Page 52 of Riding the Line (Willow Ridge #2)
Cherry
‘Cherry, this is gorgeous,’ Rory breathes out as she flicks through the images on my iPad, eyes devouring all the designs I’ve created for a possible barn conversion wedding venue at Sunset Ranch. ‘You came up with all of this?’
I chew my bottom lip as my smile threatens to overtake me, a strange rush of pride at my designs coaxing it out.
A light rain patters at the windows of the main ranch house where we’re spending the afternoon, waiting smugly while Wyatt and the ranchers have the unfortunate job of moving cattle soon.
The unexpected storm that had the town at a standstill from power cuts and blistering wind yesterday wreaked havoc on some of the fences.
Obviously, Duke ran at the opportunity to be an extra pair of helping hands when Wyatt called this morning for a favour – my brother oblivious to the fact that Duke was answering while I was naked in bed next to him – so I thought I’d keep Rory company meanwhile.
‘Yeah,’ I explain, leaning over on the couch to swipe back to the original mood board I put together when my idea first bloomed.
‘I had the idea a little while back – once the retreat at Sunset Ranch really picked up – and thought it might be a nice addition sometime in the future. It was just an idea to start with, more for my portfolio if anything, but now you guys are engaged and, well, I thought you might want to use it.’
‘Aw, Cherry. Thank you.’ Rory juts out her bottom lip, her hazel eyes adopting a shine. Not a second later she’s dropping the iPad to her lap and pulling me into her arms. The couch gives a creak as our weight tumbles to one side, making us both giggle.
Once we’re finished with our embrace, Rory sinks back into the cushions and picks up the iPad again, glancing through all the pictures and sketches – long wooden tables with vases of wildflowers dotted along them, the hay store floor above removed to leave large beams where twinkling lights can be twirled around, sheer material draped from the rafters.
A romantic haven wrapped up in the rusticity of the very place the two of them met.
‘I can’t believe I didn’t even think about having a wedding venue here.
It would be so beautiful …’ Rory’s gaze whisks off out the window, towards the sunshine barely bleeding through the puffy grey clouds crowning the mountains ahead.
Even on a dull day like today, there’s still something magical about Sunset Ranch – golden light breaking through the clouds wherever it can while shadowy mountains stand proud.
A testament, perhaps, to the dreams that are never given up on here, just like Rory and Wyatt’s wellness retreat.
Rory toys with her engagement ring. ‘It sure would be sweet to get married on the ranch that brought Wyatt and me together. The place we’ve built our lives around.’
I reach over to squeeze her arm. ‘Well, the designs and plans are all yours. And I’ll help any way I can if you decide you want to do it.
It will take a while to complete, and some money, obviously, but if you’re happy to wait a bit before getting married, I don’t see why you guys couldn’t do it in time for your own wedding. ’
‘I can’t wait to run it by Wyatt.’ Rory wiggles in her seat, beaming. ‘I bet he’ll love it. He’s always going on about how proud he is of your designs.’
I roll my lips to temper my smile. ‘See it as my early wedding gift for the two of you.’
A feline smirk overtakes Rory then as she gives me a nudge. ‘And just think, maybe you and Duke could use it one day too.’
‘Woah there,’ I caution her, slipping the iPad back out of her hands. Even if the suggestion did have my heart fluttering. ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’m only twenty-one and it’s super early days.’
‘And you should probably tell Wyatt first too,’ Rory mumbles, reaching for her Diet Coke on the coffee table. I try to fight the way my shoulders instantly pitch higher. Tighter.
‘Well, obviously,’ I laugh out, though her perked brow suggests my tone didn’t quite match my expression.
‘When, um, are you thinking of doing that, by the way?’ Rory asks, spinning her drink can in her hands while her eyes flick between mine and the floor.
She nibbles her bottom lip when I don’t have an immediate answer, my jaw hanging open, the only sound filling the air the faint whistling of the breeze and the smattering of light raindrops against the windows.
‘Sorry,’ she then rushes out. ‘I’m not trying to pry or tell you what to do but don’t you think it’s time?
When you and Duke were exploring what was going on between you, I get the secrecy, but I don’t think there’s any reason to hide it now.
You’re together and happy.’ Gentleness touches her smile. ‘I think Wyatt should know that.’
With a sigh, I slump back into the couch and stare up at the ceiling, letting the memories of the summer with Duke sweep through my mind.
‘Yeah, I know you’re right. We said we were going to – before I go back to college, anyway, but I just haven’t pushed it.
’ Pressing my lips together, I rub a hand over my forehead, before turning back to Rory.
‘I guess I’ve just been enjoying the secrecy of it.
There’s not a lot of things in my life that my family – or the whole town for that matter – aren’t involved in, and as soon as we tell Wyatt, as soon as we tell anyone, it’s just another bunch of people’s opinions on my life I don’t need. ’
‘I’m sorry, Cherry. I guess I’ve just become one of those people.
’ Rory scoots across the couch, cosying into me until she’s practically moulded to my shape, then she threads her fingers through mine.
She gives my hand a squeeze, which I return, knowing she means well.
‘But I’m just trying to be a good friend.
I totally understand what you’re saying, and I know I said Wyatt will be fine, but I just think it would be better to tell him sooner than later.
If he doesn’t handle it well, you don’t want to be leaving for college on a bad note. ’
‘Yeah, I guess so.’ I nod, soaking up her words.
Rory’s brows draw in. ‘Maybe it’s a good way of showing him that he doesn’t need to be involved all the time.
You’re not asking for his permission to date his best friend, you’re showing him that’s what’s happening, and he has to deal with it.
’ A grin springs across her face. ‘Show everyone who’s really the boss in the Hensley family. ’
A chuckle chirps out of both of us, and I lean my head against her shoulder as I consider such.
Because maybe she’s right – whether Wyatt is happy with me and Duke dating isn’t going to change the fact that we are.
He’ll have to come to terms with it eventually, and he’ll have to realise, along with the rest of my family, that they can’t control every aspect of my life, even if they do it with good meaning.
Besides, what better person for me to be with than the man who not only loves me, but my family too?
‘You know what,’ Rory perks up. ‘Why don’t you guys come over tomorrow for dinner?
We can have a nice, relaxing evening and you can tell Wyatt then.
Plus, I’ll be there as a mediator because he can never be angry at me.
’ She bats her lashes, and I can’t help but snort, knowing just how easily my brother caves to her.
A wellness retreat was never his plans for Sunset Ranch until she turned up last year.
‘Okay, yeah, let’s do that.’ I take a deep breath in, one of finality – that tonight is the last night Duke and I remain a secret. That tonight is the last night I hold back from what I truly want. ‘I’ll talk to Duke tonight and hopefully he’ll be fine.’
Rory chuckles, patting me on the arm. ‘Girl, that man is obsessed with you. He’d do anything for you.’