Chapter Fifteen

Boone

"I need some time to think about it, Trevor," I said as I paced the deck and tried to wrap my head around what he was offering me.

Trevor's voice crackled through the phone. "It's a new series, Boone, and we all think you'd be the breath of fresh air we need," he continued. "This is an opportunity most retired bull riders won't ever get. We want you in on the ground floor of this new series."

I stopped pacing, running a hand through my hair as I processed what he was saying. The Wild Broncs series sounded like a big deal. I hadn't thought much about what I'd do after retiring. Hell, for the last six months, I'd been more focused on walking again, on getting my body to work the way it used to. The idea of stepping into a whole new role—especially one in front of a camera—wasn't something I'd planned on. But here was Trevor, dangling a new chapter in front of me like bait.

"Give me a couple of days, and I'll get back to you," I finally said.

"All right, man. I'll be waiting for your call," Trevor replied, his voice warm with anticipation.

I ended the call and tucked my phone into my pocket.

Holy hell.

I stood there for a minute and stared out at the backyard and river to try to wrap my head around what had just happened. That call had come out of nowhere, and now I had a decision to make—one that could change everything. I had the money to sit on for a while, but this offer… it was something I hadn't even considered. Becoming an announcer, stepping into the spotlight in a whole new way—it wasn't just a job. It was a chance to stay close to the world I knew so well without the danger.

I took a deep breath, and my mind swirled with possibilities. This was not a conversation I'd expected to have, especially not with Dolly here.

I turned and headed back into the house. As soon as I stepped through the door, I caught sight of her in the kitchen. She was leaning against the counter, sipping her water and watching me with those eyes that always seemed to know what was going on, even when I hadn't said a word.

"Everything okay?" she asked, her brow furrowed slightly in concern.

I nodded, grabbed a beer from the fridge, and popped the top. "Uh, yeah. Just a phone call I wasn't expecting."

"Gotcha," she said, her tone casual, but I could tell she wanted to ask more. The way she glanced at me like she was waiting for me to say something else told me that much. But she didn't push.

I leaned against the counter and took a long swig of the beer. "I haven't really figured out what I want to do now that I'm retired," I said, running my thumb along the neck of the bottle. "I just got an offer to be an announcer for a new series the Pbr's throwing together."

Dolly's eyes widened, and her lips parted slightly. "Like, the guys on TV that do all the talking and whatnot while the riders are on?" she asked, her voice full of surprise.

I nodded. "Yeah, just like that."

"Wow," she said, shaking her head a little. "That's a pretty big deal, Boone. When do you start?"

I shrugged. "I didn't say yes or no yet. I need a little time to think about it."

She nodded slowly, looked down at the water bottle in her hands, and fidgeted with the cap like she was processing what I'd just said. After a moment, she looked back up at me, her expression a little more guarded. "You'd be traveling again, then?"

I nodded, taking another sip of beer. "Yeah, but nowhere near as much as I was when I was chasing points. The series runs from mid-July to mid-October, so it's a short window. Right before the World Finals."

Dolly nodded again, but I could see the wheels turning in her head. She was trying to find the right words, the right way to say what was on her mind. I could feel the tension between us, subtle but there. We hadn't talked much about the future—not about her, not about me—and now, all of a sudden, there was this opportunity that would mean being away again before we figured out what was going on between the two of us. Granted, July was a ways off.

"Well," she said slowly, her eyes on the bottle in her hands, "I don't know much about the whole announcer thing, but that sounds like a pretty big opportunity."

I watched her closely, wondering what she was really thinking. It wasn't just the opportunity she was reacting to—I could see that much. It was the idea of me going back into that world, being on the road, away from Magnolia Grove. Away from her. Even if it wasn't for long, it was still leaving.

"I'm not sure if it's something I want yet," I admitted, trying to gauge her reaction. "I didn't expect this offer. Hell, I didn't even know they were putting together a new series until Trevor called."

She lifted her gaze to meet mine, her eyes searching my face. "Well, does it sound like something you'd want to do?"

I wasn't sure how to answer that. For so long, my life had been about one thing: rodeo. Everything I'd done, every choice I'd made, had been in service of that dream. But now? Now I was here, standing in a kitchen with the one woman I'd never stopped thinking about, who was part of a different dream I had before I left for the rodeo.

"I don't know," I said honestly and rubbed the back of my neck. "I guess I've been so focused on getting back on my feet—literally—that I haven't thought much about what comes next."

Dolly nodded, her expression softening as she leaned back against the counter. "I get that. I mean, you've been through a lot. It makes sense that you wouldn't have everything figured out yet."

"Yeah, but this… this feels different," I said, gesturing with the beer bottle. "It's not like riding. It's not about the rush or the adrenaline. It's just… talking. It's staying close to the sport without risking everything."

She tilted her head, her eyes thoughtful. "And does that appeal to you? Being close to it without having to put your body through hell?"

I let out a breath, setting the beer down on the counter. "Yeah, it does. I guess a part of me still wants to be part of it, you know? Even if I'm not in the chute anymore."

She smiled softly. "Well, from where I'm standing, it sounds like a good opportunity. But I get it if you need time to think about it. It's a big change."

I nodded, appreciating her understanding. "Yeah. I just don't want to rush into something because it's there. I want to make sure it's what I really want."

Dolly nodded, but there was something in her eyes, something she wasn't saying. I wondered if it was the idea of me being away again, even for a short time. After all, we hadn't really talked about what this thing between us was or where it was going. She had been the one to say we were friends.

That may be what she wanted, but I wanted a whole hell of a lot more than that.

But for now, I had to focus on one thing at a time. And right now, that was being able to make dinner.

"What's next for dinner?" I asked and turned to Dolly, who looked a little surprised by my sudden enthusiasm.

"Oh, uh, well," she said, recovering quickly. "We can get things ready for the chicken."

The next few minutes, we moved around the kitchen together as she guided me through it, step by step. I poured oil into the pan, turned the burner to medium heat, and waited as the oil slowly came to temperature. It was simple, but it felt new to me, like learning how to ride all over again—except this time, it was about making sure I didn't burn the damn chicken.

Half an hour later, the kitchen smelled like a home-cooked meal. The potatoes were baked perfectly, and the chicken was ready. The microwave dinged, signaling that the veggies were done. Dolly showed me how to cut open the steaming bag, dump them into a bowl, and add a dab of butter. It all came together like a small victory.

I looked down at the meal in front of us, feeling an odd sense of pride. Sure, Dolly had done most of the work, but I'd had a hand in it—no matter how small.

"This looks really good," she said, giving me a smile that lit up her face.

I nodded, feeling a little more accomplished than I probably should have. "Looks more than good to me." I grabbed two plates from the cabinet and handed one to her.

We each filled our plates and headed outside to the patio, where the sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. The air was warm, with a slight breeze, and it felt peaceful as we sat down at the outdoor table.

We ate, falling into easy conversation about Magnolia Grove—about the things that had changed and the things that had stayed the same. There was something comforting about it, like slipping back into an old pair of boots. The conversation flowed naturally between us, and as the sun set, I couldn't help but feel a little bit lighter.

When we finished, we gathered the plates and headed back into the kitchen, the soft glow of twilight following us inside.

"Now for the part I've been waiting for all night," I said with a grin and grabbed the buttermilk pie. My stomach rumbled, even though we'd just eaten dinner.

Dolly laughed and shook her head. "You really haven't had buttermilk pie since you left town?"

I shook my head. "Nope. I knew it wouldn't be as good as the one you make." I turned to grab two small plates from the cabinet, but when I spun back around, I bumped straight into Dolly, who was reaching for a knife in the drawer.

"Oh gosh," she gasped, and before I knew it, my arm instinctively wrapped around her waist to steady her, keeping her from falling. I pressed her against the counter and enjoyed the feel of her against me.

"I got you, honey," I murmured, my voice a little lower than I meant it to be. I looked down at her, my arm still holding her close, and for a second, everything seemed to stop.

Dolly tipped her head back, her eyes locking onto mine, and the air between us thickened. She didn't pull away—didn't even move, really. She just leaned into me a little more, her chest rising and falling in time with mine. My body reacted instantly, a heat rushing through me that was impossible to ignore. She felt so damn good in my arms, like this was where she was supposed to be all along.

"I want to kiss you, Dolly," I found myself confessing with my voice rough and almost hoarse with the need that had been building in me for days, weeks… maybe years.

Her eyes widened for a moment, but she didn't pull away. If anything, she moved closer, her body pressing against mine. "Then kiss me, Boone," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the invitation was clear.

I didn't hesitate.

The moment my lips met hers, it felt like everything I'd been holding back finally broke free. The kiss was soft at first, gentle as I savored the feel of her mouth against mine, the sweetness of it. But then, something shifted—something deeper. It was like coming home like everything I'd been missing was right here in my arms.

I pulled her closer, my hands sliding up her back as I deepened the kiss. Her fingers curled into the front of my shirt, holding onto me like she didn't want to let go. The taste of her, the feel of her soft skin under my hands—it sent a rush of heat through me that made my heart pound.

Dolly kissed me back with the same intensity, and her body pressed even closer to mine. Her lips parted just enough for me to feel the warmth of her breath and the way she was letting herself give in to this moment, to us. It wasn't rushed, but it wasn't slow either. It was a mix of need and tenderness, of passion and something that felt like it had been a long time coming.

When we finally pulled back, both of us were breathing hard, her forehead rested against my chest, and I realized I never wanted to let her go.

"Boone," she whispered, her breath warm against my skin.

"Yeah, honey?" I asked, my hand gently cradling the back of her head.

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine, and I could see it there—the same feeling that had been brewing inside me since the moment I saw her again.

"What are we doing?" Dolly asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked up at me, uncertainty clouding her eyes.

I didn't have a concrete answer. I didn't know where this was headed or how everything was going to play out. All I knew was kissing Dolly felt right. Holding her in my arms—it was like a missing piece of me had finally clicked back into place. It was the first time in a long damn time that I felt like myself again. The life I had built around chasing my dreams of being a champion bull rider—it had always felt like something was missing.

Her.

I was always missing Dolly.

"Making up for lost time?" I replied as I pulled her into a hug and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

She stayed there, nestled against my chest for a moment, and I could feel her breath slow, like she was trying to gather her thoughts. Then she pulled back just enough to look up at me again, her brows furrowing slightly. "You're going to leave again."

I shook my head, my arms still wrapped around her as I leaned back enough to meet her gaze. "I'm here, Dolly. I planted my roots here in Magnolia Grove."

"But the announcer job?" Her voice wavered, like she was afraid that if I took the job, it would pull me away from her all over again.

I shrugged. "I don't even know if I'm going to take it yet. But even if I do, this is still my home. I'd be gone for a few weekends here and there, but it wouldn't be anything like chasing points around the country. And if it ever does get to be too much, if I feel like it's pulling me away more than I want, then I stop doing it." I smiled down at her, trying to make her understand. "I've got more than enough money, Dolly. This isn't about needing a paycheck. It's about figuring out what comes next for me."

She stared at me for a long moment, searching my face like she was looking for cracks in what I was saying. "How do you know that, though?" she finally asked, her voice softer. "I don't want you to give up something great just to stay here in Magnolia Grove with me."

I let out a short laugh and shook my head, tightening my hold on her. "You don't get to make that decision for me this time, honey. I chased my dream for a long time, and it took me all over the world, but now I'm here. And I know I can have both. I can chase what comes next, and I can have you with me." I cupped her cheek with my hand, my thumb brushing lightly against her skin as I looked down into her eyes. "You don't have to worry about that."

"Boone…" she whispered, her voice full of hesitation and hope all at once.

I leaned down and pressed another slow and soft kiss to her lips, like a promise. When I pulled back, I kept my forehead resting against hers, breathing her in, and felt her steady in my arms.

"We'll take it slow, honey. All of this," I said quietly. "I need to think about the announcer gig. I need to really settle in here in Magnolia Grove. And you and I… we need to get to know each other again. We've both changed since high school, but that doesn't mean we can't figure out who we are together now."

Her eyes softened, and she gave a small nod, her fingers curling around the front of my shirt. "Okay," she murmured, her voice steadying. "I like the idea of slow."

I smiled down at her, and my heart felt lighter than it had in years. This time, I wasn't going to rush things. This time, I wasn't going to let anything pull me away from what really mattered.

We stood there in the quiet of the kitchen, the world outside fading away for just a little while. We weren't the same people we'd been when we were younger. Life has changed us, scarred us, and made us wiser. But I knew one thing for sure—being with Dolly again, holding her like this, felt like the beginning of something new.

And for the first time in a long time, I was looking forward to seeing where it would go.