Chapter 10
CHAPTER
TEN
Destry.
She was late, but I didn’t mind because it took me a little longer than I expected to get things set up. Beauden’s people got caught up and were late delivering the horse and Marleigh was too damn compulsive about lining up the barrels but it was all done and now I rested against the fence near the paddock while I waited on Savvy.
It didn’t take long before I saw the headlights from her Jeep cutting through the dark, rolling steadily up the long dirt road leading to the ranch. The second she climbed out, my gaze swept over her and I smiled.
She had changed.
Fitted tee and jeans that hugged her legs just right. She walked toward me with her hat sitting low over her forehead hiding her pretty face, but I could still see the way her lips were tight, like she was uncertain. When she got close enough I caught the clean scent of something sweet, a sure sign that she had showered before coming out here.
For me.
I loved that shit because it meant she cared and I wasn’t the only one who put effort in. She stopped a few feet away, tipped her chin, and crossed her arms with one brow lifted. “I’m here.”
I let my eyes shift to the horse beyond the gate inside the paddock then back to her. “Got something for you.”
Her frown deepened as she glanced at the barrels set up and the horse. “Wait… what?”
“I had a connection on a horse. He’s on loan, figured you might wanna put him through some runs.”
Savvy’s gaze snapped back to me. She hesitated, glancing back at the horse. “You got a horse for me to train on?”
I nodded, not mentioning the part where I’d bought the damn thing outright for her . As of now, it was on loan at least in her mind.
Her mouth opened, then closed again. “And you set up the barrels.”
“Figured you might wanna practice somewhere without sneaking into the rodeo grounds. It was either this or bail money.”
She stared at me with an unreadable expression.
Then I tipped my chin toward the rider standing nearby, Marleigh, one of the best barrel racers in the circuit.
“I also called in a favor and got someone here who knows what she’s doing. I don’t know shit about barrels but she does.”
Marleigh, who was leaning against the fence, smiled and tipped her hat. “He said you’re serious about learning. Thought I’d come see for myself.”
Savvy’s mouth dropped open, looking from Marleigh to the horse, then back at me. Before I had time to react, she threw her arms around me, catching me off guard.
I stiffened for half a second before my hands found her waist and I pulled her in closer. I wasn’t mad at how good she felt against me but it was deeper than that. Savvy wasn’t the hugging type, not with me, and sure as hell not like this. She was also stubborn as fuck but she held onto me tightly and I let myself just enjoy it.
When she pulled back I swear her tough ass was close to tears and that made me know this was all worth it. She smiled big as hell and took off toward the horse.
I chuckled, watching her fingers reaching for the reins from Marleigh.
I stayed at the fence, arms crossed, leaning against the post as I watched them get to work. Savvy adjusted in the saddle while Marleigh explained technique, pointing at the barrels, giving quick commands. As much as I wanted to focus on the training, my gaze kept locking to her .
My lil Rebel was confident, determined, and exactly where she belonged. Watching her light up like this made every damn second of planning worth it.
Marleigh pointed toward the barrels. “Start slow. Feel how he moves before you push him. He’s trained, but he’s new to you. Learn his cues first.”
Savvy nodded, tightening her grip on the reins. She looked so damn natural up there, comfortable and sexy. When she nudged the horse forward into an easy trot, guiding him in a few slow circles, I didn’t miss the way she smiled, getting used to his stride.
Marleigh stepped back. “Alright, take him through the pattern. Keep it clean, don’t rush it.”
Savvy took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and urged the horse forward. The first barrel came up fast, and she leaned in, moving with the horse as they made the turn. The second was cleaner, the third even smoother. By the time she straightened out and galloped back through the finish, her face was lit up.
She slowed the horse, breathing heavy, grinning down at Marleigh. “How was that?”
Marleigh nodded, impressed. “Good instincts. You read him well. But you’re hesitating at the turns. You’re waiting for him to adjust to you instead of making the adjustment first.”
Savvy nodded, listening intently. Marleigh continued, stepping forward. “Let him trust you. He’s fast, but he won’t give you everything until you show him you’re in charge. Next run, push him a little harder. Don’t be afraid of speed.”
Savvy nodded again, adjusting her grip. “Got it.”
She nudged the horse forward again, heading back toward the starting point and Marleigh stepped over to me, crossing her arms. “She’s got talent.”
I nodded. “I know.”
“You’re really doing this for her, huh?”
I didn’t answer.
Didn’t have to.
Marleigh laughed under her breath. “Damn, Destry. Never thought I’d see the day somebody caught you.”
“Nobody’s caught me yet.”
She shook her head, amused. “Mhm. Keep telling yourself that. You’re definitely caught but I like her for you so that’s not a bad thing.”
I turned back toward the paddock just as Savvy set up for her next run, her expression locked in and determined.
Yeah, this was worth every damn second and so was she.
Marleigh stood by the fence for a few more minutes, watching Savvy as she ran through the barrels again. I could see the approval in her expression, the way she nodded slightly with each clean turn.
“She’ll do just fine,” she finally said, pulling off her hat and brushing dust from her jeans.
“I knew that already.”
Marleigh shook her head, still amused. “Words of a man who’s caught .”
I shrugged, tipping my hat. “Appreciate you doing this.”
She smiled. “Let her know I’ll check in after the rodeo. She’s got something, and if she’s serious, I want to see what she can do with it.”
I nodded. “She’s serious.”
Marleigh gave me a knowing look but didn’t push the conversation further. She headed to her truck, leaving me alone at the fence, watching Savvy run again. She looked even better this time, pushing the horse harder, moving faster, trusting herself, trusting him.
The hesitation was still there but less noticeable. She was finding that rhythm between rider and horse, which I understood because it was similar to what it felt like for me to ride even though there was never a damn rhythm with a bull trying to kill me.
When she reached the final stretch, she laughed so freely I couldn’t help but grin.
She pulled the horse up near the fence, breathing hard. I let my eyes drag over her face, flushed from the ride and damn if that shit didn’t make my dick hard.
I liked seeing her like this and what I liked even more was being the reason she had this moment.
“You’re watching me again,” she said, still catching her breath.
“Hard not to.”
She rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling. “I can’t believe you did this.”
I shrugged, pushing off the fence. “Told you I had something for you.”
She looked back at the barrels, then at the horse like she still wasn’t sure this was real.
Then, she swung down from the saddle, landing lightly on her feet, and walked toward me. She pulled her hat off, brushing a hand over her forehead, looking up at me.
“This really on loan?” she asked, suspicious.
I held her gaze, keeping my expression neutral. “For now.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Why do I feel like you’re full of it?”
I chuckled, but didn’t answer.
She shook her head, stepping back. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll take it.”
I nodded toward the barrels. “One more run?”
Her smirk was sexy as hell. “You trying to keep me here?”
“Not tonight.”
Her expression shifted for a second, something passed through it.
Then she turned back toward the horse and rubbed her hand down the side. But instead of climbing back on, she came to me.