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The sky stretched before us, the mountains providing a perfect backdrop. Words could never fully capture how scenes like this made me feel. I was so accustomed to concrete and noise that I’d forgotten places like this existed—calm, serene, and utterly beautiful.
This view didn’t make me miss the city—it made me want to escape it entirely.
“Wow,” I sighed, a soft smile curving my lips.
“Right?” Tawnie echoed. “When I’m overwhelmed, I come here to clear my head.”
“I can see why. Do you travel between the ranches often?”
Tawnie nodded. “Whenever Mr. Stone goes, usually I do too. There are times he asks me to stay back, but not often.”
We stood in silence for a moment before I took out my phone, snapping a few photos. The screen couldn’t do justice to the real thing—it was a shame.
“What is the city like?” Tawnie asked, sliding her hands into the back pockets of her dress pants.
I sighed, keeping my attention forward as I collected my thoughts on how to explain the city.
Growing up in the city had its perks. The busyness made me feel a sense of ease and comfort within chaos, making it easy for me to work quickly under pressure. It taught me independence.
“New York is crowded, impatient but also unapologetically itself. There are beautiful, stolen moments like this where you can watch the skyline light up during sunset, but there’s also energy…like stumbling upon a street performer or an underground bar. At any hour of the day or night, there is something happening.”
Tawnie hummed. “Sounds like it has personality.”
I let out a chuckle—that was a great way to describe it. “Everyone there has personality. It is a place where self-expression is welcomed and almost expected.”
“That sounds so nice,” she replied, her tone softening like she was daydreaming.
“It’s also exhausting,” I said. Her attention snapped to me, pulling my gaze from the picture before me. “There’s always hustle, always this drive to keep moving.”
As much as I loved the city, I was starting to relish in the quiet and the slow-paced environment of being out west, where you looked up and saw real, bright stars.
“I’d love to experience that one day.”
“And I’d be happy to show you around.”
Tawnie’s smile beamed, her warm eyes catching me smiling too.
A yawn slipped out, and I covered my mouth. “Oh, excuse me!” I said. “Clearly, my body’s telling me something.”
My body was tired, and my mind was ready to shut down and heal from the day.
“I can walk you back,” Tawnie offered. Nodding, I crossed my arms over my chest and followed her lead.
We turned, and my attention was drawn upward. On a balcony overlooking the pasture, a figure stood, arms crossed. Brown wavy hair, a scowl, and a build that was surely crafted with extra care.
His eyes were fixed on me.
I wanted to flip him off but found myself frozen. I hadn’t seen him since we arrived, taking space from the emotional whiplash he’d caused.
Tomorrow, I’d be better. I’d have my armor back on, ready to face the push and pull that was Colton Stone. I had to, there was no other option.
When Tawnie and I reached my door, I outlined my plans and asked her to join me first thing in the morning to begin learning the ropes. She eagerly agreed, practically skipping down the hallway.
To calm my mind, I poured a double bourbon, deciding to take advantage of the hot tub on the balcony before bed. As much as I hoped the view and warmth would clear my head, one thought remained: How the hell was I ever going to get my mind off Colton Stone?
Chapter 22
Colton
