Ride Rough - Tessa Layne Page 0,28

let you hijack things because you can't keep your head on straight. Understood?"

Trace nodded once and swallowed down a painful lump in his throat. "Got it. I-" He hesitated, unused to the strange tight feeling in his chest. "I know you think I'm just a fuck-up, and that I don't care, but you're wrong. Being here, working at the ranch, getting to know everyone... has shown me what I've been missing in my life. And I... I just want a chance to start over." His stomach hollowed at the admission.

Sterling's eyes softened. "I get that. I do. All of us here... me, Travis, Weston... so many of us... have started over from nothing. But all of us had the space to do that without a camera in our face. The guys who are here now need that same space. And I'm counting on you not to fuck it up. For yourself, sure, but more importantly for them. If the press finds you and hunts you down, you have the option of going someplace else. They don't. Resolution Ranch is the end of the line for them."

It had been years since he'd felt the kind of fear and desperation that came with reaching the end of the line, but Trace remembered the feeling keenly. "You can count on me. Is there anything else you need me to do around here?"

Sterling shook his head. "Get a good rest tonight. Hope Sinclaire and her husband Ben are delivering a new group of mustangs tomorrow. We're gonna need all hands on deck."

"Got it, boss," he said with a salute.

"And one more thing," Sterling added as he made for the barn door.

"Yeah?"

"Lexi Grace is getting married next door this coming Saturday. We've agreed to help roast the pig."

"Great." Trace wasn't sure why this was important. He was happy to help.

"Do yourself a favor. Go down to Ander's Feed 'n Seed and get yourself a pair of black Wranglers and a black Stetson. Standard wedding attire around here. I assume you have a pair of black boots and a white shirt?"

"I'll have 'em by Saturday."

"And another thing." Sterling's eyes lit with humor. "Tony says you dance like a pussy. Better fix that."

"Will do." He also needed to see about a bike chain. Maybe Anders could help with that, too.

Chapter Thirteen

Saturday afternoon, Trace, Travis and Sterling arrived next door at the Grace property ready to help put the finishing touches on the yard. The night before, the men had gathered and shared one of Big Mike McCallister's specialty kegs while they dug the pit for the pig and then lit the coals. Now, fifteen hours later, the yard smelled of roast pig, freshly baked bread, and apple pie. Dottie bustled up, face pink from exertion. "Thank heavens you boys are here," she said. "Sterling can you and Travis direct traffic? Guests are going to be here in an hour, and CiCi and I are still prepping food." She eyed Trace with a smile. "You clean up good, young man. You look like yer startin' to belong here."

Trace stood a little taller under her scrutiny. That was high praise, coming from Dottie. "How can I help?"

"Weston and Jeanine are setting up the chairs. If Mike doesn't need help with beverages, go see what CiCi needs. I left her elbow deep in biscuit dough, and I just sent my girls upstairs to get changed."

"You want to go help Sterling direct traffic?" Travis asked, looking concerned after Dottie had bustled off. "I can go help in the kitchen."

Trace shook his head. "I can handle it. Not like we're going to have time to talk." He hadn't seen Cecilia since they'd kissed. Partly because Anders had to order a chain for her bike, and he hadn't wanted to show up at her place empty-handed, and partly because he felt like maybe she needed a few days to cool her jets. Although, he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her - her sassy, smart mouth, and the way she used it - verbally and physically. He bypassed Mike and made his way to the back door. The screen was propped open with a rock, and he hesitated before entering the kitchen. From where he stood, he could see plates piled high with food covering nearly every surface of the kitchen table and counters. In the corner, Cecilia stood with her back to him, arm wrapped around a large ceramic bowl, enormous wooden spoon in her opposite hand, singing along to Cake