He wouldn’t admit that, though. At least not yet. But it was painted all over his ruggedly handsome face.
The tension I felt with Sky was the same tension I felt with him.
Different, but the same.
And I knew with just one look he was feeling that tension with them, too. It was clear as day Beau had a soft spot for our storm-chasing stranger.
I tugged the patchwork quilt around my shoulders. The fabric was soft and worn, each patch telling a story. I knew it was one of the blankets that’d been around this ranch for years, and it carried that familiarity with it.
My face was warm, the fire emanating heat in comforting waves. Occasionally it would pop, and sparks would float up toward the stars.
Bonfire nights were always my favorite. We usually did it about once a week, and Boone always made the best s'mores.
It also gave us all the time to connect with each other in a different way. We weren’t working right now, and all of our worries were put aside.
Sometimes, when we had guests on the ranch, it would be a big production. But tonight, it was just our close-knit group, plus Sky.
They sat across from me in a camp chair, a blanket wrapped around their shoulders. It was one that Mama Adams had made long ago too, and it made me smile thinking about her now.
I'd never forget when she and Mr. Adams passed away. Even though I’d already been away from Rainbow Ranch and out in the world at the time, I'd still heard about it, and it broke my heart into a million pieces.
Those two had made such a large impact on my life as a teenager, and I never really had the chance to tell them.
It made sense that I'd come back here. Not that I owed anyone anything, but that this place had always felt like home. And it was my time here that made me want to pursue a degree in agriculture. Working with the earth and bringing my expertise in soil sciences and environmental sustainability to the ranch, working with people, creating a safe place—all of those things brought me joy and peace.
It made me feel like I was contributing to the world in a meaningful way.
And for that, we could all thank Mr. and Mrs. Adams for the love that they had for their kids while they were growing up.
I'd zoned out, but as I blinked and came back to the present, soft laughter floated on the breeze. Wiley and Boone were tucked against each other, snuggling as they roasted s'mores. Benny was drinking a beer and looking through a telescope up at the stars, and Billie was playing a game with Winnie.
Then there was Beau.
Our lone cowboy stood just a few feet away from me, his arms crossed as he watched the fire. He occasionally let out a sigh, and even though he wasn't a father, it was definitely adadsigh.
Because of course he was the one that was keeping track of the wind, keeping an eye on everyone, making sure all of us were safe.
The man never took a break. I couldn't say I took breaks very often either , but I still knew how to relax.
The sound of boots scuffing over rocks made me turn my head. Beau looked up at me, made a face, and then apparently made the decision that he was going to talk to me.
“Can I sit?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said.
He settled down in the empty chair next to me.
I sighed dramatically, giving him the look. “Did you decide to apologize to me?”
He snorted, but took off his hat, resting it on his knee. “I just want you to be safe. I care about you, Priscilla.”
“I know you do. But that doesn't mean you get to make decisions for me. And it wasn't even that serious.”
“But I know you,” he protested. “I know that you would go storm chasing. After seeing how powerful that tornado was yesterday morning, the idea of you and Sky getting swept away in that . . . I can’t bear the thought of it, Pris. It scares the shit out of me.”
My chest ached. “You mean, what would you do if we got into trouble and you couldn't be there to save us?”
He wrinkled his nose, but didn't argue. He didn't argue because he knew I was right.
