Cheyenne held it up to River’s chest and nodded happily. “Try this one on, and we’ll see if it works.”
Cheyenne slipped out of the bedroom, leaving River to change. A moment later, River opened the door for the wolf shifter, who was holding her baby son on her hip. She looked at River with wide eyes and an open mouth. “You look absolutely beautiful.”
They stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom and gazed at River’s reflection. She had to admit that it did make her look like the woman she’d always wished she could be.
“Let me see if I have any shoes that might fit you,” Cheyenne said, handing her the baby. The little boy squirmed in her arms, and River took in the smell of him. He was such a lovely child. It nearly brought tears to her eyes to imagine what it would be like to have one of her own someday.
Cheyenne returned with a pair of nude flats and set them on the floor in front of River, who returned the baby to his mother’s arms and slid her feet into the shoes. To her surprise, they fit perfectly.
“Now let’s do your hair and makeup.” Cheyenne sat her down at the vanity and began to work on her hair and then applied makeup.
River had never had so much attention focused on her appearance, and she wasn’t quite sure what to think of it at first. But when Cheyenne was finished and River looked at the full effect in the mirror, she couldn’t believe her eyes. She was so happy that she’d swallowed her pride and asked for Cheyenne’s help. The finishing touch was a pair of gold earrings and a matching necklace with butterflies.
When they walked downstairs, Austin sat up at the dining room table where he’d been working on the books with Rose Winter from the dairy. They both did double takes and then stood up to tell her how beautiful she looked. River felt embarrassed by all of the attention, but she also was grateful to them for their help and support.
“I have a date at the Lodge tonight,” she said, and they were all polite enough not to ask who it was with.
When Cash came to pick her up at seven in front of the bunkhouse, her heart fluttered like a bird taking wing. When he looked at her, his jaw dropped and his eyes went wide. He stumbled over his words as he held the passenger door of his truck open for her. “You look amazing.”
He smelled of spicy cologne and was wearing a button-down blue shirt and black slacks. She’d only seen him so far in his farm clothes and T-shirts. He looked amazing dressed up for their date.
He sat down in the driver’s seat and started the car. They headed through town and then out toward the Lodge, which he explained was busy all year round with skiers and summer tourists. They parked in the parking lot as the sun was fading in the west. Holding hands, they walked into the front lobby of Fate Rock Lodge. There were high ceilings and big windows that looked out on the rocky base of Fate Rock Mountain, the orange-and-red sunset glowing beyond the rocky cliff. It nearly took her breath away. She stood beside Cash, who gave the host his name for their reservation.
They walked through the quaint mountain lodge restaurant. Conversation and soft music filled the air. The walls were made of stone and wood, and the tables were covered in thick linen tablecloths. Candles flickered beside a small bouquet of white roses. They sat by a window that framed the sunset over the mountain, and the host told them about the specials and the house wines. But River didn’t hear any of it. Her senses were dominated by the sparkle in Cash’s eyes, the view, and the feeling of herself looking beautiful in her clothes. She felt like Cinderella. But she hoped that midnight would never come.
She and Cash both ordered steak and lobster with multiple appetizers. River had never been to such a fancy restaurant and wasn’t quite sure what most of the food was. But when she dug into the stuffed artichokes and the cheese tray and sipped her Chardonnay, she was quite happy that Cash had chosen to bring her there. The blaze of color over the mountain as the sun descended in the west filled her with a sense of promise and longing. She and Cash spoke about the ranch’s future and past and about all of their hopes and dreams. The main course was rich and savory and tasted of butter and cream and the richness of the sea and land. The chocolate flavor of the soufflé nearly did her in as it was paired with a sweet dessert wine.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had such a delicious meal,” she said, feeling so satisfied that she could barely speak.
“Would you like to go for a walk on the grounds?” he asked, reaching across the table to take her hand.
“I’d love that.”
After Cash paid the bill, they walked out the side door of the restaurant onto the big patio overlooking the grounds. They took the stairs down to the path that wound through the lawns and around the crystal blue lake that reflected the last shreds of sunset. River was glad she was wearing flats instead of heels. She’d never walked in heels in her life.
As the moon rose in the velvety sky, Cash slipped his hand through hers, and they continued silently along the path. “I have a surprise,” he said as they walked into the area where the Lodge had small cabins that campers could rent. He led her up the path to a cabin. They climbed the stairs, and he unlocked the door.
Inside, she found not a rustic room but a luxury suite. The walls and furnishings reflected the log-cabin exterior, but everything was bright and new and crisp with a modern flair. There was a champagne bottle chilling on the table and a luxurious queen-size bed in the bedroom. A low fire flickered in the hearth. Cash poured her a glass, and they sat together on the comfortable couch, drinking champagne. Cash’s hand threaded through hers as she sipped the champagne and bit into a chocolate-covered strawberry. They gazed up at each other, and River knew that tonight would change her life.
12
“I had such a magical time tonight,” River said, gazing into Cash’s eyes.
Everything made her happy, from her outfit and hair and makeup to the delicious food and now this luxurious cabin suite with a beautiful view. But the thing that made it worthwhile above everything else was the look in Cash’s eyes. She’d pulled away when they’d kissed on the marsh, but she didn’t intend to pull away that night. She wanted to give him everything. She wanted to know what it felt like to be loved by a man.
“It has been the best night of my life,” Cash whispered into the top of her head as he held her in his arms.
She looked up at him, and their lips met. There was a burst of electricity, like music coming down from the heavens. Her heart and mind were filled with the rhythm of their beating hearts. She never wanted to let the moment go.
His hand ran over her body and up her leg and gripped her waist. She gasped at the energy of it, the ripe glowing moment when she let herself be consumed by the growling need of her inner beast. His lips met hers. His tongue slipped through her lips, and she groaned, running her hands over his chest. She began to unbutton his shirt, needing to feel him close, to smell him and touch him. She wanted his skin against her skin. She wanted his lips on her body. She wanted to make him hers forever.
She slid his shirt down over his shoulders and took in the sight of his tan chest. He growled as she stared at his masculinity. She bit her lip and leaned in to kiss his chest, to lick his flesh, to run her tongue over his nipples. He gasped. Her hands roamed his body, moving farther down to explore his stomach. His waist. His lap. She could see the hard bulge of his manhood between his legs, and it made her mouth water.