Chapter 6
Carter
I t had taken me longer to get things sorted in San Francisco—and get moved—than I’d anticipated. I’d been expecting two weeks. It was closer to four. But now I was settled in Colorado, or at least moved-in, and I could focus on Ramona until I figured out what else I wanted to do with my life.
The drive to Blue Creek Ranch was familiar, as was the annoying donkey and his loud-ass bray and the sights, sounds, and smells as I navigated the winding drive to the back barn.
I drove slowly, not wanting some creature or person to suddenly appear in my path and not be able to stop in time. It was a bustling, busy place.
As I rounded the last curve, I saw a big man, standing at parade rest, by the open barn doors.
I gave him a nod as I drove past to the spot I’d used before, shut off my brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee—I’d decided Marielle was right and I didn’t need a truck, but at least this SUV had the towing capacity I’d need—and hopped out.
The air had a bite to it, which wasn’t surprising since it was mid September.
It got cold in San Francisco, but not this early.
And certainly not as cold as Colorado was going to get this winter. I hoped my blood thickened by then.
My guess was this man was one of Hawk’s brothers. I knew there were a few of them. And there was no mistaking the family resemblance. He was bigger and broader than Hawk, but they had similar features.
I strode across the dirt and held a hand out. “Carter Cahill.”
The man looked me up and down, gaze assessing, before he broke posture and shook my hand. “Bodhi Harrington.”
I smiled. “Nice to meet you. And thank you for your service.”
Something flashed across Bodhi’s face, then his gaze turned shrewd.
I held my ground, not in the least intimidated by him.
He was clearly military, though active or newly retired, I didn’t know.
And I couldn’t even begin to guess which branch.
But there was no mistaking the stance. I’d met my fair share of service members over the years, and the posture and stance were usually the last thing to go.
It was so ingrained in them it was automatic.
“Here to check in on your horse?” he asked, tone neutral and completely ignoring my previous statement. He squinted at me. “It’s only been a few weeks. Not enough time for real progress.”
I shrugged. “I figured since I live here now, I could stop in whenever Hawk allows it. I just want to see her. I’m not expecting her to be fully trained.”
“You what ?”
I whipped around to see Hawk stalking toward us.
Man, he was angry. I wasn’t quite sure why but I liked it.
I probably shouldn’t think that dark, menacing look on his face, and tone in his voice were hot.
But I totally did. He was just so pretty, and even more magnetic when he was pissed. It was possibly the passion.
I wondered what else could get him flushed and worked up.
“Cahill,” Hawk practically growled.
“I’m not expecting her to be fully trained yet,” I repeated, knowing fully well that hadn’t been what set him off. It couldn’t be. I would expect he’d be pleased I wasn’t expecting miracles or some shit. “I’ve been paying attention to the updates.”
Which I’d loved getting. Especially the voice memos. Seriously, I could listen to this man talk for hours. I got the impression he wasn’t much of a talker, but I was going to see what I could do to change that. Because seriously, his voice just did something to me.
“You—”
“And look, I even paid attention to what you said about attire.” I gestured to my clothes, from the T-shirt and flannel I had on, to the jeans, and right down to my boots.
The Lucheses had cost a pretty penny, but I only wanted the best. And I’d made sure to wear them for the last few days, breaking them in so they were comfortable, just like the salesperson had advised.
That seemed to pull Hawk up short and he really looked at me for the first time.
A hint of surprise crossed his face before he wrangled his expression back into something neutral.
I’d been inordinately pissed off when he added that statement to his last message and I even grabbed my phone to give him a piece of my mind.
I’d been two seconds from dialing when common sense prevailed.
He wanted to dictate what I wore? Fine. Just like everything else, I was going to follow his instructions to a T.
In fact, I was going to be the best damn student he’d ever had.
I knew it was going to get under his skin. And keep him on his toes.
“Goddamn it, Cahill—”
“I thought we agreed you would call me Carter,” I interrupted affably. I made my eyes wide and innocent. That only made Hawk glare harder. Bodhi snorted. He, at least, was totally aware of what I was doing.
“Carter,” he began again, trying for calm and utterly failing. I did my best to keep my grin off my face but I wasn’t sure I entirely succeeded. “What do you mean you ‘live here’?”
“Just what I said. I bought property in Briarwood. So not here here, but close enough.”
Hawk stared at me for a very long moment. I let him study me for whatever he was trying to see. I had nothing to hide. Okay, that wasn’t entirely true, but not about this. Finally, Hawk took a deep breath.
“Why?”
Before I could answer, Bodhi butted in. “Hawk, you need me?”
Hawk waved his brother off and Bodhi made a precision turn and walked away without a word.
Hawk never even looked his way. I had to admit, I liked being the center of Hawk’s attention.
Then again, I liked it when I was the center of anyone’s attention.
I liked it even better when I could make someone the full focus of my attention.
“Answer the question, Carter.”
And because he said my name, and I loved the way it sounded from his lips, I did. “I needed a change. A big one. And since you’re here and so is Ramona, I am too. How else are you going to make a cowboy out of me if I’m not here?”
“That’s not—” He cut himself off with a frustrated growl. I watched him breathe for a moment, the inhalations as measured as the exhalations. It took him a minute, maybe two, before he got himself under control again. Then he said, voice quiet, “Do you know how to ride?”
The horny part of me wanted to leer and tell him I definitely knew how to ride. But I knew he wouldn’t appreciate the implication. My ego wanted to insist I was better than I was and downplay my novice status. But I knew that could be dangerous, so I answered truthfully.
“I’ve been trail riding a few times. You know, like the group things? So I know how to sit on a horse.”
He didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then he sighed and gestured for me to follow him. “Come on. Since you’re playing dress up, might as well see what we’ve got to work with.”
“Hey,” I snapped, the tight control on my emotions breaking just a little. “It isn’t ‘dress up’. It’s dressing for the day’s activities. Because even though that addition to your message was snarky, you weren’t wrong. I need appropriate clothes and footwear.”
Hawk dropped his gaze to my boots again, and I swear he rolled his eyes.
But when he met my gaze, there was a hell of a lot less sass there.
He nodded and started walking. I followed along.
He didn’t say a word as we trekked across the property.
It was a fair walk and it took at least fifteen minutes before the other barns came into view.
He beelined straight for the biggest one and I kept pace.
“Wy!” He called the moment we set foot inside. A redheaded woman poked her head out of a stall, and her face lit up.
“Hey! What brings you slumming?” The twinkle in her eye made it clear she was teasing.
“Where’s Niko?”
“Turned out with his herd. Want me to get him?”
Hawk shook his head. “I’ll fetch him. Wyanne, this is Carter Cahill, one of my clients. Wy is the barn manager in this barn.”
Since she hadn’t come closer, I offered her a wave. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah. You, too,” she responded, sounding like she only half meant it. She sized me up, shook her head, and finally left the stall. “I’ll get Niko’s tack ready.”
Hawk nodded then gestured with his head. “Come on.”
“You just expect me to follow you all over the property?” I couldn’t quite keep the grumble out of my voice.
“Yep.”
“Hawk,” I said, trying for patience. “Explain what’s going on.”
He gave me a side eye and kept walking, through one… paddock I thought it was called and then to another gate. He removed a chain, draped it over the top railing, and then undid the latch. He raised his fingers to his mouth and let out a shrill whistle.
It took a minute but then I heard thundering hooves.
A few seconds later, at least five horses came barreling toward us.
I stood my ground, but I couldn’t deny my heart rate picked up a little.
If this group decided to charge into us, we’d be toast. But I needn’t have worried.
They all slowed before they reached us and pushed each other in an effort to get to Hawk.
He handed out pats and scratches, shoved some heads out of his way, and sent some horses off with a firm slap to the rump. Then only one horse was left, a big brown one, and Hawk had a grip on his mane.
“Shoulda grabbed a halter. But he’s a good boy, aren’t you?” He rubbed the horse’s nose. “This is Niko. He’s the best for beginner riders. Unspookable. You’re going to ride him.”
He was bigger than Ramona. Not only taller by a bit, but way beefier. This boy was solid, that was for sure. But he had nice eyes, and when I held out a hand, he didn’t hesitate to nuzzle my palm. His lips worked against my skin, which honestly tickled.
“He doesn’t have any treats for you, boy,” Hawk chided affectionately. “But we’ll get you some. Let’s go, Carter.”