Catching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 2)

The next morning when I wake up, I smile at the text Diesel sent me late last night.

Diesel: I knew you thought I was cute. Just imagine what our kids will look like :)

With a smile on my face, I climb out of bed and get dressed. I know Chelsea’s leaving today because yesterday before I walked out, I overheard someone ask her when she was headed back to Phoenix.

After speaking with Maize yesterday, the conversation has been on my mind. For most of my life, one of my hobbies was ignoring Diesel and all his glory, regardless of how much he encouraged me to give him attention. I realize now what I’ve been missing. I have to give it to him for never giving up on me.

Excitement and nerves fill me as I pull my hair into a high ponytail. I need to talk to him right now and let him know how I feel. If he wants to be with me, and I want to be with him, then I don’t give two shits what anyone thinks or says about it. If Riley knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his opinions to himself. I’m a grown ass woman who’s more than capable of choosing who I want to date, even if it is his best friend. If what Diesel says is true, then he deserves a second chance to prove he won’t break my heart.

The smile that’s planted on my face nearly hurts as I drive over to Diesel’s house. All the memories from the last time I was here begin to surface. The way he roughly said my name as he kissed me causes goose bumps to trail up my arm. Damn. How could I be so blind?

I park behind his truck and walk up the steps to his house. He’s done an amazing job with the place, and I think about all the future plans we made together. I lightly tap on the door, not wanting to disturb his guests because it’s still early in the morning. I wait, but he doesn’t answer.

My heart is like a ticking time bomb in my chest as I knock again, but still nothing. I go to the front window and peek inside and that’s when the blood rushes from my face.

Diesel’s sitting at a barstool in the kitchen, and Chelsea is between his legs, nearly ready to climb on his lap. He’s saying something to her with his hands firmly wrapped around her waist. I nearly choke on my thoughts, on my words, and feel like the biggest idiot in the entire world for believing that nothing was between them. Not able to keep watching, I turn and rush to my car, then back out of the driveway. I know I can’t go home like this. Tears stream like a river down my face, and I’m so damn mad at myself for believing him.

I drive around for twenty minutes in an effort to calm down, needing to push the thoughts of him and her together out of my head. Their faces were inches apart, and Chelsea was leaning forward as if they were going to kiss. Maybe they already have? Maybe the two of them just had a morning quickie as their kid slept in the next room. The thoughts gut me and cut me straight to the bone.

I pull over at one of the lookouts and stare at the rolling hills until my vision blurs. Sucking in a deep breath, I wipe the tears away and text Maize.

Rowan: I was wrong about everything. Seeing Chelsea all over Diesel was the biggest sign of all.

Text bubbles immediately pop up, but I set my phone down and decide to finally go home. Thankfully, I’ll have the house to myself because right now, I need to be alone.

Chapter Seventeen

DIESEL

Having my son on the ranch with me has been everything I’ve ever dreamed of. Chelsea has been kind enough to let me have some time with him while she supervised from a distance. I showed him the big John Deere tractor, which he got a complete kick out of because it looked just like his favorite toy. I sat him on the seat, and he screamed with excitement. I made sure to snap a picture with plans to frame it. When I looked over my shoulder at Chelsea, she was smiling wide.

Even if he’s a little shy, he has the same little quirks I did when I was a kid, but I think over time, he’ll get to know me better and will open up more. Maybe even call me dad one day. So far, he hasn’t, but that’s okay. I’m sure he’s just as confused as to what’s going on as I am. Everyone knows where he came from, and that’s enough right now.