1. Genevieve

ONE

GENEVIEVE

Present Day

“I can do this.” Sienna told me about some of the logistics for the trip, but for the most part, I’ve had to interact with Amos. Thankfully, it’s been via text, and the one time he called my cell, well, I did what any sane woman would do—I let my voicemail pick it up. Maybe if I were a different person, it wouldn’t have been so difficult to get my thoughts together on the fly, except I’m not. I have my quirks, nuances as my dad likes to say, and while sometimes they piss me off to no end, he’s always in my corner telling me I’m perfect the way I am.

I open the door to my car, put one foot on the ground, and am starting to climb out when my attention is captured by someone.

It’s not just anyone .

He’s not just someone.

No, the man who has me stopped in my tracks is none other than the man I’m going to spend the next four days with. Amos Ellison, a tall glass of hot water, a cowboy through and through from his Stetson-wearing self to his worn-in blue jeans and scuffed-up cowboy boots.

Why does he have to look so good without even trying? He’s got a slow gait, a Southern drawl, and seeing Amos in his element is nothing like I’ve ever experienced. Not that there’s much to say about my time with a man in any way you spin it. My one and only time with a guy in college lasted approximately two point four seconds, the pain was excruciating, there was zero finesse, and when he tried to use his thumb on my clit, it felt more like he was smashing it down. The sensation did absolutely nothing for me and had me swearing off guys for the duration of college. Okay, fine, even after college and moving back home near Arrowleaf, there’ve been zero men who garnered my attention.

Until Amos.

I should have known. On the rare occasions I’d be at the Ellison ranch, he’d say hello, and my body would react. Still, I kept to myself, gave him a small wave, a nod of my head, and then left as fast as I came. He let it go, never said a word about the awkwardness I displayed. And as far as I know, Amos didn’t ask Sienna if there was anything wrong with me .

Which leads me to now. I’m stepping out of my car, or attempting to, while psyching myself up for the long haul, and all I can think about is the ropes he currently has on his shoulders, one hand holding the end with a firm grip. I can’t look away. Amos isn’t looking or touching me, yet the way my body is responding, he may as well be scorching my skin, branding me with his presence alone. So, how exactly am I going to manage being in a confined space without turning into a total mess?

My qualities go a little like this: nervous, clumsy mess, hyper focused, artsy, in my own head, and when I’m in a social situation, I’m awkward at best. Ugh, I need to get out of my car and my head. Instead, I pull my phone out of my bag to check for text message. Apparently, we can add procrastinating to the list, too.

Sienna: I know you’re sitting in the car and not getting out right now.

Sienna: You can do this. I love you, and Amos is Amos. He’s the most understanding and relatable person you’ll ever meet. Besides me, of course.

Sienna: Genevieve Alexandria Strickland, are you going to answer me ?

I let out a soft chuckle. She’s on a tirade of text messaging me and will not stop, even now.

Sienna: Fine, I’ll call Amos and tell him to check if you’re there.

I start typing, one word at a time, knowing full well the bubbles appearing on the other end will appease her worry wart mind for a moment. Except I hit the back space trying to come up with the right words to say and linger a little longer.

Sienna: I swear to god I’m on my way if you don’t respond.

Me: I’m here. Good grief. I’m in the process of getting out of my car. Yes, I’m working up the courage, but I promise I’m doing the damn thing.

Sienna: Good, I love you, and I’ll text later to check in on you.

Me: I love you, and let’s be honest, you’ll text me sooner rather than later.

Sienna: Okay, fine. You’re right. Now get out of the car and find Amos. You all should be leaving in the next ten minutes, and I know you. You’ve had three cups of coffee already, so you better make a pit stop along the way.

Me: Yes, Mother. Now can I proceed with my day?

Sienna: You may. Send me a text if anything juicy happens.

I don’t respond, choosing to instead roll my eyes and let out a huff and puff of my own. Damn, my best friend knows where to hit, right in the kisser, but also, the last thing I’d ever do is text her about anything that happens between her brother and me. I mean ewww, that’s her brother. Maybe the bare minimum at most.

It's make or break, now or never, and however else those sayings go. I step out of my car, finally, after what seems like forever, then close the driver’s side door and open the back passenger one to grab my oversized bag along with my small rolling suitcase. Maybe I should have brought a bag instead. No way will the wheels make it through the rough and rugged terrain down by the barn. Looks like I’ll be carrying it down to where Amos has the truck parked. The trailer is already hooked up, and from what I can see, he’s just about done.

I fling my purse over my shoulder, grab my bag by the handle on the side, and then click the key fob to lock my door as I use my hip to bump it shut. The reason for my gracefulness in this maneuver is an act of strength and perseverance with a dash of not overthinking the situation. I start my trek from the house, being careful of the pea gravel that makes up the driveway from the house to the barn. The road leading up to the house is dirt, and right about now, I kind of wish the whole path had an easier walkway. As it is now, even with the flat-soled sneakers I’m wearing, I’ll be lucky to keep steady footing.

My eyes move from the ground to Amos. He takes notices and starts heading my way, but I shake my head. I’m good. I place one foot in front of the other, and while he’s not heeding my warning, I keep going.

“Oh no.” When I feel the ground beneath my foot form some kind of hole, my ankle does a wobble and my arms go out to stabilize myself. Bad idea. Huge mistake. My carry-on luggage proves to be too heavy with my arm flailing around like a baby bird. My fingers release their hold just as my ass is about to meet the ground and suffers the same fate as my bag.

“You’re good. I’ve got you,” Amos says into my ear, cradling my body, cushioning the blow as I land on his lap, ass to groin. And he may not make the slightest noise in the way of words, but his deep inhale of breath tells me I’ve hit the jackpot.

“I’m so sorry.” I scramble to move away from him, doing more harm than good as I wiggle in his lap.

“Settle down.” Amos’ arms wrap around my waist, holding me still. He can’t mean that, not when I can clearly feel him thicken against my ass.

“Oh,” is the only word I’m able to get out of my mouth. Why, oh why would Sienna so much as suggest I spend the next three to five days with her brother? Oh, that’s right, because my best friend thinks I deserve to find a man like hers, and with the limited options in Arrowleaf and surrounding areas, she’s set her sights on Amos for me. Does Amos make me feel like I’ve never felt before? Yes. Do I think I have a chance in hell with him? No. Okay, fine, I might have thought that before, but his hard dick rapidly growing beneath me now has me questioning if it was only me who felt a spark weeks ago when we touched.

“You good?” His breath sliding along the shell of my ear causes goose bumps to pebble along my flesh in its wake.

“Um, yeah,” I stammer out.

“Alright, we’ll get up together. I’ll grab your bag, finish getting everything ready, and we’ll head out before it gets too late.” Amos doesn’t expect an answer. Every word he spoke, he did it while keeping ahold of me the entire time.