Page 58 of Wild Rivals

I cross the room and round the kitchen island, needing to give myself the protection it offers. Daddy stands near the doorway, patiently waiting for me to speak. There’s no judgment on his face, at least not yet.

“I need to tell you something.”

Silence.

“I’m going on a date.”

His brows pull low.

“With Wyatt Wilde.”

His eyes grow wide and he blows out a stream of air. “That was not what I was expecting. Especially given his history with our Deacon and everything you’ve ever said about him.”

I shake my head. “I know what I’ve said. Believe me. But it’s different. He’s different with me.”

My fingers find the dishcloth that I threw on the counter earlier and I fiddle with the cotton material. I can’t look at him, not because I’m ashamed of going out with Wyatt but because I don’t want to see his disappointment.

“I’m sorry,” I mutter, suddenly feeling sixteen again. “I should have told you sooner. So you didn’t have to find out like this.”

“Peanut,” he calls. I lift my head, the tension seeping out of my shoulders when I see the soft smile teasing the corner of his mouth. “You don’t need my permission to date someone, and you sure as hell don’t need to apologize for it. I’ve only ever wanted you and your brothers to be happy, but if you feel you need me to say it, then it’s okay.” He looks at me, his gaze bouncing around my face. “I haven’t seen you like this before. It’s really that different? He’s treating you right?”

Moisture pools in my eyes, and I sniff to contain the tears. “Yeah. Really different. Like what you and Mom had kind of different.” I swallow before whispering, “It’s scary.”

He softens. “It usually is.” He studies me for a beat. “That doesn’t mean it’s wrong.”

I nod, biting down on my bottom lip. “Please don’t tell Deacon. Not yet. You know what he can be like at the mention of Wyatt’s name. I don’t know where this thing might go, so there’s no point in upsetting him. Not yet.”

He pulls two fingers across his lips before saying, “Your secret is safe with me.”

And just like that my excitement for my date with Wyatt is back in full force.

I grin at Daddy. “Now, about that drink, would you like one?”

“Only if you have time.”

“For you, always. Tea okay?”

“Sounds great.”

I smile and turn toward the cabinet to grab the mugs. My back is turned for a matter of seconds before the sharp thud bounces around the room. I turn toward the noise, and my world stops.

“Daddy?” I scream.

35

WYATT

I finished work a couple of hours ago, which means I’ve had plenty of time to get in my own head about my date with Maddie. I’ve been fretting over my choice of restaurant, wondering if I should have brought her back here and cooked something or made the drive out to Billings to a fancier place. As it is, we’re going to a restaurant in a small city about half an hour from Coldwater that Grayson recommended.

Swiping up my wallet, I slide it into the back pocket of my black jeans before picking up my keys. There’s a lightness in my step that I haven’t felt in the longest time. I’m dressed in all black, with my shirt open at the collar and my sleeves rolled up, with a matching black Stetson to pull it all together. I spritz on some cologne before taking one last look in the mirror that hangs in the entryway and heading for the front door.

Here goes nothing.

Nervous excitement runs through me as I lock up my house. This is happening; barring Maddie not standing me up, we’re going out tonight. On a real fucking date. I can’t remember the last time I went on one. It must have been in high school. It’s safe to say I feel a little rusty, but I’m determined to make sure she has a good time.

I bound down my front porch steps and jog to my truck, wincing when I catch sight of the mud splattered over it. After the rain we had three days ago, the tracks that lead to my house and the main ranch have been softer and although they’ve dried up now, the caked-on dirt is a given. Nonetheless, I should have had it cleaned and I’m kicking myself for, one, not thinking that far ahead and, two, not having another truck like my brothers. I guess there’s not much I can do about that now.

A glance at my watch tells me I’ve got ten minutes. Enough time to clear out the cab of my truck so that I don’t send Maddie running for the mountains when I open the door for her.