Hitching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 1)

“Tell that to my mother because she blames us for giving her gray hair,” Riley says. Alex welcomes me to the family, and we chat about how we met and the dare that had us eloping in a Vegas chapel before he has to get back to work.

After we leave his dad, Riley continues driving us around, and I can’t help but be amazed by the land.

“It’s so open, and the view is breathtaking. No wonder you love it here,” I say, unable to take my eyes off the rolling hills and cloudless blue sky.

“Born and raised, can’t imagine being anywhere else,” he says honestly. “When we need stuff, we drive to San Angelo. That’s where my mom works.”

“How far away is that?” I ask.

“About forty-five minutes, give or take.”

My eyes widen. “Even for groceries?”

“There’s a small grocery store in town along with a bank, a bar, and a library. There’s a health clinic too, but my mom got hired as a nurse at the San Angelo hospital after she had me since my uncle Evan and aunt Emily worked there as doctors. She’s in town several times a week, so if any of us need anything, she can usually grab it.”

“So not all of you work on the ranch?” I ask.

“Evan used to when he had time, but since he and my uncle John bought the bar, he’s there on his days off to make sure his investment is running properly.”

“Wow…your family sure knows how to stay busy. It’s like no one slows down.”

He shrugs, not disagreeing. “It’s all we know. When you’re born on a ranch, and you’re used to getting up before the sun and working through dusk, you develop a strong work ethic. I could’ve left after high school and gone to college as most of my cousins did or plan to, but everything I needed to learn about business and management is here on the ranch.”

“I didn’t go to college either,” I admit, and he looks at me with a smile, encouraging me to continue. “I was always passionate about hair and nails, but my mother made it very clear what she thought about that. She said I wasn’t using the extent of my intelligence, was wasting my life away, and would always need a man to support me because I wasn’t choosing a high-paying career. Blah, blah, blah. But I went for it anyway and did a year of cosmetology school. It might not bring in a million bucks, but every day I worked, I felt like a hero. Someone would come in, not knowing what they wanted, and I’d instantly envision a new look for them. They’d hug me with tears in their eyes because they felt truly beautiful for the first time in their lives. After that happened more and more, I knew I had picked the right direction for me.”

“I’m really glad you did,” he responds. “There’s nothing worse than feeling pushed into a job you’re not passionate about. Ranching is hard work, but I love it. Most people think I’m crazy for enjoying it so much, but fuck ’em.”

I laugh with him, then blush when he brings my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. “Working in a career you hate isn’t worth your happiness, remember that.” He flashes me a wink, and I nod, grinning like a fool.

“Speaking of my family…” Riley begins. “We’re throwing my little sister, Rowan, a surprise birthday party tomorrow. I’d love to bring you with me. I have a big family, so single introductions could take us a few days, or rather weeks.”

I smile nervously, but nod in agreement. “Meeting everyone is a big deal. I’ll either be known as the wife who made Riley Bishop the happiest man alive or the one who broke his heart.”

He turns and studies my face as if he’s wondering the same thing.

“I’d much prefer the former, but we’ll cross the bridge of the latter if we need to, but hopefully that won’t happen.”

We both know I’m only here temporarily. If things work out between us, I’ll still have to go home and confess everything to my parents before I pack up my life and move. It’d be a huge step, but I’m willing to risk it all to see if he’s the one.

Riley drives us back to the B&B and comes to my side to help me out. He’s a gentleman down to his core, which isn’t something I’m used to. The few men I’ve dated were always so damn self-absorbed and arrogant, but Riley is a different breed.

“So since this is officially your first full night here, what do you say we go out? There’s this ridiculous country bar outside of town called the Honky Tonk, and you can’t really visit the ranch without experiencing it,” he tells me as if he has to sell it to me, but the truth is, I’d go anywhere with him.