Chapter 28 Cleo
cleo
. . .
“This probably isn’t the best idea,” I said warily as Lincoln led Sundance, his extra mare, into the arena.
“Sure it is,” Grady said from beside me. He pulled his new Black Springs Ranch cap down on his head and flashed me a dizzying smile. “I remember how to ride, Cleo. I’ll be fine. Lincoln said she’s a good one.”
Lincoln would know. While he was here last year, Sundance had been designated his horse until he could bring his from Tennessee. These days, he alternated between the two because the mare had become somewhat obsessed with him.
“If you’re sure,” I murmured, watching Grady wander over to Lincoln and take the reins.
Charlie came up and leaned into my side. “Is my daddy gonna ride that big horse?”
“Well, he’s certainly going to try,” I said.
She scooted closer until my hand rested on her shoulder.
It felt awkward at first, which was just because I still didn’t understand what she saw in me to warrant such affection when she’d only known me for a week.
But just like she was during the camp, Charlie was firmly glued to my side.
Who was I to turn her away for seeking comfort?
Grady placed his foot in the stirrup and pulled himself up, sitting high in the saddle. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, he looked way too damn good on the back of a horse. “What’d I tell you?” he called out as Lincoln stepped back. “I’m a natural.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself now,” Lincoln said, with a chuckle. “Let’s see if you do a couple of laps without falling off.”
“Yeah, maybe we can have a friendly competition!” Lennox called from the back of her horse, Strider.
After dinner, Charlie had asked my sister to bring out the barrels so she could watch her ride again.
My sister, ever so keen to show off, immediately said yes.
It led to bets about Grady’s riding skills, which he immediately wanted to rectify.
He’d seemed so cocky. While I didn’t want him to get hurt, there was a small, petty version of myself that wanted him to fall on his ass at least once.
Grady clicked his tongue, urging Sundance into a trot around the edge of the arena. We watched and waited to see if her rough gait would be enough to throw him off, but he wasn’t deterred.
“Well, would you look at that!” Lennox called out, leaning forward over the saddle horn. “Maybe the pretty boy has it in him after all.”
“Oh, ye of little faith,” he said back, turning over his shoulder to shoot us a blinding smile. “I told you it was like riding a bike.”
“Except bikes don’t spook when something runs out in front of them,” Bishop said, stepping out of the barn with Titan. His horse was every bit the monster his name suggested. He was easily one of the largest horses I’d ever seen and would’ve been terrifying if he weren’t such a sweetheart.
Charlie’s eyes grew wide as she took in the gentle beast. “Oh my gosh,” she whispered. “That’s the biggest horse I’ve ever seen!”
Bishop, who’d overheard her excited gasps, walked over with Titan in tow. “Wanna pet him?”
She shied back into me a bit. “Uh, I don’t know.”
I chuckled, placing my hand on her back to guide her forward. “Want me to come with you?” Charlie nodded, and I took her hand. “Come on, he’s a big softie—just like his owner,” I joked, earning a scowl from the grumpy cowboy.
“My reputation has been tarnished,” he mumbled as we stepped forward.
“That’s what you get for falling in love.”
He snorted. “I didn’t fall. I was tripped. Shoved, even.”
“Same thing,” I said. “Alright, Charlie. Come say hi to this sweet boy.” I held up my hand and gently ran it down the middle of Titan’s face. “You just need to be gentle like we talked about in camp. You don’t know him, and he doesn’t know you.”
“Okay.” She glanced between the two of us before slowly stepping forward and lifting her hand. He met her halfway, and she laughed as he leaned into her touch. “He’s so soft,” she said with a giggle.
“He is, isn’t he? Titan’s one of my favorite horses on this ranch,” I lowered my voice. “But don’t tell any of the others I said so, okay?”
Charlie giggled again. “I promise I won’t tell, Miss Cleo.”
“Alright, good. You wanna feed him a little treat?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “What kinda treat? Does he like cookies?”
“I’m sure he would, but we’re gonna go with a tried-and-true favorite.” Digging into my pocket, I pulled out a peppermint and held it out to her.
She squinted, taking it from me. “Because he has bad breath?”
This time, Bishop let out a hearty laugh. “I mean, it certainly helps a bit. Peppermint is calming to them. Plus, they’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, so it’s the best of both worlds.”
I squatted to her level and took her hand in mine. “Alright, palm up. Lay it flat, okay?” She did so, and I placed the candy in the middle of her hand. “Now just lift it up a little. There we go.”
She giggled as Titan’s nostrils flared and he bent down to nuzzle her palm, gently taking the mint between his teeth and chomping down. “It tickles,” she said, wiping the slobber-covered hand on her jeans.
“I know, his whiskers are soft, huh?”
“They are,” she said, staring up at the massive animal like she was in love. Titan leaned down again in search of treats. “Can he have another one?”
I glanced up at Bishop. He had a smile on his face and jerked his chin in confirmation. “Sure. Think you could do it by yourself now?”
“I think so.”
Pulling another candy from my pocket, I dropped it in her waiting palm. “The most important thing is to keep your hand flat. We don’t want him to accidentally bite you.”
Charlie pulled back momentarily. “Would he really do that?”
“Not on purpose,” I assured her. “But accidents happen, so let’s make sure to keep your hand straight.”
“Alright,” she mumbled, holding it back out. Her face was pure magic, sweet giggles filling the air as Titan happily took another snack. He shook his head, letting out a soft neigh.
“Looks like you made a new friend,” Bishop murmured, scratching the horse’s nose. “You wanna ride him?”
Charlie jerked toward Bishop. “Can I?”
“We’d have to ask your dad,” I said, pausing to find Grady, though it didn’t take long.
I felt the weight of his stare before I found him. He was staring at Charlie and me from across the arena, a soft smile playing on his lips. I returned it, lifting my hand to wave him over. He urged Sundance forward, who was all too happy to come see Titan.
“Ah hell, we’ll never get them apart now,” Bishop said, greeting the excited mare as she approached. “These two are inseparable.”
Grady laughed. “Yeah, she got a little feisty when she saw y’all walking in a few minutes ago. Had to rein her in a bit, but she’s good now.”
“I’m surprised she listened,” Bishop muttered. “Lincoln’s usually the only one who can keep her in line.”
The man in question walked up with a smirk on his face. “Oh yeah, you reined her in real good. Tell me… Was that before or after she knocked your ass to the dirt and I had to stop her from bolting?”
Bishop busted out laughing as Grady’s cheeks turned pink. Looking closer, I could see his pants covered in dirt he hadn’t dusted off yet. “You couldn’t keep that between us for like five more minutes, man?”
Lincoln shook his head. “Naw, we don’t keep secrets around here. Especially not something like that.”
I hid my laugh behind my hand. “Oh man, do you think the cameras caught it? I’m going to need to see this.”
“What?” Grady asked, jerking his head up. “What do you mean by cameras?”
Bishop jerked his head toward the little domes hiding along the rafters. “Oh yeah, Lennox made sure they were recording before we headed in here.”
“Just in case we get any hotshot country music stars who think they can still ride,” Lincoln added with a wink.
“And here I thought we could be friends, man,” Grady grumbled.
“Even friends need blackmail. You should hear some of the shit I have on Bishop—”
“That goes both ways, asshole,” Bishop interjected. “You wanna get into that shit, I’ll get into mine.”
Lincoln didn’t back down. “Whatever you say… Daddy.”
“Hey! I’m the only one who can call him that!” Lennox called from the back of the arena where Josie was leaning against the fence with baby Stella in her carrier. “Don’t forget I know the sounds you make when you—”
“Hi, hello! Children are present,” I said, quickly covering Charlie’s ears. “Is it too much to ask you to behave for once?”
She giggled, pulling my hands down to rest on her shoulder. “Daddy says bad words sometimes, Miss Cleo. He never behaves.”
“Maybe he needs to stay late for detention to learn his lesson. That something you could help him with, Cleo?” Lincoln’s words came through barely restrained laughter.
“I’m going to kill you,” I mouthed over Charlie’s head, which only sent him into a full fit.
“Alright, are we gonna ride or what?” Bishop asked, turning to Grady. “You mind if I take her around the arena a few times? You’ll be beside me because I doubt she’s gonna let Titan get far without her.” He gestured toward Sundance.
Grady nodded. “Sure, man. I trust you.”
Bishop walked around and pulled himself up into the saddle.
Honestly, it was impressive every time I saw him do it.
He was a big guy himself, but it still took some serious strength to get on the back of that horse.
“Come on, Charlie,” he said, motioning for her. “Lincoln, mind giving her a leg up?”
“No problem,” Lincoln said, bending down and creating a cradle with his hands. “Charlie, you’re gonna put one foot right here and grab hold of Bishop’s hand so we can get you up there.”
She glanced between Lincoln and Bishop warily. “Where am I gonna sit?”
Bishop patted the small space between his body and the saddle horn. “Right in front of me so I can make sure you don’t go falling off.”