RIVAL: An Enemies to Lovers Why Choose Country Romance

Chapter 26

“Good morning, Austin. You’re a good boy today, aren’t you?”

The sound of her voice surprises me and I jerk my head up to listen more closely. I got here early to saddle my horse up for a ride into the field this morning, but I wasn’t expecting to find Edith.

“Listen, I might have a friend who’s got these amazing horse toys, and he gave me one just for you. Would you like to see?”

I frown. Who the fuck is this friend she’s talking about? Obviously, she has no idea I’m here, so I keep my steps silent as I head toward Austin’s stall and find her standing on the wood frame of his gate, reaching into his stall.

She’s holding herself stiffly, moving slowly as if she’s sore after a long workout. Maybe she’s one of those people who needs to move for a bit in the morning before they’re feeling more like themselves, but I narrow my eyes to watch her, anyway. I’ve been working her hard since she started here. Combine that with the extra job of building the barn? I imagine she’s exhausting herself.

Even I would find that kind of schedule difficult to maintain. I don’t see a lunch bag anywhere, only a ball with a rope attached to it, and I frown in displeasure that she didn’t plan appropriately for lunch once again.

Now that she’s in my line of vision, I’m able to hear her more clearly.

“If you let me pet you, I promise I’ll show you what I’ve got. It’s a real great toy. I’ve heard all the horses love it. Do you believe me?”

I have to bite my cheek to stop from laughing. She’s talking to him as if he’s a real person, which is ridiculous. Austin is a good horse, but he’s a grumpy bastard. I’m surprised he’s even giving her the time of day right now.

Edith steps down from the gate and picks up the ball at her feet, then holds it out to him. I’ve seen something like it before, but it never crossed my mind to grab it from the store before. Or make him one. He’s never been an animal interested in that kind of shit and frankly, I’ve never been bothered to play with him. He’s a working horse, for fuck’s sake.

It pisses me off that I find it sexy as hell when she bends over to grab the toy and I notice the curve of her ass. I shouldn’t be getting hard over Clayborn’s daughter, but here I am wanting to keep her just like that and yank her pants down to explore what’s hidden.

Her next words bring me up short and I scowl at the insinuation she has to ask permission to bring him something. She lifts the toy over the gate and holds it out to him as she murmurs sweet words to my fucking horse.

“If Mason will let me, next time I come, I’ll bring you a treat. But are you ready to see what I’ve brought you?”

As she leans over the gate, I’m fucking shocked when Austin takes the toy from her and starts playing with it. This motherfucker is acting like a foal, swinging this thing around like it’s God’s gift to mankind.

Her laughter warms me, forcing me to step away because I feel myself getting more and more intrigued by her. I bump into a pile of equipment, knocking it over, then wince when I see her looking around to see where the noise came from.

I freeze, hoping she doesn’t see me. Eventually, Edith drags her eyes away and keeps up her montage of sweet and cajoling murmurs to my boy. Instead of staying around, I force myself to leave and head over to the storage barn where her cats are staying.

As soon as I walk in, they’re both meowing at my feet for attention, and I do my best to ignore them. The male, the first one she brought and named Buck, is easy to ignore. He’s hopping around and racing in front of me to get into everything under the sun. But it’s the little lady I’ll admit has my heart.

The purrs coming from her tiny body have me melting and bending over to pick her up. “Hey there, Bonnie,” I whisper, running a finger over the bridge of her nose. I’ll never admit that I’ve snuck out here a few times to tuck her into my chest while I get things sorted, but she really is a sweet little kitten.

I hear the door open to the barn and know Edith has arrived. Setting Bonnie down, I let her and her brother scamper off to find their momma while I finish with my tasks.

Austin should have already been saddled and prepared to go out, but I just didn’t have the heart to interrupt the two of them.

I can hear her murmuring to the kittens while filling their food and water bowls. I’d love to give them more time, but we’ve got shit to get done today.

Stepping into the main part of the barn, I clench my jaw when another wave of desire for her hits me, but I shove it aside. “You ready to get going, girl?” I ask, hating the way she flinches under my coldness.

“Morning, Mason.” Her friendly greeting makes me feel like as ass for always being so abrupt, but I don’t know how to change the narrative, not after I’ve been a dick for this long.

Stepping in front of her, I wait until she looks up, holding Bonnie against her while Buck plays with her shoelaces.

“I’m gonna take out Austin for the day. Just take care of the calves like you have been. I won’t be around, so text me if you have any issues.”

I want to get her on Austin and in front of me again, but the last time I had her there, we had that stumble which scared the shit out of her.

She opens her mouth as if she wants to argue, then closes it before nodding her head. I hesitate, knowing I shouldn’t ask, but I do anyway.

“Did you want to come out with me again?”

The way her eyes light up is enough to make me somewhat happy I asked. “Really? I don’t want to get in your way, but if I can help you besides the barns, I’d really like to.” She fidgets with her shirt, then adds, “I gave Austin a toy this morning. Was that alright?”

Not wanting her to know I watched her, I tilt my head to the side and ask, “What toy?” And because I’m an ass, I add, “Where’d you get it?” I want to know who the fuck her friend is.

“It’s a ball!” she exclaims, excited about her find. “I’ve been trying to learn how to ride a horse and a friend of mine has been teaching me. He had these toys for his horses and said they really like them and let me bring one for Austin.”

Frowning at her, I’m annoyed she didn’t entirely answer my question, so I bite out again, “Who’s your friend?”

She freezes under my stare, then swallows hard. “Do you, umm, do you know Jaxon Thorton? He’s a construction worker in town and is leading the job on the barn raising we’re doing for church.”

I stiffen, hardening my stance, then ask, “Seriously? Your friend is that guy?”

Edith looks away from me and shifts nervously. “Yeah. He’s really kind, and we became friends recently.” Then she stands up straighter and I’ve got to give the girl credit when she focuses on me as she fortifies her feelings about him. “He’s a great friend, actually.”

I grit my jaw, wanting to tell her how his dad fucked us over, but I bite my tongue. “Guess we can’t all be perfect when it comes to who we choose for company. Anyway, I know you’d like to come out with me and Austin, but the calves really do need tending to. So why don’t you get that done and call it an early day?”

She deflates in front of me when I withdraw what seemed like an offer for her to ride out with me, and I feel a small pinch of guilt.

“I’ll get it done. Anything else you’d like me to do?”

I can hear her disappointment and it makes me feel like a pussy when I say, “I’ll swing back around in a few hours. If you’re done, I’ll take you out with me.” Then, because I’m annoyed I gave in so quickly without her asking, I add, “But only if it’s done properly. I won’t tolerate half-ass work.”

Even with my nasty attitude, she still lights up and I want to ask why she’s always so goddamn happy.

“I promise, I’ll have it done in no time!” Setting her kitten down, she hurries out of the barn to get started and I stay frozen in my spot as I watch her leave. Bonnie, the kitten, starts rubbing against my ankle and I pick her up to pet her for a minute.

As soon as Buck bites my ankle for attention, I set her down and push him away. Then, before I leave, I point at him. “She’ll be back before she leaves. Don’t get into any shit while we’re gone, you little asshole.”

I leave to his disgruntled meow and get my day started. While riding Austin, I notice he’s got a bit of pep in his step and I just know it’s because of his little visitor this morning.

After a few hours, I guide him back to the barn and holler for Edith. It’s not even a minute before she’s running out, straw sticking out of her hair and a massive smile on her face.

“You done in there?” I ask with a clipped voice, but little heat behind it.

Nodding quickly, she wipes her hands over her clothes, and I tilt my head toward hers to let her know she’s got shit there, too. Quickly, she brushes her hair and picks out the straw, then stands up straight in front of me.

“I’m done. Did you want to check things over?”

“No, you said you did it, right?” I fold the reins over the pommel and lean over a bit to stare down at her.

“Yes, sir. All done.”

I swear to God, Austin understands what we’re talking about because without me guiding him, he steps closer to her and bumps her with his nose, then lifts his head to sniff her hair. Edith laughs, then strokes him in greeting.

“Hey there,” she whispers. “You’re a good boy, aren’t you?”

Jealousy. That’s what I’m feeling right now. I’m fucking jealous of a horse and the way she runs her hand over him gives me visions of her doing the same to me.

Pissed and annoyed, I snap at her. “Are you gonna come with me, or are you gonna fawn all over my fuckin’ horse?”

Jerking her hand away, she blushes and chews on her lip. “S-Sorry. I’m ready.”

With a roll of my eyes, I reach my hand out. As soon as she slips her fingers against mine, I tighten my hold and yank her up.

Apparently, her friend has been teaching her well because she doesn’t scramble as much this time as she settles in the saddle, much more comfortable doing it.

Waiting for her to get comfortable in front of me, I decide to say fuck it and let her know I’m in control today. My arm wraps around her waist and I haul her back against me, this time not caring if her ass lands directly on my cock.

Edith hisses out a low breath but doesn’t fight my hold when I drive my heels into Austin’s flank and we take off for the end of the property.

We don’t speak, but I don’t think I could if I wanted to. My cock grows hard under her ass with every shift she makes to stay upright as we ride.

And maybe I take the extra-long way to our destination, keeping a hold of her the entire time.