Page 6 of Lasso Lovebirds (Rainbow Ranch #4)

priscilla

Stars danced above us in a clear night sky, only interrupted by the burning glow of the bonfire. It was a chilly evening, the warmth of the day long receded. Camp chairs were sprawled around and there were even a couple of picnic blankets spread on the grass.

Nothing could beat bonfires on nights like this. Not a single cloud in the sky, it was as if we were looking up at the universe. It made me feel so small and so big all at the same time.

My muscles felt nice and worked from the long work day.

What didn't feel good was the fact that I'd been lusting over Sky ever since they sat on my lap in the tractor. Well, okay, that felt good too, but it also was bad news.

I couldn't get them out of my head.

No matter what I did.

It didn't help that they were in my space for the rest of the day. We had lunch together, and then they helped me in the garden for a while—we were side by side for hours on end.

I was learning about them, and everything I learned, I liked.

Like how they’d been storm chasing for a couple of years, and they were a photographer, and they loved to help people.

They came out as nonbinary a few years ago, and it’d been a struggle at first, but they’d found themself. They’d fought for themself.

I had nothing but pure admiration for them. I knew how hard it was to advocate for yourself, especially if you were raised to be a people pleaser.

Then there was the Beau problem.

All day, I could practically hear that damn man grumbling from his office, despite the fact that the doors were closed. It didn’t matter what part of the ranch we were on, I could feel that man stewing from a mile away.

Without fail, he always managed to drive me just a little bit crazy.

I knew that he was coming from a good place earlier in regards to the storm chasing, but it wasn't like I'd be going out to do it alone.

And yes, of course we all knew it was dangerous, but that didn't mean that I didn't want to try it out with Sky.

They were the professional here.

Then there was the fact I could see he was worried about them going out, too.

He wouldn’t admit that, though. At least not yet. But it was painted all over his ruggedly handsome face.

The tension I felt with Sky was the same tension I felt with him.

Different, but the same.

And I knew with just one look he was feeling that tension with them, too. It was clear as day Beau had a soft spot for our storm-chasing stranger.

I tugged the patchwork quilt around my shoulders. The fabric was soft and worn, each patch telling a story. I knew it was one of the blankets that’d been around this ranch for years, and it carried that familiarity with it.

My face was warm, the fire emanating heat in comforting waves. Occasionally it would pop, and sparks would float up toward the stars.

Bonfire nights were always my favorite. We usually did it about once a week, and Boone always made the best s'mores.

It also gave us all the time to connect with each other in a different way. We weren’t working right now, and all of our worries were put aside.

Sometimes, when we had guests on the ranch, it would be a big production. But tonight, it was just our close-knit group, plus Sky.

They sat across from me in a camp chair, a blanket wrapped around their shoulders. It was one that Mama Adams had made long ago too, and it made me smile thinking about her now.

I'd never forget when she and Mr. Adams passed away. Even though I’d already been away from Rainbow Ranch and out in the world at the time, I'd still heard about it, and it broke my heart into a million pieces.

Those two had made such a large impact on my life as a teenager, and I never really had the chance to tell them.

It made sense that I'd come back here. Not that I owed anyone anything, but that this place had always felt like home.

And it was my time here that made me want to pursue a degree in agriculture.

Working with the earth and bringing my expertise in soil sciences and environmental sustainability to the ranch, working with people, creating a safe place—all of those things brought me joy and peace.

It made me feel like I was contributing to the world in a meaningful way.

And for that, we could all thank Mr. and Mrs. Adams for the love that they had for their kids while they were growing up.

I'd zoned out, but as I blinked and came back to the present, soft laughter floated on the breeze. Wiley and Boone were tucked against each other, snuggling as they roasted s'mores. Benny was drinking a beer and looking through a telescope up at the stars, and Billie was playing a game with Winnie.

Then there was Beau.

Our lone cowboy stood just a few feet away from me, his arms crossed as he watched the fire. He occasionally let out a sigh, and even though he wasn't a father, it was definitely a dad sigh.

Because of course he was the one that was keeping track of the wind, keeping an eye on everyone, making sure all of us were safe.

The man never took a break. I couldn't say I took breaks very often either , but I still knew how to relax.

The sound of boots scuffing over rocks made me turn my head. Beau looked up at me, made a face, and then apparently made the decision that he was going to talk to me.

“Can I sit?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said.

He settled down in the empty chair next to me.

I sighed dramatically, giving him the look. “Did you decide to apologize to me?”

He snorted, but took off his hat, resting it on his knee. “I just want you to be safe. I care about you, Priscilla.”

“I know you do. But that doesn't mean you get to make decisions for me. And it wasn't even that serious.”

“But I know you,” he protested. “I know that you would go storm chasing. After seeing how powerful that tornado was yesterday morning, the idea of you and Sky getting swept away in that . . . I can’t bear the thought of it, Pris. It scares the shit out of me.”

My chest ached. “You mean, what would you do if we got into trouble and you couldn't be there to save us?”

He wrinkled his nose, but didn't argue. He didn't argue because he knew I was right.

“Listen,” I breathed out. “I know that when you talk like that, you're coming from a good place. But we've known each other for a very long time. By now, don't you think I know how to handle myself?”

“It's not a matter of handling yourself,” he said gently. “You can handle anything in the world, darlin’, but a tornado is a force none of us can fight. I know storm chasing means you’re chasing it, not the other way around, but you know how fast things can change.”

“And what about Sky? It’s their profession. Are you going to give them the same lecture?”

He didn't say anything, but he looked up at them. The firelight flickered, casting a warm glow on his jaw and sharp cheekbones, dancing in his softening eyes. The way he looked at them made my heart skip a beat.

God, how many times had I dreamed of him looking at me that way? Countless.

For a moment, I wondered why we'd never crossed that line. I wasn't stupid. I knew there was tension between us. But neither one of us had ever dared to pass it.

“I don't know what to say,” he murmured. “We’ve just met them.”

“Yeah, but I have eyes,” I muttered. “I see the way you look at them. They're going to be gone in the blink of an eye, you know?”

His shoulders deflated on a heavy sigh. “I know.

Don't you worry about anything with that.

But, to answer your question, I don't like the idea of Sky storm chasing alone either.

It sounds like they had an assistant, and they had a falling out.

So now they've been doing this alone in a state that isn't very friendly to any of us. Storm chasing is dangerous. We all know how unpredictable the weather could be. So yeah, maybe I’ll end up giving them the same lecture too, even though they barely know me.”

“Your big heart must be a heavy burden, Beau Adams,” I said.

Beau leaned over, surprising me by resting his hand on my knee. He gave me a gentle squeeze, and then drew back to stand.

Even though there was a fire burning right in front of us, it felt like he took the warmth away with his touch.

“I’m sorry for upsetting you,” he said. “You know I trust you. You know I believe in your instincts. You know I think the world of you. And you know it’d break me if something ever happened to you.”

My eyes widened in surprise. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. He placed his hat back on top of his head, and then strolled over to his sister and Winnie. They were playing a game of poker, and within a few seconds, he’d been folded in.

Well, damn. I was speechless. What the hell did he mean by that?

I shook my head and stood up to stretch my legs. I wandered around the fire to where Boone and Wylie were snuggled up.

“Look at you two,” I said. “All damn cozy.”

Boone grinned. “Want a s’more?”

“Of course I do,” I said.

He lifted a plate, offering me a skewer with a marshmallow on it.

“How about you take one to your friend ?” Wylie asked, wiggling his brows.

Boone’s brows shot up. “Oh? Oh .”

“Shush,” I muttered, but I took a second skewer and marshmallow. “Mind your business, both of you.”

That earned a few mischievous giggles as I turned and walked over to Sky. They looked up at me with a smile as I offered it to them.

“Thanks,” they said. “Can’t remember the last time I’ve had one of these.”

“Oh yes. It’s been far too long since I've had a good s’more. And by too long, I mean it’s been a week. Boone’s homemade graham crackers with the melty chocolate are always the best.”

Sky laughed as they took the skewer and scooted their chair forward. We both leaned in, casting our marshmallows over the open flames.

“So, bonfires once a week?” Sky asked.