Chapter 6
~ Troy ~
Isat in my truck cab, looking out over the fields that belonged to the ranch. For as long as I could remember, the Baker’s had the land, each generation being born practically on a horse.
In town, everyone knew the Baker’s and how it tied in with horses; they just went hand in hand.
When I left Pecos to ride, I never once thought I’d end up working with my best friend on his ranch. Help out here and there, sure.
It wasn’t like I needed the money. My own parents’ land was doing well. But being with the horses, helping my friend, it was a perfect way to calm my over-racing mind. The huge animals never once scared me, but they did soothe me.
“Going to stay inside all day, Cowboy?”
I almost jumped at the sound of her voice. I turned to look at her, smirking at the way her hair was down today.
Did I mean to mark her last night under the bleachers?
Nope.
Did I regret it?
Not at all.
“Gonna be able to keep your hair down while riding a horse, Anelise?”
“I don’t have a choice. Someone decided he needed to do something. Hell, I don’t even recall the last time I had a hickey.”
She moved back as I opened the door then grabbed my hat, putting it on. I stepped closer to her, bending so my lips were level with her ear.
“If I had my way, Anelise, you’d always have love bites to show who you belonged to.”
She slapped my arm, but there was a blush on her cheeks that I liked to see.
“I don’t belong to anyone, Troy.”
“See, that’s where you are wrong. You might not want to admit it yet, but you belong to me.”
I saw the shiver that raced over her, I saw the look of longing on her face, and I saw the pleasure that crept into her eyes.
She could deny it all she wanted to, but her body told me, plain as day, that she wanted to belong to me. And fuck me, I wanted to claim her.
That was a new feeling. I never wanted a woman like that before. Never thought of anything long term.
But seeing her, being with her, hell kissing her, and I wanted her for the long haul. I didn’t want another man to even look at her.
This was not the same man that stepped off the circuit. I’m sure anyone would question my sanity, especially with as many buckle bunnies as I had, but I couldn’t fight what my mind was thinking.
And that was scary, very scary.
I never thought of settling down, and yet, here I was. In Pecos, nonetheless. It wasn’t that I didn’t love my hometown, I did. I was proud of where I came from. But it was small, sometimes too small for my liking.
Which was why I left. Just didn’t think I’d be back quite so soon.
“Come on, Cowboy, the horses are waiting.”
“What are you doing today?”
“Riding with you. MaryBeth wanted to stay and help Cook, so she agreed to watch her. My mom is coming by in a little bit to pick her up. Something about needing her grandbaby. I’m not sure what for. I just let it go. So, my day is free for a bit.”
“You mean, I get you all day?” I wiggled my brows at her, causing her to laugh.
“Well, I have a job too.”
“Did MaryBeth see the mark?”
“Yes, Troy, she did. And asked loudly just what happened to my neck. In front of your best friend. Which,” she paused, a smirk on her face and I followed her gaze, seeing Markus stalking our way.
“You can have fun dealing with him. I’m giving Rainbow a treat from her owner.
” She patted my arm, and walked away, laughing while she did.
“Just what the hell are you thinking, Troy?” Markus demanded, his eyes blazing.
“I got carried away last night. I didn’t mean to.”
“Bullshit. You always liked letting women know you claimed them. I don’t care if you date her, I told you that. I just want to make sure you don’t hurt her. You have a tendency of doing your own things, you know, and not realizing who you’re screwing over.”
“I get it. Don’t have to go all big brother on me.”
“Yes, I do. Because I don’t want to be there to wipe up her tears again. You can’t deny you’re a womanizer, Troy. You always have been.”
I watched the retreating back, her hair blowing in the wind, and felt something inside me. I turned my gaze back to Markus and clapped him on his shoulder.
“I know you might find this odd, and I don’t blame you. But Anelise is different, she makes me feel different. And the last thing I want to do is hurt her.”
I left him with those words, following the lady into the barn, ready to get my day started with her by my side. And it was something I was looking forward to.
“Do you come here often?”
She looked at me from her horse as we rode out along the field, a smile on her face.
“If that is your pickup line, it’s horrible! But truthfully, it’s been a while since I’ve gotten the pleasure of just riding. I’m either helping Cook, taking care of MaryBeth, or helping in the training. But since you’ve picked that up for me, I get to just enjoy this.”
“I always loved seeing you on a horse, you know. Both you and Markus are just pros at being in a saddle and you look so at ease with them.”
“Horses are in the blood. It’s just natural for us.
” She leaned over and petted the black neck.
“When I bought Rainbow for MaryBeth, she was thrilled. Of course she’s been around them, but you can see how she’s full of energy.
I keep having to remind her that horses get spooked and we have to be careful. ”
“So, Rainbow belongs to her. How in the world did a black horse get such a colorful name?”
I let her laugh wash over me, so happy to hear it. I imagine that she probably had more days of tears or pain rather than laughter, even with the joy that her daughter was.
“She loves rainbows, still does. So, when she saw the pony, it was instant, Rainbow was the name.
I remember there was a day, just weeks after we had gotten her, that the faint white spot on her leg was colored.
One of the hands was with her, but they had painted her.
She was overjoyed with it. Finally, her horse had color.
“Rainbow didn’t mind. She’s actually good with MaryBeth and their bond is strong. Rainbow knows that MaryBeth is hers. I’ve even allowed her in the stall a time or two, just to talk and help groom her. They get along so well. But I still have to watch her.”
“She’s a lot like you at that age. Always running around. Getting into things. Wanting to be underfoot.”
“She is. Even my parents think so. She’s kind of like her dad though too. He was full of energy. Great with horses, but there was always something inside his soul that just made him seem constantly on the go. He didn’t get along too well with the older breeds. Can’t figure out why there.”
I watched as she rolled her eyes, but she still laughed. I had the urge to hunt the guy down and punch him, but what good would that do?
“What are you doing tomorrow night?”
She tilted her head as she thought over the question and then shook her head.
“Nothing that I’m aware of. I mean, being a mom.”
“Think you can find a babysitter so I can take you out?”
“Like a date, Troy?”
“Yeah. I’ll be the gentleman. Take you out for a drink and a spin on the floor.”
She laughed once again, and I couldn’t help but let that sound soak into some of the cracks of my heart.
“I’m sure Mom or Markus wouldn’t mind. Gonna show the world who I belong to.”
I reached over, grabbed her horse’s reins, and pulled her close, planting my lips on hers.
“Damn right,” I told her, before giving her another kiss.