Stealing Hearts (Wild at Heart #1)(68)

I’m sitting between Rhett and Baylee. Kat and Brady settle on the other side of my husband while Beau and Jace take the short end of the L-shaped couch. The boys sprawl out on the floor in front of us so they can use the coffee table to hold their plates.

I glance at the faces of people I love, and my heart overflows with affection. This week might’ve been hard because of Amber, but I’m realizing I’ll take all the tough times if it means I can have these moments.

During the outro to commercial, the camera pans to the cheerleaders.

Rhett leans close. “Is it hard to give that up?”

“It’s bittersweet. There’s really not a career path for cheerleaders after graduation, aside from coaching. I miss the squad and being on the field. I mean, look at my team. How could I not be obsessed with the Broncos? I love those guys, and their coach is amazing. He’s a hardass, but in a good way.”

He nods. “I like Coach Santos. He keeps Mav in line. My brother needs that.”

“I’m friends with his daughter Roxy. She’s the one who interviewed me for that news segment.”

“I still can’t believe I only saw that recently,” he grouses.

The disgruntled look on his handsome face makes me laugh, and I lean up to kiss him. “Well, I promise if I do any more interviews, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Damn straight.”

Just then, Mav leaps up in the air, pulls down the pass, and bolts for the end zone. Baylee yells at the TV, “You got this, Maverick!”

We all freak out as he races down the field.

When he nabs that touchdown, we high-five each other.

The Broncos win by fourteen points.

That night, when I collapse on my husband with a sated smile, I realize I’ve never been this happy.





34





PAIGE




Leaning forward, I finish putting on my lipstick.

“Babe, you ready?” Rhett calls out from the bedroom.

“Yup!” I check myself in the mirror one more time. I’m wearing the dress and boots Rhett bought me, and for once, I took the time to do my makeup.

He comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my shoulders. “Damn, I married a beautiful woman.”

I smile at his reflection. “You’re looking pretty handsome yourself.” He’s wearing a button-down light blue shirt, jeans, and boots. His thick beard is trimmed, and it looks like he took the time to comb his hair.

I’m looking forward to messing it up when we get home.

Rhett kisses my neck. “Do we have to go? Because I’d rather sit you on this counter and have my way with you.”

“One dance, that’s all I’m asking for.”

“We can stay longer than that. I’m just teasing. Kinda.”

I chuckle. I’m dying to have my way with him too, but we’ve never been out on the town before, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to stake my claim. Amber got Rhett for homecoming and prom and so many firsts I’ll never have. So I’ll take all of the country dances and fairs and whatever local festivals I can get for the foreseeable future.

In a weird way, I feel like showing up on Rhett’s arm tonight proves I wasn’t just a sad little wackadoodle in high school.

We hug the boys goodbye. Pauline is babysitting tonight.

I grab a light wraparound sweater in case it gets chilly. Texas in the fall can be so unpredictable. It was sixty last night, but now it’s warm and breezy.

I can’t believe it’s already October. I need to ask the boys what they want to be for Halloween. It’ll be fun to sew their costumes.

As Rhett and I drive into town, he’s quiet.

“Are you worried about the auction?” It’s next weekend, and I’ve seen his mile-long to-do list.

“Yeah. I’m cutting it a little close ’cause Harlan’s loan repayment is due the following Monday, but I wanted to hold off as long as possible to get those steer as heavy as possible.”

“Will he be at the Mixer? Should you explain the plan to him so he knows you’re on top of everything? You know, to reassure him?”

His hand slips over mine. “That’s not a bad idea.”

I nibble my bottom lip as I think about what Cash told me over the summer, that we shouldn’t put all our eggs in one basket. “Have you ever considered diversifying the ranch so we don’t just raise cattle?”

He glances over. “Sure, I’ve thought about it, but we haven’t had the funds to invest in anything else. I’m open to it, though.”

“How do you feel about sheep? I’ve been watching this rancher on YouTube who said she earns four hundred percent more raising sheep than cattle.” There’s no way I’m going to tell him this was Cash’s idea because that might turn him off. But Cash’s suggestion made me curious, and I found a lot of info online that supported his assertion about sheep.

Rhett’s brows lift. “Four hundred percent?”

“If I send you the link, would you watch a few videos? This rancher has tons of resources on regenerative agriculture. The best part is the return on investment for sheep is nine months versus, what, thirty-three for cattle?”

“I like that turnaround time.” He whistles. “Look at my wife, the expert. And yes, I’ll watch a few YouTube videos.”