Tuesday morning saw Harley up before five a.m. She went on a quick run, then did yoga in the back yard. Her thoughts whirled, anticipating the day before her. Crew had texted that he’d pick her up at seven. She hurried and showered, making herself a protein shake in the kitchen and downing it in a few swallows before rushing upstairs to brush her teeth and put on light makeup. She wanted to look good, but not like she’d tried too hard. Yes, that was essential. She shouldn’t be so excited to be with Crew and she shouldn’t be trying too hard. She was just excited for the horseback ride. That was why her stomach was fluttering and her palms were damp.

At five minutes to seven she was perched in her mom’s formal room, peering out the window.

“Somebody’s excited about their date.”

She whipped around to face her dad. She hadn’t realized he’d made it down the stairs for the day. “It’s not a date, Daddy. You roped Crew into taking me horseback riding.”

He grinned and sank into one of the wing-backed chairs. “Sheesh, these things are uncomfortable.” He focused in on her. “But you’re excited about it.”

She shrugged. “You know I like to horseback ride.”

“Yeah,” he drawled out. “That’s why your eyes are all lit up. You like my boy. It’s okay to admit it, darlin’.”

Harley leaned back on the couch. “You can stop playing matchmaker, Daddy. I’m headed to England and we both know Crew wouldn’t leave Wyoming if the entire state burned to the ground.”

“But maybe you won’t stay in England till you get old and wrinkly. You got a long life ahead of you, sweet pea.” He arched an eyebrow. “And don’t be so quick to assume my boy doesn’t have aspirations to travel. Maybe you should ask him, give him a chance.”

Harley pushed out a breath and folded her arms. Why did they all believe she was coming back? Even though her dad supported her going and working for a huge company there, he assumed she’d get bored or lonely and come home eventually. She wasn’t planning on it, especially if she found her Mr. Darcy like she’d always dreamed of doing. Traveling wasn’t what she was talking about. She wanted to live in England and experience everything Jane Austen’s characters had—well, as much as she could in this century. Then she would move on to different countries. “I think it’s great he’s been successful with his construction business, and I know he’s a dang hard worker, smart, and charismatic. There’s nothing wrong with Crew. All I’m saying is we don’t fit.”

“Sometimes you need to look outside your square hole and open your eyes to what’s right in front of you, girl.”

There was a soft rap on the door. Crew had pulled up without her noticing.

Harley stood and crossed the room, bending down to kiss her dad’s forehead. “And sometimes the little bird needs to spread her wings and fly.”

Her dad smiled wryly up at her. “Don’t throw my sayings back at me, darlin’. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m dying and you’re supposed to be nice to me.” Harley gasped, but he laughed and inclined his head toward the door. “Go have a fun day, darlin’. I’ll stop teasing you, but I won’t stop praying and hoping for the best thing for you. Not just because it’s what I want, but because it’s what you need.”

Harley hurried to open the door, not able or willing to respond to her dad’s comments. Crew leaned against the doorframe. He was in a simple gray T-shirt and jeans with his cowboy hat firmly in place, shadowing his blue eyes and that perfectly scruffy jawline. Even in cowboy gear, he had a great sense of style. Yet cowboys did nothing for her. She had to keep remembering that. No cowboys, no Crew, no wanting to kiss Crew’s stubbled jawline.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said. “You ready to go?”

“Yes, sir.” She picked up the backpack she’d put snacks and water bottles in.

“See you, son,” her dad called from the formal room.

Crew’s eyebrows arched up. He stepped past Harley, and his unique musky scent brushed against her as certain as his bicep. “Morning, Clint. You doing well today?”

“As good as an old codger can be. Take care of my girl, will you?”

Harley whipped around at her dad’s tone. This was no casual “watch out for my daughter on the horseback ride” kind of request. This was a serious conjecture of watching out for her. She didn’t need some man to watch out for her, especially not a cowboy who was never leaving Wyoming. She’d taken care of herself just fine the past four years, and she’d continue to do so.

“I will, sir.” Crew’s tone was as serious as her dad’s. He turned to look at her, his blue eyes somber and full of promises he couldn’t fulfill.

She turned and walked out onto the porch. All she wanted was a simple horseback ride. Why did everything have to have an agenda with her and Crew?

* * *

Crew had saddled two of his horses and led Ruby the two miles to the Redlands’ as he rode Jade. Clint had offered his horses, but Crew knew and trusted his own.

He and Harley could go right from the Redlands’ ranch up some of the prettiest mountain trails Crew had ever seen. He followed Harley into the yard and was going to offer her a hand up, but she jammed her cowboy boot in the stirrup and swung up onto the horse. She looked beautiful astride his deep brown horse. Her jeans and T-shirt fit just perfect and her long brown curls flowed down her back. She was prettier than any rodeo queen he’d ever seen. Which gave him an idea to tease her. “Do you remember when you were the rodeo queen?”

She glared down at him. “Stop. I was never the queen. I was first attendant. Marla Handry was the queen.”

“Really?” He nodded. “Oh, yeah, I remember now. You should’ve been queen, but you insulted the judges during the interviews. Remember? You got all exasperated when none of them knew your references to classic literature and you finally asked if any of them even knew who Jane Austen or Charlotte Brontë were.”

“I can’t recall what you’re spouting about.” Harley glared down at him, then kicked the horse’s flanks. “Hiyah, let’s go, Ruby!” They took off out of the yard and into the field toward the mountains. “Keep up if you can!” Harley yelled back at him.

Crew chuckled and ran to Jade, launching himself onto her back, glad his horses had the trot over here to warm up. He dug his heels in. “Let’s go, girl. You’ve never let Ruby beat you yet.”

They flew across the field, and though Harley and Ruby had a decent head start, there was a reason he’d always ridden Jade. She gained quickly and within a few minutes they were neck to neck. Harley bent down low to Ruby’s neck, encouraging and prompting her. She turned to look at Crew and shot him a challenging glare.

Crew decided it was time to end this race. He urged Jade on, and soon they had outpaced Ruby and Harley. He called back, “I’m still the king!”

“The King Yak,” Harley hollered at his back.

They approached the mountain trail and the field changed from thick hay to wildflowers and weeds. The horses slowed down, both panting from their race. “Good girl,” Crew said, patting Jade’s side. “Good job.” He slowed her to a walk to give her a chance to rest and cool down.

Harley reached his side and the horses ambled toward the creek, stopping to drink from the cool water. Harley looked around at the creek, the yellow sunflowers, and the towering mountain beyond them. “You forget how pretty it is,” she said.

“Not if you don’t leave,” Crew returned, then winced when her jaw and lips tightened. He took off his cowboy hat and pushed his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Harley. Everyone gives you crap for leaving, and I don’t want to be like that. You’re so smart and driven. I think that’s amazing and I want you to have your dreams.” And he did—he just wished he was part of those dreams.

“Thanks, Crew.” She focused on the towering mountain range. “I love it here, love my family, love the beauty of it all, but Crew …” Her eyes swung back to his. “Don’t you ever want to know what’s out beyond this mountain range?”

Crew stared at her, realizing for possibly the first time that there was more to her resistance than him not having an advanced degree and an English accent. He didn’t know what to say. The truth was, no. He loved his home, he loved what he did. He was sure there were great and marvelous things beyond this valley and the mountains and he’d seen a few things on trips with his family to Florida, Washington D.C., California, and Canada, but nothing that made him want to pull up roots and spread his wings or any of that crap. Harley’s eyes on him were so earnest. It was as if he just had to answer this one question right and then maybe he’d have a chance with her.

But he couldn’t lie to her. He shrugged and said, “I don’t mind traveling, Harley, but this is my home. I love it here and can’t imagine ever living somewhere else permanently.”

Her shoulders sagged and she averted his gaze. “That’s where you and I are vastly different. I can’t imagine being stuck in this valley the rest of my life.” She tugged on the reins and said, “Hiyah!” Ruby turned, then took off at a trot. Harley bounced slightly in the saddle, her hair flying up around her pretty neck, but she rode confidently, her thighs clenched tight against the saddle and her back straight.

She was made to be on a horse. She was made to be part of the land and part of his life. Why could she not see what was so blatantly obvious to everyone else? If he couldn’t do anything else, maybe he could help her realize she was right where she belonged. Even if it meant it wouldn’t be by his side.