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LEVI

Cameron Miller.

I’d taken a quick peek at the guest logs, curious about his full name. I’d given Cam an impromptu tour around the ranch earlier, after I’d witnessed his run-in with a gopher hole. He seemed like a nice enough guy, and I was always happy to help out a fellow entrepreneur, someone trying to build something of their own.

As the owner of Big Sky Rescue Co., I could relate to the ups and downs of building a new business. Big Sky was a wilderness search and rescue company, specializing in hard-to-reach places, the ones that required a helicopter and specialized equipment. The company was also basically my firstborn, with me putting so many hours into it that I’d lost count. I loved the work, though, even if there were constant reminders from my accountant that we still weren’t in the black.

Even after three years, we were still only breaking even.

But Big Sky had to work. I wasn’t interested in living solely off the Stratton name, especially with my brother, Cole, taking over as CEO and managing the ranch. I loved Cole but I didn’t want to work for him or work with our father for the rest of my life. I didn’t want to be next in line to inherit something, with everyone just assuming I’d patiently wait my turn.

I wanted to forge my own path forward. And Big Sky was it.

I took a deep breath as I pushed open the door to my office, ready to check my emails and voicemails?—

“You were riding around the ranch,” Shane said, his tone a question but his words very much not. He was sitting in front of my desk, his back turned to me, as he typed something on his laptop. “I saw you pass by the window in here.”

“Was that supposed to be a question?”

“I thought it was obvious.” Shane finally looked over at me and quirked an eyebrow.

“See, this is the problem with super smart people. You just expect the rest of us to figure you out.” I playfully rolled my eyes as I settled down in my desk chair. “You’re lucky I’m willing to put in the time, Shane.”

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“I was just showing Cameron Miller the ropes. The new volunteer ranch hand?” I replied. “He’s thinking about buying a farm. He’s staying with us to see if it makes sense for him.”

“Of course. Running a farm is a serious investment. He sounds like a wise investor.”

“Is that why you broke into my office? To ask me about giving that tour?”

“How can I break into your office when you gave me a key?”

“Now look who’s not answering the question.” I grinned. “Seriously, Shane. Why are you over here?”

“I was just… checking in.” Shane looked up from his laptop. “I wanted to make sure things were going okay.”

“Wow, that bad, huh?” I laughed, even though it sounded strained. “You’re really worried about me, aren’t you?”

“I’m not worried about you. I’m worried about Big Sky,” he clarified. “I know how much this company means to you?—”

“It takes most companies two to three years to be profitable, Shane,” I interrupted him. “I know we’re not in the black just yet, but we’re right on track. You don’t need to come check on my company like it’s on its deathbed.”

“That’s not what I—” Shane held up a hand, stopping himself. “Shit. You’re right. Sorry. You don’t need this from me. I’m sure you’re getting it enough from your dad.”

“Always and never-ending. Joseph Stratton never sleeps.” Shane and I shared a knowing look. Shane was my cousin and he knew firsthand how cutthroat my father was, how impossible his standards were for all of us.

Shane’s glance was apologetic. “Forgive me?”

“Immediately. Also, forgotten.” I snapped my fingers. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I need to get back to work. You know, so we don’t end up on that deathbed. I don’t ever want to hear an ‘I told you so’ from you-know-who.”

“Let me know if you need anything,” Shane said, already standing. “Even if it’s about balancing the budget?—”

“I absolutely won’t! Thanks! Bye!” I waved towards my office door. “See ya!”

* * *

Cameron is on a horse.

I’d stood up from my desk to walk around my office a little bit, giving myself a break. I’d been looking out the window, just to take in the view, letting my mind wander along with the rest of me. But when I passed by it for a third time, I’d spotted Cameron, looking shaky as ever on top of a horse.

He’d been here for a full day by now, doing this or that around the ranch. I hadn’t been keeping up with his whereabouts exactly, only noticing him in passing. I’d been focused on recruiting clients for Big Sky Rescue, working my charm to get people to sign up. The idea was that we’d work as a sort of insurance for riskier trips, a guaranteed rescue if someone got injured while hiking on a mountain or exploring risky terrain?—

Is he about to fall off that horse?

Instinct taking over, I rushed into action. By the time I reached him, he’d righted himself but still seemed unsure. I noticed the way he sat, lopsided in his saddle. My fingers were already pointing it out when I spoke to him. “Is something going on with your saddle?”

“It was my first time putting one on,” he replied, with a slight smile. “I tried to follow what the other ranch hands were doing.”

“Nobody helped you out?”

“It’s not their job to teach me everything. Besides, I’m here to figure things out on my own.”

“Sure, but no one wants you to get hurt.” I motioned for him to come down off the horse. “Here. Let me fix it for you.”

“You don’t need to?—”

“I’ll show you how to put it on the right way.” I motioned again. “Come on, Cam. I’m not going to ask you twice.”

“What are you going to do? Come up here and get me?” Cameron laughed.

But my expression remained stern and unchanging.

“Oh, wow. You really would. You would pull me off this horse.” Cameron laughed again. “You can’t just pull people off horses, Levi.”

“If it stops you from seriously injuring yourself, I’ll do whatever I need to do.”

Cameron’s laughter slowly shifted into silence, his skin blushing a deep red. He then did as he was told, carefully coming down off the horse. I immediately went to work, readjusting the saddle, showing him where and how he’d gone wrong the first time. He listened to my every word, intently, like he was trying to memorize it right then and there. Cameron’s attention on me made me feel like the most interesting person in the world, his green eyes so bright underneath the Paradise Valley sun.

“Okay, there you go. Try it now.” I gently patted the saddle.

Cameron nodded before hopping back on the horse. There was a noticeable difference as he sat on the saddle, his stance secure instead of wonky. When he realized he was safe and sound, he grinned down at me. “Yeehaw! This is so much better!”

“Did you just say yeehaw?”

“Uh, yeah, I did.” Cameron tipped his hat towards me. “Yee, and if I may humbly say so myself, haw.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of the moment. Cameron was laughing right along with me, his gaze meeting mine. “Seriously, though, Levi. Thanks for this. I’ll keep it in mind for next time.”

“No problem, Cam. Anytime.”

I headed back to my office, ready to get back to Big Sky and making it the next big thing. But as I sank into my chair, and as I prepared a new list of potential clients to call, even as I looked through a budgeting spreadsheet that my accountant had sent over that morning…

There was one image that kept running through my head.

The look on Cameron’s face when he was finally confident on the horse. His bright, green eyes. His smile that rivaled the sunlight in the valley.

Yeehaw.

I couldn’t get it out of my mind if I’d tried.