Page 14 of Knot Your Problem, Cowboy (Wild Hearts Ranch #1)

SOPHIA

W alker leads me out of the dining hall, his boots beating a steady rhythm against the packed-dirt path, the sun rising, already promising a hot day.

I have to do a little skip-step occasionally to keep up with his longer stride, but I don’t mind.

The morning air is fresh, carrying scents of hay and horses.

There’s something calming about being on a ranch.

“So,” I start, then stop, suddenly feeling awkward.

How do you ask virtual strangers about borrowing their stuff?

“I was wondering… is there maybe a vehicle I could use sometime? To get back to Chicago for clothes and things?” I gesture at my limited outfit of jeans and a shirt that I’m wearing today. “I only packed clothes for a few days.”

Walker glances down at me, and a piece of dark hair falls over his eye. He’s wearing a faded denim shirt today, sleeves rolled to reveal forearms I can’t stop staring at. His muscles bulge against the fabric. His jeans are worn, and those boots… why are cowboy boots so attractive?

“Got a spare truck you can use anytime,” he says easily, like lending vehicles to almost strangers is perfectly normal. “Old Ford, nothing fancy but she runs well. Keys are on the hook by the kitchen door. Just let me know when you want to head out, and I’ll show you her quirks.”

“Really? Just like that?”

“We’ve got more vehicles than sense around here,” he says with a slight smile that speeds my pulse. “Happy to have someone actually use her. She gets cranky sitting too long.”

“The truck gets cranky?”

“Definitely. Stubborn in second gear, likes to stall if you don’t sweet-talk her.” He says it completely seriously, but there’s warmth in those brown eyes that suggests he’s teasing.

I smile. “Thanks for letting me borrow her, but I should warn you, I can’t drive stick.”

“Well then,” he drawls. “I might have to teach you.”

The grin of mine widens at the thought and no judgment.

“Anyway, how’d it go with the rental company? They giving you grief about the car?”

I groan. “They’re being a nightmare. Apparently, attacked by bull isn’t covered under standard insurance. Who knew? But I managed to work out a payment plan for the deductible, six months instead of all up front. Small miracles.”

“That’s good. Brutus has damaged more vehicles than I can count. We keep offering to pen him up better, but old Mr. Crawford insists he’s a free-range bull in his yard, yet he keeps escaping.” Walker shakes his head. “Free-range pain in the ass is more like it.”

“Walker Stone!” a woman’s voice calls out.

We both turn to see a woman practically bouncing toward us.

She’s about my height but seems taller because of her energy alone, curly brown hair escaping from what might have been a bun at some point.

Her sundress is covered in sunflowers and looks genuinely vintage, not the fake kind from boutiques.

Freckles dust her nose and cheeks, and her hazel eyes spark.

She is beautiful and maybe younger than me by a couple of years.

“Morning, June,” Walker answers, and there’s definite fondness mixed with resignation in his tone. They know each other. “You’re out early.”

“Early? It’s practically noon!” She smirks at her joke, then stops in front of us, slightly out of breath but still vibrating with enthusiasm. “Well, okay, it’s nine thirty, but that’s basically midday for ranch folk, right?” She glances at me with a small smile.

“June, this is Sophia Hollis,” Walker says, gesturing to me. “She’s inheriting Rose’s place. Sophia, June Calloway. Local real estate agent and?—”

“Information specialist,” June interrupts, sticking out her hand to me with a grin that could power a small city. “Oh my gosh, you’re exactly who I came to see!”

“Oh?” I shake her hand, already charmed by her enthusiasm.

“Yes! Okay, so Mrs. Henderson was at the café and told me she heard that someone new was at the ranch and might be the heir Rose mentioned and—” She pauses for breath. “Is it true? Are you really going to sell?”

“June,” Walker says, a warning in his tone.

“What? I’m being professional! This is my professional face.” She schools her features into what I assume is meant to be serious but mostly looks like she’s trying not to sneeze. “See? Very professional.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Most likely, yes. The will says I have to live here for three months before I can make any decisions.”

“That’s perfect! Anyway, as Walker hinted, I run Sweetwater Creek Realty.

Well, technically, it’s my parents’ agency, but Dad discovered bass fishing three years ago and hasn’t come back to reality since, and Mom decided she’d rather grow prize-winning tomatoes than deal with people.

So it’s basically mine now, which is great because I have all these ideas about sustainable development and preserving the town’s character while still allowing for growth and?—”

“June, will this take much longer?” Walker interrupts gently.

“Right. Rambling.” June presses a hand to her chest like she’s reeling herself in.

“What I meant to say is, when you’re ready to talk options, I’m here.

No pressure. But also… you should totally come to town today.

Meet some locals. Maggie’s Diner has chicken and dumplings on special, plus tonight is meatloaf night, and I swear they sell out of both faster than secrets at church. ”

“That does sound really good,” I admit. My stomach growls, traitorously, even after Cookie’s breakfast.

Walker shifts beside me, arms loosely folded. “Guess that means we’re skipping lunch.”

June perks up. “Perfect! I’m heading over around five. You could ride with me, Sophia. Give us girls a chance to gossip without your long shadow looming.”

I open my mouth to answer, but Walker cuts in, easy as ever. “Or Sophia and I could both meet you there. I was already planning to head into town.”

I blink. Was he? Since when?

June’s smile stretches. “Oh, how convenient. But surely you’ve got something ranch-y to do, Walker. Fix a fence? Mourn a tractor? Stare meaningfully at the horizon?”

“I could pencil that in for tomorrow,” he says with a smirk, not taking his eyes off me. “Unless you’ve got other plans?”

His voice is low, but it hits something sharp and sweet in my chest. Damn him.

“I mean, I’d love to,” I say, lifting my chin. “But I can handle myself. No need to chaperone.”

“Didn’t say you needed one,” he murmurs. “Just offering the ride.”

June fans herself dramatically with her clipboard.

“Mercy. I should’ve brought popcorn.” She turns to me, voice dropping like she’s sharing a secret.

“Or you can come with me and ditch this one. I’m going to a book club after dinner.

We’re reading that one with the demon prince who bites ankles and redeems himself with smut. ”

That earns a quiet laugh from Walker. “Is that what counts as literature these days?”

June winks. “Don’t knock it ’til you’ve read chapter eight.”

I bite back a grin. “Honestly? That sounds like the perfect girls’ night.” I shift my weight, caught somewhere between flattered and flustered. “Thanks for the offer, Cowboy Uber,” I say to Walker, trying for light. “But… I might actually do the girls’ night thing tonight.”

“I can handle it,” Walker says, tossing the words out casually, but then he presses a palm to his chest like I’ve wounded him. “Picked over an ankle-biting demon. That stings. ”

June snorts. “You’ll live, cowboy.”

He casts me a look, all mock betrayal and slow smirk. “Barely.”

“Oh, I’m sure you will,” June cuts in with a wink. “But don’t worry. I’ll return her in one piece.”

Walker tilts his head, gaze flicking to me. “You sure?”

There it is, that undercurrent again. Not pushy. Just… something steady and unspoken. And it does ridiculous things to my pulse.

“I’m sure,” I say, then immediately feel the need to backpedal. “I mean, you can take me to dinner another night.”

June gasps so dramatically that you’d think I’d just proposed marriage. “Wait. Was that a date offer? Did I just witness an actual date invitation from the elusive Miss Big City to one of our very own ranch cowboys?”

My eyes go wide. “What? No! I meant like… you know, showing me around town, checking out the sights… not a date.”

Walker raises a brow, clearly enjoying this way too much.

June fans herself with mock flair. “Oh, girl, it’s about damn time someone realized what a catch he is. He can cook, fix engines, ride like a dream, and once I caught him bottle-feeding a litter of abandoned piglets while humming a lullaby. A lullaby, Sophia.”

Walker groans. “You promised you’d never bring that up. ”

“And you promised you wouldn’t ghost me at karaoke night, but here we are.”

“I had the flu, and you won with Cash stepping in for me!”

“I’ll give you that.” June winks. “Sure did. And for the record, I fully endorse that dinner idea. I mean, if you don’t snatch him up, someone else will.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” I say, heat blooming in my cheeks. “I meant dinner in a… town orientation sense. Oh God, I’m making it worse.”

June links her arm through mine like she’s won a trophy. “Too late, sweetheart. You flirted. It’s canon now.”

I shoot a helpless glance at Walker, who’s clearly trying not to smirk. Traitor.

But my brain short-circuits somewhere between “dinner idea” and “snatch him up.” And the karaoke thing. And the piglets. And—wait. I untangle myself from June.

“Were you two… like, together or…?” The words tumble out before I can stop them, mortifying and loud.

Walker chokes on a laugh.

June blinks at me, then throws her head back with a cackle. “Oh, hell no. Don’t get me wrong, he’s easy on the eyes, but Walker’s like a brother to me. Always has been. I’ve known him since the three of them moved into Rose’s place.”

She nudges me with a sly grin. “And trust me, I’ve got no room for men in my life right now. Things are… a little complicated.”