Chapter Fifteen
His thighs stretch over the back of his horse, the material of his jeans molding to the shape of him, the muscles that fill them out, and his white shirt clings to his torso, showing the way he flexes.
One firm hand holds the reins, while the other rests on his thigh, his hips working as he trots through the ring, eyes on his students as they follow his instructions.
He’s calm, focused, the brim of his dark brown cowboy hat casting a shadow down his face, hiding those whiskey eyes.
I should be working; instead, I’m stroking Loni and practically drooling.
I have no excuse for why I’m doing it, no reasoning other than the fact that Silas Knight is a work of art.
Strong, capable, but kind and gentle all at the same time.
I shouldn’t be looking at him the way I am, really, I should be running in the opposite direction, swearing off men entirely after what Cal put me through but it’s hard to ignore the tug I feel in my stomach, a rope that pulls taut whenever Silas is near.
Loni nudges me when my hand pauses, demanding that I continue to pet her. I mean, it’s the least I can do since I’m using her body as a shield so I can continue to stare at her owner.
Dottie is in the paddock beside the training ring, with enough space between them she doesn’t get spooked by all the people and activity, but close enough for her to observe and become accustomed to all the noise that will come with living on this ranch.
The difference between Knight Falls Ranch and Cal’s is night and day.
It’s clear these people don’t play around with the well-being of their animals, not like Cal did.
It made me sick watching how he treated them.
He never hurt an animal physically, but he also didn’t care enough to ensure they were treated as they should be.
Silas moves out of my view, his deep voice cutting through the space between here and the ring, an order to wrap up for the day. Panic runs through me. I’ve barely gotten anything done that I was supposed to. Shit.
Loni tosses her head back as I start rushing around, dancing in the small stall we’re both in together.
“Slacking on the first day,” I whisper-hiss to the horse, “I need to get a grip.”
Loni huffs a breath.
“I know,” I start for the door where I’d left the bags of feed I’d hauled through earlier. “It’s my fault.”
Pulling the utility knife from the belt I’d found earlier, I cut into the feed, groaning as I lift and empty some into Loni’s bucket.
“I mean, can you blame me?” I ask the mare, “You’ve seen him, right?”
“Who are you talking to?” The feminine voice catches me off guard, and a squeal escapes me as I jump about three feet into the air and drop all the feed onto the ground, the grains scattering across the dusty floor.
“Oh, shit!” They rush out and before I can get my bearings, a woman I haven’t met before is running toward me, the wild, auburn curls around her head bouncing. She’s wearing a Knight Falls Ranch branded tee tucked into tight jeans worn beneath a pair of beige chaps, her boots scuffed up and dirty.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you.” The woman rushes out, cringing at the mess on the floor.
I press my hand to my chest, “I thought I was alone.”
“So you were talking to the horses?” She asks.
“Don’t you?” She clearly works with them, but I don’t know how anyone can be alone with these creatures and not want to talk to them. They’re such intelligent animals, and sure, the conversations are entirely one-sided, but I like to believe they can understand some of what I am saying.
“I just try not to get caught,” the woman jokes, tossing her head to the side to look me over, eyes pausing on the bruising but not for long. “Are you new here?”
“Uh,” I fidget, “I guess so.”
“Me too,” she grins and shoves her hand out in offering. “I’m Ada Walsh, the new cutter. I was actually just coming to check out the stables for Granger.”
“Granger?” I question.
“My cutting horse, he’s how I got the job after all.”
“Sorry, I’m confused,” I frown. “What’s a cutting horse?”
Ada grins wide, “I am so glad you asked.”
I barely manage to keep up as she explains exactly what she and Granger do, pulling out her cell to show me videos of the two of them.
She singles out a single cow from the middle of the herd and somehow, she and her horse work as if they share one brain, shifting and moving until the cow is completely separated from the herd.
I’ve never seen a horse move the way Granger does; he’s agile and quick, able to get low and predict the cow’s every move, cutting off every direction it attempts to go.
“I’ve done a few shows here and there,” she goes on, “only amateur, of course. I’m no professional, but hopefully now we can practice some more here on the ranch.”
“I have never seen anything like that,” I admit, “It looks intense.”
“It can be,” she admits, “But me and Granger have been doing this for years, we trust each other and ultimately, all the skill is in the horse, I’m just going along for the ride.”
I listen as she keeps talking, telling me about the competitions she’s won with Granger, how she applied for the position here on the ranch while we clean up the feed from the ground, dumping it since it’s now too dirty to be used.
I show her to the stall that’s empty and assume it’s the one Granger will be given whenever he arrives.
“Well, since we’re both new to town, maybe we should go grab lunch or something?” Ada asks. “Be nice not to navigate this place alone.”
I nod quickly and then realize how desperate that may look. I lost any friends I did have when I first got with Cal, but a friend right now sounds too good to give up. “Yeah, sure.” I try to be cool. “That sounds good.”
The woman grins.
“Oh, I’m Juni,” I rush out, “I don’t think I said.”
“It was good to meet you, Juni,” Ada starts to walk off. “I’ve gotta meet the truck for Granger soon, but I’ll see you around!”
I watch her leave, her mess of auburn hair setting alight the moment she steps out into the summer sun but I’m not alone for long when Silas comes around the corner, leading Mars by a rope and then I remember how little I achieved today.
My cheeks burn with it, and I glance around, unsure how I’m meant to explain why I didn’t get everything I needed to get done.
“That’s it for the day,” Silas doesn’t seem disappointed even though it’s very clear I did nothing. “I’ve got to get the kids from the nanny, but it’s family dinner at the main house tonight.”
“Oh, right,” I nod. “Okay. I’ll just see you later then?”
“You’re invited, Juni,” he says softly. “You can come with me to grab the kids if you want to.”
“Are you sure?”
He smiles, his eyes dragging down me in a way that feels like he’s stripping me bare. “Go get ready; we need to leave in forty minutes.”
He turns around and leads Mars away, but I stand for a while longer, wondering just how the hell I am meant to survive Silas Knight.