Gunner wakes up and dresses in her brothers clothes that she has allowed him to borrow. Although the jeans are a little long and the Wrangler shirt is a tad tight it's better than nothing. He takes the worn bible that is on the bedside table in his hands and turns to Psalms chapter 23. When he gets to his favorite verses he whispers them out loud, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil, my cup over flows. Surely goodness and mercy will fallow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

After saying a short prayer of thanks he tiptoes past her bedroom and into the kitchen where he puts on a pot of coffee.

Today marks one week since she had found him frozen and the snow had let up the day before. The sun wasn't expected to melt it enough to drive for another couple of days, not that he's complaining. He almost wishes it wouldn't thaw out for a while so he could show Caisson he liked her. More than he believes is healthy.

As he sips at the hot liquid his mind runs over the last couple of days. From the stories about her growing up to his rodeo adventures and a lot of things in between they had talked about it all. A lot of it happen to break her rules, but when she brought it up he was happy to listen and add his two sense when needed. The way she opened up to him made him feel trusted and important something he hadn't in a long time.

As he sits down with a mug of coffee his eyes start staring at the tiles on the hallway. It is like staring into outer space as his vision blurs and his mind drifts off until suddenly he sees little white bunny slippers. "Good morning."

Caisson smiles and rubs the sleepiness from her eyes. "Good morning. Is that coffee I smell?"

He laughs. "Yeah, you want a cup?"

She raises her eyebrows in question. "Are you serious? Of course!"

This makes him burst into laughter as he takes a mug from the dish washer. He pours it full with the black liquid before carefully handing it to her. She takes it with a smile and soft thank you.  He nods and smiles back at her. He tries not to let his mind think of how beautiful she is or how his heart swells every time she speaks his name.

"It looks like we will be able to get your pickup in the shop today," she comments as she stares out the window  at the slowly rising sun.

He tries to hide the sadness he hadn't expected to feel. "That's good."

She smiles and nods. "Shouldn't be long and Jess will have your wheels back to normal."

Nodding he stands and places his coffee cup in the sink. He smiles at her before going to the guest bedroom and settling on the bed. Just as he opens the bible his phone, that he has forgotten even exists, rings. He picks it up and stares at the name on the screen. Dad. Finally he snaps out of the daze and answers it. "Hey dad, how are things in Colorado?"

"Pretty good, son, how did last the rodeo go? We never got a call and your mom insisted that we check in," his dad's cheerful voice sounds through the phone.

Gunner runs his hand over his face. He can't lie, but the truth doesn't sound very promising either. With one long sigh he begins to tell his dad the story, "Well, dad, I never made it to the rodeo. I got caught in a snow storm and my truck broke down." He goes on telling about the entire situation. Including his feelings for Caisson, but that information is only given after checking to make sure she was indeed outside feeding.

When he tells his dad good bye and hangs up he feels a weight lifted off his shoulders. For reasons unknown to him it is a relief to have told his feelings to someone. Even though it wasn't Caisson.
***

Caisson takes the keys to her pickup and places them in the ignition. She shifts it to drive and slowly takes the pressure off the brake and applies a little on the gas petal. The chain, hooked to the ball of her pickup and the other end on the ball of Gunner's pickup, begins to come tight. Gunner motions her forward and his pickup slowly begins to roll backward. A smile spreads across both of their faces as it rolls behind her pickup.

Once it is down the road they stop and shorten the length of chain between the two. Then Gunner gets in the passenger seat and they slowly pull off towards town. They inch along at ten miles an hour being sure that the chain is in place and everything is going as it should be.

Gunner feels as if there is a conversation that is hanging between them. That needs to be said, but neither will bring it up. He takes in a deep breath and is about to speak but she beats him to it. "Where are you going once you got your wheels back?"

He wants to say 'nowhere until you know how I feel', but restrains. "I don't know, yet."

"You know there is the charity rodeo here in town next weekend. I mean, I know it is small and not pro but I know everyone would love for you to enter. I understand if you don't-"

He interrupts her nervous rambling, "Caisson, I would be happy to enter."

A bright smile, that she is sure shows she is a little too excited about it, spreads across her face. "Really?"

He too smiles. "Yeah, it will be a break from the pressure and I am always looking for ways how to help others out."

She smiles and pulls into the large lot beside the mechanic shop. After cutting the engine she swing her door open and jumps out. A small glare crosses her gaze as Gunner speed walks to hold the door for her. "Thank you," she mumbles as she steps inside the tire smelling building.

Before he can reply the older gentleman behind the counter begins to speak, "Good to see you, Caisson."

She smiles. "Good see you too, James."

"There is still room in the rodeo, you know?"

She laughs and is about to speak when Gunner asks the question she does not want to answer. "What event do you do?"

"Oh she didn't tell you? She rides bareback broncs," James answers.

Caisson avoids eye contact with Gunner as he stares at her in wonder. She stuffs her hands in her pockets and stares at the floor. This is the one thing that she could not let him find out and now he knows. He also knows who her brother is making it a recipe for disaster.

Gunner can tell she is uncomfortable and decides this conversation is best left to have in privacy. "That is cool." He pauses to let the subject blow over before beginning to talk about the repairs on his pickup.
***

The drive home is tense and quiet, as soon as they enter the house and shed their coats the tension drops. Caisson pulls out two huge Hershey bars and hands him one before plopping on the couch. She intently watches him waiting for the questions to start pouring out.

"So you rode broncs?"

She sighs. "Only here at the charity rodeo and sometimes with some of the guys."

He nods. "Why don't you go on the circuit?"

She takes a deep breath this couldn't sound wrong and scare him off. For some reason she wanted him to have a reason to stay or come back. "Umm, well, I don't like the life style of the rodeo. Drinking, partying it all just drives me crazy. And when I was little I got burned out on all the traveling."

He tries to decide how to tell her that not everyone parties and drinks and is crazy. "Yeah, I see what you mean. I just don't think you've met the right people that are on the circuit. Not everyone drinks and is crazy."

She looks up at him and smiles. "You mean you aren't?"

He chuckles. "Yeah that's exactly what I meant. Caisson I know I've pretty much only known you a week, but that's all the time I need to know that I want to see where this goes."

A rich red blush covers her cheeks as she smiles and nods. "Me too," she says at a whisper.

A/N
Chapter dedicated to thanks so much for votes and reading my books!

Hey guys I feel like it's 300 degrees in here. Anyone else?! 😂🤣

THEY ADMITTED THEY HAVE FEELINGS FOR EACH OTHER!! Sorry that makes me excited and kind of hyper 😬

What does it make you think??💭💭 Let me know in that beautiful comment section.

P. S.
I can't wait for y'all to read next chapter! It is going to make you want more so bad. 🤐 Saying no more.