My Cowboy Prince (*unedited)

Chapter 10

As the sun dips below the hills we make our way back to the main house. The sound of our footsteps crunching on the gravel path is the only thing that breaks the silence between us. Luke is carrying the picnic basket filled remnants of our meal in one hand, and with the other, he gently places it on my lower back. His touch is light, almost casual, but I can feel the warmth of his fingertips through the thin fabric of my shirt.

His fingers trace lazy patterns on my exposed skin, sending a shiver up my spine. My heart beats faster with each stroke, the rhythm almost drowning out the sounds of the ranch around us.

As we approach the house, I notice a sleek black car parked nearby. My attention is drawn to a well-dressed man stepping out, his figure tall and imposing against the backdrop of the setting sun. There's something oddly familiar about him, but I can't quite place it. Beside him, Grandma Bea greets him with a warm smile, their conversation is too quiet for me to hear but she seems not quite happy to see him. They begin to walk toward the house, their pace slow and casual, as if they have all the time in the world.

Then, I see Kimberly. Her polished appearance stands out against the rustic aesthetic of the ranch. She's rushes toward us, her heels clicking sharply on the wooden porch as she comes. Luke shifts the basket to one hand, his other arm instinctively reaching out to steady her as she hurries forward. When he takes his hand from my back, the heat instantly disappears, leaving me feeling suddenly cold and more aware of the distance between us.

My chest tightens as I watch them, the gesture appears more intimate than it likely is. Rationally, I know he's just trying to prevent her from falling, but my emotions seem to cloud my judgment.

Kimberly wraps her arms around Luke, holding him in a tight embrace. He doesn't push her away or set any clear boundaries. A knot forms in my stomach as I watch the two. Maybe I read things wrong, I... it doesn't matter. I can't bare to look anymore. I force a polite smile, trying to mask the swirl of emotions bubbling inside me. "I'm gonna go up,"

As I turn to leave, Luke's hand gently grasps mine. His touch is warm and steady, grounding me in the moment. Our eyes meet, and there's a silent plea in his gaze. "Remember to come down soon, I'm going to walk Buttercup."

I nod, unable to find the words to respond, and gently pull my hand from his. As I step away, I catch Kimberly's voice, sharp and impatient. "Luke, didn't you see my calls? I've been trying to reach you." Her tone is accusatory, and I feel a pang of guilt for eavesdropping on a conversation not meant for my ears.

As I approach the veranda, I offer a polite nod to Grandma Bea and the man beside her. Up close, I realize why he seemed familiar; he has the same piercing eyes as Luke, and the resemblance is striking. However, his presence feels out of place here. "Good evening," I say, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

Grandma Bea smiles warmly at me, her eyes twinkling with a knowing look. The man beside her, however, gives me a curt nod, his expression unreadable. I don't linger, feeling the need to escape the growing tension. I make my way up the stairs, the soft carpet muffling my hurried steps. Once inside my room, I close the door with a quiet thud and lean against it, releasing a heavy sigh. The weight of the evening presses down on me, and I feel a wave of frustration wash over me.

"Why?" I heave a sigh and walk to the bathroom, my steps are slow and deliberate. Turning on the cold water, I splash my face, hoping to wash away the flustered expression I know I must be wearing. As the water drips down my cheeks, I stare at my reflection, the mirror reflecting back my conflicted feelings.

"Get it together," I whisper to myself, chastising the part of me that got caught up in the romantic haze of the picnic. How naive to think it could lead to something more, especially with Kimberly so clearly vying for his attention.