Follow a Wild Heart: A Christian Contemporary Western Romance Series by Natalie Bright (top reads .TXT) 📗

being the designated driver?” He didn’t answer, just walked around to the driver’s side.

She glanced through the back window at him and could tell she had knocked some of the wind out of his sails. Was he worried about their relationship, or was the pain on his face due to the shoulder injury?

Driving down the road, at first, they were both quiet, consumed by their own thoughts. Occasionally, Carli stole glimpses of him. Things were moving way too fast for her. Had he lost his mind? The last thing she wanted to do was to lead him on and make him think she wanted more. She didn’t. She didn’t know what she wanted. She'd been avoiding this discussion, but maybe it was time to tell him how she felt.

“Nate, look...”

But then he jumped in, both of them starting at the same time, their words jumbling.

“Carli, I’ve been thinking...”

“Nate, I’ve got to tell you...”

“Let me go first. Please.”

She took a deep breath, stared out the window, then back at him. “All right. You first.”

“Look, I’m sorry. The kiss, I mean. I’m just pumped about Travers and my art. It’s something I’ve thought about, dreamt about, my whole life. It’s who I am. And I’m glad you were here.”

He stared at the blacktop ahead. "Carli, looking at this road makes me think of my life's path. I've got to follow it. It's my dream and I can't keep it bottled up inside any longer. And then there’s you.” He muttered, his head straight, his eyes never wavering from the road ahead.

Her stomach flipped over a bit and she didn’t want him to continue. But she knew he would. He had to. The time spent with Brad Travers had given him courage in some way. Carli froze, her breath stuck in her throat and it was everything she could muster not to stop him from talking. She didn’t need anything else to complicate her life. Why couldn’t their friendship stay the way it was?

“I’ve liked you since the first time I saw you walking into my parents’ home at the barbeque for my sister. You were the prettiest girl in the room. I remember everything about that day, Carli. You came with Lank, but he was off with an old girlfriend. He left you by yourself. And you were new in town, didn’t know anyone. So, I stood beside you, at the request of my mother I admit, but then we talked and laughed. I drove you home when Lank acted like a jerk. I’m the steady one, Carli. I’ll always be there for you.”

He pulled the truck to the side of the road and turned the ignition off.

Looking into her eyes, he said, "I know I can find the courage to pursue my artwork with you by my side.”

Carli closed her eyes. This handsome, kind Texas cowboy might be the answer to her dreams, but the break-up and betrayal from her past in Georgia was still too fresh on her heart. She didn’t know what she wanted.

“Nate. You’re my best friend in Texas. Anywhere actually. There’s no one back in Georgia. I care about you. And treasure our friendship. I’m so excited for your passion of art, but this—'us'—is moving too fast for me. You should follow your dream. Wherever it leads, with or without me.”

She placed her hand on his forearm and he turned his head to look at her. “I really admire you, ya know. You've got some gumption to move halfway across the country and start a new life. I can see us together, Carli. You don’t have to be alone anymore.”

“What are you trying to say, Nate?”

“I think I’m falling in love with you.” He looked longingly into her eyes.

No words formed in Carli's mouth. She honestly did not know how she felt, other than this was a great friendship, with total trust like with no one else before. Is that love? Is that enough to commit a lifetime to one person? She thought she knew. Back in Georgia love had been true and wonderful, she had thought, but then the betrayal almost did her in.

He remained quiet when she didn't reply, then started the truck and pulled back on to the main road.

Lord, help me. Show me what’s right. Help me to make the right decisions. And not to hurt anyone. Carli had learned a lot about faith over the past several months from Lola and Buck. It was time she tried to live it more in her life. Sometimes you can’t do everything on your own. As much as she wanted to be in control. But sometimes that control got her into trouble. She needed to release the reins. Trust God to help her.

Arriving at the Wild Cow, Carli knew she didn’t want to let Nathan leave after he had just poured out his heart and soul, and she basically rejected him. So, before she got out of the truck and let him drive away, she said, “Please come in for a minute, Nate. I’ll make us some tea or coffee. I want to talk a little more.”

“I’ll come in for just a few minutes. Then I’ve got to get home. I’m sure my father has a list of work lined up since I’ve been gone most of the day.”

As they walked to Carli’s front door, Lank approached fast like he was marching on a mission.

“Where the heck have you two been?” His voice curt, his angry eyes focused on Carli.

“What’s the matter with you?” She spun around to face him and could see he was upset, but what business was it of his where they had gone today?

“Well, your horse is going stir crazy. Before you know it, he’ll start cribbing on the fence. You just up and leave all your responsibilities.”

Yep. He was mad. Hopping mad. Carli wondered if there was more to it. But before she could find out, Nathan stepped between her and Lank.

“You don’t talk to Carli like that.” Nathan’s tone