by Cindi Madsen
Maybe they really could be friends. But already, he was starting to feel like he was getting lost in her.
Chapter Seven
The friendship with Royce was coming along better than expected. Lately they’d gotten along and had conversations that lasted almost a full ten minutes. Of course he’d chosen now to get ready for the upcoming Fourth of July rodeo, what with it being a month away, and watching him rope and ride was a new form of torture. But Sadie had only wanted to throw herself at him a couple of times. A day. Or maybe more like a couple times an hour, if she were being completely honest. So, yeah…totally friends.
It was progress, anyway.
Still, when her best friend let her know that she was coming to town for a visit, Sadie called an emergency meeting at the Dairy Freeze. At the time she’d been focused on the getting-ice-cream aspect, but as soon as she stepped inside, she knew she should’ve chosen another location. The Dairy Freeze was just another one of those frozen-in-time places, bursting at the seams with memories of being here with Royce after school, sitting on his lap as they shared the five-scoop banana split.
There were also framed newspaper clippings covering the wall, everything from town awards to school sporting events. Sadie’s attention was drawn to the one in the middle. Mr. Hamilton, who owned the place, had sponsored Royce for the rodeo in Casper that went on during the state fair. She and Royce had driven down to stay with her dad, and Sadie had chewed her fingernails to the nubs—not only because she was singing three songs onstage to warm up the crowd at the fair, but also because she was nervous for Royce. Roping was one thing, but she hated the bronc riding, and bigger rodeos always meant rougher horses. Every time she watched him ride those bucking broncos, each second stretched into an eternity, and she’d sit there imagining every gory scenario involving her boyfriend getting kicked or stomped on.
And now the town’s talked him into riding again for the local rodeo, even though he hasn’t done it for years.
Sadie frowned at the article detailing Royce’s All-Around Cowboy title thanks to winning all three of his events, her heart tugging as the bittersweet memories and regret slammed into her for about the kajillionth time since she’d moved back into town. Isn’t it about time they update the wall? Surely someone’s done something newsworthy since then.
“Sadie Hart, is that really you?”
She spun to face Quinn and squealed—she couldn’t help it. A couple quick strides and they were hugging. Quinn had headed to the University of Wyoming in Cheyenne shortly after Sadie had taken off for Nashville. Now she was a bigwig at the Sakatas’ real-estate development office there, which was funny because she’d always sworn she absolutely wasn’t going into the family business. The Sakatas owned and managed half the commercial real estate in Wyoming, as well as northern Colorado and Utah. Hope Springs was a central location between all of their offices, so they’d built a summer house here and ended up staying full-time while Quinn and her sister attended school.
“I’m so excited we managed to be in town at the same time,” Quinn said.
“Me, too.” Sadie pulled back and studied her best friend—they’d texted and emailed, but it’d been years since they’d managed a meet up. Quinn still did the cat-eye thing with her black eyeliner that accented her exotic eyes—she used to joke that she was going to be the first famous Asian cowgirl, even though her only cowgirl experience was living in a tiny town and occasionally riding a horse.
Then they’d found out “Asian cowgirl” was a slang term for a sex position and had to stop using it—that was a whole different level of aspiration.
Sadie lifted a strand of Quinn’s shiny, perfectly straight dark hair. “Look at you, all business.” Back in high school she was forever putting red, blue, or purple streaks in it and piercing some body part—her nose ring was missing, too, come to think of it. She looked more like the girl her parents always wanted her to be.
“I know, right? Perfectly boring. The office demands”—she gave a dramatic sigh and made air quotes—“‘human-colored hair and no facial piercings.’”
Sadie bumped her shoulder into Quinn’s. “You couldn’t be boring if you tried. You look amazing as usual, and I’m so happy to see you.”
“Right back at you. Except you seriously need some ice cream. You’re crazy skinny, girl!”
“Now you sound like Royce.”
Quinn’s eyes went comically wide. “I still can’t believe you’re working for him!” She clamped onto Sadie’s arm and dragged her to one of the small round tables. “Tell me everything.”
Sadie propped an elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand. “I don’t even know where to begin.”
“How about how the hell you ended up working at Second Chance Ranch with your ex?” Quinn said it loud enough the employees and the few other people in the place glanced over at them.
“Is ‘It’s complicated’ a good enough answer?” Sadie asked with a laugh. When Quinn folded her arms over the table, all business, she knew she’d end up spilling it all. So she filled her in, going into great detail so Quinn could help her analyze everything and figure out what to do.
“I bet he totally wants you again,” Quinn said.
“Uh, no. Did you not hear the we-can-only-ever-be-friends part?”
Quinn waved off the comment, and that was when Sadie noticed the iceberg-sized diamond hanging on her necklace. The sun hit it and shined right in Sadie’s eye. “Dang, Quinn, talk about bling.” She leaned over the table and lifted it to inspect it. “Present to yourself, or is there a guy involved?”
“Well, you know how my sister’s engaged? It’s why I’m in town right now, actually—the wedding planning is about to commence, and trust me, the Sakatas know how to take all fun out of planning things. I give it five minutes until Maya’s in tears and looking at me to fix it. Anyway, her fiancé’s brother and I have been dating.”
When Sadie let the necklace drop, Quinn tucked it into her shirt so that only the silver chain showed. “I think it’s way too extravagant a present for where we’re at, so I almost refused it, but then he looked so damn hopeful and it was big and shiny, so…” Her lips pursed and her eyebrows scrunched together. “I do like him. He’s just already so serious about me, and serious in general—needless to say, my parents love him. I figure our siblings’ wedding will either push us closer or screw it up. If it doesn’t work, then Mr. Sparkles is definitely going back.”
“You always did mesmerize the guys.”
“Yeah, all the wrong ones. But I’ve changed my ways since high school. Now I go for the opposite of hot, tattooed, and totally unavailable. That’s why Grayson might be good for me. I was going to tell you about him, but you’d just sent me that sad email with the news about your contract falling through, so…” She shrugged.
“You never have to hold back, you know that.”
“I know. But, seriously, how are you holding up? The whole Royce thing aside?”
Over the past few weeks Sadie hadn’t felt like lying in bed and never getting up again—well, she did some because working on the ranch was exhausting, but not in that sad, my-life-is-hopeless way. “The worst part was having my dream so close, only to get it yanked away. Just like when the girl group dissolved, only worse, because I thought I was finally going to sing the songs I wanted to, my way. To have it fall through again made me question if I was any good. And when I couldn’t even pull off a set I’d done a hundred times the very same day…well, then I was sure I wasn’t.”
“You are,” Quinn said, covering Sadie’s hand with hers. “You know you have a kick-ass voice.”
“Thanks. And I do know. But I was never skinny enough or pretty enough, or big-boobed enough.”
“Also bullshit. You’ve got perfect boobs that are never going to sag.”
Sadie cracked a smile—she also noticed they were getting a few concerned looks now. Quinn had that effect on people sometimes, which was one reason why she loved her so much. “Man, I
could’ve used you in Nashville with me. Don’t worry, I’ll stop wallowing soon, and once I get some money saved, I’ll hit it hard again. Being here this past month has actually been a good distraction from it all, though. And now that you’ll be in town more for wedding prep…?” She raised her eyebrows and Quinn nodded. “Good. Then I’m even better. Now, let’s get some ice cream, already.”
After they got their ice cream—and said hi to Mr. Hamilton, who’d asked a ton of questions—they sat to eat and finish catching up.
Quinn’s phone rang, and she glanced at the display. “It’s work. Sorry, I’ll be just a minute.” Whatever the person on the other end said set Quinn off. She shot out of her chair and headed to the corner, telling whoever it was that they better fix it and now, no excuses. She’d kill Sadie if she told her she sounded just like her father, even if it were true.
“Sadie, dear?”
Sadie glanced at Patsy Higgins. The woman was on every town committee ever, and somehow knew everything that happened within the town limits mere minutes after it happened. “Yes?”
“I ran into your mother and grandmother earlier, and they informed me you were in town for a while, and I got so excited because we’ve been missing our town singer ever since you left. We’d just be so honored to have you back.”
Apprehension crept across Sadie’s skin. Singing around the campfire was one thing, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for a larger crowd. Of course, saying no wasn’t really an option. Patsy Higgins didn’t accept no for an answer—Sadie and Quinn used to joke that her grandmotherly exterior was a front to hide the fact that she was a former CIA spy who’d take you out if you didn’t participate in town functions. Besides, a few low-key performances might be exactly what she needed to get her confidence back to where it needed to be. Then she’d be ready when she made her return to Nashville.
“Well, I’m honored to be back.”
“Great! We’ve had to use a recording for the ball games and rodeos the past few years, and it always sounds all garbled and scratchy over the speakers. I’m so glad we’ll have a stronger, more patriotic performance this Fourth of July.”
“Wait? Fourth of July? As in—”
“The rodeo, silly! Good thing you don’t need much prep time.”
Patsy walked up to the counter and started rattling off her order. Sadie really should’ve seen that coming. So, on top of Royce roping and riding, she’d get to start the night with nothing but a microphone, her voice, and years of memories rushing her at once.
All the prep time in the world might not be enough.
…
Royce couldn’t believe how bored he was. This far into the program, they let the kids have free time on Saturdays, and between them becoming pretty good workers and Sadie’s help, he’d actually managed to catch up with things on the ranch. He could always find more to do, but that wasn’t why he was bored. He didn’t want to face the truth, but there it was, whispering in his mind.
He missed Sadie.
Missed watching her walk back and forth between working the horses and helping out with the teens. She was gaining weight—something he’d never tell her because he liked his balls where they were—and she was looking healthier, laughing more.
Royce pushed up the brim of his hat, pulled out his phone, and scrolled through his contacts, stopping on Sadie’s name.
Don’t do it. If he called her, what would he even say?
“Hey.”
Royce almost dropped his phone. He quickly shoved it in his pocket and turned to Cory. “Yeah?”
“You and I are going out tonight.”
“That sounds nice and all, but I—”
“Don’t say you can’t, man. You’re starting to live like a monk. A cowboy monk, sure, but come on, it’s getting pathetic. And I’m a young, good-looking guy. I shouldn’t be wasting all this charm on horses and cows.” Cory waggled his eyebrows.
Royce laughed and shook his head. “Dude, that doesn’t sound right.”
“That just proves we need to get away from the ranch for a while. I already talked to your mom. Her friend Sheila’s coming over to keep her company as soon as she gets off work at the diner, and Frank from down the road is on call if anything major happens.”
Royce ran a finger across his bottom lip, tempted, but not sure if a night out was what he needed right now.
Hell, I need something to take the edge off wanting someone I shouldn’t.
It was time to remind himself there were other girls besides Sadie.
Chapter Eight
There were two bars in town. One on the east end, closer to the fancy, bigger homes built or bought by people who’d come to Hope Springs to live off whatever fortune they’d acquired somewhere else. Quinn’s parents fit that profile, and the Lounge definitely catered to them—it specialized in wines and colorful cocktails.
Bar number two was Seth’s Steak and Saloon—generally referred to as the Triple S by locals—and it was the one you went to if you wanted the best steak in town, cheap but cold beer, and the chance to do some country dancing. People from other nearby small towns also frequented it, so it was also the best place to find a possible hookup. If Sadie knew Quinn—and she did—she’d be throwing cowboys at her all night.
There are worst things to have thrown at you, I suppose.
The front of the place stayed true to the look of old western saloons, although there were neon beer signs hanging in the windows. They sent flashes of colored light across Sadie’s bare arms and legs. She’d put on her red smocked summer dress and paired it with her brown boots with the bright embroidered flowers. This afternoon, she and Quinn had ended up at the Curl Up and Dye Salon. Quinn had gotten a trim and a streak of red in the back that could be easily hidden—though she’d done her hair up in a high ponytail so it was showing now—and Sadie had the hairdresser take out her hair extensions. She’d also had her trim it so that it brushed her shoulders, and put strawberry lowlights into the hard-to-keep-up platinum blond. Thanks to the combination of her makeunder and having Quinn by her side all day, making her laugh so hard she’d had to retouch her mascara from crying, she felt more like herself than she had in a long time.
Quinn hooked her arm through Sadie’s. “Okay, I’ll save you if you give me the signal, but you should at least attempt to flirt with a couple guys. It’s the only way you’re going to move past Royce.”
She almost said that she’d moved past Royce already. At one point, she had. Mostly. After being around him, though, she needed to re–get over him. If that were even possible. She took a deep breath. “I’ll try. But you remember how many weirdos live around here. Not to mention I know too much dirt on most of them to ever consider them viable dating options.”
“You haven’t even talked to them, and you’re already rejecting them.”
“I’m sure your diamond-gifting boyfriend would be happy to know you’re spending your evening scoping out dudes.”
Quinn tugged her toward the entrance. “If he saw how much help you needed, he’d give me props for helping the helpless.”
Sadie laughed and gave in, pulling open the door. The music was loud, honky-tonk vibrating through every inch of the place. They headed toward the bar to get drinks. The bartender’s familiar face lit up with a smile.
“Sadie and Quinn, how the hell are ya?”
They leaned over the bar to hug Seth, one of their former classmates. “Your dad has you working for him, too?” Quinn asked.
“Nah, I just bought the place from him last year—so it’s now technically Seth Junior’s Steak and Saloon.” He readjusted the faded green cap covering his red hair and jerked his chin at the jukebox. “Threatened to get rid of that and put tables on the dance floor, but there was an uproar. The town committee even wrote me a letter. Apparently the shit-kicking music and dancing must go on.” He shrugged and then folded his arms on the bar. “So, what can I get you ladies to drink?”
They ordered two beers, and when they turned to f
ind a table, Sadie nearly ran smack into Royce and Cory. She stopped so abruptly her drink sloshed over the glass and onto her fingers. She looked her ex-boyfriend–slash–boss up and down, taking in the Wranglers, black shirt with pearl buttons, and black felt cowboy hat. His eyes met hers and she forgot how to breathe.
“Now this looks like trouble if I’ve ever seen it,” Cory said. Sadie could hear the smile in his voice, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Royce. She was vaguely aware of Cory hugging Quinn. Then Quinn moved to hug Royce, and a pinch of jealousy went through Sadie’s gut. Not because she thought anything would happen between Quinn and Royce, but because she’d never gotten a nice-to-see-you-again hug. They’d hardly touched since he’d run his fingers down her arm and squeezed her hand, and she’d relived it so much it was pathetic.
When Quinn stepped back, though, Royce’s attention returned to Sadie. “You cut your hair.” He stepped forward and picked up the ends. “You look like you again.”
The strands slowly fell from his grasp, tickling her bare shoulder. His callused fingers brushed across her collarbone before he dropped his hand. Her skin was on fire. Probably as red as her dress. And she wanted more. Let it all burn.
Royce cleared his throat. “We should get that drink.” He walked past her without another glance. Cory gave her and Quinn a quick smile and then headed after him.
Sadie followed Quinn to the closest table and dropped into a chair.
“Hol-ee hell!” Quinn slammed her glass down with a clink. “How can you say that boy doesn’t want you anymore? I could feel the heat coming off you two.”
Sadie glanced at Royce’s back as he and Cory talked to Seth, and then she slumped down in her chair, tightly gripping her glass. “Well, apparently I’m not so scrawny that he won’t check me out, but that’s it. There’s a difference between liking the way someone looks and wanting them.”
“Oh, he wants you.”
“You’re talking sex, which is different from actually liking a person or getting involved in a relationship. Not that I’m looking for that right now.”