Page 1 of Perfect Guy

Madelyn

“Mads-lyn!”Ismilewhen I see Oliver waving at me, standing beside his mom, Camille, and my brother, Levi. Levi, the forever bachelor, has settled down with a single mom, and it has been way too fun watching him fall.

I wave at Oliver before helping the next child on the horse. When I suggested we give horseback rides at the Fourth of July festival in our town, Mason Creek, I didn’t think my brothers would go for it. Wilder, the oldest, is who runs our family ranch. The most we do to entertain the public is rent cabins for visitors or anyone needing a home to stay in. However, Roman Wilde Ranch has never participated in a town event, and I thought it’d be fun.

So far, it’s been a success. All the children in town have lined up, buying tickets to ride our horse. Even if isn’t much, it’s some money to add to the ranch’s finances.

Working at the ranch is definitely not my dream job, but I’m helping my brothers and taking part in our family legacy. That’s priceless. Right now, it’s what I need.

When I made the decision to move back to Mason Creek after finishing my Masters in Architecture, I knew it would be to do something else than I had planned my entire life. Circumstances in life make us take detours, and I’m working on being okay with that, even after being back home for six months.

I don’t have time for thoughts of the past to plague my mind. I finish the ride, smiling at the young boy and thanking the parents before giving Juliet an apple. Levi’s horse is gentle, and she’s used to working with Oliver, so we knew she’d be perfect for today’s event.

“Are you doing okay? Do you want a break?” Wilder walks into the small pen we set up to give the rides.

“I’m good. I told you guys I’d be responsible for this, and I’m keeping my word.” I nod and stand my ground.

Wilder chuckles, shaking his head. He lifts his hat, brushing his hair back before readjusting his Stetson.

“If you want a water break or something, let me know. I’m around.”

“Thanks. I only have a few more hours left.” I look around the festival. Booths, banners, and balloons are all around Town Square. The main roads are cut off for foot traffic, and we have a ton of tourists.

Wilder doesn’t like city folks, so it’s probably better if I stick to this, seeing as a lot of the kids are from the city.

“I’ll bring you something from The Sweet Spot and a coffee from Java Jitters.”

“Thanks. Can you make the coffee a frappe?” The Sweet Spot is our local bakery, and Joy, the owner, is a good friend of mine. I live for anything she bakes, and coffee is a main food group in my diet. Between early hours when I lived at home and long study nights at university, coffee has always been my saving grace.

“Coming right up.” He taps the bill of my cap, and I swat his arm. I fix my hat and call over the next child, getting lost in the job I have to do.

I was raised around animals, so this is my happy place. Riding horses, rounding cattle, helping birth lambs, or anything else related to animals, you name it. My parents thought I’d grow up to be a vet, which would’ve made more sense, but I have a dream of creating homes people will build memories in or businesses so people can accomplish their own dreams.

After closing up the rides, I head to find my family. I have about an hour to enjoy the festival before the fireworks. Hearing the music, I walk toward the stage where Tucker Simms, our local musician, is singing an older country song. Hannah, Tucker’s son’s girlfriend, has her own band now, and she’s playing today, too.

“Mads-lyn!” Oliver races to me.

“Oof.” My arms come to his back when he crashes into me. “How’s Juliet?” He looks up at me.

“She’s good and resting now. I thought you were going to ride when I saw you near the pen.”

“Mommy said to let the other kids ride since I gets to spend my days with Juliet.” He shrugs.

“That’s real kind of you.” I ruffle his head. “Where is your mommy?” I scan the area and find my parents waving at me.

“She’s dancing with Horseman.”

I chuckle at his nickname for Levi. He must’ve been with my parents. My mom watches Oliver since there wasn’t a spot in pre-school when he and Camille moved into town. She’s going to miss him when he starts kindergarten this fall.

“Hey.” Joy meets up with me.

“Hi, did you just close up?”

“I did. I’m ready to sleep for twelve hours. Thank goodness I decided to close the bakery tomorrow.”

“Maybe it’s time you hire some help?” I lift my brows. Joy’s stubborn and likes doing everything herself the way her grandmother did, but even she had help. Her grandmother helps her for now, popping in during the day to relieve some of the workload, but it’s not enough. Joy runs the place all alone.

“Brayden says the same thing,” she says of her boyfriend. “He says Grandma is getting too old to come and help me. Not that I’d tell my grandma that. She’d smack him across the head.”