When You Love a Rancher - Elle Christensen Page 0,3

best color. I always agreed on principle, but the truth was, I had no idea if it was her “best color.” I probably wasn’t the best judge because I thought Maddie looked downright fuckable no matter what she was wearing.

“You’re right,” I admitted, trying to distract myself, and hopefully avoid making the uncomfortable state of my pants any worse. “I was going to switch around your labels.”

Maddie huffed and glared at me as she stomped over to the couch and grabbed a gray sweater that had been tossed over the back. “I knew you were up to no good.”

I shrugged and grinned. “Am I ever?” She laughed and shook her head before pulling the sweater over her head.

“Are you ready to go?”

My heart skipped a beat, and I silently reminded myself not to be a chickenshit because it could mean losing out on the best thing that would ever happen to me. “Not yet,” I grunted. I took off my hat and cocked my head toward the couch. “Let’s sit. I want to talk to you about something.”

Maddie frowned and hesitated, her hazel green eyes watching me closely for a moment before she nodded. She padded over to the couch and sat down, silently waiting as I joined her.

Here goes everything…

3

Maddie

Why did he always have to look so damn yummy? I blinked a couple of times and silently groaned when he didn’t look any less appealing. Kyle was ruggedly handsome. Tall and muscular with short, wavy black hair, a chiseled jaw, full lips, and striking blue eyes. And let’s not forget the freaking dimples in his scruffy cheeks. It was actually pretty irritating sometimes because I felt so frumpy next to his Western movie star good looks.

He’d shown up in a white T-shirt, faded blue jeans, brown boots, and a brown hat. Simple enough, yet I had all kinds of tingles shooting around my body—stupid traitorous hormones. Guilt trickled in as I thought about the big life choice I’d just made, and once again, I reminded myself that passion isn’t everything.

Kyle’s expression had hardened with determination as he sat next to me, and a wary feeling crept over me. My intuition was shouting at me to cut and run, but I tamped down my desire to flee, and calmly asked, “So? What’s on your mind?” He ran his hands through his hair, then folded his arms over his chest. My eyes strayed to his bulging biceps for a minute before I managed to drag them back to his face. I frowned when he smirked, obviously having caught me ogling.

“I can’t seem to come up with a smooth way to ease into this conversation.” He leaned back against the arm of the couch and stared at me intently. “So I’m just going to dive right in.”

I wasn’t sure if he was looking for a response, so I nodded.

“I love you, Maddie.”

WHAT? THE? FUCK? My started spinning—not Linda Blair style but more like the carnival rides that spin so fast you stick to the wall. I was utterly speechless with absolutely no idea what to say to his declaration.

“We’ve been best friends for four years, Maddie, and I’ve watched you go through loser after loser. I’ve always been there for you, and I always will be. But I’m tired of standing back while you do this to yourself over and over.” He shook his head and sighed. “We are about to enter the real world, Mad. It’s time to act like grown-ups and leave the adolescent bullshit and drama behind.”

I was shocked by his characterization and, frankly, insulted. “If you think I’m so immature and self-destructive (which I was, but I wasn’t going to admit that to him), then why would you love me and want to be with me?”

Kyle blew out a harsh breath and threw his hands in the air. “Hell if I know, Maddie. I just do.”

I shook my head, thoroughly confused by the whole situation. And kind of pissed. He certainly wasn’t trying to woo me with pretty words. It was almost as if he wanted me to say no. My anger didn’t last all that long, though, because if I was honest with myself, I knew that wasn’t it. He didn’t want me to say no. He expected me to.

“I want you to come with me when I leave,” he insisted.

My mouth finally started to work, and I shrugged. “I can’t go with you, Kyle.”

“Fine. We can do long distance until I’m done with school.” He sounded