The Chef Chases his Cowboy Dream (Silverstone Ranch Book 3)

by April Murdock

  Wesley jogged up beside her. “Wait, are you upset?”

  Part of her was, yes. But another part of her insisted she didn’t have the right to be. Wesley didn’t belong to her—he never had. She shrugged.

  He grabbed her hand, forcing her to stop just as she entered the building. Lily looked down at where he touched her. It was as if her skin had woken up. Tingles danced on her nerves where his warm hand clasped hers.

  Wesley let go and the sensation left with him. Lily met his gaze. “About what?”

  “It may have been a few years, but I think I still know you well enough to see when you don’t like what’s happening.”

  She let out a dry chuckle. “There’s not much to be thrilled about these days, Wes.” Least of all seeing an old crush and realizing she was just as irrelevant as she ever was.

  “Well, if it’s about the date—”

  “It’s not.” She turned from him and headed for the tools.

  “It’s not?” His voice followed her.

  “No.”

  “Then what—”

  Lily whirled around to face him, and collided with his torso instead. She stumbled back a few steps, ready to land on her rump when his arms shot out and caught her. The muscles in his arms rippled and bulged. Did he work out?

  A grin spread across his face. “You have to be more careful, Lily.”

  She pushed away from him. “Look. It was nice seeing you again, but—”

  He frowned. “You want me to leave?” He hesitated, shifting the weight from one foot to the other. He held out his hand toward her, shook his head, and put his hand in his pocket. “When Mia showed up, you’d just asked me why I was here.”

  “You said you’re here to get back together with Mia.”

  His brows pulled together and he took a step toward her. “No. You said I was here to get back with Mia.” Wesley took a deep breath, then let it out between pursed lips. “There’s a lot of reasons I’m back and I plan on figuring them all out. As for why I showed up here—I wanted to talk to you about something.”

  She couldn’t help the smile that found its way back to her face. “You mean you didn’t plan on saving my life and joking about all the shenanigans we got ourselves into as kids?”

  Wesley chuckled. “That’s just icing.” His tone turned serious and he grabbed her hand. “Before anything else happens, I have to—”

  Lily pulled her hand from his as quickly as he’d held onto it. His touch was doing strange things to her. She thought she’d gotten over her silly crush. Wesley frowned, his arm dangling awkwardly at his side.

  “I thought—or rather, I’d hoped—” He let out a funny sounding chuckle. “I came over here to invite you to have dinner, Lily. Or something…”

  Her mouth dropped open. “You wanted to—what?” She laughed. “This is a joke, right?” She looked around him. “Mia isn’t going to pop out and make fun of me.”

  Wesley’s brows lowered over his eyes. He actually looked angry. “No. It’s not just some joke. I’ve been thinking a lot about things and the one thing I keep coming back to—”

  Lily held up her hands. “I’m going to stop you right there, Wes. You’re dating my best friend.”

  “I’m not, actually.”

  She stilled, her the nausea building in her stomach. They shouldn’t even be discussing this. “We just set up a double date. What are you talking about?”

  “I have no intention of getting back together with Mia. I’m not here for her.”

  Her nausea morphed into something different but still uncomfortable. She would have liked nothing more than to hear him say something like that—before today’s events. Lily scowled at him and poked him in the chest. “Don’t you dare turn this around. Mia is in love with you. You realize how much this would hurt her? Even if we hadn’t just set up this double date thing, I couldn’t say yes to you and feel right about it. She’s my best friend. How could you do that to her? I certainly can’t.”

  At least he looked remorseful. Wesley frowned and took a step back from her. “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  The tightness in her chest relaxed, but only slightly. Whatever had almost happened never would. Wesley and she were friends—nothing more. She knew all too well how much Mia cared about him. Wesley didn’t share his feelings with Lily, but by the way he looked at Mia, his feelings were obvious—or at least she’d thought they were.

  She gave a sharp jerk to her head. Wesley didn’t have feelings for her. It was like he said, he was in a strange place right now. Lily met his gaze. “What’s going on, Wes?”

  Wesley dug his toe into the ground. “What do you mean?”

  Lily ran a hand through her hair and forced a laugh. “Why would you be willing to settle for a girl like me when Mia is already a sure thing?”

  Something she couldn’t read flickered in his eyes. His expression darkened for only a moment before he let out a sigh. “It’s a long story.”

  “Tell you what. You help me pull weeds, and I’ll consider that payment for our little therapy session.”

  He laughed and she joined in. “Deal.”

  Chapter Four

  Wesley tightened his grip on a stubborn thistle weed and yanked. The plant broke off at the ground. No roots. He cursed under his breath. There was a reason he’d become a chef rather than a rancher.

  He grabbed hold of another tall weed with both hands and pulled hard. Tumbling back, he landed on his behind, half of the plant still sticking out of the ground.

  Lily snickered.

  “I don’t think I’m much help at this.”

  She shook her head. “No, I don’t suppose you are.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “So, you gonna tell me what’s going on?”

  He dusted his hands together and got up on his knees. “You remember when we took that photography class because we thought it would be easy?”

  She snorted. “Yeah. Then it turned out there was a lot more work involved. That class was awful.”

  Wesley nodded. “Turns out running a five-star restaurant is like that. Too much work and not enough joy.”

  Lily stopped what she was doing and put down her tool. She frowned at him. “Really?”

  He let out a sigh. His hands dropped to his knees. “It was good at first. Great, even. But it got to a point where I was just burned out. I worked every waking minute. If I wasn’t at the restaurant, I was worried because I wasn’t there. I felt suffocated, you know?”

  “I thought the point of having your dream job was so you didn’t get tired of it.”

  “I’m not tired of cooking. That’s my dream. I don’t know… it’s hard to explain. It’s like I’m losing myself in the work. The cooking and creating had to take second place.” He dragged a hand down his face. “There’s more to it I guess, but mostly I just needed to clear my head. So I came home.”

  She scooted closer to him, pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. “What are you going to do? Will you stay long?”

  Wesley shrugged. He’d hired some amazing people to work for him. They could run the place for a while. However, he couldn’t plan on the public not taking note. If the owner of a famous restaurant never came back, the tabloids might be all over him. Then there was Charlotte. He’d broken it off with her a few months ago. She’d been more interested in his sous-chef. Somehow he’d fallen short. Catching her stealing a kiss from his second-in-command was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. A break was exactly what he needed—time for him to breathe.

  “I’m sure your mother is thrilled to have you home.”

  He smiled. “You couldn’t be more right on that one. She’s planning some big party this weekend and wants to invite everyone we ever went to school with.”

  Lily wrinkled her nose. “She realizes we didn’t actually know a lot of those kids, right?”

  “I think she just needs something to keep her busy.”

  She patted him on th
e back. “You’re such a good son.”

  He reveled in her light touch. The slap of her refusal continued to sting. He’d been honest about wanting to spend time with Lily, but she was right. Asking Lily on a date would be a betrayal. The only shot he’d had with Lily had disappeared the moment he’d let her talk him into asking Mia to Homecoming.

  Wesley got to his feet and dusted off his pants. “I’ll ask Christian about the double date and let you know.

  Lily leaned back, her hands resting in the grass as she squinted up at him. “Okay. Sounds fun.”

  Yeah. Fun. His gaze trailed over her full lips. The sun turned her curls a vibrant auburn color. He could stand there and lose himself in just looking at her.

  He blinked. What was he thinking? She’d turned him down. He had Mia. Being with Lily was not a possibility.

  By the time he’d returned home, his body ached from the tense state it had remained in while spending time with Lily. His visit had been an absolute failure. There was one thing he’d gone to her place to do, and he came away with nothing.

  Well, not nothing. He’d reconnected with Mia, a woman who reminded him not all people were like Charlotte.

  Charlotte was an awful person. A normal girlfriend would have broken it off up front rather than flirt with his friend. He’d really known she wasn’t good for him but he’d ignored the warning bells.

  And he wasn’t so hurt he’d sworn off women, he just needed the right one. One he could trust. One who could turn his life upside down but bettered him at the same time. It took dating Charlotte to realize just how lucky he’d been with Mia. But that was his past. Now, he wanted to explore what life could be like with Lily.

  Wesley sat in his high-end rental car and stared out the windshield without focusing on anything in particular. It had been fun to see Lily again. Their friendship had been something that kept him sane before he’d left Hennesy.

  The turmoil he felt couldn’t be related to his lost cause, could it? He dropped his head back against the leather headrest. There was no use going over it again and again. Nothing had changed and nothing would.

  A deep green Ford pulled up in the spot beside him. The driver’s door opened and Christian stepped out. The black cowboy hat shaded his brother’s features. Christian walked around the truck and tapped on Wesley’s window.

  Christian was about a head taller than Wesley. He’d been built for everything the ranch had to offer. There wasn’t any reason in particular why Christian shouldn’t have been married by now, besides his workaholic nature. Their younger sister, Brittany, was in her sophomore year of college and already she’d gotten serious with a boy. At this rate, she could be married before either of her brothers.

  Wesley pulled the key from the ignition and climbed out of his car. Christian smirked. “It’s nice to see the almighty Wesley was willing to grace us with his presence. I thought you treated your family like some people treat church.”

  Wesley gave his brother a confused glance.

  “You know. Because you only visit at Easter and Christmas.”

  Wesley rolled his eyes. “Nice to see you too, Christian.”

  Christian ruffled Wesley’s hair. “I’m just so glad you came to visit, little brother. Where did you disappear today? According to the women in town, you’re spending your time with a certain young lady.”

  Wesley’s head shot up. How had the town heard about his visit with Lily? That could be the answer to his Mia dilemma. He dismissed the thought as soon as it appeared. According to Lily, he didn’t have a dilemma, because she wasn’t interested.

  Christian continued to stare at him. “Well, where were you?”

  He pushed past his brother. “I went out to Silverstone Ranch.”

  Christian let out a laugh. “You still spending time with that Greene girl? Rose or something?”

  Wesley rolled his eyes. “It’s Lily, and you know that.”

  “Right. What does Mia think?”

  “They’re friends, Christian.”

  Christian followed Wesley as he made his way toward the house. He could use a stiff drink right about now. Too bad his mother abhorred the stuff and refused to have any on the property. What would she think if she found out he found a bit of pleasure in a drink that was stronger than sweet tea? She’d probably string him up by his toes.

  “You still in love with that girl?”

  Wesley stopped so suddenly, Christian had to sidestep him. Wesley glared at his brother.

  Christian raised his hands and snickered. “I may older and run in a different crowd, but even I could tell you liked her back then.”

  “Not anymore. In fact, Mia thought it would be a good idea to set the two of you up on a date.”

  His brother’s brow arched. “You want to set me up on a date with little Lily?”

  She wasn’t little anymore. Lily had grown into a gorgeous woman. And she was too good for Christian—any man, really.

  Wesley sliced his hand through the air. “You’re right. I’ll find someone else.”

  “Hold on, Wes. I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it.” Christian straightened. “Look, I know how much you like—liked her. Would you really want to set her up with some random person Mia picks out?”

  Todd came to mind and that familiar twist to his stomach returned. He shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

  Christian shrugged. “Then let me take her out.” He flashed his perfect smile at Wesley. “And if things click, great.” Christian held out his hand.

  Wesley stared at it, then his gaze bounced up to meet Christian’s. The devil he knew was better than the devil he didn’t. “On one condition.” He studied his brother’s chiseled jaw and golden hair. He’d been compared to a Greek god by a lot of the girls in his grade. He didn’t see it, but who was he to judge? He’d like to think Lily wasn’t superficial enough to fall for his brother’s charm. Then again, with how many women Christian paraded through their home, maybe no woman was immune to his wiles.

  Christian chuckled. “Whatever you want, little brother.”

  “Don’t be a jerk to her.”

  “Sure, whatever.”

  Wesley grabbed Christian’s hand and shook it.

  Chapter Five

  Lily fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. The hunter color brought out the green flecks in her eyes. She couldn’t tame her wild curls if she’d tried. Why had she agreed to this date? She had zero interest in Christian Hall. Sure, he was certainly a specimen of perfection, but she viewed him as more of a big brother.

  Her reflection frowned at her. Things could change, right? Maybe she just needed to give Christian a chance. If everyone she’d set up on dates hadn’t been open-minded, they wouldn’t have found their true love. Could Christian be hers?

  She nibbled on her thumbnail. It had been just as long since she’d seen Christian. There had been opportunities where their paths would have overlapped, but they ran in different social circles.

  This whole thing was a mistake. She should just call and cancel so Mia and Wesley could have their reunion privately. She moved across the room and grabbed her phone from the bed.

  Marguerite wandered into the doorway and leaned against it. “Where are you headed off to?”

  “Nowhere.”

  “Uh huh.” She pushed against the doorjamb and entered. In one quick movement, she grabbed Lily’s phone.

  Lily lunged for it but Marguerite held it over her head and hopped over the bed. She glanced at the screen, then her eyes flew to meet Lily’s. “You’re going out with Wes?” Her gaze trailed down Lily’s outfit. “You’re dressed too nice for just hanging out.” Her eyes widened and she held out the phone. “You two have finally come to your senses!”

  “What? No. Absolutely not. Wes is taking Mia out and I’m doubling—I mean, I’m not going.”

  Marguerite folded her arms across her T-shirt. “Who are you going with?”

  “I told you, I’m not—”

  “Lily.”

  “What?”


  Marguerite stood beside her and put her arm around her shoulders. “You should go. You need to have some fun.”

  “You wouldn’t say that if you knew who he was setting me up with,” Lily muttered.

  “Are you going to tell me, or do I have to drag it out of you?”

  “They’re setting me up with Christian.”

  Marguerite stilled beside her. “Christian Hall? Wesley’s brother?”

  “See, I told you—”

  “I think you should go.”

  Lily turned to stare at her sister. “You think I should go.” Marguerite had finally lost it.

  Marguerite nodded and gave Lily one more squeeze. “It’ll be fun. Besides, if anyone looks like a prince around here, it’s Christian Hall. If nothing else, you can enjoy staring at him. Gracious, he’s gorgeous.”

  Lily gasped, then laughed. “Well, you would know.”

  Marguerite winked. “It sure doesn’t hurt to be in the company of a handsome man.”

  Lily gave herself another once-over, sighed, and shook her head. One date. That was all she’d agree to. Then Wesley and Mia could have their happily ever after and she could go back to pulling weeds and changing lightbulbs.

  The doorbell echoed through the ranch house, bouncing off the walls much like her heart was doing in her chest. Why was she so nervous? She didn’t have any interest in Christian. He was nice, handsome, and a catch… but he just didn’t check all the boxes she had in mind for a future someone.

  No one did. Well, except Wesley.

  She had to stop being so hung up on what she couldn’t have. Especially after she’d turned down his request for—whatever it was. Besides, if it didn’t work out between the two of them, she’d be responsible for hurting not one, but two friends. This was how it was supposed to be.

  “Lily! The door’s for you!”

  Lily shut off the light and headed down the stairs and toward the front of the house. One double date. That was all.