“Kenleigh! Kenleigh!” Someone shouts my name from a distance and tears me away from my racing thoughts. I turn my head in the direction I hear my name called. Wes. My eyes squint as I try to see his small silhouette running, I think, from afar. I pull on the reins to turn Lucy in Wes’ direction. His sprinting form is no longer small but growing larger and larger the closer he gets to me. A loud crack in the ominous sky above startles me, causing me to pull back on the reins.
“Shh, Lucy… It’s fine, girl,” I coo as the horse begins to turn in circles.
“Lucy… Lucy, it’s okay,” Wes says as he reaches us. He tries to keep his tone even as he grabs her bridle. Successfully, he calms down, only to let me have it. “What the hell are you doing out here, on a horse that’s not completely broken in, when it’s about to storm?”
Since he still has a grip on the bridle, I drop the reins and hop off the horse. I come toe to toe with him and poke him in his broad, rock hard chest. “Because you pissed me off. You acted like a childish brat earlier because I told you I couldn’t meet you—”
I’m silenced into submission when Wes grabs me around my neck and slams his mouth down against mine. His tongue slips out, sweeping against my upper lip, seeking entrance. I should protest, but I know it’s no use. Without hesitation, I open to him, granting him access. His soft, moist tongue dampens the anger running through me.
“I’m… so… sorry,” he mumbles around our kisses.
“Me, too. Now, just kiss me.” I wrap my arms around his neck as the bottom falls out. The rain lets loose, soaking us almost instantly, but I don’t care, because he apologized, and his lips are on mine. I know I probably shouldn’t give in so easily, but with him, I can’t help it. I’m falling and falling fast. The only thing I can do is hold on, and enjoy the ride.
I stand in front of the mirror as I put the final additions of makeup on. I haven’t worn it in a long time, and I hope to knock Wes’ socks off when he sees me. My hands run down the lacy material of my strapless dress. It’s the tenth time I’ve done this, but my nerves have me smoothing out invisible wrinkles. I figure, being it’s a Texas, mid-afternoon in July, I won’t overheat in my outfit. My hair’s in a low, sideways ponytail that wraps around the side of my neck and rests on top of my bare shoulder. The brown, cowgirl boots I have on blend well with my red dress. Ready to go, I pick my clutch up off the bed, make sure I have my phone, reach for the door, and set off to find Wes.
A shot of excitement surges through me as I think about the past few days. Tuesday night, Wes and I were sitting on the couch watching a movie when he mentioned that the Fourth of July was in three days. I had completely forgotten that the holiday fell on a Thursday. He said that he wanted to take me into town for the day, because the whole town pretty much shuts down and celebrates. I got so excited that we were going to be doing something together. Something that didn’t involve the ranch, that didn’t deal with our friends. It was just going to be him and me.
Last night, Liam and Sarah left to go back to San Marcos to spend the weekend with their families. Jackie went back home to Seguin this morning. I still haven’t spoken to her. I want to, but after she snubbed me on Monday, I just haven’t felt the need to clear the air between us just yet. My only problem is I know I won’t be able to let it go so easily. Wednesday night after dinner, Brantley and I were cleaning up when I asked him what his plans were for the fourth. He told me that Jackie offered for him to go with her to her family’s house. He agreed, and that was that. A part of me wanted him to stay and hang out here with Wes and me, because I am so mad at her right now, but there was a bigger part of me that wanted my man all to myself, so I didn’t mention it.
As I reach the kitchen, I spot Mrs. Sandy with her back to me, standing by the back door as she picks up her purse off a shelf. “Off so soon?” I ask with a smile.
Last night, Mrs. Sandy and I sat at the kitchen table sharing a carrot cake when she asked what Wes and I would be doing for the fourth. I informed her that he wanted to take me into town, and she thought that was a wonderful idea. When I asked if she and Mr. Will would like to join us, she politely declined. She explained that ever since their first Fourth of July together, he had surprised her with a trip every year, their first being to San Antonio’s River Walk. With a shrug, she added that ever since then, the tradition just stuck. “Yes. Will said we won’t be back until tomorrow night.” She gives me a pointed look accompanied by a mischievous smile. My skin grows warm with embarrassment as I remember the last time Wes and I were home alone together, or so we thought. “Anyway… I hope he’s taking me to the beach down in Galveston. We haven’t been in a while, and it’d be nice to dip my toes in the sand and enjoy The Gulf of Mexico.”