Page 83 of West Bound

Levi went off to work on some elements of his plan. Meeting a guy he thinks could help us get onto my father’s ranch and spending the day with Grant while his fiancée tries to make a horsewoman out of me. I don’t think I’ll be entering any riding competitions anytime soon, but Teddy has definitely made me feel like I might get used to this whole trail-riding thing. And maybe even like it a little bit.

We make our way around another bend, and suddenly the creek we're riding along opens wide, and I can hear the sound of gushing water in the distance. Dakota looks back at me and grins.

“Thought I’d show you the falls today!” she calls out as we continue around.

My heart nearly stops when I see the full force of the waterfall, the spray creating a colorful arched bow in the midday sun, and the rush of the water into a sizable pool at the bottom.

“They’re gorgeous!” I call back as Teddy brings me around to get a better look.

“Right?” She hops down and ties off her horse before coming to help me.

I’ve gotten the hang of it, but I appreciate that she’s there to spot me when I climb down. We tie Teddy up next to her horse and walk to the edge of the water. The mist blows toward us with the soft breeze, and she pulls out a flask from her jacket, offering it to me.

“I don’t know. I got myself into trouble the last time.” I look at the ornate little container cautiously.

“Good trouble, I hope?” She glances over at me.

“I think so. You'll have to ask Levi his opinion.”

“I don’t think I need to ask. It's pretty clear to anyone who pays attention that he’s obsessed with you. I was waiting for him to throw his coat on the ground the other night so you didn’t step in any puddles on the way back to the ranch house.” She flashes me a knowing look because Grant grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder on our walk back.

“He’s so sweet.” I shake my head, taking the flask against my better judgment. I take a long swig before I hand it back to her, letting the flavor sit on my tongue for a moment before it burns its way down my throat.

“See that right there; you’re the only person on earth who describes Levi Stockton as sweet.”

“I mean, not always. Obviously.”

“No, definitely not always.”

“You two don’t get along?” I ask.

“We do. We just both sit on Grant’s shoulders and sometimes pull him in different directions. But I’m learning to love him. Those Stockton boys.” She shakes her head. “Ramsey’s nearly back in my good graces. Hazel’s a lot more forgiving than I am.”

“What about Aspen? Have you met her?” I’m so curious about the absent sister.

“Oh, I’ve met her. She’s terrifying.”

“Is she? Levi said she’s a professor. I thought maybe she was a little less Stockton-like than the rest.”

“She basically threatened to cut my heart out with a spoon the first time she saw me with Grant, if that sounds less Stockton-like to you.”

I let out a low whistle. “Okay, maybe I don’t want to meet her.”

“Nah. She’d like you. You’re smart, and she’d probably love that her brother’s fallen for a nun.”

“Oh, I don’t think he’s fallen for me. Fond of me, protective—yes. But he doesn’t strike me as the settling-down sort.”

“Who says you have to settle down? One of Grant’s best qualities is that he likes supporting whatever wild ideas I have, just as long as he can be the safety net when I jump.”

“You two are adorable together. You’re such a good match for him. I can see why he’d pick someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” Her brow arches skyward.

“Strong, independent, outgoing, goal-oriented. You’re everything I wanted to be when I grew up.”

“Well, I hate to be the one to tell you, but you’re all grown up.”

“I’m not remotely extroverted,” I argue.