Page 102 of Drifter’s Heart

West is rescued, and Sally trots about on her tiring sheep for another few minutes before sliding off the poor beast’s back and attempting to feed it. I close my eyes, not needing to watch West and Cord go at it. One of them will tell me what I need to know without my prying. That’s something I’ve learned over the last months. I don’t actually need to chase the people I love and trust.

After a few minutes, West plops down beside me. “Coffee.” Warmth presses against one knee. “Water refill.”

“Oh, I love you.”

“Yeah, I know, gorgeous.” West stills and then leans over, gripping my chin firmly, and kisses me hard.

My eyes fly open, my peace shattering. “What was that?” I gasp as he lets me go and sits back, a satisfied look on his face.

“I don’t do it often enough.”

“You mean you want to show off,” I counter. “In front of…” Not my brother. Or Slade. Or… Oh. “Billy? Still? West…” I groan. “I am not interested in any man but you. Is that clear?”

“Yeah?” He watches me closely. “Do you want to stay here?”

“Huh?” I blink at the subject change and grip my coffee tight. “What are we doing?”

“Cord told you.” His eyes are on me, a heavy weight.

I return that stare, like for like. “He told me he was going to offer you a job. I never said much, to be honest. And I don’t know what it is.”

“He seemed happy.”

“West.” I look at him, exasperated. “I don’t remember what happened five minutes ago. What is going on, please?”

He seems satisfied with that explanation. Maybe my memory is that faulty. “He’s offered me a job here, seeking new talent for the rodeo. For the Invitational.”

“Okay.” I sip my coffee.

“That includes training. And travel.”

“More than you already do?” I check in. Because from what I’ve seen, there’s a bit of that.

He tips his head to one side. “There’d be a little bit. We can travel together, if you want. Sally too, as long as it doesn’t screw with her schoolwork and you’re happy with that, or I can go alone. I’ll need to look at what I want to invest in, equipment-wise.”

“Like a trailer.”

“Like a trailer,” he agrees.

“Okay.”

West glares at me. “Stop agreeing with everything I say.”

I cuddle my beverage gifts. “Why? I like this conversation. I like Valiant Peak. Sally likes where we are. And no take-backsies. On anything,” I clarify.

“Beautiful,” West growls.

I smile at him. “I like that too. When you’re all growls and possessiveness.”

“So, you’re okay with staying, and traveling?” His hand lands on my hip, curling protectively so he won’t bump my scars.

“I’m okay with everything. Yes, I’d prefer if we travel with you, especially for now. As Sally gets older, we can look at working around coursework and exams depending on the time of year, or not, okay?”

“Is there anything you want to ask me?” He searches my eyes like there’s an answer he seeks.

“When do you start?”

His kiss is fire, searing across my lips. I clutch my coffee tight to my stomach and kiss him back until he pulls back, cursing. “Too many damn people, Rand.”