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Page 27 of Huckleberry Hill (Saddles & Spurs #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

The Ranch

“So we kinda have a bit of a problem,” I said to Declan the moment I walked into the cabin.

He closed the slow cooker lid and came to me. “Hi.”

“Hi.” I looked up and wrapped my arms around his neck and brushed my lips against his.

“So, what’s the problem, bear snack?” Declan asked as he pulled back but didn’t let me go.

“Apparently, Larry, Gracie’s egg delivery guy from Silver Springs, saw us at the bar last night. And he told her about you carting me out of the bar over your shoulder . . .”

I went on to explain the details and then he raised his brows. “Huh.”

“Yeah.”

“So, the problem would be . . .”

“The townsfolk.” I smiled wryly. “People are talking about us.”

“Ah, and you’re upset the cat is out the bag.”

“No, not really. It’s just that my dad doesn’t know yet and I don’t want him coming home and having someone else tell him before I get a chance to.”

“I see,” he murmured, dropping his arms from around my waist.

“So, I think we need to tell him. Or I need to tell him,” I said.

“Actually, I should tell him. Man to man.”

I shook my head. “He’s probably gonna fire you. But if I tell him maybe I can dissuade him. But only if I talk to him before he hears about it from anyone else.”

“No, Hadley. I should tell him. He’ll respect that I wasn’t a coward about it. And if he fires me, so be it.”

“What will you do if he does fire you?” I asked, biting my lip in concern.

“No idea. Maybe Wade will hire me as a part-time bartender.”

“Oh, yes, because you really missed your calling slinging drinks.” I laughed and shook my head. “Maybe Lucy will hire you on as a stock boy at General Merc. I heard you helped her out the other day.”

“You’re hearing all sorts of things,” he said. He took my hand and led me to the couch. “Sit. Put up your feet. I’ll get you a drink.”

“I’d really love a cup of tea,” I said.

“Tea it is. I think I have some Earl Grey.”

“Perfect.”

He moved around the kitchen, filling the copper tea kettle and setting it on the stove.

“So can I run something by you?” he asked.

“Run it.”

“I’ve never seen the hot spring. What do you say we take the horses out tomorrow night, camp out under the stars, and come back in the morning?”

“Night trail ride? Oh yeah, I’m down,” I said. “But it’s still kind of chilly.”

“I’ll make sure you’re warm.”

The way he said it had my blood simmering.

“Can I ask you another question?” he inquired.

“Yes.”

“If you’re worried about someone else telling your dad about us, does that mean there is an us?”

“I guess so, yeah.” My brow furrowed. “Well, that’s weird.”

“What’s weird?”

“Usually when I have anxiety, I get a feeling right here.” I pressed a hand to the spot right below my rib cage. “I don’t have that feeling of an angry rodent burrowing inside my belly.”

“That’s good. We don’t want angry rodent burrowing.” He opened a cabinet. “I lied about having Earl Grey. All I have is English Breakfast.”

“That’s fine. This is so strange.”

“Or you could try not rationalizing every single thing. You could just let it be. You like being with me. I like being with you. We’ll deal with whatever fallout comes because of your dad. But I’m not worried.”

“How can you not be worried? He has a shotgun.”

He looked at me over his shoulder. “Of course he has a shotgun. He’s a rancher.”

“Are you purposefully being obtuse?”

“Yes.” He grinned. “Hadley?”

“What?”

“There’s an us . That makes me really happy.”

“It does?” I asked softly.

“It does.”

I sighed. “This is all happening really fast.”

“I know.”

“I wasn’t supposed to like you.”

“I’m a very likable guy.”

“Too likable,” I groused. “I’m pretty sure the town is going to name you Huckleberry Hill’s Townsperson of the Year.”

“Does it come with a plaque?” he joked.

“Yes.”

“Wait, seriously? I was kidding.”

“I wasn’t,” I said. “You know who the head of the committee is who decides this sort of thing? Lucy.”

“Oh, then I’m so in.” He fixed me the tea, adding a ton of honey, and brought it to me.

We sat next to each other, his arm around my shoulder.

“Your dad finding out about us isn’t the worst thing in the world,” he said. “It means I can finally date you in public. For a while, it seemed like you were embarrassed to be seen with me.”

I laughed. “Yeah right. I never did tell you that I’ve got a weakness for dark-haired cowboys that are the human equivalent of a snickerdoodle. A snickerdoodle that looks diabolical in a pair of jeans.”

“You wanna take some selfies and blast them all over social media? You’re welcome to use my hotness to get back at your ex.”

“Ah, you are the jealous type,” I teased.

“Just when it comes to you, sweetheart. Just when it comes to you.”

This is the moment .

“Declan, we need to?—”

His cell phone vibrated on the coffee table.

He leaned over to see who it was. “It’s Bowman. You mind if I grab this real quick?”

I shook my head, internally breathing a sigh of relief.

“Thanks.”

He grabbed his phone and pressed the screen and put the cell to his ear. “Hey, fuckface.” Declan looked at me, a smile taking over his expression as he set a hand on my thigh. “Just sitting here having a beer with my girl. What’s up?”

My girl .

Would I still be his girl after I told him the truth?

A sick feeling swarmed through my stomach. I set my tea down on the coffee table and gently moved away from his touch so I could get up.

He looked at me in confusion, phone still to his ear.

Bathroom, I mouthed.

Nodding, he turned his attention back to his conversation.

I went to the bathroom and closed the door. Leaning against it, I closed my eyes and tried to calm my churning stomach. I breathed through the nausea and when it passed, I splashed cold water on my cheeks.

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.”