Walker helped me show everyone how to mount up and helped me adjust all the stirrups. I’d tried my hardest not to look as he held onto Jolie’s ankle while adjusting hers, but I couldn’t help but see it anyway. Stupid tendrils of jealousy wound their way through me, and I tried desperately to remember I was the one who’d been naked in bed with him that morning, not her.
But it was almost impossible to ignore the fact she’d had almost ten years of his life I hadn’t had.
Once instructing the kids on how to hold the reins and do some basic maneuvering, I mounted Gulliver and nudged him with my boot heel to start toward the nearest path between two paddocks. I looked back to make sure Walker was bringing up the rear and he tipped his head at me before sending me a wink and smile.
God, I loved that man.
“Okay, everyone. You asked for the trail with the crocodiles, right?” I called down the line, causing the kids to call back to me asking for the one with bunnies and deer instead. Before turning back forward, I saw Jolie flash me a grin.
Progress.
The following day, Grandpa, Doc and I drove the truck to Dallas to gather my things and stop in at my old firehouse to tell the guys goodbye. I’d only worked there a few months, but I at least owed an apology to my friend Tanner who’d helped me get the job. He turned out to be very understanding and told Doc and Grandpa he wasn’t surprised at all I was taking the opportunity to work for Evan Paige.
“That guy’s hot as hell, isn’t he?” Tanner joked.
My jaw dropped.
“What? You don’t agree? Total silver fox.”
“You’re gay? How the hell did I not know that?”
He shrugged and grinned. “I think you weren’t looking, Wilde. I tried making a play when we were on the boat together, but you just seemed oblivious.”
I shook my head. “What about here? These past few months? We could have gone out, visited the clubs.”
He laughed. “Otto. Your head has been in the clouds the entire time you’ve been back stateside. When you first got here I asked if you wanted to get a drink with me and you told me you weren’t thirsty.”
Doc and Grandpa laughed and looked at me with knowing glances. I felt my face heat up.
Tanner’s eyes softened. “I just figured you had someone already.”
“I did. I just didn’t realize it at the time,” I admitted.
Tanner squeezed my shoulder. “I’m glad. But now I’ve heard through the grapevine that gay runs in your family, so I’m expecting an invitation to the next Wilde family gathering so I can meet more hunky Wildes. How ’bout it?”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I said with a grin. “Sounds like a plan. My brother Saint is gay and lives in Dallas, but he’s never in town. Too bad the other Dallas brother is the straight one.”
“I don’t mind the drive up to Hobie and the lake, Otto. After you telling me about the ranch… hell, I’d love a chance to just come and wander around a little. Enjoy the quiet.”
Doc reached out a hand to shake. “Tanner, you’re welcome at the Wilde ranch anytime. We have plenty of room and don’t need any notice you’re coming. We’d love to have you.”
We had lunch with Hallie and Winnie downtown before packing up my stuff at the apartment and heading back to Hobie. My cousin Felix had offered me his little cabin on the ranch since he’d moved to Monaco to live with his boyfriend. It felt a little silly referring to the king of an entire country as a boyfriend, but that’s what he was. Felix had snagged himself a royal without realizing it. I was happy for him. He deserved to be adored, and the man he’d found to spend his life with was crazy in love with him.
When we finished unloading my things into the cabin, I called Chief Paige to let him know I was ready to start as soon as he needed me. He told me to come by the station the following morning to get started.
Once off the phone with the chief, I texted Walker to let him know I was back. Within thirty minutes, he was knocking at my door and tumbling into bed with me.
That night I fell asleep with a smile on my face and feeling like my life was truly beginning. I had a nice place to live, a good job, my beloved grandparents just across the yard, and the love of my life wrapped securely in my arms.
Things were going to be amazing.
And they were. They totally were.
Until they weren’t anymore.
Part II
Burning it down
Chapter 19
Walker
Walker,
I had a dream last night that we were in a secluded cabin somewhere in a snowstorm. No doubt that was my desire to get somewhere cold and fresh for once and away from these sweaty, stinky fuckers I live with, but there was a huge bed with clean sheets, and I sank into your hot body over and over and over again while the storm raged on outside the cabin windows.