Chapter 1
Lilly
It's funny how this ranch is feeling more and more like home. After a scare, Riley's doctor put her on bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy. She begged me to come and keep her company on my days off the road, and of course, I said yes. Who wouldn't want to relax in the good, Texas countryside with some hot cowboy eye candy?
As I walk into her room, Riley's face lights up.
"Oh, thank you! I don't know why I’m craving ants on a log so much, because I haven't had it, since my parents were alive, but now, it's all I want to eat." She grabs the plate from my hands and starts eating, like she hasn't eaten in days.
"Well, that little one is going to rule your life for the next eighteen years at least, so you better get used to it," I joke.
I sit in the chair that her husband Blaze had brought in for those hanging out with Riley. It's crazy comfortable, and it even has heated and massage seats.
This room feels like Blaze and Riley. It's got reclaimed wood along the wall that the bed is on, but it's light and bright. The bed has a dark, brown leather headboard, and Riley softened it up with white sheets and off-white blankets, and even a lace throw.
There are pictures all over the room of Blaze and his family, and Riley added a few of her family, when she moved in. She also took the animal heads off the wall and replaced them with some old farm decor.
Some throw pillows and a few changes in furniture, and the place is no longer a bachelor pad, but a room I can see them both in. Riley has a great decorating eye, and she had so much fun redoing the room.
"So, are they in full on wedding planning mode down there?" Riley asks, while she snacks.
"Oh, yeah. They look so happy," I tell her.
Mac is Jason’s younger brother. He and Sarah just got back from Mac’s proposal at the lake house, and they want to be married just before Thanksgiving. In other words, in about three weeks from now. Being as they will be married here on the ranch, the date might work, but I know Riley is hating not being able to help. She has helped with everyone's wedding, and I can see it in her eyes that she wants to be involved here, too.
"Soon enough, this little one will be here, and you’ll be back on your feet," I say, as I rub her belly. "Of course, only you would go and have a Christmas baby."
Riley and I both laughed, when we found out she was due just days after Christmas. Talk about the best Christmas present that she could give us all.
She spent hours online, looking up all these super cute newborn Christmas photos that she wants to take, when the baby is born. I think she’s secretly adding to the list each day.
"Thank you again for coming, Lilly. I enjoy having you here."
"I like it, too. Wasn't ever a ranch person, but there’s something about this place that calls to me. It's relaxing."
I don't tell her this ranch is starting to feel like home. I assume that’s her plan to make me fall as in love with this place as she is.
Blaze walks in covered in dirt and grease. "I'm going to get cleaned up." He says, ducking into the bathroom.
"He and Mike have been fighting that tractor all morning, but I’ll admit, there’s something sexy about a man covered in grease." Riley says with her eyes on the bathroom door.
"Not happening, baby. You're on bed rest," Blaze yells from the bathroom.
Riley groans. "This sucks. Pregnant women shouldn't be put through this kind of torture."
Poor girl isn't allowed to have sex or even orgasms, while on bed rest, because the contractions can cause early labor. She has been complaining for days, and I always laugh. The laughing always earns me a glare from her. I guess, I can't blame her. If I had a hot, cowboy husband, I'd want to ride him all the time, too.
Blaze steps out of the bathroom, looking at Riley with pure lust on his face. I want a man to look at me that way, like I'm the only one he sees, and the only thing that matters. I'm happy Riley has that, but I would be lying, if I didn't say I want it, too.
I stand up and give them their space, when Blaze turns to me. "I know you’re here for Riley, but would you mind heading down and giving Mike a hand with the tractor? If you can fix those rigs, you might be able to fix that old thing, too."
You can't run a big rig and not know how to fix one in a pinch. Plus, I grew up with my dad as a mechanic, so I learned a lot from him. It doesn't make me very popular with the guys, when you can fix something they can't, but so far here on the ranch, that hasn't been an issue.
"What's wrong with it?" I ask.
"It's not starting. We checked the basics, but it's something a bit out of my scope." Blaze says, as he sits down next to Riley.
Riley gets this smile on her face that I know means trouble. The last time she gave me that smile, I was sucked in as a food taster on the best recipe for Brussel sprouts. Yeah, there was no winner there. Now, I know that look means I need to hightail it out of there.
"Well, I think I'm going to take a nap. Why don't you go see if you can help him out?" Riley says.
I shake my head. I know what she’s doing. She wants everyone to be as crazy in love as she is. It's not that I don't want to be in love, because I do, it's just impossible to find someone, when you’re on the road more than you are home. I've tried it and know from personal experience it just doesn't work. It works even less if you try to date another trucker.
I head downstairs, and Sarah greets me, before my boots even hit the last step. She’s full of smiles, as she takes my hand. We met, when she got back to the ranch a week ago, but she has taken an instant liking to me. If I were to admit it, I like her, too.
I grew up a tomboy and didn't have too many girlfriends outside of my sister, so it's nice to have them now, all thanks to Riley.
Sarah has been in full on wedding planning mode, since they got back from the lake house, and she has been all smiles about it, and involving anyone that walks by. Blaze’s family owns the lake house in Walker Lake, Texas. I haven’t been, but Riley has sent me pictures, and it’s big enough for all five couples, Blaze’s parents, and any future grandkids. It’s right on the lake, and it’s where Mac and Sarah met many years ago, and where they finally got together earlier this year. The family goes up a few times a year, taking some time away from the ranch.
"So, I have my wedding dress appointment next week. Did Riley tell you?"
"No."
"Well, she said you’re to go in her place and have her on video call the whole time."
I laugh. "I wouldn't miss it."
Mac walks in the side door from the barn, shaking his head.
"Mike still struggling with that tractor?" I ask him.
"Yeah, told me to get out of his space with a few choice cuss words, so I left him to it," Mac cringes.
I can't help but laugh, deciding to go see what the big deal is.
Heading out to the barn, I take in the ranch. It's so peaceful here and full of life. I love coming here in between runs. What Riley doesn't know, is that right before she landed in the hospital, I sold my house in Tulsa, along with most of my furniture. I rented a small storage unit for the rest and picked up more routes to run, as they came up.
I've been with the company now for going on six years, so I have my pick of routes and stops. I don't want to drive a semi forever, and it's time to step up my game and save money to build my dream. What that is, I've still yet to discover. I just know it's not in Tulsa, not anymore.
My parents have moved on. They spend the summers in Montana, winters in Sedona, Arizona, and hardly ever make it back to Tulsa. I see them more, when I have a route crossing their way. My sister got out of Tulsa the first chance she could and is now in Nashville singing. She’s doing quite well; she always had an amazing voice.
So, being able to stay in Rock Springs, was perfect timing, and it was easy to scale down in order to spend time with Riley. I don't mind living out of my truck, but life on the road is pretty damn lonely.
Meeting someone wasn't on my radar much, until I watched Blaze's brothers fall in love one by one. Now I realize, what girl wouldn't want a sexy cowboy who looks at you like you hung the moon and the stars, treats you like gold, and loves you with everything he has?
"Goddamn piece of shit," I hear a gruff voice yell, and the sound of what I’m guessing is a wrench, hitting the concrete floor.
I walk into the barn and see Mike, kicking the tractor tire. His back muscles, rippling under his tight shirt, does something to my insides that I'm not quite ready to sort out just yet.
"Well, I wouldn't work for you either, if you treated me like that," I laugh, which earns me a glare. "Blaze sent me to help with the tractor."
"Took you long enough to get out here," he says, and I can see the tension in his muscles, as he crosses his arms, glaring at me.
"I'm here for Riley, and besides, it's been my experience that men don't like a woman coming in and showing them up."
"Well, I just want the damn tractor running, and I don't care if it's you, me, or Kit Kat, the damn horse, who fixes it," his voice raises.
I laugh, trying to ease some of the tension. Rolling up my sleeves, I go take a look. A minute later I can feel the heat of his body next to me. His arm brushes my side, and I feel like I've just been burned, even though the crisp fall air has a bit of a chill in it.
"Well?" He asks, his voice hoarse, or maybe, I'm imagining that.
"This is an easy fix," I tell him.
I get to work, and Mike hands me tools, as I ask for them. He watches what I'm doing and asks a few questions here and there. He's so close I can feel his body heat next to me. I try to force the thoughts away of how good his body feels next to mine, as I concentrate on the engine in front of me.
With my mind only half on the job in front of me, it takes double the time to fix than it should. A half-hour later the tractor is roaring to life, and Mike comes over, sweeping me up into a big hug.
"That's my girl!"
I've never had a guy so excited that I fixed something that he couldn't in my life. I've also never had a guy set my skin on fire, or make my heart race, when he's around, like he does.
I’m in so much trouble.
