Page 30 of Huckleberry Hill (Saddles & Spurs #1)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The Hot Spring

We finished the food and split the cider. Then we blew out the oil lamp and snuggled down into the sleeping bag, our faces peering up at the sky.

Neither of us said anything, but our hands met underneath the bag and we linked our fingers.

I was a bit tipsy, giddy even; as light as the carbonation in the cider.

“Would you consider the brand deal?” I asked quietly. “Even if we weren’t together?”

He was quiet for a moment and then he replied, “When I was younger, it was all I wanted. Big brand deals, flashy clothes . . . a ton of money.”

“Buckle bunnies throwing themselves at you?” I teased. “Oh, wait, I’m pretty sure that part already happened.”

“I’m a gentleman, and a gentleman never kisses and tells,” he stated.

“Uh-huh, I’m so right.”

He pulled our linked fingers closer, forcing me toward him. He extracted his hand, but only so he could put his arm underneath me and cradle me close.

“As I was saying,” he drawled. “That was the dream for a long time.”

“And it stopped being a dream because of the injuries?”

“That was part of it,” he admitted. “But I think I was just tired, you know? Working toward those things. To what end? When I was in my twenties, my priorities were different and that was okay. But I don’t know.

When I got to be about twenty-eight, I started thinking about how I could get out of that life.

The endless cycle of injuries, and the potential that one would be the last .

. . It all felt . . . meaningless, I guess.

It used to be fun, and then one day it wasn’t fun anymore.

I wanted something else. I just didn’t know what something else was. ” He paused. “I envy you, Hadley.”

“Me? You envy me? Why?”

“Because you’ve always known what you wanted. And you didn’t waste time like I did.”

I snorted. “Yeah, I knew what I wanted . . . a home and a family. And then life was like, oh just kidding . You don’t get any of that.”

“You can still have all that. It just might look different than what you expected.”

I was silent for a moment and then asked, “Was your time on the circuit a waste? I mean, it led you to Elk Ridge, but was it worth it?”

“I met you here, so yeah, it was worth it.”

“Would you go back and do it differently?”

“Nah. I don’t believe in regrets. Plus, like you said, it all led me to you.”

I turned toward him and bathed his chin in kisses. “Thirty-two is still young, Declan.”

“Tell that to my body.” He chuckled. “It feels beat to shit. I’ve used it hard.”

“And what a hard body it is,” I teased, but then I sobered. “I understand, though. Hindsight is everything, isn’t it?”

“It really is.”

“I like the idea of not living with regrets. I thought I regretted my move to New York, my relationship with Gianni. I just felt like a colossal failure on all fronts. But if I’d never been dumped by Gianni, I never would’ve wanted to come home. I never would’ve met you.”

“And that would’ve been a real tragedy. Don’t you think?”

“The biggest.” I sighed. “I never wanted a big life. I never had big dreams. And for a while, I let the outside noise from other people make me feel like I was wrong for wanting a simple life. But finding someone who loves you—who really loves you—and making a life with them . . . isn’t that the biggest dream there is? ”

“I think so,” he agreed. “And so many people never get that.”

“Muddy lost my grandfather so many years ago. Dad lost Mom . . . I don’t want . . .”

He hugged me tighter when I didn’t go on.

“We don’t know how long we’ve got on this earth,” he said. “So that’s why we have to live our lives to the fullest.”

I swallowed. “People don’t understand, do they? About losing a parent. You kind of lose your way for a while.”

“Yeah. That can be true. It can really put shit into perspective, you know? About what’s really important.”

I placed my hand on his chest and snuggled my nose against him. He was warm, vibrant. He smelled like the outdoors, like life.

“Make love to me, Declan,” I purred. “Make love to me under the stars and tell me you love me.”

His hand slid down my body to rest at the apex of my thighs. “I’ll do one better. I’ll show you, instead.”

One of the horses nickered, startling me awake. My eyes flipped open into the early dawn, and I attempted to sit up, but Declan’s arms tightened around me.

“Just Merlin wanting his breakfast,” Declan said softly. “Impatient fucker.”

The warmth of his thighs seeped onto my skin. I was bare from the waist down, never having bothered to put on my pajama pants before falling asleep tucked into Declan’s embrace.

He ground against my backside, hard and ready. His hand slid down my body, between my legs.

I’d never been so wet in my life. Without a word, I bent my knees and lifted them toward my chest.

The crown of his shaft teased me before slipping into me. He glided his finger between my folds, finding the spot that needed his attention. Sparks shot along my nerve endings.

“I can’t stop thinking about you in those overalls,” he whispered in my ear as he thrust. “I want you to wear them for me without underwear. And when I find you, alone in the barn, I’m going to unclasp the straps and let them drop to your ankles.

And then I’m going to bend you over and fuck you from behind.

I’m going to fuck you so hard and so deep, you come like a volcano.

And you’re going to cream all over me. Would you like that, Hadley?

Would you like it so raw and deep you feel me for days after? ”

“Yes. God yes ,” I moaned. His filthy words painted a graphic image of the two of us.

“Come for me, baby. Come for me now.” He pressed his fingers against my clit.

I did.

I came all over his girth, my nails gouging crescent moons into the skin of his neck as I reached behind me and gripped him with all my might.

“Fuck,” he growled as he came.

He stilled inside me, the beating of his heart slamming against my back. I closed my eyes and lazily drifted into a half comatose sleep.

Declan slid out and I felt the wetness we created on the back of my thighs.

“More mornings like this,” he said, kissing my cheek.

“Hmm. I say yes to that,” I agreed, looking at him over my shoulder and smiling. “Not to mention the overalls fantasy.”

“We’ll make that a reality.” He reached for his boxer briefs. “We should probably pack up.”

I sighed but didn’t move. “Yeah.”

He kissed my hair. “You stay exactly where you are. I’ll pack up and saddle the horses.”

“What do we do with the truck?”

“You’ll drive it home. I’ll ride Merlin and tether Goldie to him.”

“Sounds good.”

We saddled the horses and made sure all our trash was in the truck. He tossed me the keys and I climbed into the driver’s side.

“You good?” he asked, meeting my eyes.

I smiled, relief curling through me. “Perfect.”

He chuckled and kissed me quickly. “Let’s get back and shower. Then we should grab breakfast in town.”

“Sounds great,” I said.

“We’re going to enjoy my day off,” he said heatedly.

“You insatiable maniac. I have an idea of how you want to enjoy your day off.”

He chucked my chin and then swaggered toward Merlin. I watched him mount, appreciating how he looked in a saddle.

I started the engine and then drove in the direction of home, Declan and the horses disappearing in the rearview mirror.

It was a faster drive than you could ride on a horse, and I got home several minutes ahead of Declan. I parked the truck out front of main house, leaving the mattress for the time being.

I cut the engine and removed the keys. I got out of the truck and was about to head to the barn to meet Declan to help with the horses when the front door of the house opened. Turning, I smiled, expecting to see Muddy.

My eyes widened in surprise when my father stepped out onto the porch.

“Morning, Hadley,” he greeted, appearing calm and stoic.

“Uh, hi, Dad.” I frowned. “You weren’t supposed to get back until tomorrow.”

“Change of plans,” he said, his blue eyes narrowing. “Where are you coming from this early in the morning?”

“Nowhere,” I lied.

“You’re a terrible liar.” He took a step down off the porch and came toward me. His gaze took in my disheveled hair and my appearance.

“Nice hoodie. It looks familiar.”

I took a deep breath. “Dad, let’s go inside. We need to have a talk.”

“Damned right we need to have a talk,” he said, his expression morphing into anger. “Right after I fire Declan.”

“Dad, don’t?—”

“Where is he?”

“He’s . . .” I pointed in the direction where I’d come from.

Like a ghost, Declan suddenly rounded the bend and appeared. He didn’t stop off at the barn, instead he let Merlin trot toward us, Goldie tethered to his saddle. Declan’s eyes went to me and then to Dad. He dismounted and patted Merlin’s neck.

“Connor,” he greeted, inclining his head.

Dad didn’t take his eyes off him. “You son of a bitch.”

“ Dad ,” I snapped.

“No, Hadley, stay out of this,” Dad said, turning on his heel and heading up the porch steps.

“Where’s he going?” Declan asked me. “Why is he going inside?”

My brow furrowed. “I think he might be getting his shotgun.”

“For dramatics, right?” Declan asked.

“Where the hell is my shotgun!” Dad yelled from inside the house.

I winced. “Eh, sure?”

“I hid it,” Muddy yelled back. “You will not make a gelding out of that boy!”

“That’s not a boy,” Dad bellowed. “That’s a man. That’s a man who seduced my daughter!”

Declan took a step toward me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “I think someone from town might’ve told him.”

“I think you’re right.” I turned to him. “You should take Merlin and go for a ride. I’ll talk to my dad. I’ll calm him down.”

“No.” He cupped my jaw. “We do this together.” He suddenly looked up. “You might want to move.”

“Why?”

He gently pushed me out of the way. I turned and saw my father striding across the lawn. When he got to Declan, he clenched his fist and slugged him right in the jaw.

Declan took it like a man.

But when Dad wound up to give him another punch, I yelled, “Dad! I love him!”

Dad’s hand stopped mid-flight and he looked at me, astonishment on his face. “You what? ”

“I love him,” I said, taking a hesitant step toward Declan. “We love each other, Dad.”

Dad cursed under his breath. He looked at me and then glanced at Declan. “You’re fired.”

Declan nodded. “I’ll get my things.” He stared at me and placed his hand on my shoulder. I gripped his wrist and then gave it a squeeze before letting go. My father and I both watched him grab Merlin’s lead and urge the horses to follow him.

“Connor.” Muddy had come out some time during the altercation to stand on the porch. “Come inside.”

Dad looked at me, his jaw clenching, but then he reluctantly did as his mother bid.

I followed at a slower pace, glancing over my shoulder to see Declan, still tall, still proud. He didn’t look at all put out by my father’s decision. Then again, it wasn’t much of a surprise.

I stepped into the house and closed the front door. “Dad, we need to have a talk.”