Текст книги "Wild Ride"
Автор книги: Cathryn Fox
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At a table near the stage, Jess spotted a woman bent over her chair, her face a mask of pure ecstasy as her man moved over her from behind. She watched for a moment, and then understanding dawned.
“Wait, are they…?” she asked, hardly recognizing her voice.
The corner of his mouth twitched, hunger in his glance as he watched the couple with interest. “Yeah, baby. They are,” he said. “Are you okay with that?”
The shock of what was happening lasted only a moment before lust settled in and consumed her. She squeezed her thighs together; the erotic action taking place in a room where all could watch was beyond anything she’d ever seen or written down. Unable to look away, Jess’s fingers tightened on the edge of the table.
Mac touched her chin to draw her attention back to him. Something potent passed between them when he leaned close and whispered, “I take it you’ve never tried that.”
She shot him a curious glance and thought about what it would be like for him to take her that way.
“Have you ever…” She reached for her wine, bringing it to her mouth with fingers that trembled. She cleared her throat. “Mac, do you come here often?”
“Not really.” He grinned at her, and she leaned forward in the padded booth to take another quick sip of her drink, attempting to mimic Mac’s casual pose as he stretched out beside her. “Are you nervous, darlin’?” he asked, his voice thick with desire.
“Yes,” she answered.
“Do you want to leave?”
“No,” she said quickly.
“Come here,” he said, and pulled her to him.
Working to quell her nerves, she fell against him, his hand going to her thigh. As skin touched skin, her private parts came alive.
He pitched his voice low. “I’m guessing you’ve never been to a club like this.”
She hesitated, finding it hard to keep a coherent thought with his hand so close to her sex. She shook her head no.
“But you wanted to, right?” Mac arched a knowing brow.
“What makes you say that?”
He slid his hand higher. His voice dipped to a sensual pitch. “The heat between your legs makes me say that, sweetheart. You’re on fire.”
Damned if he didn’t want to give her a night to remember. The first of many, he hoped.
As her eyes dimmed with need, he wondered just how far she’d like to go tonight. He knew that deep down, she wanted to be a part of all this, and while he’d asked for her submission, he wasn’t about to push too hard and frighten her off.
“Do you see something you like?” he asked as she zeroed in on Blake and two pretty blond girls who were staying at the ranch. The three were all wrapped up in one another on the dance floor, their bodies simulating sex as they moved and gyrated to the music.
Her throat worked as she swallowed, and her chest heaved as she watched the action.
“Jess?”
“Yeah?” she asked, like she was having a hard time focusing on conversation as people around them became intimate.
“Do you see something you like?” he asked again, and that’s when Blake turned their way and caught her staring. His friend whispered something to the girls, and then made his way over to their table.
He cast Mac a knowing grin. “I thought you said you weren’t coming?”
“Change of plans,” Mac said, scrubbing his jaw.
Blake turned to Jess, his smile slow and inviting. “The lady looks like she wants to dance.” He shot Mac a quick look as he held his hand out to Jess. “You don’t mind, do you?”
Fuck yeah, he minded. He minded a lot. He glared at Blake. Sure, they’d done this kind of thing before, and he’d never been a possessive man, until now…until Jess. But how could he say no? Jess had been watching him intently, with interest, and he wanted to give her what she wanted.
Before Mac could answer, Blake grabbed her hand and gave a tug.
“Oh, okay,” Jess said, and when she slid from the booth, she fell against Blake. He gave Mac a grin as he led her to the dance floor, and Mac clenched his jaw as he watched his pal lead his girl away. Blake pulled her in closer, and Mac sucked in a sharp breath as he worked to get his shit together. Christ, there was no way Blake could know how much it bothered him to see Jess in his arms, considering all the times they’d tag-teamed in the past.
The music changed, became slower, and Blake splayed his hands over her back, coming perilously close to her sweet ass. Oh hell no! That sweet ass was his. Mac climbed from his seat and moved through the throng to come up to her from behind. As he pressed his chest into her back, he felt a tremble move through her, a tremble that told him so goddamn much. Fuck, she liked this. She liked being between the two of them. Not that it really surprised him. Not after reading her journal. There was no doubt he wanted Jess for himself, but if he wanted to show her he cared, then he’d do whatever he had to, to give her what she wanted.
“Hey,” Mac said, whispering into her ear.
He gripped her hips and spun her around to face him, and when he caught the flush on her cheeks, the two girls Blake had been dancing with earlier came back to hijack him.
Blake laughed, and before they dragged him off he said, “I’ll catch up with you for a beer later.”
Mac pulled her in tight, and as her body pressed against him, his cock swelled. She sucked in a breath and turned when a couple beside them moaned. He felt her shudder as the half-naked duo began to rock against each other. As the man’s hand moved beneath the woman’s skirt, a small sound caught in Jess’s throat.
“Do you like what you see?” Mac asked.
She turned back to Mac and when he saw the way her eyes dimmed with desire, he widened her legs with his knee, sensing she wanted the same. She moved against his leg, desire dancing in her eyes. His mouth found hers and he kissed her deeply. As their tongues tangled, he explored her body, running his hands along her curves. He lifted her hands and put them above her head, then ran his fingers down the length of them, dragging his thumbs over the outer swell of her breasts.
He felt her stiffen, and inched back to see her.
She blinked, and as her breathing grew rapid, she stole another glance around the club. Her smile fell. “I…uh…I have to go.”
He clenched his jaw hard enough to grind bone, his bliss disappearing as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, wanting to assure her everything was okay.
“Which way is the bathroom?” she asked as she inched away from him.
Without giving him time to answer, she darted toward the hall.
Fuck.
He was about to go after her when Blake came back. “Who the hell is she, and where did she come from?”
He watched her disappear around the corner, and when she was out of his sight he sent his friend a quick glance. “I grew up with her.”
Blake shook his head, his eyes full of disbelief. “You’ve known her for years, and I’m just now getting to meet her?”
“I’ve been crazy about her my entire life,” Mac admitted. She’d been the first girl he’d fantasized about, fallen for. And even though he hadn’t talked to her in years, he’d always thought about her. Kept tabs on her to make sure she was okay. Now that he’d had a taste, he only craved more.
Blake nodded. “Yeah, I can see why. And I guess I can see why you’ve been keeping her to yourself. But I think your girl wants to play.”
“We’ll play,” Mac said, looking back down the hall where Jess had disappeared, and hoping like hell he hadn’t blown things between them. He turned to Blake, looking him dead in the eyes. “But you should know…this time, I’m playing for keeps.”
Blake’s head came back with a start. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
Mac gave a slow shake of his head. “Nope, not even a little.”
“So she’s hands-off then?”
“Yes, and no,” Mac said, and leaned toward his friend, wanting only to do right by Jess and give her what she really wanted.
A few minutes later, after explaining his plan to Blake, Mac went to collect her. “I’ll catch up with you later,” he said, then made his way toward the bathroom.
When she came out and found him standing there, a gasp caught in her throat.
“Jess,” he said, everything inside him reaching out to her when she blinked up at him with bright-eyed innocence. “I’m sorry.” He shook his head and pulled her against him. “I thought you were ready for this. You seemed curious, so I thought—”
“Mac,” she whispered.
“Yeah, baby,” he murmured.
“I want to go.”
“I know,” he said, putting his arm around her waist to lead her toward the door.
She stopped in her tracks. “No, Mac,” she said, her lashes dipping lower over her dark bedroom eyes. “I want to go…” She paused, took a deep breath, and nodded toward the loft upstairs. “Up there.”
When she parted her lips in a silent invitation, conveying without words what she wanted, his heart thudded in his chest. Thrilled, yet hardly able to believe this turn of events, his mouth crashed down on hers, not about to waste another second. He kissed her long and hard, pushing his knee between her legs.
She rocked against his knee, her movements sexy and intimate as he continued to kiss her. Her breasts scraped over his chest, and he pulled back, drew a shaky breath, and said, “Let’s go.”
Walking quickly, he guided her down the hall and up the winding staircase until he reached his private room. He pulled his key card from his pocket and noticed the look on her face.
“Change of heart?” he asked.
“No,” she said, her tone soft. “I’m just wondering why you have a key when you said you don’t come here often.”
“Every member gets one, but this is my first time using it.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean…it doesn’t matter…I was just…”
“Jess,” he said to stop her, placing one hand on her cheek, eager to gain all her trust. “I would never lie to you.” Her body relaxed slightly, and he turned his attention to the lock. He swiped the card and when the light turned green, he pushed the door open and ushered her into the room. He set the lock and turned to look at her. Gone was that brief moment of hesitation, and in its place existed need. His hands went to his shirt as his eyes latched onto her sexy curves.
“I want you naked. Now.”
Chapter Five
Pressed against the door in a dimly lit room with nothing more than a king-size bed smack-dab in the center of it, Jess watched Mac undress. Honestly, she couldn’t quite believe that she was here with him, but there was no denying that she wanted this.
With that last thought in mind, she pushed off the door and shed her dress, but her hands stilled on her bra strap when he removed his pants to expose the biggest cock she’d ever set eyes on. It was true that she hadn’t been with many men, but those she had climbed between the sheets with failed to compare to the Adonis standing before her.
“Come here,” he said, his voice a little rough.
“Mac,” she croaked as she crossed the room to meet him. Deft hands quickly unhooked her bra, and he cupped her breasts.
He paused and met her glance. “Are you sure, sweetheart? I want you so much that once I start it’s going to be hell to stop.”
“I’m sure,” she whispered.
A low growl sounded in his throat as he bent down and pulled one hard nipple into his mouth. Her hands went to his hair, and she grabbed a fistful of his dark strands as he hungrily teased her nipples, his hands sliding down her sides to shape her contours.
He sucked harder, and she arched into him. “So good,” she cried out, desperate to feel his impressive girth inside.
Her hands slid to his shoulders, and she palmed his muscles. She gasped as he ripped her panties from her hips and tossed them away. His hands moved hungrily over her body and halted at the juncture between her legs.
When she widened for him, he groaned. She rubbed herself against his hand, desperate for more.
“Tell me what you want,” he said, as he sank to his knees to press heated kisses to her stomach. “Tell me exactly what you want, and I’ll give it to you, darlin’.”
She’d never had the nerve to vocalize the naughty things she’d written in her journal. A sudden bout of shyness overcame her.
“Tell me now,” he growled. His kisses pushed away the last of her reserve.
Jess swallowed. He was offering her a once-in-a-lifetime fantasy, was willing to give her everything she’d ever wanted if she’d only ask. She pulled in a fortifying breath and forced herself to blurt out, “I want your mouth on my pussy.”
He sucked in a sharp breath and stilled for a moment. Quiet hovered over them, and she sensed he was fighting for a measure of control when he demanded, “Say it again.”
“I want your—”
“No,” he said. “Say pussy.”
Her heart leaped, excited by his heated reaction. She watched a tremor move through his body and realized how much she wanted this.
“Pussy,” she murmured. “I want you to lick my pussy.”
There was a sense of urgency about him when he climbed to his feet and gathered her into his arms. He took three long strides, and then gently tossed her on the bed.
God, she loved the way he was going all primal on her, taking full control of their play. As her own basic elemental needs took hold, she went up on her elbows to watch him climb between her legs.
“Open for me, baby,” he murmured, then buried his face between her thighs. His mouth felt like fire on her skin as he pressed a kiss over her sex.
“Oh, God,” she cried out, her hips coming off the mattress.
His thumb circled her clit, his tongue swirling over her in the most tantalizing ways—ways no man had ever done before. Unable to think with any sort of clarity as he indulged in her body, she gripped the bedding beneath her, her breath coming in quick little pants.
“Christ, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to taste you,” he murmured from between her legs. He cast her a hot glance, and there was something very erotic in the way he licked his lips. “Sweet,” he murmured. “So fucking sweet.”
Taking pleasure in watching him feast on her, her hands crushed his hair, holding him between her legs. Feeling crazed, frantic, she placed one of her hands on her breast and squeezed her nipple, sending tingles all the way down her body. He continued to do delicious things with his tongue, and as he unleashed the vixen in her, she writhed, seeking something else.
“I need you inside me,” she blurted out without censor, impatience thrumming through her. “Please, Mac, I…I…need you to fuck me.”
Her hands raced over his shoulders, and his entire body trembled, his muscles bunching. “Jesus,” he cursed from between her legs. “You can’t say that to me.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’ll lose it, that’s why.”
It thrilled her to see Mac losing it, that she was the one doing it to him. “Please, Mac. Please fuck me…”
Without speaking, he climbed from the bed to grab his pants off the floor. He took out a condom, and after sheathing himself, he slid up her body and pressed down on her, holding her captive beneath him. With his cock positioned at her opening, his eyes met hers, and something very intimate passed between them, something that had her heart racing and her brain warning her that it might not be so easy to walk away when this week was over. She took a sharp breath and reminded herself that Mac was incapable of more than a quick, hot affair.
The muscles along his jaw twitched, and she turned her focus to the desire burning through her when his mouth met hers. Entirely lost in the moment, she lifted her hips, and he growled as his tip breached her opening.
He gave her an inch. “Is this what you want, sweetheart?”
“More,” she cried out, bucking against him, and with that, he plunged deep, driving into her so hard and fast it drove the breath from her lungs.
His kisses were hard and demanding. He pumped into her, and she lifted her hips, meeting each powerful thrust. His cock brushed over the bundle of nerves inside her, and she couldn’t believe how gloriously full she felt. Mac grabbed a fistful of her hair and continued to pound hard, like he couldn’t get deep enough.
Sensations ripped through her, and she hardly recognized her own voice when she whimpered, “So good.”
He slipped a hand between them, and the pleasure was exquisite when he found her clit. He rammed into her, reaching a fevered pitch until she was crying out his name. She quivered beneath his ministrations, the length of his shaft stroking deeper than any before him, and when he applied extra pressure to her swollen nub, the rippling waves of an orgasm took hold. Her erotic whimper filled the room; a second later, she clenched hard around his cock. Her mind soared. Everything but this man and what he was doing to her faded from existence.
“Fuck,” he ground out, and she could tell he was working hard to keep it together. But she wanted him to come unglued, wanted him to feel as crazed as her.
She wrapped her legs around him and held him tight as she rode out the waves, taking her higher and higher. When he closed his eyes, she thrust her pelvis forward, forcing him in deeper, and whispered, “I want to feel you come inside me.”
His low growl curled around her, and his corded muscles bunched as he buried his face in her neck. She could feel the rapid-fire pounding of his heart against her chest as he climaxed high inside her, and it didn’t go unnoticed that sex between them felt more intimate than anything she’d ever known. She ran her hands over his back, reveling in his every spasm as he depleted himself.
He dropped down on top of her. He captured her mouth in a slow, simmering kiss before leisurely rolling off. When he turned to her, emotions gathered in a knot in her stomach. She swallowed, loving the way he looked at her, wanted her.
“Jess,” he whispered, a warm palm cupping her cheek. “I knew it would be good, baby. But it was even better than good.”
“Yeah, I know,” she murmured, contentment coursing through her veins as she snuggled closer.
“I never lost it so fast before,” he said.
She reached out and touched him, marching her fingers over his chest. He was such a giving lover, putting her needs first and taking her to places she’d only ever dreamed about.
Sexy and rumpled, with a grin that made him look boyish, he touched her hair, pushing it from her face. “I love the way you opened up tonight.”
“You’re a man of many talents,” she said, giving a lazy, catlike stretch. But she couldn’t get too comfortable. She had to remind herself this was temporary. While they were good—great—together in the bedroom, it certainly didn’t mean they’d make great life partners. Even if he was serious about wanting more, which she still doubted, there was a lot more to relationships than good sex, and she wanted a man who would put his family first.
“Come on,” he said, slipping off the side of the bed.
“Where we going?” she asked.
“Back to the ranch. I have to check on Eleanor.” He gave her a grin full of mischief and promise. “Then there are so many more things I’m going to do with you.”
After returning to the ranch, Mac walked Jess to her room so she could get changed and he made her promise to meet him at the saloon later. He stood outside her bedroom door long after she’d closed it, and listened to her move around inside as his mind went over everything that had just happened. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Totally blown away by Jess and the things they did at Wranglers. Jesus, he knew sex between them would be good, but it was even better than he expected. So much better, in fact, it scared him a little, even though he wanted more from her. He ran a shaky hand through his hair and forced himself to push away from her door and make his way outside to the barn.
Twenty minutes later, after checking on his mare, Mac left the barn in time to see Jess exit the lodge and head toward the saloon. Loud country music spilled from the open windows, and as she approached the door, he hurried his steps to get there first.
He felt a shudder move through her body when he put his mouth close to her ear and whispered, “Allow me, ma’am.”
He pulled the door open and settled his hand on the small of her back as he led her inside. When she saw a stage set up near the bar, she turned to Mac. “What’s going on?”
“Karaoke night,” he explained.
She shook her head. “I’m not going up there.”
Ignoring her protest, he said, “Come on, let’s have a drink.”
He guided her to a table in the corner, and when Tamara the waitress came by, Mac put their order in. Jess grinned as she listened to one of the guests massacre a song, and when the crowd broke out in laughter, his heart tightened, loving the way her smile lit up her pretty face.
After their drinks arrived, he shifted closer. His worries that things were moving too fast for her—hell, for him—disappeared as she leaned into him. He pulled her in tight, reveling in the new comfort between them. They watched guest after guest take the stage, and after she finished her drink, he knew it was their turn. He climbed to his feet and dragged her with him.
“No way,” she said.
He put his mouth close to her ear. “My rules, my way,” he reminded her. Then he softened his voice and added, “And don’t worry, I’m coming with you.”
Her dark eyes met his, and he smiled at her, encouraging her to break out of her shell and try something new. They exchanged a long, thoughtful look.
She drew a breath and let it out slowly. “Okay,” she said with a hint of nervousness edging her voice.
He took her to the stage, and she hung back a bit as he looked through the music. Once he found a song from their high school days, he grabbed a microphone for himself and handed her one.
Mac started singing first, so out of tune the crowd started booing him. He turned to find Jess grinning, and he shot her a pleading look. “I need help here,” he said.
She shook her head at him, put the microphone to her lips, and began singing along quietly. When the patrons heard her voice, they all began clapping. She grinned, and her voice grew a little stronger. Mac slipped his arm around her waist, holding her to him as they belted out the lyrics.
Halfway through the song, Jess messed up the words, and shot him an embarrassed look. Mac waved his hands toward the crowd, gesturing for them to shout encouraging words. They clapped, and even though heat stained her cheeks, she smiled with them, and then quickly picked up where she left off.
He listened to her sing, her beautiful angel voice so pleasing to the patrons. He felt a tightness in his chest, right around the vicinity of his heart. Of course, he’d known all along that she could carry a tune, having caught her singing in the music room after all the other students had left. She was normally shy and hated putting herself in the spotlight, which was why he’d brought her here tonight. She’d opened herself up to him in the bedroom, and now he wanted her to open herself up outside of it.
When the song ended, she was ready to pass the microphone off to the two women waiting their turn—the two petite Barbie-doll blondes who’d been with Blake earlier—but the crowd clapped, demanding more. Jess blinked up at him, her nose crinkling in the cutest way. “What do I do?”
“How about one more?” he whispered. “They love you.” Damned if he could blame them.
“Okay,” she agreed, and he was certain he saw pleasure backlighting her eyes.
He picked another song.
As they belted out the lyrics once again, he noticed the small sway to her hip. As he watched her open up, actually enjoy herself, his heart swelled with pride.
When they finished and the two women took to the stage, they both handed off their microphones. Mac pulled her in close and asked, “Want to get out of here?”
She nodded, and he led her outside.
He nudged her and said, “You did good.”
She smiled at him and teased, “I wish I could say the same for you.”
He laughed and whacked her ass. “Hey!”
After she laughed, she went quiet and said, “Actually, I can’t believe I did that, but it was kind of fun.”
“You should let loose more often.”
“Maybe I will.” she said.
The chorus of birds pulled Jess from her slumber. She opened her eyes and blinked against the early-morning light spilling in through the slit in the curtains. Shifting on the comfy mattress, she stretched out her limbs, and when her hand connected with hard, warm flesh, every delicious memory from last night came rushing back, and not just sexual ones. Her body ached in the most intimate places, but it was the pounding of her heart that really caught her attention.
She rolled onto her side and couldn’t help but smile as she perused him. Flat out on his back with his arms above his head, he slept quietly. While she wanted to wake him, to touch his hard body all over again and feel him inside her, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Not when he looked so relaxed and peaceful. Besides, after all the things they’d done together last night, from the club, to the singing, he deserved a little rest.
She slipped from the bed and without bothering to dress, quietly walked to the window. Off in the distance, she spotted someone swimming in the lake and wondered who else would be up at such an early time of morning. Padding softly to the bathroom, she brushed her teeth and washed up, anxious to get outside and do her morning stretches before the other guests surfaced.
Moving to her suitcase, she rooted through her belongings and caught the corner of her journal peeking out from beneath her clothes, having hidden it in there last night when she and Mac returned from the club. Normally, she’d spend the night tucked under her covers writing out a forbidden fantasy, but last night, she’d indulged in one instead.
She dressed quickly and grabbed her yoga gear. Mac shifted on the mattress. As she stared at him, taking in the stubble shadowing his jaw, she couldn’t help but grin and notice how close she felt to him, their open lovemaking and the way they both laid themselves bare taking them to a whole new level of intimacy, one she’d never experienced before. Everything in what they did left her feeling sexy and adventurous, but it also left her yearning for so much more.
She sucked in a breath to pull herself together. Hadn’t she lectured herself on enjoying this for what it was—sex—and keeping her emotions out of it? With that last thought in mind, she tiptoed from the room and made her way outdoors. Breathing in the fresh air, she walked past the horse stable. Inside, she heard a rustling sound and wondered if it was Blake moving about and getting ready for his day.
She thought back to last night, to the way Mac had sandwiched her between him and Blake. A fine shiver moved through her as she considered being with two men, both of them touching her, pleasuring her, putting their mouths all over her body. She tightened. Good God, she could hardly believe how much that excited her. But even after all she’d done with Mac, she’d never have the courage to share that seductive fantasy with him.
She made her way toward the eastern mountain. After finding the path Mac had taken her and Eleanor up, she climbed to the top. She dropped her towel, put her earbuds in, and turned on her iPod. She tipped her face to the sun and took a moment to concentrate on her breathing. She lifted her arms above her head, stretching out her well-used muscles. Shelving all her work worries and concentrating only on the slow, relaxing music, she let the sounds soothe her soul.
Halfway into her routine, completely lost in the moment, a strong male arm slipped around her body from behind, pinning her arms to her sides as he pulled her against his chest. She froze for a second and then let loose a strangled cry.
“Hey, baby, it’s just me,” Mac whispered, pulling one of her earbuds out and dangling it in front of her face. “I called out but you didn’t hear me.”
She whipped around to face him and yanked the earpiece from his fingers. “You scared the life out of me.”
He gave her a sheepish look. “Sorry.”
“How did you know where to find me?”
“I guessed.” He held up a backpack. “I brought breakfast. Does that get me off the hook for scaring you?”
She drew a breath to gather herself. “I suppose. But first, I need to finish my routine.”
He put the backpack down and rubbed his hands together. “Let’s do it, then.”
She arched a brow. “You’re going to do it with me?”
“I told you last night I wanted to, but you didn’t wake me.”
“I thought you needed your sleep.”
He gave her a wink and teased. “Oh, now I see. You let me sleep so I’d be good and rested for tonight?”
She laughed and cocked her head. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
“Yeah, as long as you take it easy on me.” When she folded her arms in challenge, he said, “We’ll save the hard stuff for later.”
“Be good or I’ll make you do downward dog pose.”
“As long as we can do it my way,” he murmured playfully, but clamped his mouth shut when she cast him a warning glance.
She proceeded to show him a few basic moves, and she had to admit, as he practiced his breathing exercises, she could almost feel the tension drain from him, filling his type-A personality with a new kind of calm.
She spoke in soft tones, drawing him into her peaceful, tranquil state. She continued with the poses, and he mimicked them, although he didn’t quite have her flexibility or stretch. Regardless, she was sure he’d never been more relaxed in his life.
She taught him to clear his mind as the sun warmed their muscles, and they listened to the animals and the soft whisper of the wind drifting by on a breeze.
By the time they finished the routine, his stomach started grumbling, and Jess laughed. “I think we’d better feed you.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” He found a nice, flat grassy spot near the edge of the cliff overlooking the ranch. As Jess looked out over the view, her body so warm and relaxed, Mac opened his backpack to pull out fruit, a thermos full of coffee, and bagels and blueberry cream cheese.
“Do you come to the ranch often?” she asked.
“As much as I can.”
“What made you all buy a working dude ranch in the middle of nowhere?”
“Coop’s mom isn’t well. We all went splits on the ranch because this is where Coop thought she’d be most comfortable since she grew up in farm country.
Surprised that he’d go to such extremes for a friend, warmth and respect moved through her. “I had no idea.” She went quiet for a moment, thinking more about the boy from her youth. “You’re a good friend.”
