Chapter 3
~ Anelise ~
Iscrubbed my hands over my face as I stared at the window, the darkness fading into the light hue of black. The sun wasn’t too far from rising and I hadn’t slept.
Not one peep.
Why?
Because that stupid object of my affection kissed me senseless last night and it was nothing more than a soft kiss.
But there was passion. I could feel it.
And I fought every fiber of my being not to attack him. Not to shove him back on the pool table and have my way with him like I so wanted.
My body’s reaction, the taste of his lips, the feel of his body, had me replaying everything over and over in my mind. It had me tossing and turning. It had me needing a release that I was never going to get.
I flung the covers off and walked over to the window, sitting on the bench to watch the final rays burst forth over the land. One of my favorite times was sunrises. I wasn’t always an early riser, but I loved watching the dawning of a new day, the dawning of new promises.
I heard the patter of little feet and let out a sigh.
My daughter was up, which wasn’t out of the norm. She loved the mornings just as much as I did. And more often than naught was up before I was.
She opened the door and poked her head in, smiling. “Mommy.” She ran over to me, jumping onto my lap.
“Did you sleep well, babygirl?” I asked, brushing her hair back. She was always a wild sleeper, and her hair always looked like a rat’s nest in the morning.
“I did! Good ‘reams! I gets to be with horseies today!”
“I know you do. And I know you’re excited. But we have got to remember that they are bigger than us. And we can’t spook them.”
“I members mama! Got to be nice.” She grinned at me, her excitement evident.
I couldn’t deny her that simple pleasure, nor would I. She was going to miss out on enough things as she got older, so the simple things were things I was always going to try to give.
“We do, baby. Let’s get you some breakfast before we go out to see Rainbow. And if you eat all of your meal, you can give her a special treat, okay?”
“Deal!” She jumped off of my lap and raced down to the kitchen, forgetting the pain yesterday from her run in with the table. Which also means she forgot the rule of running in the house.
I shook my head, pulling on a hoodie and my slippers before walking downstairs, smiling at Cook.
For as long as I could remember, the woman was in the kitchen, cooking for the family and the ranch hands.
Mom and I would always help where we could, but she was a strong-willed woman who often would shoo us out.
“Hey,” I told her, giving her a side hug. “I can get breakfast for us.”
“Are you kidding? Go sit down. There is a handsome man that I saw walking back there. You could go say hi to him?”
Inwardly, I cringed.
I knew who she was referring to, but I was hoping he wasn’t here yet. Or that maybe he was already out in the stables working so I wouldn’t see him.
Of course, that wouldn’t be my luck.
I would be all night thinking of that kiss and then I’d be stuck seeing him right away.
“Troy is back home and he’s helping Markus with the horses. You know how we’re getting more and more, trying to get them trained.”
“I thought that’s what I heard. So why not go say hi? I’ll get MaryBeth fed and ready to go outside.”
I looked at the little girl who was already sitting at the table, coloring in her book, and sighed.
“I’m going to get dressed and go check on him, then I’ll be back to get my daughter.”
“Sounds good.” The older woman winked at me, and I couldn’t help but shake my head. I knew her ways better than I wanted to.
I quickly raced upstairs, changing into my boots, jeans, and top, before pulling my hair up and heading down to the barn.
“Hey,” I called out, leaning against the door.
He turned, his hat pushed back slightly, and my breath caught. Why did his man look so damn good and edible? I mean, sure, he was cocky, but it was a look that looked good on him.
“Hey yourself. What brings you out here?”
“Cook said she saw a new hand, thought it best if I came and said hello.”
“Sly old woman, isn’t she?”
“It’s her way for sure. Are the horses behaving for you?”
“They sure are. I can tell the newer ones, the ones that still need to learn how to trust. They are skittish in the stalls and when new people come.”
“They are. We get a horse almost daily. And the other guys are great, but between all of the new animals, it’s a little much.” I walked over to him, petting Rainbow on the nose. “MaryBeth can’t wait to ride her.”
“I thought I saw her name on the board. Is she riding?”
“With help. I’m trying to get her comfortable around them first.”
“If she’s like you, she’ll be a pro in no time.” I rolled my eyes at him which caused him to grin. “You know you got a way with horses; you always have.”
“She’s a little ball of energy, so I have to show her how she needs to calm down.”
I grabbed the brush, running it over Rainbow’s coat. She stood still, enjoying the rub, and I couldn’t help but smile. I kissed her nose, getting a nudge from her.
“See, a pro.”
“Sure.”
“Mommy!”
I turned as I heard her cry, her little legs running as fast as they could to the barn. But before I could stop her, Troy grabbed her, swinging her up in his arms, causing her to squeal.
“Hold yourself there, little one. We can’t go running into the barn, we’ll spook the horses, and we don’t want that, now do we?”
She shook her head; her gaze locked on his.
“Okay, want to go see your horse? Your mom is grooming her.”
“Yes, peas.”
“Of course.” He walked back to the stable and sat her on the ledge. “Now, you want to help your mom or just watch?”
“Help, peas!”
“Works for me.” He lifted her on his shoulders and handed her a brush. “We need to brush her before we saddle her to make sure there is nothing on her back. We don’t want to cause her undo harm.”
“Right!” she cried loudly, causing Rainbow to sidestep.
“Hey now, calm, remember?”
I couldn’t help but watch their exchange, soothing Rainbow. He was good with her, getting her to listen and teaching her what to do.
It was a good look on him.
“Are you ready to ride her? Mom can help with the saddle, and we can get you on?”
“Actually,” I started, grabbing the saddle mat and soothing it out before grabbing the saddle. “You have done wonderful with her, and I think you have a calming effect. I think you should take her.”
“Are you sure?”
His eyes opened wide in surprise, and I almost laughed. But for some reason, I knew he would be good with my daughter, and I trusted him.
“I am. I think it would be good for her. And honestly, you have the patience for her.”
I watched her, taking his guidance as he put her down, showing her how to get the straps right, and then helping her to lead out Rainbow.
I didn’t just trust anyone with MaryBeth, but I knew a good mix when I saw it, and somehow, Troy was good for her. He was a great mentor with kids in general.
What it wasn’t good for, though, was my lady bits, but more importantly, my heart.