The thud of the truck door echoed throughout the pasture as Dodge slammed it closed. He stopped the second his gaze landed on you when he turned, sitting by the porch with your cheek propped up by your palm. He felt his heart stutter, snapping out of it when Anne walked up to greet him.

He tried to focus on what she was saying; he really did, but his eyes kept finding their way back to you. Yet he still managed to hear how she had a couple of new horses that needed training, how one of them in particular missed him, and how she asked you to help him.

Fuck.

Dodge hasn’t seen you since you were home for the holidays, and according to Anne, you’re here for the summer too. December was the first time he’d met you, when you spent your time in the ranch house while he did his work on the ranch. He remembers you being the first person he actually enjoyed talking to since he first moved to Carp. The first person he entertained pursuing before Natalie. Your presence was always comforting, like a fireplace in the harsh winter. Maybe that’s why he fell so fast.

That and your mother’s constant boasting whenever he worked. How could he not fall for you when she constantly made you sound perfect? And you were. Perfect. In his eyes at least. He constantly berates himself for letting you slip through his fingers once your holiday break ended and you had to return up North to continue your classes. All he accomplished was a measly kiss; he’s not even sure you remember it.

But he did. He remembered the way the sunset made the grass glow a soft orange, your soft laugh before he stepped closer to you, the way his cowboy hat shielded you from the light when his lips pressed against yours. Cherry and vanilla. That’s what he tasted.

How could he ever forget?

“Hey,” Dodge greeted once you walked up. Even the way he said it was breathless, but he still managed to keep a stoic look on his face. It’d break the second you were sweet to him. He’s a strong man, but he could be weak if it was what you wanted.