Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
More than okay.
The camping trip was so much fun, and in ways, I never could have predicted. It felt magical, like stepping into a moment outside of reality, where everything between Callum and me shifted in the best possible way. I’m so happy we decided to go, that we had those days together in the wild, away from everything.
But as amazing as it was, there’s no better feeling than being home. There’s a kind of comfort here that’s hard to beat. I’ve been up since dawn, working on the ranch, the familiar routine grounding me after all the unexpected twists of the trip. Still, I can’t keep the smile off my face.
The memories of Callum and me—our kiss, the laughs, the connection we built—keep replaying in my mind like a favorite song. I find myself grinning every time I think about it. I can’t help it. There’s this feeling that spreads through me when I remember how things went down between us, and for the first time in a long while, I feel… hopeful.
The hot sun beats down on my back as I check on the horses, and even this simple task feels different today. The air seems lighter, the sky bluer, everything brighter. I feel like I’m living in a fucking fairytale. I take a moment to lean against the fence, watching the horses graze, my fingers running along the worn wood as I soak in the beauty of the ranch. It’s peaceful here, but it’s not the ranch that’s making me feel so content it’s what happened out there on that camping trip.
It’s Callum.
I catch myself thinking about him constantly, about the way he looked at me, the way he made me feel like I was the only person in the world that mattered. A part of me still can’t believe how things have changed between us. It’s as if that trip cracked open something inside of us, something real, and now there’s no going back. Not that I’d want to.
And then, as if my thoughts conjure him, I hear the familiar sound of Callum’s truck pulling up to the house. My heart skips a beat, and I feel that same excitement bubbling up inside me, just like I did on the hike to the waterfall. Only this time we aren’t going to the waterfall, we’re going on our first date to the Rusty Spur.
With a deep breath and a smile I can’t suppress, I turn to greet him.
"You’re home early,” I say, holding my hand over my eyes to shield the sun as I watch Callum step out of his truck.
“Yeah, they say we can’t open until tomorrow. They finally got the water main break taken care of, but apparently, they need another day,” he explains, his voice relaxed but warm. “So, I figured I’d come see if you need my help.”
It’s such a simple gesture, but it makes my heart race in my chest. The fact that he’s here, offering to help on the ranch even when he didn’t have to, makes me feel all sorts of things. This is new for us and I can’t deny how much I’m enjoying it.
I smirk, teasing him a little. “I’m pretty much done, but how about you get a lesson on how to muck the stalls?” I giggle, knowing full well it’s not the most glamorous job.
He raises an eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and challenge flashing in his eyes. He’s uncertain, but I know Callum—he won’t back down from a challenge, even one that involves shoveling manure. “Show me the way,” he says with a grin, extending his hand toward me.
I take it, his grip warm and firm, and lead him toward the barn. His fingers slide between mine effortlessly, and I have to remind myself that this is real, that we’re really doing this—working together, being together in ways that feel so natural now. As we walk, I can feel my pulse quicken, the excitement bubbling under my skin from just being near him. It’s crazy how easily we’ve fallen into this rhythm.
“So, lesson one,” I say as we reach the stalls, “always start with the cleanest one so you don’t feel totally defeated right away.”
Callum chuckles, and the sound sends a wave of heat through me. “You make it sound like there’s strategy involved.”
“Oh, there is,” I reply, handing him a shovel. “I’ve been doing this long enough to know that there’s definitely a method to the madness.”
He takes the shovel from me, eyes glinting with amusement. “All right, show me how it’s done, teacher.”
I bite my lip to keep from grinning too hard, but I can’t help it. Being here with Callum, sharing these moments is something I didn’t expect to love as much as I do. I show him the basics, and despite the messy task at hand, we find ourselves laughing more than anything. His playful attitude makes it easier, more fun, and I can’t help but notice how even doing chores together feels like something special.