“I know.”
“We need to figure out where we go from here.” He nodded. “You and I both know we aren’t just friends…I mean, after a scene like that…”
“Yeah, but that’s what my dad thinks. He thinks we’re just friends…or at least we can get along sort of like we used to. I don’t think he knows the full extent of our friendship…before things started heating up between us.” He ran a hand through his hair. The light from the window cast a warm glow on his face. I could see the wheels turning in his head. “If we tell him now, I’m afraid it will complicate things.”
“What do you think will happen?”
“I’m not sure…but what if he doesn’t take it well? I don’t want to lose this summer with you because of a misunderstanding.” I sighed.
“I hate hiding this." I had to come up with a solution, and fast.
“I do, too, Daisy.”
“Maybe we can have it all.”
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe we can be together when your dad isn’t around, and we can go out sometimes and go riding…and we don’t have to tell him.”
“I do want to enjoy this time with you...that sounds like a plan…because honestly, I just can’t keep my hands off you.” He moved closer, his movement like a lion on the prowl, and I was his prey. He wrapped his calloused hands around the back of my neck, pulling me in to meet his lips. “I kind of like having you as a secret.”
“It might be kind of fun.” I winked playfully at him. Our minds were definitely on the same wavelength. “So, let’s justtake it one step at a time.”
“Deal.” He slid his hand down my leg, running a wave of heat through my body. This man knew all the right ways to get to me.
“So…we can have our own little adventure with this?”
“Whatever you want, darlin’.” Those words rolled off his tongue so smoothly.
“Sounds like something out of a movie, like we’ll be in our own little world.” I liked the idea of it. No one would know, so there would be no one to complicate things. I was never a fan of having people nose around in my business.
“You always did like a thrill.” I grinned, knowing he was right.
? ? ?
I stood at the edge of the creek, watching the sun hit the water’s surface. At sixteen, I felt limitless. I was full of adventure, and Colt was always there to be a part of it, usually with no questions asked. Colt was eighteen and pretty much my partner in crime. He was up for anything, just like me.
“Come on, cowboy!” I looked back at Colt, motioning for him to come closer.
I took hold of the rope. Ready to take off, I pulled back a little then let go. The wind blew my hair and I went flying into the air. I let go and landed right in the water with a splash. When my head bobbed up, I could hear Colt laughing.
“Don’t worry. I’m coming to join you.” Colt walked over and grabbed the rope.
“Hold onto it and pull yourself back a little, then lift off. It’s so fun!”
“Better watch out!” Colt did as I told him and plopped right into the water, only a couple of feet from where I was. I watched as his head came out of the water, his hair slicked back.
“Wasn’t that fun? Let’s go again!”
“You’re crazy, Daisy.”
“Yeah, but you like my craziness.” I saw that cute smirk come across his face, but I brushed it off.
I got out of the water and headed back to the rope to go again. I looked down at Colt and noticed how the sunlight was dancing in his hair. He was the perfect image. He would make the perfect boyfriend…and husband one day. I only wish it were me. I couldn’t help but smile, knowing whoever that woman ended up being would be the luckiest woman in the world.
Colt was exceptional, raised to be a gentleman. Since he and I were friends, he always looked out for me. I knew he always had my back. He was a free spirit like me, but that was a side that only I really saw. Back on the ranch, he was grounded by the work and the responsibility. Sometimes, I felt bad for him. I had work to do on my family’s ranch, too, but I know being a girl that my dad didn’t assign me the same tasks he would if I were a boy, so I could only imagine how hard it was for Colt. Plus, our ranch was much smaller. It was just enough to suit my mom and dad well when they bought it.
I looked down, seeing his eyes locked on me, and felt comforted. When we were together, it was just the two of us. The world always seemed to fade away. There was a spark between us- there always had been- but neither of us has ever done anything about it, and quite honestly, I didn’t think either of us ever would. I guess some things are just supposed to be this way, but at least Colt was in my life in some capacity.
