Page 20 of Riding Into Love
“Maybe. But you’d have to ask her.”
“Maybe I will.” John shrugs. “But I should get going. Gotta get to the hardware store and pick up some new water barrels. Good talking to you, Colby.”
“Always good to see you, John.”
He stands, shakes my hand, and leaves. As soon as the door closes, I lean back in my chair and groan.
River’s a smart girl, and it won’t take her long to realize the position John’s offering her would be a great opportunity. It would pay better than the shit salary I’m giving her, and it would get her away from the ranch, and away from me.
The thought twists my gut and makes me want to punch a wall.
I can’t stand the idea of her not being around, of not seeing her every day, of not watching her work with Linux, or watching her hips sway as she walks across the yard. It’s selfish, I know, but the thought of her being around John and his ranch hands is making my blood boil. One of those young punks would no doubt sniff her out, and they’d be all over her like white on rice.
Just the thought of another man’s hands on her, touching her, kissing her...
“Fuck.”
I can’t think about it. If I do, I’ll lose my shit.
But that’s what’s going to happen if I don’t do something about it.
She’s going to leave. And there won’t be a goddamn thing I can do about it. Not a fucking thing.
Unless I give her a reason to stay.
?Chapter Seven
?River
There’s nothing quitelike the sound of your past sneaking up on you disguised as the familiar ringtone of a man you should’ve blocked a long time ago.
Christian’s name flashes on my screen, and for a second, I think about hurling the damn phone into the nearest horse trough. Instead, like the glutton for punishment I apparently am, I swipe to answer, and just like that, every scar he left burns fresh again.
I give a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure no one is in earshot before I hiss, “What the fuck do you want?”
“That’s not a very nice greeting, darlin’. How’s Montana treating you?”
