“I think I’m going to feel that horseback ride in the morning,” I noted as Nash walked me back to the cabin.

“The more you ride, the more used to it you’ll get,” Nash explained. “Among a few other things.” He waggled his eyebrows and I felt the rush of wetness between my legs. Holy shit. He didn’t have to say much to make me wet.

It was hard to think straight when he made references to last night. I decided to steer the conversation back around. I still had an article to write.

“There aren’t many horseback-riding opportunities in the area I live.”

“Well, I guess you’re just going to have to come back and visit Lightning, then.”

I smiled. “She’s a strong horse. An incredible animal.”

We reached the cabin. I was exhausted. I needed another shower and something to eat. I thought about all the delicious-smelling things Rosa was working on in the kitchen.

For a moment, we just stared at each other. Nash’s eyes traveled over my body.

“Did you have a good time today?”

I nodded. “I did. Thank you for everything.”

He nodded, a slight smile appeared across his face. “So I have an idea for later.”

“Later?”

“Mmmhmm.” He hooked a finger in the loop on my jeans, tugging me toward him. I inhaled his masculine scent. He made me dizzy.

“What are you thinking?”

“Caleb and I need to show you more of Double Canyons Ranch life. That means a trip into town. How about a date?”

“A date?” I swallowed hard. How was I supposed to date two men at once?

“Yeah. Be ready at six.”

“With you? Or with Caleb?”

Nash chuckled. He was so damn sexy it almost made my chest hurt.

“You ask a lot of questions. Do you know that?”

I put my hands on my hips. “I am a reporter. Do you know that?”

“Touché, city girl.”

“So who is it?” I prodded. I didn’t know how to handle this situation. I didn’t want to hurt Caleb, and I had to admit I didn’t want to have to choose. I liked them both so damn much.

“Just be ready. We’re going to show you a good time.” He hopped off the end of the porch.

“Hey,” I called after him.

He paused and looked back. “Yeah?”

“Are there seriously no phones around here? Not a single one?”

He grinned. “Still looking for a phone?”

“I have a job to do. It kinda requires contact with the outside world.”

“All right, all right. Head toward the lodge. Once you’re inside, head down the hall and go to your left. Second door.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. See you at six.” With that, he winked and turned around to leave again.

I entered the cabin, thinking how if anyone had told me that within two days, I’d be perfectly happy vacationing at a ranch rather than at another fancy spa I would have thought they were joking. But as I rode Lightning throughout the afternoon, a sense of peace and comfort came over me that was unlike anything I could recall feeling in a long time.

It had been a long time since I’d enjoyed the company of a man as handsome as Nash was. Add Caleb to that equation, and no one came close.

My dating life had always been a disaster. I was never in town long enough to make things last. I didn’t want to stick around any longer than I had to, just to learn I wasn’t enough. I had my heart broken more times than I could count. Traveling kept things in perspective. My career came first. It kept my heart intact.

I knew Nash was the player, but my gut told me that he was attracted to me too. There was just something about the way he held me while we rode Lightning. The way he took my hand when he helped me dismount. There was something in the glances he gave me. Yet, for whatever reason, I got the feeling that he was holding back. So, while I believed the attraction was mutual, it was hard to be certain. They were both so different.

Regardless, I had learned there was far more to Caleb and Nash than just their sexy cowboy ways. Underneath the teasing and flirtatious smiles, they were sweet and protective. They were funny and warm. And now that I knew about their parents’ tragic deaths, I knew they both had a lot of healing to do.

It made my heart ache and throb for them at the same time.

I sat down at the small wood table and flipped open my laptop. I had to get started on the first wave of this article. I was the kind of writer who liked to piece things together over time. I had to get started.

The longer I stared at the screen, the harder it was to write.

“Ugh,” I groaned. This was pointless.

I grabbed my room key and marched to the main lodge.

I headed straight to the telephone room. I was grateful to find it empty, and even more grateful to see the landline telephone on the table beside a barstool.

I perched on the stool and dialed Valerie’s number. After the fourth ring, she answered.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Hey, it’s me.”

“Claire? Oh my God! I almost didn’t answer. I was wondering who the heck was calling me from out of town! I couldn’t place the area code.”

“Yeah, I’m using a landline. There is absolutely no cell phone reception out here,” I explained. That was only the beginning of my story.

“Yikes. Go figure I haven’t been able to stalk your trip on Instagram like I usually do. That sucks.”

“Well, it’s not really all that bad.”

“I guess the fancy spa keeps you preoccupied enough, huh? So how’s everything going? Get any massages from handsome strangers?”

I took in a big breath. “Not exactly.”

“Bummer.”

“I’m not at a spa this time.” I wanted some outside input. I needed my best friend to help me chart this.

“Oh. Where are you then?”

“A ranch.”

There was a long pause on the line. “A ranch? You mean like a farm? Horses and hay?”

“Yep,” I answered.

“What the hell?”

“My thoughts exactly when I first got here. When Francis gave me this assignment, I guess I didn’t exactly hear the full details. I was so tired and jetlagged, I just assumed this was going to be a regular assignment like what I was used to. But I’ve ended up at this place called Double Canyons Ranch.”

“Shut up. So what are you going to do now? Did you call your boss to ask her what the hell she was thinking? A ranch isn’t really anyone’s idea of a proper vacation, is it?”

It wasn’t until that moment that I realized I hadn’t done much to try to reach Francis. Even now, with the phone in my hand, I felt no need to call her and complain like I had initially wanted to do after first arriving. I’d rather talk to my best friend about Caleb and Nash.

“Actually, it’s not nearly as bad as I expected it to be.”

“Are you serious?” Valerie sounded shocked.

“Yeah. I just went horseback riding today, and I went to a bonfire last night. It was fun.” I bit my lip, trying to figure out how to approach the topic of the three-way.

“Ok. Who are you and what have you done with my girl Claire Parks?”

I laughed. “It’s me, I swear. I guess being out here has given me a new perspective.” The perspective that having sex with two men was better than one.

There was another long pause. “Oh…wait a minute,” Valerie said. “I know what’s going on here…”

“You do?”

“Yes. I do. You met a cowboy, didn’t you?”

My cheeks instantly heated, but I couldn’t hold back any longer. I was dying to tell her.

“Thank God, you figured it out.”

“I knew it. Tell me everything.”

“His name is Caleb,” I whispered, feeling like a silly schoolgirl. But I knew I was about to rock Valerie’s world. “And Nash.”

“Wait. What?”

I peeked my head outside the telephone cubby. There was no one in the hallway.

“Claire, did you just say two guys’ names?”

I cringed. “Yes, I did. There are two.”

“You go. I love this. Who are you going to go out with first?”

“So the thing is, I might have already slept with both of them.”

I had to pull the phone away from my ear when she shrieked. “Shut up.”

“I did. Together. At the same time. Oh my God. I can’t believe I’m telling you this, but I had to tell someone. And I didn’t know what else to do, and there is no cell service. I can’t text you or anything. And do you think I’m terrible?”

“Whoa. Whoa. Calm down. Take a deep breath and start from the beginning.”

I exhaled. “They’re amazing. They’re incredible. And their bodies are like something out of a magazine. They’re both sweet, but Caleb is really reserved and Nash is the super playful one. You know, the one who all the girls fall for.” I shook my head. “Val, I’ve never had sex with two guys before. Never.”

“Hey, it’s ok. Was it good? Did you like it? Or was it terrible? Just tell me if I need to remove it from my bucket list.”

“It was the best sex I’ve ever had.”

“Shut up.”

I giggled. I knew I could count on her not to judge me.

“Really. It was amazing. And they were amazing. They want to take me out tonight.”

Val squealed into the phone. “This is like a movie. Except for maybe more like a porn because you never get to hook up with two guys in a romantic comedy. But clearly people should.”

I laughed. “Yes, they should.”

“Where are they taking you tonight?”

“I’m not sure. I guess it’s a surprise.”

“I like it. So far Montana has been a good surprise for you.”

“It really has.” I paused. “I’m way out of my comfort zone here. You don’t think I’m making a mistake?”

“Why would it be a mistake?” she asked. “You’re young. You work too much. You deserve fun. And you should have some hot sex. When was the last time, really Claire. When was the last time you just fucked all night?”

I stared at the ceiling. “Two years ago?” I whispered.

“Ok. Then you get out there and ride those cowboys.”

I covered my mouth. “You can’t say things like that.”

“I can. And I did.”

I laughed. “You are crazy, Val. So crazy.”

“And that’s why you love me.”

“True.”

I saw a shadow cross outside the door.

“Hey, girl. I have to go. I think someone else wants to use the phone.”

“Is this like summer camp or something?”

I stood, holding the receiver in my hand. “Kind of. There is one phone in the lodge. I’ll try to call you tomorrow.”

“You better. I need to hear about this date.”

“I’ll call. I promise.”

“Bye, have fun, Claire.”

“Thanks.”

I hung up and quickly scampered out of the phone cubby as one of the moms from this morning walked in. She smiled and quickly slid the door closed.

I still had an hour before my date with the guys. I had no idea where we were going, or what we were going to do. Only that with my best friend’s blessing I suddenly felt freer than I had in a long time.