Cowboys & Kisses (34 page)

“We’ll be good.”

“I’ll have my cell phone if you need anything. See you later.”

“Have fun,” I said, hanging up the phone.

“Allie?” I heard Dax calling outside. “What’s up?”

I walked out onto the front porch, shielding my eyes from the late afternoon sun. “Mom. She and Dad are going out tonight.” By the time my eyes had adjusted to the sun, I realized Dax wasn’t alone. Wyatt, Levi, and Hank were all gathered around an old tractor, the hood open and tools lying on the ground. Guess my music was a little too loud. How else would I miss the roar of Levi’s truck?

But they were all here now, staring at me. Dax was shaking his head. Because I looked like a stripper.

“Okay then,” I said, backing into the house. “Shit.”

I spent the next five minutes trying to get out of the dress, but the zipper was stuck and there was no way I was pulling it over my head or pushing it past my hips. I spent another five minutes looking for a pair of scissors, which I finally found in a kitchen drawer. I heard the screen door and braced for another Dax lecture on needing attention.

“Hey.” It was Wyatt.

I froze, scissors in hand. “Hi.” I glanced at him. “I…I…Zipper’s stuck.”

“Some dress.”

“Trying to find something for Homecoming.”

His eyebrows went high. He opened his mouth, then closed it.

“I’m not going to wear it, don’t worry.” My face felt hot. “I can’t…Where’s Dax?” Maybe I could convince him to help. Instead of letting me wallow in total humiliation.

“He went to get some parts for the tractor,” Wyatt murmured, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Oh.” I nodded.
We’re alone? I look like this and he’s looking at me like that…
I held out the scissors to him, jerking the zipper. “I can’t…”

He blew out a slow breath. “Cut it?” His eyes swept me from head to toe before he gave up and closed his eyes.

“Not like I’m ever going to wear it.”

He opened his eyes, approaching me slowly. He took the scissors from me, put them on the counter, and bent to look at the zipper. I glanced down at his dark head, then stared at the ceiling.

Besides the faint music from my bedroom upstairs, the room was quiet. Other than my breathing and my heartbeat, that is.

“Sequin in the zipper teeth.” He sounded completely normal, as if seeing a problem that needed fixing removed the whole girlfriend-in-next-to-nothing issue.

“I couldn’t get it out,” I explained. “So, scissors.”

Our eyes met. He sat back on his heels, his detachment disappearing. His jaw clenched and his breath picked up a little. He stood up, pulling me into the circle of his arms. I didn’t care that he was covered in dirt, that his white undershirt was sweaty, that the stubble on his cheek was rough against my temple. All I knew was he was humming, his hands holding me close, as he moved us to the music.

I smiled, resting my head against his shoulder.

“My dad was arrested today,” he murmured when the music stopped. He didn’t let go of me, or tighten or loosen his hold.

I didn’t move, but I did hold on tighter. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Sheriff Hodge was at the arena waiting for me. He told me Dad didn’t put up a fight. And he doesn’t want to see me.”

I swallowed back angry words.

“He admitted what he did. Guilt, I guess. He told the sheriff he thought it was Saturday, thought that I was on the road, or he’d never have done it.”

“Oh, Wyatt.” I didn’t know what to say. What his father did was wrong, but knowing he hadn’t meant to hurt Wyatt helped—a lot.

“He’s ashamed.” He cleared his throat. “That’s what Sheriff Hodge says. That’s why he doesn’t want to see me.”

“Makes sense.” I looked up at him, needing to see his face. “I’m sorry. But I’m also really relieved.”

His brown eyes bore into mine, understanding. “I am too.”

“What does this mean…for your dad, I mean?”

He frowned. “Two years in prison. Maybe longer, since he’s had some trouble before.”

His father would miss so much—Wyatt’s graduation, going off to college, his rodeos, his life…

“I’m so sorry, Wyatt.” My heart ached for him. I brushed my fingers along his jaw, into his hair. “You okay?”

“I’ve been better. But I’ve been worse, too.” He smiled, leaning into my hand. “Guess I’m just glad I didn’t have to turn him in.”

I nodded. I knew how much that had been weighing on him. No son should be put in that position. “I wish there was something I could do…or say. Something to make it better.”

His gaze traveled over my face. “Tell me you love me.”

“I love you, Wyatt,” I said, stroking his cheek.

He covered my hand with his. “That’s all I need.” He tilted my face back, locking our gazes. “Knowing that is enough.
You
are enough.” There was no doubt in his voice. What he said was simple fact. His smile, his dimples, had my heart thudding. “I’m here, with you, until you don’t want me around anymore.”

Not want him? “Never gonna happen,” I admitted softly.

His laugh was gentle, maybe even a little relieved. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”

That was when I understood. He loved me the way I loved him—completely. It was necessary. It was right. We were right.

“You know,” my voice was high, full of happiness as I slid my arms around his neck, “a kiss would be nice too, cowboy.”

He smiled, his arms pulling me against him. “Yes, ma’am.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Marilyn Tucker, Jolene Navarro, Joni Hahn, and Storm Navarro, you guys gave me the courage to write Allie and Wyatt’s story. I’m so glad you told me to keep at it!

Grace Coronado, I love your keen eyes. Your enthusiasm over this book and your excitement over Dax and Molly’s story is a fantastic motivator.

Stephanie Lawton – thank you for reading and putting your name on my first YA!

Thank you Inkspell Publishing! Melissa Keir and Shilpa Mudaganti, your belief in my stories keeps me writing. Deb Anderson – you rock the edits.

Thank you to my family—I am so blessed. Jakob, you make me laugh when I need it most. Kaleb, you give the best cuddles and encouragement—even when I know you’d rather being doing something else.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sasha is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, romance, and travel. She writes fantasy, contemporary, sci-fi, and YA romance. Her first play was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She's been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she's doing so. Luckily, her family is super understanding and supportive.

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