Page 38 of Wild Rose (Blue River Springs #1)

Five minutes later, we’re pulling up to the front of The Shack. It’s the guest entrance, not the staff side of the building that I’m used to. A woman with long red curls and a warm smile watches us ride up. Wesley is with her.

When we pull to a stop, she reaches a hand for mine to help me down. “Indie, I leave you alone for ten minutes, and you come riding back with a brunette?” She smiles coyly at me. “You must be Rose.” She glances back at my brother. “You two want to join us for lunch?”

“So let me get this straight,” Levi starts. “You and those clowns back there tried to sneak Tuscan out to compete at the Callahan rodeo?”

Tessa shakes her head. “Takes guts.”

“That’s one word,” Wes grumbles with a glance my way.

I pick at a piece of cornbread. “Wilder lectured me enough. Can you drop it, now?” I turn to Levi. “We had good intentions, really.”

“Not really,” Levi comments. “They’re a pretty big rival. Believe me, Ricky and his sister would have made sure no rider or horse from Blue River won anything. And if you did, you’d have a bigger problem on your hands.”

“Oh, stop being so dramatic, Indie,” Tessa snaps.

Levi gives her a sideways glance. “Sounds like somethin’ you would do, Whiskey.”

“I wouldn’t get caught,” she mutters.

The pretty redhead and I high-five on instinct, and the guys roll their eyes.

“Whiskey, huh?” I ask. “That your favorite drink or something?”

“Her eyes.” The response comes from Levi, and it makes my stomach buzz. The way he sees and adores her.

That small-town love sinks into me, lingering warmly. Like something I suddenly crave.

I exhale softly and perk a brow at Levi. “And .?.?. Indie?”

“That dark hat and cocky grin,” Tessa answers. “Looks like Indiana Jones, doesn’t he?”

I don’t answer and laugh softly, shifting my gaze before I get any more swoony over these two. “Well, anyway, I still don’t understand why Blue River Ranch doesn’t host rodeos. So they’re a lot of work and money, but wouldn’t it be worth it?”

My question earns me a few sideways glances from nearby tables, and one from my brother. “Rose, just drop it, OK?”

Huh. Does he know something?

“You’re not the first to ask,” Levi offers. “I’ve only hosted a handful, and the years I don’t it’s because of the time it takes or staff shortage.”

“But they used to,” I burst out.

“Really?” Levi asks, interest flickering in his eyes.

“Rose,” Wes warns. “I said drop it.”

“I heard Randy and Barry talking about it. How Connor used to host regularly. And then Dallas and Wilder took over and it stopped.”

Levi cocks his head. “Shame. A ranch like this? Could make a killing. Sponsorships, tourism. A bigger name. Put the ranch on the map in a whole new way.”

I don’t know what most of that means, but it just sounds like missed opportunities.

“If I can talk him into one, would you be willing to help?” I ask, ignoring my brother as he mutters something about not wasting my time.

Levi points to his beautiful wife. “She can. Tess helped plan one for us last season.”

His wife’s eyes light up. “I’d love to help you plan one, assuming you’ve got permission.”

“Permission for what?” Wilder’s voice comes from behind me, and I look over my shoulder. He’s with Dallas, who looks tired, but otherwise his face is void of emotion.

Levi lifts off his seat. “There you two are. How long does it take to run an errand in a small town like this?” The men exchange some greetings, but Tessa doesn’t stand. She scooches over to me, practically pressing her lips to my ear. “All right, which one?”

“What?” I tear my eyes off Wilder, who’s glaring at me like he’s wondering what I’m up to this time.

Tessa pulls back from me, a hint of amusement in her voice. “Never mind, I got it.”

The brothers take a seat across from us, and Levi moves to our side of the table next to Tessa. Wes leaves to grab a few rounds, and I take a breath. If I’m going to bring this up, it may as well be now, when I’ve got a power couple who seem to agree with me and might just back me up.

“I was just saying I overheard Randy and Barry talk about rodeos being hosted on the ranch some time ago. You guys ever think about hosting again?”

Wilder doesn’t even look at me. His jaw tightens. “Nope.”

I huff. “That’s it? Just nope?”

Dallas sighs. “Guys, let’s step outside for this.”

“There is no this ,” Wilder snaps, then turns back to me, exhaling through his nose, and barely softening his voice. “Rose, I’m not talking about this again with you.”

I jerk back at those last two words, blinking away from his hard glare. “I should get back to work.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Wilder bites out. I catch Tessa’s wide eyes at my boss.

Swallowing hard, I slide out of the bench. “It was nice meeting you both.” I start for the exit when Wilder pushes to his feet in front of me. “It’s not all prize money and good times. Rodeos are a liability.”

“I get it,” I mutter, trying to move past him.

“Everything’s got a risk, but not everyone competing has the sense to take safety measures. Leaving Dallas and me with the biggest risk. And I sure as hell don’t want to be held responsible when someone gets tossed by a bull and doesn’t get back up.”

My heart pounds. Does that happen ? I’m frowning, but he’s not done.

“Broken bones, concussions.” He swallows. “Deaths.”

“That’s enough, Wilder,” Wes snaps, his voice harder than I’ve ever heard it.

I move to my brother’s side and whisper softly. “It’s fine. I clearly over-stepped. I’m going to go. I’ll stop in for dinner later, OK?”

Wes squeezes my arm and nods.

I mutter a quick apology to him and take off toward the cottage. I should have just dropped it.

Something clearly happened to Wilder, or someone he cares about, at one of these events.

This isn’t stubbornness—this is personal.

After my shift, Wes takes me to his apartment in town and makes me dinner.

“This place is cool.”

“It’s small, but I spend all my time at the ranch, so it doesn’t matter.”

I take a bite of chicken. “Not that this isn’t delicious, but why am I here? This about the rodeo?”

“Look, I’m sorry about what happened today. He doesn’t usually go off in front of guests like that.”

“I’m not packing up just yet, Wes. Don’t worry.”

He breathes a sigh of relief. “I like having you here. But I should have been more upfront with you. Knowing you’d be curious.”

“About what?”

“About what happened to Carrie. Their mom.”

My chest is tight with worry. “It have something to do with a rodeo?”

He nods. “She was dared by a Callahan. Not the ones you met. They were too young. Connor Thorne was supposed to compete. But he threw his back out prepping for the event, so she went in his place.”

“Was she a cowgirl?”

“One way to put it. She could out-ride and out-rope most men in her day.”

A grin tugs at my lips. “Impressive. So what happened?”

He shakes his head. “Missy Callahan, Ricky and Dusty’s mother, showed up, brought stock, competed. Missy provoked Carrie. Dared her to compete in her husband’s place. Show good faith to her guests.”

I cover my mouth, feeling sick to my stomach.

“She got hurt. Rushed to the hospital. Died three days later.”

“Oh my God.”

“Two years before Dallas took over.”

I clutch my heart. “I didn’t know.” Tears well in my eyes, and I’ve lost my appetite.

“Look, I’ll talk to him,” Wes offers.

“And tell him what? Sorry my sister’s so unaware?”

“I don’t plan on apologizing for anything you said today. You’re right. A rodeo, maybe not as big as they used to be, would be huge here. What I meant was he needs to stop acting like people are attacking him for not hosting one.”

I shoot him a sour look. “You know I’m no fan of unwarranted apologies either.” My shoulders sag in regret. “But this was his mother .”

He sighs. “And you didn’t know.”

I glare at him because it doesn’t change the fact that I hurt him.

He holds up his hands. “Or .?.?. you can handle it yourself, like you always do.” He watches me. “But you know, Rose, sometimes, it’s OK to let people help you, to be there for you.”

Stubbornly, I don’t say anything.

We finish our dinner with small-talk, and then he drives me home. I’m grateful for the distraction but exhausted. It’s been an emotional day. I haven’t been able to shake how upset I made Wilder today when I challenged him. And when I found out why, my heart broke for him.

Why does this man carry so much without ever letting anyone in?

The irony of how alike we are doesn’t escape me.

I make myself a cup of tea, get in bed, then plug in my phone, finding a text message.

Wilder: Glad you’re home safe, I was worried.

My heart tugs and I don’t know how to respond. I shouldn’t be hurt by the way he lashed out at me today. But I am.

I know I pushed him too far today and as bad as I feel about it, I can’t help but also feel resentful for not knowing this about his mother. Because he refuses to open up to me.

For Christ’s sake, there was an entire production of push and pull just to learn his favorite flower.

I don’t want to avoid him. But I’m also not ready to face him.

Rose: I’m sorry I worried you.

Wilder: Can I come by? I need to say a few things.

Rose: I’m tired. Actually, I was hoping it’s OK if I work from here tomorrow? I have my laptop.

It’s a long moment before he responds.

Wilder: Of course.

Wilder: Your door locks locked?

Rose: All four.

Wilder: Sleep well.

I don’t respond and really do try to sleep well. I even consider having a little wine for help. But I’m too tired to get up and eventually fall asleep.