined them being fathers.

As if on cue, Andrew and Gavin walked in. “All right ladies, hand over the babies,” Andrew said, coming to Tori and kissing her on the temple. He scooped his son into his arms and nuzzled his head. “Caleb is grabbing little Samuel from the other room.” Tori nodded and brushed her lips against Andrew’s in a tender kiss.

“We’ve got it from here. We have enough bottles ready at home. Stay out as late as you want, but text me.” Gavin grabbed Melanie from Blake and held her against his chest. “Have a good night.”

It really was a sight to see Andrew and Gavin all googly-eyed for their women and their children. I’d known them all my life, and it was like I’d stepped into an alternate reality.

I used to fawn over the twins growing up. Even in high school, I had a crush on them. They weren’t much older than me but were Gavin’s kid brothers, so I saw them all the time. Now that my crushes had faded, they were more like my older brothers.

Once Gavin and Andrew left with the babies, Alex opened the fridge and produced a pitcher of something red. “Sangria, anyone?”

We laughed and accepted a glass, except for the mothers. As if knowing she was needed, Mrs. Roberts, the Kingston housekeeper, came in and made a mocktail for them. If I ended up having more than one drink, I might just have one of those myself.

Mrs. Roberts then opened the oven, and mouthwatering smells wafted through the kitchen. It was Jessie’s night off, so Mrs. Roberts was cooking.

“How’s Matt’s studying going along?” Alex asked. “You guys actually studying or just making out like high schoolers?”

I rolled my eyes and shot her a knowing grin.

“What about Hunter?” Abbey tilted her head, acting all innocent.

“What do you mean what about Hunter ? She’s with Matt,” Blake said.

“But this is Chloe .” Abbey gestured toward me with a flourish.

Blake continued to give her a blank stare, and I cursed my fair complexion as my cheeks heated.

“The one Hunter has been talking about…” Abbey looked at me meaningfully.

Well shit. Who else knew?

“No way.” Grace gasped. Her eyes were wide, almost like she was seeing me for the first time.

“Right? Hunter is crazy about her.” I didn’t have to guess how Abbey knew. Ranches were like small towns; eventually, the gossip reached everyone, and right now, I was the focus.

“But she’s with Matt,” Jessie chimed in, her brow creased.

“True, but I think she’d be so cute with Hunter and Kyle,” Tori gushed.

Jessie’s eyes zeroed in on me. “What’s going on?”

My hands fluttered before me. I wasn’t even sure what was going on. Who was Kyle?

“Well, Hunter and I…” I trailed off, not sure how to finish, but clearly my lack of words didn’t make it hard for Jessie to figure it out.

“New York,” she whispered in disbelief.

I nodded.

“Aww, Kyle. He’s been wanting to find someone to settle down with for a long time.” Grace put her hand over her heart.

“I know. Chloe and Kyle will be so good together.” Tori fanned herself, on the verge of tears.

“But she and Matt are so perfect together,” Blake said, focusing her attention on me.

My mind raced, trying to catch up with their rapid-fire conversation. I wasn’t sure who was on Team Matt or Team Hunter. And what did this Kyle person have to do with any of it?

I waved my hands in the air. “Woah, woah, woah. Who the hell is Kyle?” I asked, glancing around at everyone.

“What do you mean? Kyle is Hunter’s other half.” Grace’s eyebrows knitted together.

“Other half? Like he has a twin or is he a boyfriend?” Either one was news to me. Hunter never mentioned having a brother or that he was in a committed relationship. Jealously tore at me at even thinking he was with someone else, which was ridiculous since I was with Matt.

“He and Kyle are a package. They want a Cosland relationship with a woman,” Alex explained.

I couldn’t stop my jaw from dropping open and staying there.

“Not any woman. You .” Abbey tipped her glass.

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest. “ What ?”

“You have anything stronger than sangria, Alex? I think she might need it.” Blake’s voice was slowly drowned out by the blood rushing through my ears.

How had Hunter not told me about this? I had Matt getting jealous over Hunter. Hunter wanted to start seeing me. And now a third person was in the mix?

“Drink.” Mrs. Roberts set a glass of water in front of me. I took a few swallows, allowing the cool liquid to distract me from my thoughts. Once the glass was finished, she picked it up and replaced it with a shot glass filled with amber liquid.

My head snapped up, and she smiled warmly. “You get one. Enough to calm you but not enough to inhibit your thinking.” Her Cosland accent washed over me, and I immediately started to feel my muscles unwind. I didn’t need the alcohol, but I took the shot, feeling the burn all the way down.

“Better?” she asked, taking the glass from me.

“Much. Thank you.” I let out a breath. I needed to think. This was all too much.

Mrs. Roberts slipped behind the counter to finish preparing dinner. The warmth from the whiskey made its way through my body. She was right; it had calmed me enough to think.

The room was unnaturally silent. I looked up to everyone staring at me. “What?”

“Are you okay?” Jessie’s face was pinched with concern. I knew all about the Cosland relationships. Jessie was in one, for crying out loud, but I hadn’t thought about having one myself. I mean, I sort of did when I had a crush on the twins—especially when I envisioned having both of them—but never realized what that meant until now.

I wanted Matt. I could feel us getting closer, and my feelings for him were getting stronger every day. I’d been getting the feeling he would say he wanted more with me.

But now that I’ve seen Hunter again, having him was a possibility, and I craved more of the one night we had. The connection, the conversation, the passion… It was different than what I had with Matt. Matt felt like home. He was my rock, my confidant, my cheerleader. It felt like he knew my body, mind, and soul.

Hunter was new. We were just starting to get to know each other, while Matt and I had known each other for years. But Hunter and I had this connection from the very first time we locked eyes across the room.

Could I see myself with both of them?

Yes, I could.

Matt and Hunter were so different. But it sounded like Hunter had already decided to share a woman with Kyle. How would that work?

“What are you going to do?” Alex’s voice was full of concern.

“I don’t know. I never really gave Hunter a chance when I left, but Matt and I are more serious now than we were before.”

“What did Matt say when you told him about Hunter?” Jessie rubbed a hand over my upper back.

“I haven’t really had a chance to talk to him about it. I feel so shitty. I never expected to see Hunter again. I really like Matt, but I also really like Hunter.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll figure it out. I know you will. They’ll understand no matter how it ends up.”

I leaned into Jessie, absorbing her comforting warmth.

“Oooh, just think about it. Chloe could have three men.” Grace slapped her hand down on the counter.

“I can barely keep up with my two,” Tori snorted.

“Same,” the rest of the girls echoed.

“How would that work?” My head skipped over a bunch of questions and went straight to the details.

“Honey, that’s for you to discover together.” Jessie held up her glass.

“And then tell us all the juicy details on the next girls’ night,” Tori added, clinking her glass with Jessie’s.

“But what if Kyle doesn’t like me?” What would that mean for me and Kyle? I didn’t want to lose Hunter because Kyle and I didn’t fit. What if Matt didn’t accept sharing? He’s never once mentioned wanting a Cosland relationship. I couldn’t lose Matt. My heart beat like a kickdrum in my chest.

“He’ll love you, sweetie. But whatever happens, you’ll figure it out.” Tori’s eyes were full of sympathy. She was right—it was something I’d have to figure out.

We ended up eating dinner and chatting until after midnight when Thomas and Declan finally kicked us all out so they could have their bride to themselves. I texted Matt that I was going back to my room instead of sneaking into bed with him. I told myself it was because I didn’t want to wake him at such a late hour when I knew he had to be up early to work.

But I knew the real reason: I was afraid to talk to him about Hunter. Afraid of what it meant for us. I wasn’t ready to let him go, but I also wanted to explore whatever this was. And then there was another man who fit into this mix, and I didn’t even know how I’d feel about him.

I had no idea what I was going to do.

The next morning, I woke with my alarm. I had a ride today, and I couldn’t afford to miss it. Matt had carved out time in his schedule to take me on the tour. Ryder and Jason were tagging along like annoying friends did, which worked in my favor. I needed all the help I could get with pinning down a location. Declan, Thomas, and Alex had already searched, but they couldn’t agree on a spot.

We hoped a new set of eyes would help.

I threw on a pair of jeans, a tank, and tossed my hair in a ponytail. My shower would have to wait until I got home, so I lathered on deodorant and headed to the mudroom for my boots.

“Going for a ride today?” Stefan called from the kitchen.

“Yep. Declan said to start at the empty cattle pastures and work my way from there. Any thoughts?” I slid one foot in and peered up to see Stefan holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a travel mug in the other.

I quickly slid my other boot on and accepted the travel mug, inhaling the delicious steam and taking a big sip. “Thanks. I needed that.”

“I figured. I know how late you got in last night,” he smiled. Of course he did; it was the same time Jessie probably stumbled into bed. While I went for the mocktails, Jessie kept with the sangria.

“What Declan suggested is a good place to start. Those paddocks will be empty right now. Maybe it’s not as scenic as you’d like, but with some added details, they could still work.”

His Cosland accent was so dreamy. I could see how my aunt had fallen for him so fast.

“I’ll tell the guys.” I took another sip of coffee. “And thanks again for this.”

I took the travel mug to the barn, knowing I’d need every drop. I headed to the second barn, where all the workhorses were. Travis had said I could use his horse, Bear. He’d just finished his cattle rotation and wouldn’t need him.

I peered over the stall door and shook my head. Bear had rolled overnight and was a complete mess. I led him into the aisle and cross-tied him. His bedraggled appearance wasn’t going to fly with me.

I’d been in this barn enough to know where the supplies were. I took what I needed and got to work making him presentable. When I’d finished, I fished a mint from my pocket and offered it to him. He happily munched as I combed the last of the shavings from his tail.

I just needed to grab his tack and prepare it for when the boys arrived. I didn’t want to be the last one ready. I popped into the tack room and searched around. In the distance, a door slammed. I glanced at my watch; I still had plenty of time until the guys arrived. It couldn’t be them, so I ignored it.

I found the hook labeled Bear and adjusted the bridle on my shoulder. His saddle would be underneath—assuming that was how the room was set up. I nestled my arm underneath the saddle pad and lifted the back side while grabbing the horn.

“Seriously?” I grunted as I tried to shift the slowly falling saddle higher in my arms. It weighed a ton. How was I going to get this on Bear without toppling over?

Before I could take a step, someone hooked a strong hand underneath the saddle. The weight lifted from my arms, and I could breathe again.

“Thanks,” I said, turning to thank the man who saved me from making a fool of myself.

My breath caught in my chest and heat rushed to my cheeks. The man standing before me with my saddle in his arms was so insanely hot I wanted to fan myself. He was young, although probably a little older than I was. His dirty blond hair fell across his forehead, and I fought the urge to touch it to see if it felt as soft as it appeared.

He was tall enough for me to have to look up at his chiseled face and beautiful hazel eyes. The mysterious stranger, while lean, had well defined arms and was clearly strong.

“No problem. What’re you doing with Travis’s saddle?”

I couldn’t place his accent. He wasn’t from Texas but from somewhere with a drawl. Wherever it was, it was delicious.

“I’m going for a ride on Bear. I was just getting ready to tack up.” I tugged Bear’s bridle onto my shoulder.

“Let me help you.” He placed the saddle on the rack.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to take up your time.” I placed a hand on my hip.

I didn’t think I imagined the heat in his eyes before he shot his gaze at Travis’s tack. “It’s no trouble at all, but I don’t know if his stirrups will shorten enough. Maybe you should use Jessie’s.”

He was probably right. Travis was way taller than me.

“That’s a good idea. Umm….” My eyes moved around the tack room as I tapped my finger on my lips. “Which one is hers?”

He made his way to the opposite corner of the room. He lifted a smaller saddle from the rack and a pad on the hook next to it. “This one.”

I grabbed the pad from his hand. We lugged the tack to Bear, and I hooked the bridle on the wall. “You can just put it on the ground.” I pointed to where I had intended to put the other one to wait until I needed to tack up.

“Are you sure? I can lift it for you.” He set the saddle on a hay bale.

“I’m sure.” I smiled. “Thanks for the help.”

“Of course. I’m Kyle, by the way.”

Oh for the love of all that is holy. This is Kyle?

He offered his hand, and I quickly accepted it, probably pumping our hands up and down a ridiculous amount in my nervousness. He didn’t make things awkward. His large, calloused hand engulfed mine as he held on tight. It was like he didn’t want to let go either. His touch wasn’t as rough as Matt’s, and in some ways, it reminded me of Hunter’s.

The girls had mentioned he was cute, but cute didn’t seem to do his gorgeous face justice.

Trying to act normal, I responded, “Nice to meet you, Kyle. I’m Chloe.”

He squeezed my hand once more before releasing it. I smiled as sweetly as I could.

If this was Hunter’s other half, then I needed to get to know him better before I fully decided what I wanted to do. I’d fallen for plenty of hot guys only for it to end in disaster.

His eyes didn’t show any surprise, so I wondered if he’d known who I was.

“So, Kyle. What do you do around here? Are you another one of the cattle hands?” I leaned my hip against the nearest hay bale.

Bear danced in place, and Kyle smoothed a hand down his neck, calming the gelding. He smiled warmly, and my chest lightened. “I’m actually one of the riders for Team Kingston. I’m Thomas’s rider for Sapphire.”

“You don’t have your own horse?” I didn’t expect someone to be on the team without a horse of their own.

“No.” He stared at the ground for a few seconds, then back at me. I could see the sadness in his eyes. “I…” He stopped to clear his throat.

“You don’t have to explain. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“It’s okay. Most people around here already know, so it’s not a secret.” He cleared his throat again, and I wanted to wrap my arms around him. “I lost my horse in a freak accident when I first arrived. Thomas had Sapphire and was talking about training her. He asked if I’d be her rider. Compete with her.” He lifted a shoulder. I didn’t know how long ago the accident was, but I could tell it still got to him. When we lose someone we love, the pain never goes away.

“I’m sorry. That must have been hard.”

He nodded.

“Do you like riding Sapphire?” I didn’t want to ask anything too personal, but I was curious.

He smiled affectionally. “She’s a dream. We had some bumps in the road, and it took a while for us to get in sync, but I couldn’t ask for a better horse.”

“I’m glad. A horse can be your best friend. Right, Bear?” I patted the gelding on the side, earning a nicker in reply. “I remember when Bear was born. Travis’s family had been breeding quarter horses for generations. Bear was Travis’s graduation present. He raised him and trained him. It was amazing to watch.”

“Do you have one at home?” Kyle asked.

“No. Sadly, I didn’t grow up on a ranch. My grandparents had one, which was where I learned to ride, but I never had a horse of my own.” The corner of my mouth hitched. As much as I loved being at my grandparents’ place, I wished we could’ve had a horse growing up at home.

“Do you think you’ll get one someday?”

“That all depends on where I end up. Right now, I’m living in New York City. Not really a horse kind of place.”

“True. Well, I hope one day you do have one of your own.” The door at the end opened, and I could make out a few people coming inside.

“Yo, Kyle,” Ryder yelled. “Nice job this weekend. I heard you scored the guys into second place.” Ryder clapped Kyle on the shoulder.

If I hadn’t turned back to Kyle in time, I would have missed the pink that tinted his cheeks before he shook it off. “Thanks. It was a team effort.”

Ryder turned to me. “You ready to go?”

“Just waiting on you guys.”

“Well, tack up. Let’s get going.” He poked me in the ribs and winked. I rolled my eyes and grabbed the saddle pad. Sliding it into place, I turned to grab the saddle, but Kyle already had it and swung it over.

“Thanks.” He was so close I smelled cedarwood.

“Do you need help with anything else?” He gave Bear’s shoulder a pat.

“I think I’ve got it from here.”

“Okay. Have a good ride.” He went into the tack room and emerged with a bottle of water, tucking it into the carrier on the saddle. “Don’t forget to hydrate.”

My chest squeezed. Kyle was so sweet. We’d just met, and he was already watching out for me. He took off toward the other end of the barn, and I admired his toned backside. He wore riding pants and not jeans, and I now had a new appreciation for them. Jeans could fit a guy really well, but riding pants left nothing to the imagination.

I turned to catch Matt watching me. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw ticked. Was he jealous of Kyle? I needed to sit down and talk to Matt about everything, but I literally just met Kyle.

I let out a sigh and finished tacking up. I had to get focused on the goal for today—find a location. Not the fact that I was attracted to three men on this ranch.

Matt came up beside me and stroked Bear’s face. “You ready?” His tone was rougher than usual.

I nodded. “Let’s go.”