Wilde Side

by Jannine Gallant

  “No wonder your hands are only just now healing.” Her dad’s voice was gruff. “Thank God for that bush.”

  Devin relaxed as the footage changed to a wrap-up with the congressman, who praised the benefits of time spent outdoors with family, despite his near miss.

  “They did a great job of making Walton look all rugged and manly. That should earn him a few votes.”

  “He’s got mine.” As the couple returned to their table, the bartender took down a bottle of tequila and poured four shots. “The guy stayed calm under pressure. If he can manage that while hanging from a cliff, I’d be willing to bet a crisis in the Middle East wouldn’t faze him.”

  Devin grinned as the bartender pushed one of the shot glasses toward her. “Walton does keep his cool when the heat is on. What’s that for?” She pointed at the glass topped with a lime wedge.

  “After what you went through, I figured you could use a shot.” He glanced over at her mom. “Your parents, too. Drinks are on the house.”

  When Sawyer picked up his glass, she followed suit. “Why not? My nerves are still jangling just from watching the whole nightmare replayed.”

  “So are mine.” Sawyer tossed back the tequila and closed his eyes for a moment. “At the time, I wouldn’t let myself think about how far you would have fallen if that bush pulled out of the hillside.”

  Devin tipped up the tiny glass. Liquid fire slid down her throat, heating her from the inside out. She sucked on the lime as her eyes watered. “Well, at least there was a happy ending.”

  “Thank heavens for that.” Her dad drank his shot then set the glass down on the bar. “I needed that. Thank you, sir.”

  The bartender nodded. “You bet.”

  Her mother sipped her tequila then let out a sigh. “That footage probably turned my hair a whole lot grayer than it already was, but I’m glad we got here in time to see it.”

  Devin glanced over. “How was your couples’ book club meeting?”

  “We always enjoy ourselves. The group is a fun bunch.” She tilted her head and smiled at her husband. “Sometimes we even get around to discussing the book.”

  “I don’t mind much when we don’t.” Devin’s dad took his wife’s arm and helped her down from the stool. “Shall we head home?”

  “I’m ready to go.” She smiled at Sawyer. “We’ll see you and Devin back at the cabin.”

  “We might not rush right home, Mom, so don’t wait up for us.”

  Her dad gave her a one-armed hug. “No worries. Have a good night.”

  After her parents left, Sawyer stood and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Ready to go?”

  She nodded then smiled at the bartender as she rose to her feet. “Thanks for your hospitality.”

  “Any time. You certainly livened up my evening.”

  After dropping a twenty dollar tip on the bar, Sawyer ushered her out into the cool night. Stars glittered in the inky black sky, and a stiff breeze whipped through the parking lot. The arm around her tightened, and she leaned against him as they stopped beside their rental car.

  “Now what?”

  She glanced up. “I’m not sure, but I’m not ready to go home yet.”

  “This is our last night in Vermont.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t we find something exciting to do?”

  “Mickey’s is the excitement around here. Unless you’re in high school. Then you sneak out to one of the sugar shacks to party.”

  He unlocked the car doors with the remote before walking around to the passenger side to open hers. “Is that what you did?”

  “Only a couple of times. I wasn’t much of a partier back then.” She slid onto the seat and smiled. “I’m still not. That shot went straight to my head.”

  “Lightweight.” Her door clicked shut. A few moments later he settled onto the driver’s seat. Turning, he fingered a stand of her hair then rested his knuckles against her cheek. “Would I be taking advantage of you if we drove somewhere to make out?”

  “I’m a tiny bit buzzed, not drunk.” A smile eased across her face. “Take advantage all you want.”

  “Sounds good to me. Where should we go?”

  “Turn left onto the street. We’ll head up to the lookout. The view is spectacular, and the moon should be up shortly.”

  Following her directions, they left the single block comprising the business area of town then bumped along a dirt road that climbed through the forest. The small sedan ground over rocks as the engine strained up a steep pitch.

  “We should have rented a four-wheel-drive truck.”

  Devin laughed. “I wasn’t planning an off-road adventure when we picked this up in Boston. Anyway, we’re almost there.”

  “Where, exactly, is there?” He steered around a pothole that could have swallowed their car whole. “Nothing out here but trees.”

  “A Forest Service fire lookout. I don’t think it’s manned anymore. Budget cutbacks in the government.” She pointed. “See that side road. Turn there.”

  He nosed the car onto a narrow track that ended at a wide open vista. On one side of the clearing, a tiny structure sat atop a towering wooden framework. He parked near it and turned off the engine.

  “Wow.”

  A full moon had inched up over the mountain, shedding a silvery glow across the valley below. A thick forest filled the deep bowl, while at the very bottom intermittent specks of light shone in the night.

  “See that tiny dot of light far to the right.” She laid a hand on his arm then pointed. When he nodded, she smiled. “That’s my parents’ house.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I used to hike up here a lot when I was in high school. With a pair of binoculars, you can pick out details.”

  “I thought you weren’t a nature lover?”

  “I never said that.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I appreciate all this in the same way I admired the wild Idaho countryside we rafted through. Doesn’t mean I want to live here, though. Mostly, I used to hike for exercise and to stave off boredom.”

  “Funny, I feel the same way about cities. I can appreciate what they have to offer, enjoy the restaurants and museums, admire the beauty in the architecture…but I wouldn’t want to live in one.”

  She threaded her fingers through his. “So, we agree to disagree. Is there no happy medium?”

  His hand squeezed hers. “What, the suburbs? I’d rather slit my wrists.”

  “My feelings exactly.”

  In the dark, they grinned at each other.

  “Something else we can agree on.” He bent to kiss her then stroked her cheek. “Making out in the car seemed like a good idea. Except for this damn center console.” He deepened the pressure with a second kiss, slipping his tongue into her mouth. They were both breathless by the time he backed away. “I want you close to me. Preferably naked.”

  “One last time before we go our separate ways tomorrow?” Her stomach dropped and flipped over at the thought. Maybe the shot of tequila hadn’t been such a good idea.

  “We’ll see each other in a few weeks at Griff and Ainslee’s engagement party. Walton will give you time off for that, surely?”

  “He’s going with me. Griff called him about it. When I talked to my boss yesterday…” She rolled her eyes. “If you can call getting my ass chewed for keeping him out of the loop a talk, he mentioned he and Cathy intend to go to the party. Of course Syd jumped at the chance to schedule a couple of appearances in the Bay Area while we’re out there. No more threats in the last couple of days, so he’s back in full campaign mode. A dual-purpose trip before the election.”

  “I don’t suppose you can get away between now and then. Maybe take a quick trip to Wyoming?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t see how. I’ll be lucky to have a single day off before the party.” She bit her lip then rested her forehead against his. “It isn’t that I don’t want to see you…”

  “I know.�
�� He pulled back. “Want to take a walk? Did you bring a jacket? That shirt doesn’t look very warm, though it is nice and soft and makes me want to feel you up.”

  The dark mood that threatened her dissipated, and she grinned. She wouldn’t ruin this last night together by worrying. “I think I left a sweater in the backseat.”

  “Grab it, and let’s go.”

  She flipped on the interior light and found the heavy knit sweater then slipped it on before taking his hand. “Where’re we going?”

  “Anywhere. It doesn’t matter.” He tilted his head back. “I imagine the lookout is locked up tight.”

  “I’m sure it is, but there used to be a wooden bench over near the drop off.” She waved a hand. “We could sit and watch for shooting stars.”

  He started walking in the direction she’d indicated. “And if we wish on one, maybe we’ll both get what we want.”

  “Wouldn’t that be nice? All our problems gone in a flash of stardust.”

  When they reached the bench, he pulled her down next to him then cupped her chin in one hand to look into her eyes in the faint moonlight. “What do you want, Devin?”

  “Fulfillment.” She hesitated for a moment before continuing. “A career with meaning where I can make a difference. A home in a place that makes me happy. A relationship with a man I admire and trust.” Her chest tightened. “Love…”

  “How’re you doing with that list?”

  “Maybe I make a difference to Walton, but I’m not so sure the job has much meaning.”

  He stroked along her jaw with the pad of his thumb, sending tingles through her.

  “So you change it up. Find something that does fulfill you.”

  “In a place I want to be.”

  “Doesn’t seem so difficult.”

  “Says the eternal optimist.” She turned her head to kiss the palm of the hand cupping her face. “I admire you. I trust you.”

  “Only one thing left.”

  “Is that what this is?” Her voice caught at the emotion shining in his eyes.

  “I think it might be.” His other hand came up to frame her face before he dropped a kiss on her upturned lips. “Once you have the rest of your wish list, maybe you’ll be ready to put it into words. I can wait.”

  She let out a shuddering breath. “Why would you want to?”

  “Because, Devin Lockhart, you’re worth it.”

  * * * *

  Sawyer slammed the door shut on the trailer holding all his Wilde Waters gear and turned to face his crew. “Another year in the books. I can’t thank you enough for making it a successful one.”

  They’d followed up the four-day trip on the Rogue River in Oregon with back-to-back overnight rafting trips on Clear Creek in Colorado. The first party had been a business group from Denver whose organizer was hoping his marketing team would bond in the Rocky Mountain wilderness. Based on the heated discussions around the campfire, Sawyer wasn’t sure the goal had been achieved. However, he was satisfied most of the participants had enjoyed the rugged beauty of the countryside. The second group had been a bachelorette party. Several of the women had been more than a little wild, which seemed a fitting ending to the season. Despite a few suggestive comments and one blatant invitation, Sawyer hadn’t been the least bit tempted to hook up with one of the women.

  “Dude, don’t go getting all sentimental on us.”

  Jon’s voice intruded into memories of another trip and nights spent with Devin, jerking him back to the present. Damn he missed her.

  “You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.” His senior employee draped an arm over his wife’s shoulders and grinned. “I’ll expect to hear from you next spring.”

  “Oh, you will. I wouldn’t dare plan a rafting season without consulting you first.”

  “Damn right.” Jon shook hands with Roman and Gregor. “It’s been a pleasure working with you. Maybe you’ll both be back next year?”

  Gregor settled a worn hat atop his red hair then shook his head. “Afraid not. My summer of fun is over. I took a job in San Diego. Head chef at a swanky new restaurant on a golf course.”

  Sawyer gave him fist bump followed by a slap on the back. “Congratulations.”

  “I’m looking forward to the challenge.” Gregor backed up a step then glanced toward one of the women who’d been part of the bachelorette party. Betsy, who possibly had more tattoos than he did, waited beside a shiny red convertible. “Guess my ride to the airport is ready to leave. Look me up at the Ninth Green if you ever get down my way. I’ll make you a meal you won’t forget—on the house.”

  “I’ll take you up on that,” Jon called out to him as Gregor hefted his backpack and walked away. Once the convertible pulled out of the lot with a honk and a plume of dust, he turned his sharp gaze on Roman. “Where’re you off to, son?”

  The kid shrugged. “No plans. I haven’t decided where I want to spend the winter yet.”

  Jon’s bushy brows lowered. “Can Carolyn and I give you a lift somewhere?”

  The petite brunette smiled warmly. “We have plenty of room in the backseat. We’re driving home to Arizona if you’re headed in that direction.”

  Roman stuffed his hands in his pockets and hunched one shoulder. “I may stick around here for a while, but thanks for the offer.”

  “You’re sure?” When the kid nodded, Jon gave Sawyer a back-slapping hug. “Have a good winter on the ranch. Can I give you a piece of advice?”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  His laugh echoed in the still air of the late afternoon. “Probably not.”

  Sawyer smiled. “Then, let’s hear it.”

  “Don’t let Devin slip away. She’s a fine lady.”

  “I’m going to do my best. Have a safe trip home.”

  “We will.” With a final wave, Jon walked away, his wife’s hand clasped tightly in his. A minute later their Lexus cruised out onto the road.

  Sawyer turned toward Roman. The kid stared at his feet where a battered duffle bag, presumably holding all his worldly possessions, lay in the dirt.

  “I can give you a ride to the airport in Denver if you like.”

  “I don’t know where I’d fly to. This area is pretty if you like small towns and mountains, which I do, so why go somewhere else? I noticed a sign in the tavern window. They’re looking for a bartender.”

  Sawyer gave the keys a little toss then frowned. “Do you have experience?”

  “I know what goes in most drinks. How hard can it be?”

  Obviously, Roman had been fending for himself for some time. He never mentioned any family, so Sawyer assumed he was on his own. Since the kid hadn’t had much time to blow his paychecks over the last few weeks, he must have at least a few bucks in his pocket. Still, the idea of leaving him here, jobless and homeless, twisted in his gut.

  “How do you feel about cattle and horses and wide open prairie?”

  A broad grin flashed. “Do I look like a freaking cowboy?”

  Sawyer smiled back. “No, but you’re a quick study. Last time I talked to my dad, he mentioned one of the ranch hands had left and they’re looking to replace him. If you can follow orders, you can have the job. The pay’s not too bad and comes with meals and living quarters in the bunkhouse.”

  A frown etched his forehead. “In Wyoming, right?”

  “Near Cody.”

  “I don’t have any experience.”

  “I didn’t figure you did.”

  Roman’s blue eyes darkened. “I appreciate you caring enough to offer.”

  “Then climb in. I’ll give my dad a call and let him know we’re on our way.”

  He hesitated then shrugged and walked around to the passenger door of the van. “Why not? Wyoming, huh? Maybe this’ll be a move in the right direction for me.”

  Sawyer’s thoughts flashed to an image of Devin, stretched out on a wooden bench beneath him under the night sky. A sigh slipped out. Going home seemed li
ke a step backward into the past. Not the future he hoped for. With Devin.

  Chapter 13

  Devin stepped away from the bus as it roared off with a huge spurt of exhaust, then hurried through the driving rain. She dodged around a man with an umbrella and ran up the front steps of her Georgetown apartment building. By the time she’d struggled through the outer door carrying her purse, briefcase and a bag of groceries, she was soaked. A word she rarely used slipped out as she dripped on the polished, hardwood floor and fumbled with her keys to open her mailbox.

  Mrs. Gorman, one of her older and more conservative neighbors, paused near the foot of the central staircase with her Pomeranian in her arms and raised a brow.

  Devin sent her a weak smile. “Sorry for the language. It’s been one of those days.”

  “Looks like you need a hot drink and an even hotter bath. That should fix you right up.”

  “Let’s hope so.” She pulled her mail from the box, managed to shut and lock it, then trudged up the stairs to her third floor apartment clutching the small stack against her wet coat along with the grocery bag. By the time she reached her door, she was winded and cursing the lack of an elevator in the old Georgian house that had been remodeled years before.

  She kicked the door shut behind her and leaned against it with a sigh. Usually she found her building quaint and charming. Not today. Straightening, she dropped the handful of soggy envelopes on the table in the tiny entry then set her briefcase and purse beside it. Refraining from dumping her dripping trench coat on the floor, she shrugged it off then hung it on the coatrack before carrying her groceries to the kitchen and plunking the bag down on the counter. Putting away the perishables drained the last of her energy.

  Why didn’t I grab takeout?

  The last thing she wanted to do tonight was cook. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly while rubbing her aching temples. After toeing off her heels, she wandered into the living room and sank onto the couch. The week had been a topsy-turvy ride with all the highs and lows of an out of control rollercoaster. If the latest polls were to be believed, Walton, along with Senator Cunningham, the Republican candidate, and the Democratic contender, Governor Vaughan, were all in a dead heat with thirty-two percent of the vote each. With less than a month to go before Election Day, the four percent of the population still undecided would determine who would be the next president. Earning those votes had turned into a free-for-all. No one was playing nice, and the mudslinging was at an all-time high.