Page 64 of Storm Warning
She smiles, but a frown quickly replaces it. “God, I’m so sorry you went through that. But you weren’t alone, I mean not for long, at least. Is that why you stopped? Did you stop for them?”
“Thats just it. I saw them and told myself I was lucky to have them, and even more so that I got to wake up at all. And trust me when I say, I can’t express how thankful I am for that. But they never would ask me to give up my dream, not even after a scare like that. Wear a helmet? Sure. But not quit.” The weight of those memories feel as if it’s right back on my shoulders. Like every breath from that day comes at a cost. “Anyways, it’s taken me a long time to realize the real reason I didn’t go back. Ridin’ is my passion, but outside it, I didn’t have friends, and I love my family, but that’s not who ya shut down the bar with, or ride out to a pond with, or kiss under the stars.”Looking into her the golden flecks of her hazel eyes, I consider confessing more than I should, but every time we take a step forward, fear makes her push me away, so I decide against it. “I wanted a life.”
The only thing is, while she thinks I just wanted to be young and live a little, she doesn’t realize she’s the one who filled that chair.
38
KAYLEE - JULY 24, 2004
It’sfunny how we all feel alone in some way. How someone as charismatic as Rhett could feel like he didn’t have a single friend. The thought doesn’t even seem possible.
I sit up, doing my best to brush the dirt from my body, and lean back on the palm of my hands.
“So,” I ask tentatively, “you said you were going back, but when?”
“Haven’t gotten that far.” He urges himself upward, rubbing his thumb on my face. “Got a bit of cowgirl sparkles on your cheek there, Angel.”
I arch my brow. “Cowgirl sparkles?”
“Dirt, darlin’. The kind of stuff ya play in when ya got a bit of grit.”
I bite back a sarcastic rebuttal. Of course, something as basic and boring as dirt would get a nickname from Rhett. I crawl toward him and onto his lap, knocking him on his back—not that he fights me—and kiss him.
My legs straddle his sides and his fingers clasp around my waist. His touch is intoxicating, providing a buzz through me, replacing the shots that have now worn off. Placing my handson either side of his cheeks, I pepper kisses down his neck and back to his lips, whispering, “The only kind of cowgirl I’ll ever be is reverse.” I wink and he returns a devilish stare, tugging me back down toward his mouth.
“I thought that mouth would only ever get ya in trouble. Turns out, I’m the one who’s in trouble. If that’s what ya want, Angel, all ya’d have to do is ask,” he chuckles.
My smile widens on his lips and I give him another peck before leaning back. I shiver at the chill of the night air. He seems to notice as a crease forms between his brows. “Ya cold?” he asks.
I’m really not, but I’d be happy to pretend if he’s the person who will be fixing it. “You could warm me up?”
He kisses me. Long, hard and fierce. My core tightens, and I want nothing more than to get lost in him. But he pulls away, holding my chin in his grip as he looks deep into my eyes. “As much as I like the sound of that, I think we should get back before Sawyer and Daisy send out a search party.”
I huff as he extinguishes the flames.Fun sucker.“We haven’t been outthatlong.”
But I know he’s right. I can get wrapped up in him any time I want now that we’ve kind of, sort of established the relationship. Not in those exact terms, but there’s definitely something official going on now, I think? “Alright,” I say, drawing out the word a bit longer than necessary. “Can I ride in the front this time?”
“Ya can ride however the hell ya want. Just happy that it’s on me.” He winks and I shove him a bit before getting up and walking toward his horse.
“I don’t know how you put up with him.” Making the comment loud enough for him to hear, I search my pocket and pull out the rest of the candy from earlier. “Never even let you have the grape ones. It’s a travesty, really. Stick with me and I’ll make sure he shares.” I glide my hand backthrough Angelica’s mane, amazed at her size and how gentle she is.
“Ready to go back?” Rhett asks as he arrives at my side.
“Yeah, I’ll teach you how to properly roast a marshmallow.”
It doesn’t take long for dusk to turn to dawn, Daisy and Sawyer have since gone inside and the evening celebrating feels nothing short of perfect. Embers from the fire flicker as they dim with the passing time, and the sun starts to peek out over the horizon.
My head rests softly on Rhett’s lap and my eyes start to feel heavy as he glides his fingers through my loose hair. Everything is calm in a way I’ve never felt before, like the harsh city only miles away doesn’t even exist. I let my lids close and take in the crackling of the fire as its warmth caresses my cheeks. Just like the lake, I can hear crickets chirping in the distance and one of the horses whinnying from their stall. Peace. The absolute, most simple form of it, and yet it feels like an escape I would give anything for. Rhett pulls his flannel shirt over my body and, like magic, I drift off to sleep.
A light jostle comes from nowhere, followed by a whisper, “Angel, get up.”
“Five more minutes,” I groan softly, not ready to give up the comfort of my rest.
A few minutes must pass before another nudge comes. “Angel, I promise I’ll let ya sleep all afternoon, I’ll even carry ya to my bed, but I’m not lettin’ ya miss the best part of the day.”
I let out another dissatisfied murmur, yawning as I force myself upright and rub my eyes. The moment I pull my hands away, I gasp. “Holy shit.”
The sky is filled with warm, welcoming hues of orange and yellow. Ribbons of red dance between blankets of purple and the entire ranch seems to glow in such a way that I’ve only ever seen depicted in art.
