Chapter 3
Scarlett's POV
DAMN Colt Wilde!
He'd promised riding lessons, then that bastard came up with some ridiculous excuse—"sudden urgent ranch work"—and vanished completely!
"What's wrong with you today? You're like a caged leopard," Father set down his papers, frowning at me.
"Nothing." I forced down my frustration.
"Speaking of which, we've got trouble at the boundary," Father pointed to the map on his desk. "Several cattle have been attacked by wolves. I'm considering sending a patrol."
My eyes lit up! Perfect opportunity!
"Why don't I check it out? As the King heir, I should understand these things."
"Too dangerous." Father refused flatly. "Besides, you're a young woman..."
"I could take a guide! That cowboy who saved me—Colt Wilde. He knows the ranch well."
Father considered this. "That cowboy... is he reliable?"
"He risked his life to save me." I put on a grateful expression. "Besides, boundary surveys are legitimate business."
Finally, Father reluctantly agreed.
When I found Colt at the stables brushing a black horse, he visibly tensed at my arrival, nearly dropping his brush.
"Need something, Miss King?" He tried maintaining distance, not even daring to meet my eyes.
This damn cowboy thought he could keep running?
"I need you to escort me to check the boundary. I heard there are wolves." I deliberately stepped closer, enjoying his panicked retreat. "You know it's not safe for me to go alone."
He instinctively backed up, then forced himself to stop.
"Miss King, I think... you should find someone more experienced..."
"Are you refusing?" I raised an eyebrow. "Or do you find protecting me troublesome?"
"No!" He quickly explained. "I just think..."
"Think what?" I pressed closer. "Think I don't deserve your protection?"
I had him tongue-tied. "No, I didn't mean..."
"Then there's no problem." I deliberately sighed and turned as if to leave. "Fine, I'll go myself. It's just checking the boundary."
"Wait!" Colt called out, face full of worry. "You can't go alone! It's too dangerous!"
I hid my satisfaction while acting indifferent. "So what? I can't let fear stop me from doing my job."
He closed his eyes painfully, seeming to wage an internal battle.
"Miss King..." His voice was hoarse. "If I go with you, can you promise... promise you won't..."
"Won't what?" I moved closer. "Won't get near you? Won't talk to you? Won't LOOK at you?"
His face flushed crimson. "I... I didn't mean..."
"Then what DID you mean?"
After a full minute of silence, I watched his internal struggle. Finally, he gritted his teeth.
"Fine. But the weather forecast shows thunderstorms this afternoon. Could be dangerous."
"All the more reason to have an experienced guide." I smiled and patted his arm. "Don't worry, we'll be fine."
By evening, we'd ridden to the ranch boundary.
The sun was slowly sinking into the western hills, clouds ablaze like fire on the horizon. But dark storm clouds were gathering in the distance.
"Storm's coming fast." Colt looked up anxiously. "We should head back."
"Let's check that area first." I pointed further out. "I remember there's a boundary patrol cabin there. If it really storms, we can take shelter."
"Miss King..." He turned to me with a strange look. "Did you plan this?"
I guiltily avoided his gaze. "You're overthinking. I'm just being thorough."
Thunder rumbled overhead.
Within minutes, dark clouds rolled in like a tide, blotting out the sky.
"SHIT!" Colt cursed. "We need to go NOW!"
The first raindrop hit my face, followed by the second, third...
Instantly, rain poured down like a waterfall. We spurred our horses toward the patrol cabin as thunder crashed behind us.
By the time we reached the cabin, we were soaked through.
Colt pushed open the wooden door to darkness. The cabin was sparse—two single beds, a stone fireplace, basic supplies.
"Looks like we're stuck here tonight." I sighed, secretly thrilled.
"I'll find some dry wood for a fire." He started toward the door.
"Don't!" I grabbed his arm, the electric contact making us both freeze. "The lightning's too dangerous."
He stared down at my hand, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Then... I'll look inside."
Soon, warm firelight danced in the hearth. My soaked clothes clung uncomfortably, so I started unbuttoning my jacket.
"What... what are you doing?" Colt's voice shot up an octave.
"Changing clothes." I stated matter-of-factly. "I can't sleep in wet clothes."
He quickly turned away. "I'll... I'll wait outside."
"It's still storming. You want to get struck by lightning?" I continued unbuttoning. "Besides, you've seen women before."
"But you're..." His voice trembled. "You're Miss King."
"So what? In this situation, you're worried about fake propriety?"
I removed my jacket, revealing the white shirt underneath. The rain had made the thin fabric nearly transparent, outlining my form.
Colt stole a glance back, then quickly turned away, face red as a tomato.
"Actually..." I sat by the fire. "You should take off those wet clothes too, or you'll catch pneumonia."
"I'm... I'm fine."
"Colt." I called his name softly. "Can you tell me why you keep running from me?"
His rigid back trembled slightly. "I'm not running."
"Really?" I stood and slowly walked toward him. "Then why do you find excuses to leave every time I appear?"
"Because..." He closed his eyes in pain. "Because we shouldn't have any contact."
"Why?" I moved behind him, feeling his body heat. "Because I'm a King? Because I'm engaged?"
He spun around, eyes full of pain and longing. "Because I'm not GOOD ENOUGH for you!"
"Says who?"
"EVERYONE!" His voice was nearly a roar. "I'm just a cowboy with nothing, and you..."
"And I what?" I moved closer. "I'm just a woman who wants to understand you."
The air froze.
We stood less than a foot apart. I could see the struggle in his eyes clearly.
"Miss King..." His voice was rough. "You don't know... when you look at me like that, what it makes me want to do..."
"Then do it." I whispered. "Do what you want to do."
His pupils dilated, breathing rapid. I watched his defenses crumble piece by piece.
Then suddenly, he stepped back, turning away in agony.
"NO! I can't!"
He rushed toward the door, leaving me standing there alone, overwhelmed by crushing disappointment.
This DAMN cowboy! Why did he always run at the crucial moment!
