Chapter 4
T he loud sounds of whoops and yells disturb me, and when I open my eyes, I sigh in depression when I remember where I am.
Wade’s putting on a show for all the cowboys in the huge corral that’s closest to the house. He’s got a smart grin on his face as he holds on tight to the front of his saddle, and gets thrown around by a horse that looks like it doesn’t want to be ridden.
His audience sit on the fence surrounding him, cheering him on and laughing with each other. It’s far too early for this much enthusiasm, but figuring I don’t stand a chance of getting back to sleep, I head down to the kitchen to grab a coffee.
The house seems empty, which suits me fine. I’d much rather wallow in my misery alone. There is however, coffee in the pot, so I navigate around the cupboards to try and find a mug to put it in.
“Top left,” the deep, husky voice that comes from behind me has me spinning around, and when I see Garrett standing in the doorway, wearing blue jeans and a tight gray shirt, I have to convince my eyes not to stare at his solid chest.
“Sorry?” He’s so good to look at that I realize I completely missed what he just said.
“I figured you were looking for a mug for that coffee?” his eyes drop to the pot I'm holding in my hand.
“If you are, you’ll find one in the top left cupboard.”
He moves forward and stretches his arm up over my head, and when that chest I’m trying not to look at is suddenly right in my face, all I can think about is reaching my hands up and seeing if it feels as solid as it looks.
“You missed breakfast.” He places the mug on the counter before leaning back and resting his ass against the basin.
“How did I miss breakfast? It’s only just after eight?” I laugh, turning my back to him so I can take a breath as I pour my coffee, then head to the refrigerator to find some cream.
“Half the day’s gone by eight,” he points out, and when I slam the refrigerator door shut, I notice the few extra scrapes on his hands and the bruise on his left cheek. I decide not to mention them as I don’t want him to think I’m paying attention.
“So, what is there to do around here?” I add the cream to my coffee, and when I start searching for a spoon, he’s already holding one out for me.
“Plenty, if you don’t mind hard work.” He watches me stir, like he’s critiquing my every move and it should piss me off, but it doesn’t. If anything, I kinda like it.
“Well, I’m not here to work. In fact, if I had my way, I wouldn’t be here at all.”
“You couldn’t have made that any clearer if you tried.” When his eyes narrow and his brow scrunches together, I feel my insides clench. “But I’ll give you a heads up for while ya here.” He steps even closer to me, resting his hands on the counter either side of my hips and caging me in.
“Be fucking nice.” The hint of threat in his whisper makes my skin shiver.
“And if I’m not?” I stare up into his cold, dark eyes with the intention to prove I’m not afraid of him, but I forget all that when I notice the tiny fleck of green in them.
“Then this will be the longest summer of your fucking life.”
He shoves himself off the counter and heads back out the door, and I wait until I hear the front door slam before I allow myself to breathe again.
Since I missed breakfast, I decide to make my own, and after locating a bowl, I put together a fruit salad and sit up at the breakfast bar to eat it.
“Mornin’,” Wade steps in a few minutes later, covered in dust, taking off his hat and pulls his hand through his hair.
“Morning yourself.” I roll my eyes, wondering how the hell I'm gonna manage an entire summer in this place.
“Take it you ain’t a mornin’ person?” he chuckles as he heads for the coffee machine, and after realizing it's empty, he takes a water from the fridge instead.
I don’t answer his question, just keep on eating.
“The folks went into town to meet with the wedding organizer.” He continues to make an effort with me, and I give him nothing back. All I can think about is all the fun Annie and Jeorgie will be having without me.
“Jeez, you got your period or are you always this happy?” Wade shakes his head as he laughs, and I drop my spoon into my bowl and stare at him viciously.
“My whole life’s been disrupted for this stupid, fucking marriage, so forgive me for being a little pissed off with life right now.”
Wade seems unaffected by my outburst, and when he smiles, it irritates the hell out of me.
“I get that, and these hills feel a million miles from the ones in L.A. But for now, they’re all you got to look at. Drop the attitude, and who knows? You might even find yourself having some fun.”
When I notice his split lip and the slight swelling of his right eye, I study him more curiously.
“Did you get into a fight?” I ask, because questioning Wade seems so much easier than it would Garrett. With him, I can barely get any words out at all.
“Summat like that,” he smiles, picking up an apple from the bowl and tossing it in his hand before he heads back out, and leaves me alone.
* * *
It’s just past midday before my boredom level reaches its peak.
I’ve explored the house. I’ve tried watching the shit they put on the tv during the day, and none of my friends are answering their phones, which I’m guessing is because they’re busy enjoying summer.
And as much as it pains me, I finally admit to defeat and drag myself off the couch to go and locate Wade.
Taking a quick glance around the yard, I see plenty of cowboys, but I don’t see him. The tall, stocky guy, who’s shifting hay from the back of a truck into one of the barns, stops to lift his hat to me, and I fake him a smile before moving on to check the stables.
I’ve never actually been in a stable before, and I’m surprised that I find the smell in here almost inviting. There are eight stalls altogether, and I’m immediately drawn to the black stallion, whose head is hanging over the stall door to my left.
He carries an obnoxious presence, but he’s beautiful, and I decide that if I’m gonna touch him, I’m better off approaching him with confidence.
My fingers shake a little as I hold them out to him, and just before I touch his snout, he shakes his head and makes a loud brrrrrrr that has me leaping backward.
I don’t even have to turn around to figure out that the smug laugh coming from behind me belongs to Wade.
“That’s Thunder, he’s Garrett’s horse,” Wade steps up beside me and raises his arm to tap the horse's thick, muscular neck.
“Figured the arrogant bastard would belong to him,” I smirk, as I stroke my fingers through his mane. Wade must agree with my analysis because he laughs.
“So, did you come out here just to look, or do you wanna have some real fun?” He dares me, and I figure I should at least give his idea of fun a shot….
Ten minutes later, I’m walking out towards the corral with Wade, leading the fully-saddled horse that I’m apparently going to ride.
“This isn’t the same one you were riding this morning, is it?” I double-check, nervously.
“No, darlin’. This one’s broken,”
“You’re giving me a broken one?” I stare back at him in horror, and the way he shakes his head and huffs a laugh at me, irritates me.
“Broken in , it means she’s tame,” he strokes at her brown and white nose. “I broke her in myself, so I know she’s a safe bet. Jump up, Princess.” He stops when we get to the center, and when he taps the saddle, I look around me expectantly.
“You want me to just jump on?” Now it’s my turn to laugh. There’s no way I’m getting on this horse, unaided.
“Here. This is a stirrup,” he grabs the part hanging off the saddle, that I assume I’ve got to put my foot into, “put your left foot in, grip here…” he takes my hand and forces it on the front part of the saddle to demonstrate, “…and then swing yourself on.” He explains like it’s a simple task.
“There’s no way I’m getting up there!” The horse’s back is level with my chin. It’s impossible.
“C’mon, I’ll give ya a foot up.” Wade helps me get my foot in the stirrup, and without any warning, he pushes under my ass and lands me on the saddle.
“That was not a foot up. That was an excuse to touch my ass.” I glare down at him as I try to find myself a more comfortable position.
“No.1, get your head out the gutter, we’re practically brother and sister, and no. 2, Wade Carson never makes excuses.” He keeps the cocky grin on his face as he makes some adjustments to those stirrup things, and I grip hold of the reins, taking some calming breaths to prepare myself.
“Now, Gem here knows what she's doing, so let her lead you while you find your balance. I got her, so she’s not going anywhere.” He shows me the long rope in his hand that’s attached to her head piece.
“Okay.” I nod, trying to show some confidence, and when Wade makes a clicking sound, I grip the saddle a little tighter when the horse starts to move.
“Relax your body, loosen your hips and let yourself move with her,” he instructs, and I follow.
“Now, hold the reins in your left hand and tug gently.” When I do as he says, the horse immediately stops.
“Good start…” Wade flashes me that wide grin, and it feels kinda good that I got it right. “Now to tell her to move on, squeeze her belly with your calves and give her the command,”
I tense my legs and try to replicate the noise Wade made to get her going, and to my surprise, I pull it off, and she starts walking again.
“Like that?” I feel the smile lift my cheeks. I can’t help feeling a little proud of myself, and although riding a horse isn’t something that I’ve ever had on my bucket list, I think it’s kinda cool.
“It’s a start,” Wade steps further away, giving us more rope, and I continue to ride in a slow circle around him. Eventually, he makes that circle even wider, and my confidence continues to grow as my body starts to fall in sync with the horse’s movements.
“You wanna go faster?” Wade asks, and as I nod enthusiastically, the thrill swells in my stomach.
“Ok, it’s gonna feel a little different, but just keep doing what you're doing and let your body follow hers. If you feel yourself going off balance, keep the reins in your hands, but grip the front of your saddle.
“This bit?” I take hold of the thing sticking up between my legs.
“That’s the one. Now do exactly what you did to get her walking, and she’ll know what to do.”
I squeeze my legs a little tighter and click her on, and she immediately changes pace. Wade’s, right, it does feel different, and when I feel myself slipping slightly on the saddle, I hold myself firm and try to adapt to the new rhythm.
“That’s good. Keep going. We might make a cowgirl out of you yet…” he teases, and I snigger at him as I continue to do laps of the corral. I didn’t expect it, and I sure don’t want to admit it, but I’m actually starting to enjoy myself.
I catch a glimpse of Garrett out of the corner of my eye, he’s resting his arms on the fence and watching me with that usual judgemental stare of his.
I pretend not to see him, straightening my back and holding my head a little higher.
I won’t be intimidated by him, not one bit. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
“Now you’re just showing off.” I blush when Wade totally calls me out, and after making a subtle glance over my shoulder to where Garrett was standing, I realize he’s gone, and I can’t help feeling a little disappointed.