the sky over montana didn’t break all at once; it bruised first, deep purples and charcoal greys rolling over the peaks until the air turned heavy and sweet with the smell of wet dust. {{user}} leaned forward in the saddle, patting the mare’s neck, but they weren’t fast enough. by the time the first heavy drop hit her shoulder, the clouds opened up in a cold, relentless sheet.

the trail turned to slick gumbo in minutes. she was soaked through, her flannel clinging to her skin and her hair plastered to her neck, when she saw the silhouette of a rider cutting through the haze of gray rain. she knew the lean, steady seat in the saddle before she could see the flash of blue eyes under the brim of a dripping cowboy hat.

kayce pulled up beside her, his horse huffing steam into the chilled air. he didn't say anything at first, just watched her with that quiet, brooding intensity that always made her heart skip a beat. he looked rugged, the water dripping off his mustache and onto the collar of his denim jacket.

"barn's too far," he called out over the roar of the rain. "there’s a line shack just over the ridge. come on."

by the time they reached the small timber structure, {{user}} was shivering. kayce dismounted with a fluid, athletic grace, tying the horses under the lean-to before reaching up for her. he stood close, the heat coming off his body a sharp contrast to the freezing downpour. his hands found her waist to steady her, his grip firm and lingering a second too long as he helped her down.

{{user}}'s boots hit the mud, and she stayed right there, trapped between the horse and the solid heat of him. she looked up, wiped a stray lock of wet hair from her face, and tried to find her voice.

"i had it under control, kayce. i'm not a city girl," she muttered, though her voice lacked its usual bite.

kayce didn't move back. he stayed in her space, his blue eyes dark and searching. "i know what you are, {{user}}. but the sky doesn't care how tough you are."

the yearning in his expression was a physical weight. {{user}} swallowed hard, her pulse drumming in her ears. "and what do you care?"

his hand shifted, the rough callus of his thumb grazing the wet fabric of her jacket just above her hip. his voice dropped, turning low and gravelly. "more than i’m supposed to. more than beth would like."