Chapter Eleven #2
Images of the night before were stuck on replay in his head as he showered and headed over to the lodge for breakfast. Had it been the wisest thing he’d ever done, taking Natalie to bed?
Maybe not, but after the evening they’d spent together, his mind had cleared and the pent-up sexual frustration vanished.
And it wasn’t just the sex that he’d enjoyed sharing with her, either.
They’d talked for hours on the porch afterward, her sharing stories from her childhood out east and him sharing tales of growing up on the ranch.
She was witty and endearing, and it was much easier to be around her and appreciate all of that when he wasn’t trying so hard to push her away.
She’s not staying, you know.
He shrugged off the little voice in his head, in too good of a mood than to let negative nelly creep in.
Of course she wasn’t staying. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy her company while she was here, so long as she enjoyed spending time with him, too.
Hopefully, his plan for today would keep her coming back for more.
His grandparents and Norah were already seated at the table when he walked in, plates half empty.
“Smells amazing in here this morning, Gran.” He gave her a peck to the cheek.
She patted the hand he had resting on her shoulder. “Let me fix you a plate, Samuel.”
“No, no, you sit. I’ll get it.” He headed to the stovetop and served himself a plate of steak and eggs. “Looks like we’re finally going to have a break from this heat today. Good day for a family ride out to the falls. Maybe even a picnic.”
“You feeling all right?” Norah asked.
Sam grabbed a cup of coffee to go with his breakfast and joined the others at the table. “Yeah, why?”
He carved off a bite of the thick steak on his plate and savored it for a moment. No one could cook like his gran. He swallowed, realized no one had answered him yet, and looked up to see the others eying him. “What?”
Norah’s brows furrowed. “Weren’t you just bellyaching yesterday about how you’d been stuck in the saddle all week and were looking forward to keeping your feet on the ground today?”
“That was just me venting.” He shrugged. “Nothing a good night’s sleep couldn’t fix.”
His sister studied him for a moment then let it go. “Well, unfortunately, I already promised Madison I’d take her and her friends into Livingston to go swimsuit shopping.”
Madison had mentioned that yesterday; he’d forgotten. “Oh. Right. What time do you think you’ll get back?”
She stabbed a bite of steak. “I’m guessing we’ll grab something to eat while we’re in town, so maybe seven-ish?”
Damn, that would be too late to start their ride with Natalie. It looked like Sam would just have to take her out himself. Which, the more he thought about it, the better it sounded.
“If you take the truck, I’d be willing to ride along,” Gramps offered. “Don’t think my back would agree with a ride today.”
Poor Gramps. His arthritis was getting worse every year. Though all that bronco riding he’d done in his twenties hadn’t done him any favors. It’s why Sam had opted to forego the rodeo circuit; he wanted his body to last a few years longer than his rodeo kin.
“As much as I would love your company, I already promised to play tour guide this afternoon. Just thought we could make a family outing of it.”
“Tour guide?” Norah’s brow arched. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain recent dinner guest of ours, would it?”
Sam knew where his sister’s prodding was headed, but he’d made a promise to Natalie. What had happened between them stayed between them. And no way was he going to do anything that might upset her before he had the chance to get another taste.
“Hey, Gran said we needed her as an ally, and you all invited her to come back, remember?” Sam shrugged, feigning indifference. “I’m just trying to do my part. Guess I should have done a better job coordinating her visit with everyone’s schedules.”
Norah smirked. Gramps beamed. Gran, however, looked wary.
“Whose idea was it to go for this ride?” she asked.
“Mine. She’s never been to Montana before, never seen anything other than downtown Marietta and the lodge.
” He paused to let the fib pass. Shoot, he hadn’t told them about her stopping out either night, which meant they didn’t know about that photographer guy coming, either.
He’d just have to tell them tomorrow and make it sound like the subject had just come up today.
“I’m hoping that if she gets to experience God’s country like the rest of us, she’ll be more onboard to help block the resort. ”
Gran frowned. “Sam, Natalie can’t block that on her own. In fact, I get the sense that if she pushes back too hard, she could get herself into some trouble.”
“Not if she sees a black-footed ferret while she’s here.” He waggled his brows. “Then the company will have to do something. Preferably, relocate their planned expansion.”
“Does she have any riding experience?” Norah asked.
“No. To be honest, I’m not even sure if I’ll be able to get her on a horse. Figured I’d put her on my horse. Ole Whiskey is the calmest gelding I’ve got.”
Norah shook her head. “He’s too big for a new rider. Take Marshmallow. That dapple is who I always put new riders on. She can sense a nervous rider and knows when to be extra gentle.”
If anyone on the ranch knew the best match between horse and rider, it was Norah.
Not only did she help run the hospitality side of the lodge, but she also oversaw the on-prem guided tours and horseback riding lessons.
If she believed the little gray dappled mare Madison had named when she was little was the best fit for Natalie, then that was the one he would introduce her to.
He offered his sister a grateful smile, then laid out his plans for their afternoon.
By the time Natalie arrived, Sam had Marshmallow and his favorite chestnut mare, Estelle, tacked up and a small cooler of food and drinks packed up.
Though he would have loved nothing more than to pull her in for a reprise of last night’s farewell kiss, Sam knew all eyes were on the corral at the moment.
So he greeted her with a warm smile and a tip of his hat instead.
Natalie looked pretty as ever, her long, auburn hair tied up in a high ponytail. Denim hugged her hips, and her Old Dominion concert tee made him instantly think of “Wrong Turns.” And though her smile widened when she saw him, the fear in her eyes remained.
“Hey there, cowboy.” Her eyes shifted to the nearby horses and back. “Is, uh, this where city folk come to get trampled?”
Sam shook his head. “You watch way too much television.”
She tried for a smile, her eyes darting back to the horses.
“You still up for this?” he asked, his voice softer. “Because you don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
She stared a moment longer, then gave him the tiniest nod. “I want to,” she whispered.
“Why don’t we start with introductions and go from there, okay? And they don’t bite, I promise.”
“O-kay.”
Sam couldn’t help himself; he pulled her into his side to give her a reassuring squeeze. “Good day so far?”
Natalie nodded, her gaze fixed on the animals ahead.
“No one commented on your late return?”
That brought the hint of a grin to her lips. “No, but the gal working the front desk gave me a broad smile. I’m sure there aren’t many secrets kept in Marietta.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” he murmured, having listened to Gran spill the latest town gossip during his Sunday dinner dishwashing duties for as long as he could remember. Would he be the topic this weekend? “But your secret is safe out here.”
“Oh, Natalie girl!”
They turned to see Gramps shuffling toward them. The sight brought a real smile to her face, which warmed Sam from the inside out. For some people, Eli Miles was a bit much. Natalie, however seemed endeared by the man.
“Well, hello there, Eli. Are you coming on a ride with us?”
“Heavens, no,” he said, slightly winded as he came to stop before them. “Been bucked one too many times in my life, and I don’t reckon I’d like another today.”
Natalie’s eyes widened as they shifted to Sam.
“No one’s getting bucked off today, I promise.” He threw a warning look at his grandfather. “Did you need something, Gramps?”
He ignored Sam’s look and flashed a broad smile at Natalie. “Just checking to see if you two would be joining us for dinner before turning in for the night.”
Natalie carefully avoided Sam’s gaze. “I’m not sure what our plans are yet, but I’d love to join you all for dinner before heading back to the Bramble House tonight.”
“Of course, of course.” Eli nodded. “Though, if you’re too tired to make the drive back, I’m sure Sam has plenty of room for you at his place.”
“Gramps…” Sam said through his teeth.
“Don’t worry, your secret will be safe with me.” On an exaggerated wink, he shuffled back the way he came.
As Sam looked around for a rock to crawl under, Natalie laughed softly. “I’ve got no reason to worry about you keeping our secrets safe. It’s your grandfather I’ve gotta watch out for.”
“Natalie, I—”
She shook her head, grinning. “It’s all right, Sam.
I can’t possibly be mad at Eli. He reminds me too much of my own grandfather.
He’s been gone twenty years next month, and I still miss him like crazy.
Besides, that was the perfect distraction to help diffuse my anxiety.
” Natalie looked to the horses and squared her shoulders.
“Better get me over there before my inner chicken returns.”
Sam took in her determined look, and pride lit in his chest. From the moment they’d met, she had yet to allow an obstacle to defeat her… which made him admire her that much more.
Face it. You’re falling for her.
It was far too soon for any of that. Maybe he was just enjoying himself for the first time in ages. And right now, in this moment, he was choosing to have fun rather than sit around and worry about what-ifs. He offered her his arm, consequences be damned.
“Yes, ma’am.”