Page 3 of Wilde Flame

She sighed. “I know. I was just hoping you’d change your mind, or that you’d take over completely and make it more bearable for me to stay.”

“And if I didn’t? What were you going to do? Take my money and go have a good time while I worked the ranch?”

“I was hoping I’d be able to convince you to travel with me.”

“And what about kids?”

Now she looked sheepish. “Truthfully, I’ve never once said I wanted kids. You’re the one who always talked about it.”

I quickly tried to run through my mind all the times we’d talked about our future. The moments were few and far between, I had to admit that. How could I have been so fucking blind?

“So, basically, you just went along with me talking about the ranch, building the house, waiting on…what?”

Her cheeks turned red.

“Holy shit. You’ve been waiting for my parents to die?”

“No! I thought it would be your grandparents…and with your dad not wanting the ranch because he has his store, I figured the ranch would go to you.”

I ran a hand down my face. “I don’t even know you, Rachel. How the fuck have we been dating for so long, and I don’t know who you truly are?”

“I gave you signs, Caden. You just chose to ignore them. I’m sorry, but this,” she spread her arms wide once again, “this isn’t what I want. I want to get engaged somewhere magical! Grand! And with a ring that’s Instagram-worthy. I want a husband who’ll spoil me rotten and buy me whatever I want. And I know now that isn’t something you’ll ever be able to do. I was going to break things off with you tonight, after dinner. I truly was. I can’t be in this tiny town one second longer. I need out. And you’re the only guy I’ve ever been with. I think…I mean, I want to experience other people.”

My mouth fell open. “Now you want to see other people? Are you going to ask for their real estate holdings and stock portfolio first before you agree to a date? Jesus…you’re making my goddamn head spin.”

“Caden, you don’t understand. I think you and I should go out tonight, meet up with our friends, then have one last night together before we go our separate ways.”

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?!”

I turned abruptly, leaving everything sitting there, including the ring, and started down the trail.

“Caden! I am in high heels if you haven’t noticed. I can’t walk that fast!”

I picked up the pace and saw Gatlin and Ensley standing by the utility vehicle, parked next to my truck.

“Did you hear?”

“We heard enough,” Ensley said, shooting daggers at Rachel, who was still calling out my name.

“Take her home for me, will you?”

Ensley cracked her knuckles. “After I punch the shit out of her or before, because I’m game for anything you want?”

I looked at Gatlin.

“Go, I’ve got it.”

Hitting the gas the second I was inside my truck, I spun out and drove off, letting my brother and sister deal with Rachel. Once I was at least a mile away, I pulled over, got out of the truck and threw up.

Caden

A few years later

“Do you think he’s asked her yet?” Ensley asked as we set the dining room table for Thanksgiving lunch.

“I have no clue.”

She sighed. “Caden, how long are you going to let Rachel do this to you?”