“How do you feel when Walker smiles at you?”

My smile faded as she walked away and headed downstairs.

I SAT IN the back seat of Layton’s truck and stared at the laptop. I was trying to figure out the program Layton used to keep track of the horses information. Liza was sleeping up in the front, and her little noises were driving me insane. I couldn’t think. I closed the laptop and pulled out my phone.

I had a text from Jessica. I smiled as I opened it. I hadn’t even heard my phone go off.

Jessica: Seven tonight your time. I can sneak away. Can you Facetime me?

I stared at the text message. I started to type a response.

Me: I don’t think I can.

Jessica: Hey baby! You don’t think you can what?

Me: Facetime you. I’m driving up to Kentucky with Layton.

Jessica: What?

Me: Your last text to me. You asked me to Facetime you.

Jessica: Oh. Damn. I thought maybe we could play around.

Me: Believe me, I’d love to let off some steam.

Jessica: I’d like to see you let it off. Text me when you get to KY and check into your hotel. Maybe we can work out a phone call. I want to hear you when you come.

“We’re here,” Layton said. He reached across the center console and shook Liza.

Me: We’re pulling up now. Are you free?

Jessica: No. :( Sorry, baby. Later maybe. Gotta run. Love you!

I sighed as I adjusted my aching, hard dick. I smiled when I saw the hotel. “Mountain High Lodge and Resort” I read aloud.

“Oh, Daddy. It’s beautiful here.” Liza said.

Layton chuckled. “Yeah, this place is in the middle of nowhere, but it’s the closet place I could get us to the horse ranch. Come on, let’s go get checked in. There’s no rest for the weary. Y’all need to take showers and head out.”

“What?” Liza and I said at the same time.

Layton got out of the truck and made his way around to the passenger side. He opened Liza’s door as he talked to the doorman.

I got out of the truck and stretched. It felt like I’d been in that truck for a week.

Layton turned to me and said, “They’ll get the luggage. Let’s go check in.”

Fifteen minutes later, I was in a room overlooking the Kentucky Appalachians. “Wow,” I whispered. My phone rang and I took it out of my pocket. It was Layton.

“Miss me already?” I asked.

“Haha. Take a shower and pack an overnight bag.”

I checked the time. It was two in the afternoon and I was ready to relax for the rest of the day. “Can I ask why?”

“You and Liza are heading out to the ranch this afternoon and staying the night. I want you to check out the horses before I get there. I want Liza there, too. She has a good eye for horses. I’ll come out first thing in the morning and see how you did.”

My jaw dropped to the ground. “You want me to go to the ranch first?”

“I do believe that’s what I said. Do you have a problem with that, Walker? You assured me you were ready to take on this side of the business.”

I swallowed. “Yes, sir. I mean, I won’t lie. I’m pretty sure I just shit my pants.”

Layton laughed. “Make me proud, son. Now get showered up. It’s a long drive out to the ranch.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be fast.”

I quickly stripped out of my clothes, pumped my fist and jumped into the shower. I was going to make both my father and Layton proud. I was going to show them both that I’d been paying attention all those years.

LIZA STARED OUT the window of the rented truck. Layton had arranged it all ahead of time. I let out a breath as I watched the road.

“Can you please stop doing that?” Liza asked.

I gave her a quick glance. “Stop doing what?”

“Sighing. It’s annoying.”

I rolled my eyes. “Well excuse me, princess, if I’m a little nervous. It’s not every day that the man you’ve looked up to your whole life gives you the opportunity to prove that you really do know your shit.”

I could feel her eyes on me when she asked, “You really do love my dad, don’t you?”

I was dumbfounded. “Of course I do, Liza. He’s like a second father to me.”

“Fine, you’re nervous. Keep the sighing to yourself.”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked.

She shook her head. “I don’t want to be here. I thought I was going to be spending time with my father. Instead, I’m driving out to some remote-ass horse ranch with you.”

It felt like a knife in my chest. “I’m not really sure what the hell I did to you, but I’m sorry I’m making your trip miserable.”

“I didn’t say that.”

I laughed, “Uh, yeah, you did.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Yes. You. Did.”

She turned and looked at me. “No. I. Didn’t. Asshole.”

I felt heat move through my body. “What’s wrong, Jessica? Missing out on phone sex with your precious fiancé, Keith?”

She had tears in her eyes. “My name is, Liza. Not Jessica, you fucker. And I believe it’s you and Jessica who like to get nasty over the phone.” She turned her whole body toward the window.

My whole body slumped in the seat. I couldn’t believe what a dick I’d just been. “Liza, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to call you Jessica. I didn’t mean any of it.”

She threw up her hand, brushing me off. “It doesn’t matter. Please don’t talk to me.”

We rode for another hour and a half in silence. I was almost positive that I was on the wrong road. Liza was asleep with her headphones on. I pulled up the GPS on my phone.

Nothing.

I checked the gas gauge and saw that I only had twenty-six miles left on this tank. I hadn’t seen a gas station in miles. I nudged Liza and she startled, pulling off her headphones.

“What? Are we there?” she asked.

“I think I missed an exit.”

“What? How did you miss the exit?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know, Liza. I just missed it. We are in the middle of nowhere, I have no signal, and we’re about out of gas.”

“What?” She picked up her phone. “Oh my God. My GPS is disconnected!”

I rolled my eyes. “Like I said, Liza, there’s no cell coverage.”

“So you just kept driving? Like an idiot?”

I slammed on the brakes and pulled to the side of the road.