Page 143 of Tempting Wyatt

ivy

THE CABIN IS EERILY QUIET when I step out of the shower, steam curling around me as I wrap a towel around my body.

Too quiet.

“Wyatt?” I call out as I step into the bedroom but am met with silence.

I frown, glancing toward the bed, where I left him tangled in the sheets, warm and solid. But now it’s empty. The covers are still rumpled, and his scent still lingers in the air, but he’s gone.

My stomach tightens, an uneasy feeling creeping in. It’s not like him to leave without telling me goodbye.

I grab my phone off the nightstand and see the text.

Rancher: Something came up. Had to go. Won’t make it to dinner.

That’s it. No further explanation.

A frustrated breath slips out as I toss the phone onto the bed. A man of few words, this one. Feels like we’re back at square one.

But before I can overanalyze it, my phone buzzes again.

I reach for it, expecting another short, clipped text from Wyatt, but instead, I see Devyn’s name on a new text and several previous ones marked as read though I haven’t seen them before.

Devyn: CALL ME ASAP. BIG NEWS!!

My pulse kicks up. Devyn doesn’t text in all caps or use exclamation points ever, unless it’s serious.

I call her, then press the phone to my ear. She picks up on the first ring.

“Ivy,” she breathes. “Are you sitting down?”

I clutch the towel tighter around me. “Should I be?”

“Definitely.” A pause. “Because yourWelcome to Paradiseseries just got a major six figure offer with potential for a seven figure deal. They want to develop it as soon as possible. We’re talking multiple seasons, a budget for A-list actors, tons of promo. They even agreed to film on the ranch you requested and pay the existing staff there to train the actors.”

My head spins, or maybe the room does. “Wait. What? How?”

She laughs, high-pitched and giddy. “Cowboys are all the rage right now, and your story has the depth, the layers, and the intrigue they’re looking for.”

I sink onto the bed, heart racing.

A streaming deal. ForWelcome to Paradise.

For the ranch.

I did this for Wyatt. For the hardest-working man I’ve ever known. So he can continue his family’s legacy. So the man I love can keep doing what he loves. I hope like hell he can see that.

I have to tell him.Now.

I press a hand to my chest, trying to catch my breath. “This is insane. I thought it might be months before we heard anything.”

“We need to set up meetings ASAP to go over the details. But first, you should probably talk to the family you said inspired the main characters. Get them to sign the waivers and the NDAs. I’m e-mailing them to you now. You were right, Ivy, this screenplay is life-changing. So talk to the Logans and get them ready for their lives to change.”

“I’ve spoken with some of them already, but the others might be a tougher sell.”

“Well, get to selling. Get in touch with me as soon as you get back into town.”

I end the call, promising to let her know the minute I’m back in LA. After tossing my phone onto the bed, I scramble for clothes, yanking on a pair of jeans and one of Wyatt’s flannels. I text him back and ask him to call me or let me know where he is so I can come talk to him in person.I add that it’s important even though I hate to bother him while he’s working.