"One hundred percent," I tell him, and it's not a lie. The constant ache has faded to nothing.
"Good," he says, then louder, "And the lovely Kinsley Rose." He sweeps his hat off with theatrical gallantry. "You're even prettier than I remembered." He winks at her and then pumps his eyebrows.
"Easy there," I say, stepping slightly closer to Kinsley. "She's with me." Normally I wouldn't care if Jake flirted with my date but for some cave-man reason, I want to keephim away from her.
Kinsley leans into me and pats my chest—the gesture says I have nothing to worry about.
Jake's grin widens, but he backs off with good humor.
As the plane climbs into the Colorado sky, I settle back—which was a mistake.
"So, Kinsley," Jake says once we're airborne and the Rocky Mountains are spreading out below us, "Has Wyatt told you about the time we got talked into doing wild cow milking in Pendleton?"
My groan echoes through the cabin. "Jake, don't—"
"Oh, this is happening." Jake punches my good shoulder and I know this is going South.
Madison giggles and sets her phone aside.
Jake continues, "Picture this—two broke cowboys who need gas money to get to the next rodeo, standing in the arena during the wild cow milking event. We're stone sober because we can't afford beer, and we figure fifty bucks prize money might get us a hotel room for the night instead of sleeping in the truck again."
Kinsley leans forward, clearly invested in wherever this story is going.
"So, they turn loose this black cow that's meaner than a rattlesnake and twice as ornery. Thing comes charging out of the chute like her tail's on fire, and Wyatt here—" Jake gestures at me with his drink "—he grabs the rope thinking he's gonna control this beast."
"Bad choice," I admit.
"Terrible choice. This cow takes off across the arena, and Wyatt's holding on for dear life. I'm supposed to be the milker, so I'm chasing after them with this little bucket, trying to get close enough while Wyatt's getting draggedthrough every pile of dirt in the place. Twenty thousand people are screaming with laughter."
Kinsley's laughing now, her whole face lit up, and I can't stop staring.
She's intoxicating.
"They went from one end of the arena to the other," Jake continues. "By the time that cow finally stopped, they'd raked the whole place smooth as glass. Didn't need to drag the arena for the barrel racers because Wyatt did it for them. And we never got a drop of milk."
"I'd like to have seen that," Kinsley says, grinning at me in a way that makes my chest tight with want. Her phone buzzes, and she glances at it with a frown. "I need to take this—it's the Forest Service." She moves toward the back of the cabin, her voice dropping to professional tones as she answers.
Jake immediately shifts closer, his expression turning serious. "Okay, what's the deal? You never bring dates to these things."
He’s right—I don't bring women to sponsor events. Don't let them into this part of my life, don't introduce them to the people who matter.
"She's different," I say finally.
"So, this is serious," Jake says, and it's not really a question.
"I don't want to mess this up." Jake's the one person I can be straight with. "So, play it cool this weekend, all right? No smart remarks or any of that wingman garbage."
Jake's grin spreads slow and knowing. "This must be love."
"Shut up," I mutter, but there's no heat in it.
Kinsley returns from her call, sliding back into her seat with a satisfied expression. "Good news. The judge requested a formal review of the controlled burn the Forest Service tried to instigate. That should keep them busy enough not to try to sneak something past us again.”
I grin. “You did good, Kinsley Rose.”
She smiles and then wrinkles her nose at me and it’s all I can do not to lean forward and kiss her in front of Jake. He looks like he’s scrolling his socials but he’s listening to every word.
“I should text Sarah and let her know.” She starts working and I have to tear my eyes off of her.