by Em Petrova
The past three weeks had shown a lot of changes around the place, but best of all was how Gusto seemed steadier on that injured leg. The vet had come and gone for his weekly checks, and he praised Wheeler for all he’d achieved in his care. Wheeler sure couldn’t take credit for all of it, not when Aria had done so much in the beginning.
Now that she was back on set for long hours, he tended the horse himself, and he’d figured out ways to maneuver on his single crutch to make things easier, such as adding an extension to the garden hose to run cold water to the bucket instead of carrying the bucket to the horse. Soaking the leg had become a routine Gusto didn’t mind anymore either, and it helped that the horse was so cooperative.
The builders Aria had hired were also nearly completed with the long run and a few gates the horses would need for training. And Wheeler had managed to hang new stall doors in time for Spence to deliver the horses.
He lifted his head and looked out across the fence at them. Standing side by side, the mares were proud and born for competition. Last time she’d been here, Aria had spouted off a list of things she needed to do with the stock on her day off and he’d only shaken his head at her, right before cornering her and telling her that she wasn’t going to be training these horses on her days off, because she would be in bed with him all day.
To that, she’d laughed. But when he’d stolen the first kiss, she’d caved and by the time she was panting out her first release, she’d agreed they would hire someone.
“Wheeler?”
He stumped over to the fence to see King coming his way, shock written on his face. “Holy shit. When did you do this?”
“It’s been a work in progress.”
King came to a dead stop as he spotted the new stock. “Hell. Are those reining horses?”
“Yeah.”
“Spence’s stock.”
“They were Spence’s stock.”
King’s brows flew upward. “You bought them?”
“Aria did.”
King’s eyes bulged. “Aria. What the hell is happening around here?”
Wheeler leaned on the fence, and King drifted up to the other side, taking in all the improvements.
“Why didn’t you say? You’ve been at Blackwater every day and didn’t say a word.” King gave a shake of his head.
He shrugged. “It felt kinda personal. I don’t know how to describe it.”
“Personal how?” He eyed Wheeler, far too good of a friend to ignore the things Wheeler wasn’t saying.
“It’s hard to describe.”
“Personal because you’re in love with her.”
That pretty much summed it up. He nodded and picked at a splinter on the fence rail.
“This is big, man. You’re setting up to train horses together.”
“It’s a dream of Aria’s. She’s always trained horses, and she couldn’t pass up these when Spence offered them. I’m just part of the deal, boarding them for her.”
“Uh-huh. I’m sure that’s it.”
Wheeler nudged his hat up. “I don’t know how she feels.”
“But you want more.”
“I’d like that, yeah. But…”
A long second passed, and King leaned his elbows on the rail. “But what?”
“I can’t give her what she deserves. Hell, I feel bad enough about her buying the lumber and hiring guys to build onto the fence and create the run. I barely scraped enough to install new butcher block counters in my kitchen, and it will take months for me to save enough to update the bathroom.”
“Damn, bro. You’ve got it bad. Finally working on this place to make it cozy for a woman?”
“You’re not helping, King.”
He huffed out a laugh. “I’m sure I’m not. It’s just that I’ve been through this before. Wanting to give your woman the universe but on a rancher’s budget.”
“I’m not even a rancher. Just a cowpoke who’s been stingy enough over the years to save a little.”
“You’re right—I don’t know what Aria would see in you. Bum foot, in need of a haircut. Pretty ugly to look at.” King grinned.
“You’re a dick.”
“I know. So when are you gonna pop the question?”
He shook his head. “Can’t. She’s just run from a wedding, remember?”
“Yeah, one that was being forced on her by a man she didn’t want.”
“Who knows if I’m what she wants? No, I can’t take things further. We’re just enjoying each other for now. It hasn’t even been very long.”
“You realize the filming will wrap up in another month’s time and Aria will go back to Hollywood.”
King’s words were a sharp jab to his heart. Wheeler gnawed at his lower lip before giving a nod. “I guess I’ll just have to hope…”
“Hope that you grow a pair of balls before then? Dude, coming from the voice of experience, if you don’t act soon… if you let her go… you’ll regret it more than anything you’ve ever regretted in your life. You gotta tell her how you feel.”
Wheeler stood there a moment, stricken with dread at the very thought of Aria walking away from him forever. Of course, he’d never believed it could be more than just sex and a mutual love for horses. Now…
He glanced up at King. “You’re right. I have to tell her.”
“Don’t wait too long.” He waved at the new pair of horses. “Money to be made here. I just heard about a million dollar rider in the junior reining division.”
“That’s Aria’s goal.”
“Achievable.” He looked at Wheeler hard. “And so is yours. Grab that woman and don’t let her go.”
Wheeler couldn’t stop the crooked smile from overtaking his face. “This entire situation is insane. All I did was take a fall and mess up my horse and myself. Now suddenly, I’ve got a pair of champion horses, updates to the barn and fence and a gorgeous woman in my bed.”
King laughed and smacked Wheeler on the shoulder. “I know the feelin’. With Bellarose, she fell in love with the lifestyle of a rancher. Sounds to me like it’s Aria’s first love.”
“It is.” He hoped the second would be him.
“Then it’s not hard to reason that she’d choose you, Wheeler. Need me to look at Gusto’s leg while I’m here?”
The change in topic didn’t faze Wheeler. He shook his head. “Nah, he’s good. I just checked him and I’ll ice the leg later on.”
“Good deal. If you need any more help, you know where to find me.”
They gripped hands in a bro-shake and then King got back in his truck, leaving Wheeler alone with his thoughts. The quiet rustle of horses as they grazed soothed his racing mind. It was too soon to share his feelings with Aria. Yet, King was right. If he let her walk away, he’d regret it forever.
What he needed was the equivalent of a promise ring to an eighth grader, something to prove his feelings were deeper than just rolling in the hay.
But what to get a woman who could buy anything she wanted?
She wasn’t one for jewelry, just an occasional pair of silver studs in her earlobes. He’d never seen her carry expensive handbags, either. What did women like?
His brain stumbled over a moment in time, when he’d seen her come out of the tack shop. A woman like Aria would be into something she could use on the horses, and he’d know it when he saw it.
Guess he was making a trip back into town sooner than expected. He could stop off for some more steaks too and treat her to a nice dinner. He rubbed at his jaw. Both these things would get him laid—but would it have the effect he hoped for? He wanted nothing less than for her to rush into his arms when he confessed he was in love with her.
One worry popped up in the back of his brain, though—she’d run away once. What would stop her from running again?
Chapter Nine
When Aria slipped inside the open front door of Wheeler’s house, she knew he’d be sound asleep. It was nearing midnight, and she felt terrible about showing up so late, when she’d been
expected hours ago. She’d considered breaking their plans to see each other due to the late hour, and she’d fought with herself—and lost. So here she was, taking a chance that she wouldn’t startle him awake and have to face down a shotgun.
He had left the door unlocked for her. Hopefully that meant he was waiting for her still.
She moved silently through the living room, making out the dark, bulky shapes of the sofa, chair and footstool. The scent of freshly cut wood was a sharp tang in her nostrils, and she realized he’d been at the butcherblock countertop again, probably putting on the finishing touches.
That had been a surprise when he’d begun the renovation on the counters. She’d taken him for being a passive man and just getting on with what he had because it was still serviceable. But now she realized he just might not have had the time to put into the house and make it his own.
Also, he was an outdoorsy man and now that he was trapped inside longer with his broken foot, he could have gotten tired of looking at all the things he wanted to improve around the place.
She moved past the kitchen and into the hallway, drawn to him in a way that was brand new to her.
She wanted him—to shed her clothes and glide into bed beside him, to wrap her arms around him and cuddle up close. All those things shouted out that she was in so much deeper than she’d thought.
And everything about spending time with Wheeler was the complete opposite from being with Jason.
Reaching the doorway, she paused, looking in at the cowboy fast asleep in bed. He lay on one side, face turned from her but she could make out the dark shadow of hair on his jaw. The sheet only partially covered his bare torso, and the thick cast protruded from beneath the edge of the sheet.
Her heart gave a small tug, and then she drifted forward, shedding her boots and clothes. When she was only clad in tiny panties, she lifted the sheet and slid into the cocoon of warmth given off by his body.
Muttering in his sleep, he turned over. Tenderness washed across her senses, and she wrapped an arm around him. He came awake all at once, eyes wide and staring as if he was seeing her in his dream.
Maybe he was. Her heart gave another tiny jolt.
“God.” His voice was gritty with sleep. He pulled her flush against him and looked into her eyes once more before tucking her head beneath his chin. “You’re here.”
Snuggled close to his chest, she felt the stresses of the long day fade away and her muscles begin to relax.
“You’ve gotta be bushed.” His chest rumbled under her ear.
“I am. But I couldn’t stay away.”
His throat clicked as he swallowed. “Those are the sweetest words I’ve heard in my time.”
She smiled against his chest, brushing her fingertips over the soft hairs that sprang up. “Wheeler.”
“Yeah, honey.”
She tipped her head back to look at him. “Will you make love to me?”
A growl hit his lips and he curled a hand around her bare breast. “I thought you’d never ask.”
She giggled. “I’ve only been here three minutes.”
“Yeah, it was two minutes and fifty-five seconds too long for me. C’mere.”
It was a lot longer before they surfaced again.
* * * * *
Wheeler eyed Aria. Standing at his new countertop wearing nothing but his T-shirt, her curvy legs bare, she had his cock standing at full attention, and hell, it wasn’t even rooster’s crow yet.
He still couldn’t believe she’d come to him in the night. He’d gone to bed with hope in his heart and the door unlocked just in case, but he hadn’t believed she’d show up. Then she’d blown his mind by asking if he’d make love to her… and well, his body was going to feed off those moments for a lonnnng time.
She had to leave in a few, but she’d insisted on making him coffee before she did. Forget the coffee—the sweetest woman he could ever imagine was standing in his kitchen completely bare under his T-shirt.
Now would be a good time to talk to her. A great time.
Words revolved through his head. He sampled them or discarded them outright. There seemed to be no good way to go about telling a woman he loved her without risk of scaring her off.
She’d be running for the hills in seconds if he told her outright. And Wheeler hardly knew any other way to be other than straightforward.
When she turned with a fresh mug of coffee for him, she offered a tempting smile. “I can feel your eyes on me, Wheeler.”
“Can’t hardly keep them off you. You’re so damn beautiful.”
Moving close, she curled a hand around his neck and pulled him down to kiss his cheek. “I’m going to get dressed and go. I can’t be late today.”
“Big day for Fallon?” Her character’s situations amused him.
“Yeah, she finally admits to her stepbrother she’s in love with him.”
Shit—he couldn’t possibly tell her that now. What would he say—speaking of being in love with someone, I’m in love with you?
“Thanks for the coffee.” He held her to his chest for a moment, and then she broke away and disappeared down the hall to the bedroom, hips swaying loosely from all the pleasure he’d given her the night before.
Aching to go after her, grab her and blurt out all the things in his mind, he gripped his mug tighter. He started to raise it to his mouth but quickly set it down, plucked his crutch from where it leaned on the table and rushed after her.
She turned to him with a smile and fluffed her hair free of her shirt collar. Then she saw something on his face that made her brow crease. “Wheeler?”
“I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Her smile widened. “You do?”
“Yeah, down at the barn. Do you have time to come see?”
“Of course, but now you’re tempting me with spending time with the horses, and I miss them so much.”
“I promise I won’t let you be late.”
He already had on the jeans she’d poked fun at last time he’d worn them, and all he had to do was throw on a shirt and boot and he was ready. She followed him down to the barn. Hell, it felt so right to have her next to him. All he had to do was say three little words. Why were they lodged in his throat?
When they reached the barn, he held the door for her. She moved inside, and the horses greeted her with soft whickers.
“I promise I’ll try my best to break free and come see you all,” she crooned.
He hit the light and took her by the arm, turning her to look at the hay bale where the brand new saddle sat.
Her sharp intake of air stroked over his senses. She latched onto his arm. “Wheeler…”
“Guy in the tack shop said you were eyeing it when you were in.”
“I… Oh my God. I can’t believe you did this.” She moved forward to touch the leather, running her fingers over the tooling and intricate designs cut into it.
He inched up beside her, heart thumping hard. “I wanted to give you something.”
“It’s amazing. Thank you!” She turned and hugged him hard before pivoting back to inspect the saddle.
I love you, that’s why.
“I thought it might be a good way to seal our partnership.”
She spun to face him. A heartbeat passed. “Partnership?”
“Yeah, your horses, my land. We make a good team.”
“Oh.”
“I mean, we’ll have a good run at championships in a year or two with these horses.” Why wasn’t anything coming out right? Just say it.
He opened his mouth, but she was just staring at him.
“Yes, we will. Well… thank you, Wheeler. I love the saddle and I can’t wait to use it.”
A heavy weight tugged at his heartstrings. He hadn’t said anything at all. What a damn coward.
“I gotta get to the set. I’ll see you later?” She didn’t quite meet his gaze.
He couldn’t let her go like this. Reaching out, he took her arm again. “Aria…”
“Thanks for the saddle, Wheeler. I really do love it.” Pulling free, she walked out of the barn.
Dammit.
* * * * *
Not even being on Blackwater, doing what work he could for King was setting Wheeler at ease today. By now the herd was getting accustomed to the ATV invading their territory, and they were surrounding him the minute he entered the field.
He moved slowly through the herd, swaying his head left and right to check the steers for signs of lameness and to see if any were lying down. The mindless task afforded him too much time to think about what he’d done wrong with Aria.
It was obvious she’d been upset when she left. When he thought on it, he knew it was the mention of a partnership that had set her off. The stiff set of her shoulders and way she’d avoided looking at him were sure signs.
By mentioning the partnership, he’d played it safe, toed the line. He’d been too much of a wimp to just spit out how he truly felt for her. Jesus, King had warned him away from doing that very thing and he’d still gone and done it. Maybe he was one of those guys who had to touch the fire to learn it was hot.
Or in this case, ice cold. He expected when he did see her again, it would take some wooing to warm her up to him again.
Determination settled into his bones. He’d do what it took and go the extra mile—hell, ten million miles—to ensure she knew exactly how he felt about her.
When he rounded the outer edge of the field, he spotted a hump on the earth. Adrenaline hit his system, and he depressed the gas, zooming toward it faster.
The steer lay on its side, gasping for air.
“Dammit.”
If it had been down a while, it had bloat, and that meant the trapped gas was pressing on its lungs, making it hard for it to breathe. The real question was, could it even get up to be treated?
He braked the ATV and reached for the rope on his hip. The coil was an extension of his hand, and when he threw, the loop landed square over the steer’s head. He walked up, using caution in case it had a sudden burst of energy, but the animal remained on its side. He looped the rope more securely so he could use it to pull the steer to its feet.
