West of Forever (Heartstone Ranch #1)(57)

I was like her once—too young to do anything, but old enough not to do what your parents wanted you to do.

It’s a hard age.

It sucks.

“Okay, well, when you’re back from camp, just let me know and we’ll figure out a time.”

“You bet! Now I can’t wait to get back home.”

I laugh softly. “Hey, since you’re here, have you seen any holes in the fence?”

She shakes her head. “Nope.”

“All right. I can report that all is well.” I walk back over to Dolores and climb up. She handles it beautifully. “Thanks, Sadie. Have fun at camp.”

“I’ll try.”

I wink at her and then head toward the house.





“So how have you been?” Suzanne asks, looping her arm through mine as we walk through the rodeo.

“I’m good. You?”

She shrugs. “Fine. You know, same shit, different day. Ready for today’s race, and then I want to take some time off.”

Suzanne is an amazing barrel racer. She’s won more races than I can count, but she doesn’t love it anymore. It’s a job that pays her bills—mostly—but she’s tired of the circuit. The issue is that her family relies on her winnings to keep their farm going. She’s a top earner who has signed quite a few endorsement deals.

So she does it and hopes that one day she can find something else.

“How much time?”

“A week or two. My manager says that’s about as much as I can do without screwing up things in the pipeline.”

I smile at her. “Maybe you should, like, disappear. Go camping or something.”

“Do I look like I enjoy camping?” she asks, head pulled back.

“No, but it’s an idea.”

“A bad one.”

Most of mine are lately.

You know, like meeting Tristan, sleeping with him, lying to everyone I know. Although is it really a lie when no one has actually asked?

I think that’s a loophole that I can use to feel better.

It’s been five days, and we’ve texted a little, but nothing much. I asked how Sadie did at drop-off, and he said fine, then said he’d see me when he got back.

I took the hint. No talking when we’re not fucking, which is fine since I don’t want to talk.

At least, that’s what I’m really leaning into.

We don’t need to be friends.

In fact, we don’t even like each other. I just happen to like the sex, and that’s why we’re doing this.

He’s right. No need to check in with each other or…be friendly.

Sex and sex only. That’s our deal.

Suzanne lets out a very loud, very long sigh, and I search for the cause.

Then I see it—my brother.

“You should talk to him,” I encourage.

The eye roll she gives is exaggerated. “I have no desire to talk to Deacon.”

“You just have other desires?”

“Shut up.”

I grin. “Of course. I didn’t say anything.”

“And what about you, huh? You’re single, and there are plenty of very attractive cowboys to choose from.”

My laugh is automatic. “Absolutely not.”

Yes, there are very attractive cowboys here, but none of them are what I’m looking for. Each one here has a goal: either get laid and only that, or win a buckle. Honestly, most are here for both.

I’m here for neither.

“You know, you can just fuck one and not have to marry him. I know you have this whole thing about sex and relationships, but sometimes it’s just fun to screw around.”

Don’t I know it.

Tristan comes home tomorrow. He dropped Sadie off yesterday and was going to stick around in case she had any homesickness issues. I think it’s sweet how much he loves her and the sacrifices he makes.

I also can’t wait for tomorrow when we will both sacrifice sanity to bang.

I smile at Suzanne. “I’ve heard that’s a thing.”

She laughs. “It is, and young, beautiful women tend to get the better end of the deal.”

“Is that so?”

“It is,” my friend replies. “Seriously, Lark, it might be good to just have some fun for once.”

I’m having plenty of fun. Only I can’t tell anyone that. Especially not Suzanne. She is one of my closest friends, but she has a big mouth.

“I’ll take it under advisement,” I reply.

“You do that.”

We stop outside the barn area where her horse is held until her race in about thirty minutes. I’m one of Arion’s trainers. Suzanne asked me to help with him when she first got him, and I will say, he’s one of the fastest horses I’ve ever worked with.

Along with being one of the most fun.

His speed and ability to control it is what makes him such a unique horse.

Partner that with Suzanne’s ability to ride, and it’s no wonder she wins as much as she does.

“How is Arion?” I ask. “Do you need me to look at anything?”

She shakes her head. “No, he needs his alone time before the race.”

I smile. “You really know him.”

“I do. He’s very good to me.”