12. Nora
12
NORA
N ora took her time brushing Ash’s mane. She hadn’t slowed down for anything in weeks, and the quiet morning should have been relaxing. Instead, she’d been up way too early thinking about Clint.
Yeah, that was a problem. Sure, he’d been the knight in shining armor she’d reluctantly needed, but something else had her restless since the night before.
Who was she kidding? She’d been stirred up about Clint since the moment she saw him at the airport. He was her friend. She was supposed to like him. That was one of the reasons they spent so much time together and got along so well.
But like was a tame term that no longer described her feelings for Clint. She liked him, but she liked him too much .
This new development had “warning” written all over it.
Nora tossed the brush into the box of things she’d packed up from the tack room. After a few steps of pacing in front of Ash, she turned to the horse. “Why does he have to be so nice? And why is he cute? That’s just not fair.”
Ash shook her head as if sympathizing with Nora’s situation.
“I mean, he’s more than cute. He’s hot.” Nora threw her arms out before letting them fall limp at her sides. “He’s a friend. Friend, friend, friend, friend.”
Who was she kidding? Clint was friends with everyone in town, but he still spent most of his free time with her. The feisty female ruling her hormones perked up as if to lay claim to him.
Yep. She’d be totally jealous if he dated another woman.
Nora pushed her fingers into her hair and groaned as she paced. “This is not happening. Not happening.”
The rumble of Clint’s truck got louder as he neared the stables. Nora looked around to make sure she’d packed up the last of her things.
She turned to Ash and placed her hands on the horse’s cheeks. “Okay. This is it. We’re moving. You’re gonna love it there. At least I do. Everything is gonna be fine. We’re strong. This is just a little setback. ”
A setback. On the road to… what?
She’d wanted to travel, and she did. Now that she was back in Redemption Ridge, she hadn’t had the chance to come up with a new dream.
Nora picked up the box and rested it on her hip before grabbing Ash’s lead. “Come on, girl. Maybe the grass is greener on the other side of the road.”
Clint strode into the barn and headed right toward her. “Morning, ladies.” He took the box from her and fell into step at her side. “Is this it?”
“This is it. Take it or leave it.”
“Oh, I’m taking it. I brought the big trailer for Ash.”
Nora focused her attention straight ahead. He remembered that Ash didn’t like small spaces.
After leading Ash into the trailer, Nora climbed into her own truck. She let Clint lead the way while she contemplated all of her life’s decisions.
She wasn’t going to be any closer to Clint than she would be otherwise. Taylor Ranch was huge–easily twice the size of Blue Sky Ranch. But his mom had called half an hour ago and invited her to breakfast every morning . As much as she loved Vicci Taylor’s home cooking, how awkward would things be if Nora couldn’t get a handle on these wayward thoughts about Clint?
No thoughts! Her mind was going to be as empty as her gas tank that was currently running on fumes.
She parked beside Clint’s truck at the stables and hopped out. He’d backed up to the entrance, and she met him at the back of the trailer.
“You ready to ride?” he asked. “Smoke has been champing at the bit to get out.”
Nora unlatched the trailer door. “I thought your dad said Smoke cut his leg.”
“He did, but it’s mostly healed now. This is a good opportunity to see how he’s doing since we won’t be going far.”
It was easy to fall into a comfortable silence as they readied the horses to ride. The sun was just cresting over the horizon when they rode out onto the path that wound along the riverbank before veering to the north and up an incline. The morning was crisp, and the fresh air filled her to bursting.
This is what she’d missed in Texas. Sure, she’d loved the change of scenery, but there wasn’t any place in the world like home.
Home. Redemption Ridge. Taylor Ranch.
Right here.
The perimeter of her home was zeroing in, becoming more remote by the day. She could narrow it down to about fifteen acres east of the town limits.
Clint led them to a rise with a small clearing and dismounted. “Ready for a break?”
Nora checked her watch. Two hours had disappeared on the peaceful ridge. “Sure.”
Clint pulled a few things out of Smoke’s pack and handed her a thermos. “Mom made some trail mix.”
She gulped down the water and reached for the snack. Clint spread a blanket out over the ground a few yards from the horses.
“I love your mom’s trail mix.”
He waved a hand over the blanket, gesturing for her to sit. “She knows that. I don’t think she made it the whole time you were gone.”
Nora reached into the bag but didn’t grab any. Vicci had stepped up to be the mom Nora needed after her own mom skipped town. Sure, it stung that her flesh and blood just left her behind, but she hadn’t missed out on much. Vicci went to every parent-teacher conference, took her prom dress shopping, and let her rant about the mean girls at school. She’d even coached her before her first job interview.
Yeah, Vicci was the best mom Nora could have asked for, and a wave of gratefulness threatened to choke her.
Clint sat beside her and gave her shoulder a little shove. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She grabbed a handful of trail mix and passed the bag to Clint. “Just thinking about all the things I have to do today.”
Clint lay on his back and propped his hands behind his head. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll help you with everything when we get back. ”
Nora tossed a few snacks into her mouth and turned around. Clint lay with his eyes closed, and the sun shone on his tan skin. A short beard covered his jaw, and his flannel pulled tight over his chest. The muscles in his arms strained against his shirt.
Why did he have to be so attractive? It would be a lot easier if her friend was an ogre who frequently yelled “Get out of my swamp!”
Well, then they wouldn’t be friends, so the whole idea was stupid.
“You’re staring,” Clint whispered.
She whipped around, turning her back to Clint. Heat crept up her neck and cheeks. How had he even seen her with his eyes closed? “I’m not staring. I’m just thinking.”
“About what?”
“Your mom.”
Clint’s eyes popped open. “If that was your attempt at a ‘your momma’ joke, you totally butchered it.”
“No, I was thinking about how awesome she is.”
“I can’t argue with you there. The two of you are a lot alike.”
Nora shook her head and took a sip of water. “We’re nothing alike. You’re just like your mamma. You two can make a joke out of everything, and I can’t unclench long enough to even enjoy the joke.”
Clint propped up on his elbows. “That’s not what I was talking about. I mean you’re both tough as nails. You don’t quit, and you don’t let a setback define you.”
Nora reached for the bag of trail mix and closed it up. Similarities or not, her mom was a quitter, and she spent her life constantly trying to make sure she didn’t repeat history.
“Smoke seems to be doing well,” Nora said to change the subject.
“I’d say he’s made a full recovery.”
“He’s come a long way since you got him.”
Smoke came to Clint from a neglectful owner, and the horse had half a dozen health and mental issues. Clint might be impulsive in most areas of his life, but he had the patience of Job when it came to horses. They trusted him, and plenty of people had brought their horses to him for rehab.
“He’s a good one. Just needed a little extra attention. How are you feeling now?” he asked.
“Much better.” In truth, she hadn’t worried about her problems since Clint picked her and Ash up at the stables earlier.
Clint grinned. “Horses may need us for healing sometimes, but we need them too. Nothing helps get rid of stress like a quiet ride on the ridge.”
Nora scoffed. “What do you know about stress?”
“Maybe not as much as you, but I take horse training seriously.”
Nora tucked her chin. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ve seen how determined and patient you can be with the horses. And you’re right about today. I did need this, and I do feel better.”
Clint picked up his hat and fit it back on his head before tipping the brim. “Happy to be of service, ma’am.”
There he was again, being all charming and right . It wasn’t fair.
She stood and brushed off her jeans. “You ready to head home?”
He stood and picked up the blanket. “If that’s where you’re headed, I’m right there with you.”
It had been less than twenty-four hours since she moved into Clint’s house, and she was already calling it home as if she’d lived there her whole life. It certainly hadn’t escaped Clint’s notice.
When the workshop came into view, Clint pointed at the path that veered toward it. “Do you have time to stop by? I want to show you something I’ve been working on.”
The to-do list could wait. Clint had a talent when it came to woodworking, and she always loved the things he built. “Sure.”
Clint’s dad’s truck was parked out front, and Nora rode up beside the hitching post.
“What is it?” she asked as she dismounted.
“It’s a surprise,” Clint said as he slung his leg over Smoke.
The loud screech of an electric saw came from the other side of the open door, and Ash sidestepped before rearing.
“Ash, it’s okay.” Nora pulled on the lead, but the horse was in full panic mode.
Ash reared again as soon as her hooves hit the ground. This time, she turned and fell into Smoke before he could move out of the way.
Clint’s bigger horse held his ground for a second before toppling onto his side and crushing Clint beneath him.