Take the reins

CLEMENTINE

I’ve made a grave mistake.

My heel sinks another half inch into the mud with a wet, sucking sound. I mutter a curse so foul it’d make the minister blush if he were close enough to hear. Sweat is already dripping down my spine, my dress clinging to me like a wet rag in this godawful Southern heat.

Welcome home, Clementine Holliday.

I plaster on a smile for the elderly woman squinting at me like she’s trying to remember where she’s seen me before.

“Clementine, is that you? Lord above. Haven’t seen you in—”

“Seven years,” I cut in, tight-lipped, shifting my weight as mud oozes over the heel of my shoe.

“Oh, well bless your heart. I’d say you’ve finally grown, but it might just be the… heels.”

I stare at her, deadpan.

She cackles at her own joke, eyes twinkling like she’s delighted with herself.

I’m two seconds from yanking off these stupid shoes and going barefoot when I spot the drink table. Salvation.

I make a beeline for it, dodging distant relatives, ancient neighbors, and the wide-eyed gawks of the entire town.

It’s hot as hell—humid, too. I forgot how merciless the summers are here, even after sundown.

A low, rough laugh carries on the breeze. A little hoarse, solid and unmistakable. It slides down my spine and settles heavy in my gut.

I turn, and there he is.

Broad shoulders, cowboy hat tipped low. Rolling his sleeves up over tan forearms corded with muscle. Laughing at something one of the groomsmen says, but not paying attention at all.

Because his eyes are on me.

He’s leaned back against the fence like he owns the damn county.

Colton McGraw.

My stomach flips.

He’s older. Rougher. All the more lethal looking in that rugged way that should be illegal. Sun-browned skin. A scruffy, short beard. Still sporting that slow, devastating grin that’s branded into my very soul.

He’s watching me like he remembers everything.

I scowl, grab a plastic cup of lukewarm punch and knock it back in one go.

Colt pushes off the fence, sauntering toward me. The crowd parts for him like the Red Sea.

I squeeze the cup so hard it crumples, the sharp plastic biting into my palm. I barely feel it.

God help me.

He tips his hat at me slow, like he’s got all the time in the world. “Evenin’, Tiny.”

My heart stutters. I lift my chin and fix my best bored glare on him. “Clementine,” I correct icily. “Hello, Colton.”

That lazy mouth curves upward. “Them city shoes givin’ you trouble?”

I glance down at the mud caked over designer leather. “Oh, fuck off,” I snap.

He laughs—that same damn sound, low and warm and rough enough to scrape across my skin like sandpaper. “Good to see you too, darlin’.”

I bare my teeth in an acidic smile, then turn to stomp away—only to nearly lose a shoe in the damn mud.

I find Grady and Jace at the bar, of course. I latch onto Grady’s arm like he’s a buoy in this sea of mud. “I need to leave,” I mutter. “This was a bad idea.”

He pries himself out of my hold and slings his arm over my shoulders instead. “I’m just gonna pretend you didn’t just call attending my sister’s wedding a bad idea.”

I roll my eyes. “Of course not. It’s just—I’m not dressed for the heat. And these shoes are killing me—actually, you know what? This isn’t my fault. Who the hell hosts a wedding on a muddy field?”

Grady gives me an unimpressed squeeze. “I’m also gonna pretend you didn’t just insult our ranch. You just came ill-prepared, Clem. Now you’re gonna have to tough it out.”

I duck out from under his arm and move to Jace instead. “You’ll take pity on me, won’t you? I always liked you better anyway.”

Jace flashes Grady a grin. “Told you I was her favorite cousin.”

“I didn’t say that,” I quip. “Neither of you come close to Savannah. Where is she, by the way?”

Jace nods toward the barn. “Getting ready for her first dance. Come on, let’s get you something strong. Make you forget all about them shoes.”

I eye him. “Is that the local solution for everything? Just drown your problems in moonshine and ignore them?”

“Don’t act like you didn’t grow up here, hot shot.” He signals the bartender. “Pour the lady some corn whiskey.”

The bartender doesn’t even blink—just pours two fingers and slides it over.

I sniff it and wrinkle my nose. “This smells like regret.”

Jace wiggles his brows, sipping his own. “Exactly.”

A loud cheer and a round of hollering break out behind me.

Curious, I make my way through the mud to see what the fuss is about.

I stop short when I see Savannah and Jackson, the newlyweds, swaying on the dance floor laid out under strings of warm fairy lights.

For a second, I just stand there.

Say what you want about country weddings, but this is... beautiful. Rustic fence posts ring the dance floor. Lanterns throw soft glows over cowboy boots and summer dresses. Savannah beams, her flowy dress fanning out as Jackson spins her. Her slit rides high enough to show off her pearly white boots and tan legs.

It hits me hard, that sight. This weird blend of tacky and gorgeous. The cowboy hats and boots I thought were corny suddenly make sense, and the whole thing just comes together.

The music changes, and more couples join in on the dancing.

My eyes land on one pair in particular.

Tessa and Sawyer. My stomach sours.

I turn my back so fast my drink sloshes. I drink what’s left, and it burns like hell going down.

“You’ll wanna sip that, darlin’. Let it burn slow.”

I let out a loud, exasperated sigh and roll my eyes. “Wow. No shit, Sherlock. Does it take a degree in ranching to figure that out, or can a city girl like me get there on her own?”

Colton’s leaning against a post again, flashing me a sly grin.

“City girl, huh?” he drawls. “I think I remember you tromping through mud in your little cowboy boots.”

“Oh for god’s sake. Let me be miserable in peace, will you?”

He’s about to reply, but a new voice cuts in.

“Clementine Holliday! No way.”

Relief slams into me. I whirl and see Wells making his way over, arms spread wide.

“Wells,” I breathe. “The one McGraw I don’t have beef with.”

He hugs me, warm and solid. “Now, don’t let Mama hear you say that.”

I crack a real smile. “Fine. One of two. Is she here?”

He nods toward the barn. “Helpin’ Savannah fix her dress. Somebody stepped on it wearin’ damn stilettos. Can you believe it?”

I deadpan, then glance down.

He follows my gaze to my feet and snickers. “Clem, never thought I’d see you in those.”

I huff, then bend down and rip them off, holding them by the straps. “Let’s dance.”

The next hour blurs in a warm haze of laughter, sweat, and fiddle-heavy country songs. I dance with Wells, Jace, and Grady. Savannah grabs me once she’s freed up. Even a couple of old high school friends drag me around the floor.

For a moment, it’s almost fun, like I’m a teenager again.

And then my eyes catch on someone across the dance floor. Not Colton—a stranger.

Tall, lean, leaning in to talk to someone. When our eyes meet, he grins. Excuses himself and walks straight toward me.

My pulse kicks, and I grab Savannah’s arm. “Does my hair look okay?”

She laughs, and gives me a little push. “You look perfect. Go.”

He stops in front of me, a hand on his belt buckle. “Well now, don’t think we’ve met. I woulda remembered you.”

I smirk. “I don’t live around here.”

He tips his hat back and gives me an easy grin. “I can tell. Can I buy you a drink?”

I cock an eyebrow. “It’s an open bar.”

He chuckles. “I suppose it is. A dance then, ma’am?”

“Sure.”

He leads me by the hand, warm and firm, onto the floor. His palm finds my waist. I let him, even lean in a bit as we move.

“My name’s John.”

“Hi John,” I say, fighting the stupid flutter in my chest. He’s handsome. Clean shaven and put together in a cowboy sort of way.

But there’s still an itch he doesn’t quite scratch.

I risk a glance over John’s shoulder.

Colt is leaning against the bar, watching me. That smirk slow and knowing, like he’s got me all figured out. He raises his glass in a lazy toast.

I snap my eyes away.

Bastard.

I press a little closer to John, inhaling his manly scent. “Show me what you’ve got, John.”

He grins wide, pulling me tighter. “Yes ma’am.”

Alright, are we feeling the confident cowboy? 😏