Chapter 1 – Dakota
“Come on, Henry. You can do this.” The engine of the old pickup truck protests, and although I’m ever the optimist, something tells me I may not make it to Vegas. The plan was to drive there with my belongings in the back, then sell the truck and buy a smaller, more practical car. All I need is to make it to the city. My friends warned me against arranging the move myself, but Henry’s never let me down before, so I thought I’d take a chance and save myself a ton of money.
“Please, Henry,” I beg when he stutters again. “Please, please, please. Not here.”
I shouldn’t have taken a detour, but the desert is supposed to be beautiful during sunset. I wanted to take in the scenery while driving toward my new life, so I made the stupid decision to turn off the desolate highway onto a narrow dirt road.
It was spectacular indeed. The sun, a fiery ball of orange, glowed low on the horizon while the sky was ablaze with color. But then the engine light started blinking, and now my eyes are fixated on the dashboard instead. It’s been red for a few weeks, but it never blinked until five minutes ago. I’m miles from the highway, and I haven’t seen a car in the past twenty minutes. Why did I go into the desert today of all days? I could’ve booked a tour from Vegas once I was settled or driven here after I bought a new car.
I turn and head back in the direction I came from. If I break down, the chances of someone passing are much better closer to the highway. Besides regretting my decision to venture off-plan, my eyes feel dry, and my muscles are aching. The thought of stopping for a rest is enticing, but I’m afraid Henry will give up the ghost entirely if I do so. I’m in the middle of nowhere, and I doubt anyone will find me here tonight.
The low sun casts long shadows across the barren landscape, and darkness is falling way faster than I anticipated. My satnav doesn’t work here, I have zero bars on my phone, and although it seemed pretty straightforward to navigate the few roads, in the darkening landscape, it’s not so simple anymore. Was I driving toward the sunset, or was the sun to my right? Reaching one of the crossroads, I’m confused, and through my growing unease, I can’t remember which way to turn.
Think, Dakota.
I turn left, following the road, but I don’t recognize anything. I suspect I went the wrong way, as I should have reached the highway by now. Didn’t I pass a weird rock formation that looked like an elephant? There was a single shoe in the middle of the road too, but I don’t see it. Realizing I’ve lost all sense of direction and that I have no clue how to get back to the highway, panic takes over.
It’s crazy how dark it gets once the sun has set, and even with my lights on, I can barely see anything. Am I still on the road, or am I literally crossing the desert now? I suddenly feel a sharp jolt, and then the truck starts pulling to one side. The steering wheel vibrates while I step on the brakes until we stop. What was that?
Startled and shaky, I turn off the engine and blow out my cheeks. I can hear it through my open windows; there’s a hissing sound coming from the right back tire.
Getting out and using the torch on my phone to inspect it, I see it’s been ripped or punctured by something and it’s completely flat. “Fuck!” I curse out loud, then wince at the sound of my voice cutting through the silence.
I have a spare tire with me, but I never bothered to buy a new jack after a friend borrowed mine. Even if I did have a jack, I’ve never changed a tire before; I always relied on roadside assistance in California. Would they come all the way out here? And where is here, anyway? Even if I could call for help—which I can’t, I establish when I check my network again—what would I say when they ask me where I am? Somewhere in the desert near Vegas? It couldn’t possibly get any vaguer than that.
“This is bad, Henry,” I mutter, then let out a long sigh. Leaning against the pickup, I contemplate what to do. Should I start walking and hope to find a sign of life somewhere? Or would that be the worst possible idea? If I lost my truck too, I’d be in serious trouble. At least I have water and blankets in the back, so it’s probably wise to stay here until the morning when I can see where I’m going. Besides, it’s eerie out here in the dark, and I don’t feel safe. The only sound is that of lizards slipping past or the intermittent gusts of wind that send tumbleweeds scurrying across my feet. A vast expanse of nothingness stretches for miles in every direction, only broken up by the occasional cactus or yucca plant, standing tall and proud in the harsh environment. They look like figures, their twisted branches reaching out like arms ready to grab anyone who comes near, and the sight of them is unsettling.
What about coyotes? They live in the desert, don’t they? And scorpions? That thought makes my heart race as I glance down at my feet in the flimsy flip-flops I’m wearing. Rattlesnakes? I curl my toes and point my torch toward the ground, and within seconds, I’m back in the pickup.
I couldn’t have messed up more if I tried. On Monday, I’m supposed to start my new job, and I need time to get settled into my apartment. What if no one finds me over the weekend and I don’t show up for my first day at work? What if no one finds me at all? What if I die out here? My stomach tightens, and I remind myself that doom thinking won’t get me anywhere. Mom will get worried; I promised to call her when I reached Vegas, and if she doesn’t hear from me, she’ll alert the police, so hopefully, they’ll come looking for me.
I’m going to sit here until it gets light, I decide, and if I climb onto the roof in the morning, I might be able to see the highway. If not, I’ll wait until someone comes to the rescue. Yes, that’s better. That’s a safe plan.
Something flashes in the dark, and I narrow my eyes as I focus on the direction it came from. Did I imagine it? I’m getting pretty tired and suspect my mind is playing tricks on me, but then I see it again, and there are two lights this time.
“Help! Over here!” I yell out of the window. “Help!” The lights seem to change direction, so I turn on the headlights and honk the horn over and over, until the lights—there are at least five now—come closer. They move in a funny way, almost in a swaying, drunk motion, and when their silhouettes come into clear view, I realize they’re horseback riders with lights attached to their cowboy hats. Then my relief is replaced by fear. How do I know if I can trust them? Is there such a thing as desert pirates? Could they be bad people? As they near, I see two of them are women, and that brings me some comfort, so I get out and wave at them.
“Hey, ma’am.” The woman who rides up front taps her hat. “Are you lost?”
“Yeah, you could say that.” I point to my pickup. “And I’ve got a flat. I must’ve hit something—I couldn’t see much in the dark. I have a spare, but I don’t have a jack, and there’s something wrong with my engine too.”
“Okay…” The woman glances over her shoulder and addresses the group. “Do you guys mind waiting for a minute?” She turns back to me, comes closer, and glances curiously at the full trunk of my pickup. “Were you planning on vacationing out here or something? Because it’s prohibited to camp in this part of the desert, and it’s also unsafe with all the critters.”
“No. I was on my way to Vegas. I’m moving there.”
“Oh.” She arches a brow. “Why on earth did you go off-road in the dark?”
“I wanted to see the sunset,” I say sheepishly and blush when the group chuckles.
“God, you couldn’t have fucked up worse.” The woman looks amused. “Right. Well, I’m in the middle of something, so I can’t help you right now, but if you go and sit in your truck and lock the doors, I’ll be back for you in about three hours.”
“Thank you.” I cross my heart and give her a smile. “Thank you so, so much. I can pay you.”
“Don’t worry about it. Now stay inside with those open-toed sandals. I don’t want to return to find you poisoned or worse.” She turns her horse and beckons to her companions to do the same. “Three hours. I promise I’ll come back.”
Chapter 2 – Frankie
When I return to the stranded pickup after midnight, the woman looks like she’d hug me if I wasn’t sitting on a huge stallion.
“Thank you so, so much,” she says again, smiling with relief. She has a nice, open smile that lights up her face as she shades her eyes from the bright spotlight on my hat.
“Don’t sweat it. Do you have any other shoes in the back? Trainers or something?”
“Yes, I do.” She jumps into action, climbing into the back of her pickup that’s packed to the brim and roots through her cases. I shine my flashlight on her and take in the contents. Boxes, suitcases, bags, a TV, lamps, and even some furniture are piled up in a way that’s definitely not safe for the road. I never questioned her when she said she was moving; she doesn’t strike me as a thief or a drifter, but I’m still baffled at the idiocy of her going off-road in the dark. Everyone knows it’s a bad idea unless you know the desert inside out, like me.
“Found them!” She triumphantly holds up a pair of white sneakers and socks, then perches on what looks like a nightstand to put them on. “Will my stuff be safe here overnight? My whole life is in the back of this truck.”
“I can’t promise you that, but I think it will be fine. We’ll head out early to change your tire and drive it back to the ranch. I’ll have a look at your engine there. It’s easier.” I grin when she jumps off her truck and stares up at me and then Texas, my loyal companion. “Do you ride?” I ask.
“No.” Her eyes widen. “Oh…you want me to get on?”
“Ideally, yes,” I say with a chuckle. “It’s a long walk to the ranch.” Assessing her, I decide she doesn’t look heavy and move to the back of my McClellan saddle, then hold out my hand. “Put your left foot in the stirrup and hold on to the saddle with your left hand. I’ll lift you up.”
“Shouldn’t I be at the back?” she asks, clumsily maneuvering while the purse she’s slung around her neck dangles from side to side.
“No. It’s safer this way.” I groan as I pull her up and she lets out a sigh when she positions herself.
“Oh my God, it’s so high…”
“Don’t worry, we’re not going to gallop. Hold on to the saddle and let me know if you want me to slow down.” Leaning forward, I look over her shoulder and tap my foot against Texas, who immediately sets off. I sense the woman is nervous, so I try to distract her with conversation. “What’s your name?”
“Dakota,” she says. “I’m sorry, I totally forgot to introduce myself.”
“That’s okay. I’m Frankie. So, you’re from California?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“Your license plate,” I say humorously. “And your looks. The sun-bleached hair and the tan…you look like you’ve spent a lot of time on the beach.”
“I did. I lived in Newport Beach.”
“Fancy. Do you think you’ll miss the ocean?”
“For sure,” she says. “But a career opportunity came up in Vegas and I felt a little stuck in LA, so I thought I’d give it a go.” She instinctively tries to look over her shoulder as she’s talking to me and almost loses her balance.
“It’s okay, I’ve got you. Just make sure you look ahead.” I take the reins in one hand and curl my other around her waist. She’s tense; I can feel her abdomen tighten under the thin fabric of her white tank top. Her hair smells of coconut and a hint of floral perfume wafts from her neck. “I’m sorry, I should have told you to put on something warmer. It can get chilly here at night, even in summer. Are you cold?”
“No, but it’s amazing how much the temperature drops.” She pauses. “And you?” she asks. “You mentioned a ranch. Is that where you live?”
“Yeah. I run a small ranch hotel and provide horseback riding experiences. Desert excursions, mainly.”
“Is that what you were doing tonight?”
“Uh-huh. The desert is beautiful on a clear night. You’ll never see as many stars as you see here.” I nudge her when she’s about to look up. “Not yet. Wait until we get to the ranch. I don’t want you to fall off.”
“Sure.” She chuckles when I speed up a little. “This is fun.”
“You think being stranded in the desert with a flat tire and a broken engine is fun?”
“Not that part, but a midnight horseback ride after being rescued by a cowgirl… That doesn’t happen to me every day.”
A little confused, I furrow my brows. Is she flirting with me?
“Sorry,” she continues. “I suppose it’s not much fun for you. I really appreciate you coming all the way back for me.”
“It’s my pleasure. It’s not every day I get to rescue a beautiful woman,” I shoot back at her, hoping I’m not overstepping. She laughs nervously and I continue quickly to avoid an awkward silence. “The ranch is fully booked, but you can sleep on the couch in my private quarters. It’s pretty comfortable.”
“That’s so kind, but I don’t want to be in your way. I thought I could call a taxi from your ranch to take me to a nearby motel and come back early in the morning.”
“That’s a waste of time. The nearest motel is practically in Vegas, so you might as well stay over or you’ll get no sleep at all. Really, it’s not a problem.”
“Thank you. And your…” Dakota hesitates. “Your husband won’t mind? Or your…”
“Partner? No. I’m single.” It feels weird to have this kind of conversation without being able to look each other in the eyes. “What about you? Is someone special joining you in Vegas?”
“No. It’s just me.” Dakota points to the lights in the distance. “Is that your ranch?”
“Yes, that’s Red Rock Ranch.” I smile with pride. The ranch was renovated a few years ago and it still gets me excited to see how good it looks from a distance.
The main farmhouse stands proud against the starlit sky, its weathered wood siding glowing warmly under the porch lights. It’s a sturdy two-story structure with a wide, wraparound porch that I added a few years back. The roof’s steep pitch is perfect for shedding the rare desert rain, and the brick chimney hints at the cozy fireplace waiting inside. To the left of the farmhouse, separated by a tidy gravel path lined with desert sage, is the guesthouse. It’s a long, single-story building with a covered walkway connecting a series of doors, each leading to a private room. The exterior matches the main house, giving the whole property a cohesive feel. Solar panels glint on the roof, a recent addition I’m particularly pleased with.
The stables and corrals are off to the right, and I can see the shapes of a few horses moving in the moonlight.
“That’s quite the ranch you’ve got there,” Dakota says. “Is it family run?”
“It used to be, but since my parents retired, I’m running it. The farm was getting too much for them, so they moved into a condo in Vegas after I took over. I have a brother, but he was never interested in horses. He lives in California and works for a tech company. I have a great team, though. I could never do it all by myself.”
When we arrive, I hop off and lead Texas through the gate, then help Dakota off. “Welcome. I’ll show you in before I take care of Texas. Do you want to have a shower?”
“That would be amazing.” Dakota shoots me a grateful smile and ruffles a hand through her hair. “I’m all sticky and dusty from the long drive.” She takes in the premises as she follows me to the main house. “You have a beautiful home,” she says when I let her in.
“Thanks. Please, make yourself at home.” We head to the bathroom and I hand her a towel. “Wait, let me get you something clean to sleep in.”
“Oh, you don’t need to do that, I can—” Dakota stops herself and winces. “Actually, that would be great. I’m so sorry to be a pain.”
Chapter 3 – Dakota
Dressed in a pair of grey jersey shorts and an old sweatshirt with the logo of some local diner, I feel a little self-conscious. I love to slouch around in garments like these at home, but I always make sure I look presentable when I’m around other people. The couch in the living room is made up and a delicious smell wafts from the kitchen.
“Are you hungry?” Frankie asks. “I’ve heated up some leftovers. Figured you must be famished.”
“I am,” I say, gratefully taking the bowl of pasta she hands me.
“There’s a dining table on the porch if you’d like to sit outside.” Frankie holds up a half-full bottle of wine. “I’m having a glass of red. Care to join me?” She opens the door to the porch without waiting for an answer and lights a few candles on the table.
“You really don’t have to keep me company. It’s late and you must be tired.”
“I’m fine. I’m used to staying up after the late tours, and the temperature is much nicer at night.” She sits and pours us wine. “So…Nevada is a big shift from California. What’s the job?”
“I’ll be managing a spa in one of the hotels on the strip. The White Salon—it’s a chain. I ran their branch in Newport Beach, and now I’ll be responsible for the Vegas branch, which is much bigger.” I slide onto the bench opposite Frankie and only then really take her in. In a state of near panic and desperate to get somewhere more civilized, I didn’t pay much attention in the dark earlier, but she’s a very attractive woman.
She’s changed from her jeans and shirt into sweatpants and a white tank top, and her arms are toned and tanned. Her hair, previously hidden under her cowboy hat, is short and dark, slicked back like she’s just splashed water over her face. She has curious brown eyes, dark lashes, and dark eyebrows that move expressively while she speaks. She strikes me as someone who would tell a good story around a campfire; one of those engaging types who draw people in. She’s certainly drawn me in. I don’t tend to let people see me with wet hair, especially not a single, tall, attractive woman who undoubtedly plays for my team.
“A spa?” She lowers her gaze to my hands. “Forgive me for generalizing, but I thought all beauticians had long nails.” Her voice is a soft whisper, and in the light of the flickering candles, I’m sure I’m detecting a hint of flirtation in her eyes.
“Well, I’m not a beautician, I’m a general manager,” I say, stirring my fork through the pasta. “I used to give massages and that requires short nails,” I add playfully, hoping she’ll take the bait. “But my massage days are over. I’m only focusing on the operational side of the business now.”
“Oh?” Her eyebrow shoots up. “What a waste of a talent. Don’t you miss using those lovely hands?”
My lips stretch into a grin, and I shake my head as I focus on my food. “Are you flirting with me, cowgirl?” The tomato and basil pasta is delicious, but my body reacts to Frankie in interesting ways, and suddenly I don’t feel that hungry anymore. Still, I continue to eat as I don’t want to be impolite.
“Would it be so terrible if I was?” she asks.
I pick up my glass and twirl the wine around while I meet her gaze. Her expression is cocky, like she knows she already has me in her pocket, and although I’m normally not this easy to chat up, it feels like too good an opportunity to pass. She’s sinfully sexy, and if nothing else, it would make for a great story to tell my friends. My move to Vegas: Stranded, saved, and seduced by a cowgirl. It would make a good book title too. “No…” I feel a blush rise to my cheeks but don’t shy away from her eyes.
Frankie holds up her glass in a toast and winks. “In that case, you’re welcome to share my bed tonight.”
Sitting back, I sip my wine and stare at her while a million fantasies rush through my mind. “Is this what you do with all your ranch guests?”
“No. Only some and only occasionally.” She tilts her head from side to side. “Most of my guests are couples, and the singles tend to be straight or not my type. It seems like tonight is my lucky night.”
“How do you know I’m not straight?”
Frankie frowns and studies me. “You’re flirting back and you’re not nervous like straight women when they want to experiment.” She shrugs. “There have been a few here over the years.”
“And your job is to make sure their holiday is memorable?”
“Anything for a five-star review,” she jokes. “I could ensure your move to Vegas is memorable too.”
“Trust me, it already is.” I’m having fun with our playful back-and-forth, and arousal is tugging at me. It’s been years since I’ve had such chemistry with someone, not to mention the opportunity to act on it.
“Can I sit next to you?” Frankie asks. “It’s a little lonely on this side and I prefer to face the stars.” When I nod, she moves around the table. “That’s better,” she says, sitting back and draping one arm over the backrest behind me.
“Smooth. Very smooth,” I say humorously, but I move a little closer anyway. I feel her body heat against me and I’m pretty sure she tenses at the contact. She’s taller than me, and I like how I fit into the crook of her arm. “So, what’s your next move? Are we going to look at the stars together?”
“Yes, and you’ll love it.” Frankie reaches behind her to turn off the porch lights, then blows out the candles. “We’ll need total darkness for this.” She points to the sky. “Let your eyes adjust for a moment.”
I stare into the black, and after a while, millions of twinkling lights become visible. Some are tiny specks, some significantly bigger. Some are clustered together, creating shapes and bright spots.
“Can you see it?”
“Yes. It’s beautiful.” When I feel her eyes on me, I hold my breath. “I’ve never seen so many stars,” I whisper, turning to her.
“Welcome to the desert.” Frankie gives me a lopsided smile while she caresses the back of my neck, and my eyes flutter closed for a beat. Her touch feels electric, and I can hardly believe how such a simple gesture can cause such fire inside me. A flash of heat shoots between my thighs and my gaze lowers to her mouth. Her lips are glistening and inviting, and I feel an overwhelming urge to kiss her.
This is the moment, I think, bracing myself to be swept away. She inches closer, curls her hand around my neck, and pulls me in. I can feel her breath on my face, and it quickens along with my pulse. Just as our lips are about to brush, a loud call pulls us out of the moment.
“Frankie!” A young man comes running up to the house. “Frankie, Sahara is foaling!” He’s panting, steadying his hands on his knees, then suddenly narrows his eyes as he spots me. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize you had company.”
“That’s okay,” Frankie mutters. “Sorry, Dakota. I have to go.” She continues to stare at my lips, then gets up with a sigh and shoots me a regretful smile. “You’re welcome to join us in the stables. Otherwise, I’ll see you in the morning.”
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Lise Gold 