Chapter 13 A Mask?
A mask?
Sophia
“What the fuck?” My fists settle against my hips as I watch my horse steal more shitty alfalfa from the adjoining pen. “First I get shoved into the corner, now they feed their crappy hay close enough that Misty can reach it?” I throw up my hands and stomp past Rachel.
I swear she’s fighting a smile.“At least it isn’t grain she’s getting into.” Rachel shrugs, turning on her heel to follow me.
“April helped me come up with a very specific diet. I don’t want to screw everything up with my mare getting colic all of the sudden,” I grumble, scanning the massive livestock pens to see if I can find the lot manager.
“Delbert!” I call out loud enough that several heads turn.
But his grizzled beard also pivots to point in my direction. “Yep?” he yells back.
I wave him over, my arm looking like one of those frantic blow up characters in front of a car lot.
“Yes, Miss Sophia?” His bushy gray brows raise.
I think he got this job because of his diplomacy, not his ability.
“I need to talk to the people who have the pen next to mine. My horse is eating their feed.” My fingers flap, gesturing at him to come with me.
He falls into step, his soles of his boots thudding against the packed dirt. “I doubt they’d mind. Just toss a little back every now and then.”
“That’s not the point, Delbert.” I’m trying really hard not to get frustrated with him. “My mare is on a very strict regimen. I need you to ask them to put their feeder on the other side of the pen.”
The wrinkles around his nose deepen with his frown. “I really don’t think it’s—”
“It is important,” I protest, facing him as I walk. “Please, can you just talk to—”
I bounce off a broad chest and nearly stumble backwards until I’m caught with a warm palm.
“Oliver, Miss Sophia was looking for you.” Delbert’s cheek tugs up in a hint of a smile.
Great. Just fucking great.
“Is that so?” Oliver’s dark eyes narrow as his steadying hand drops from my elbow.
“You have the pen next to mine?” I should have known.
He steps away from me, his broad brimmed black hat bobs as he nods.
“Well, Misty is eating their food and I need you to move it away from the fence line.” I can feel my jaw jut slightly as I look up at him. “Please?” I add sharply for emphasis.
“I don’t mind, we brought plenty of extra hay for the week.” His shoulders rise and fall in his snug t-shirt.
“That’s not the point.” I want to stomp or pull out my hair with how dense these men are. “I’m very careful with what she eats.”
“So you don’t want me to use the feeder that’s built in place, but rig up something on the opposite side?” Oliver’s arms cross his chest, covering the spot I ricocheted off of just a moment ago. “Did you happen to bring any extra lumber, Miss Sophia?”
I mimic his pose, boosting my chin as I glare up at him. “Don’t be ridiculous. Are you saying you didn’t even bring a net?” I don’t know what kind of horseman doesn’t have back up plans.
“Delbert? I need to change pens.” I stop the manager before he slinks away.
“I’m sorry.” He holds up his palms in surrender. “We’re full up, Miss Sophia.”
Fucking hell. My teeth grind, I’m clenching them so hard.
“What if we switch?” Oliver’s finger flicks between the two gates. “Mine might steal a little from yours, but she won’t be able to reach that feeder.” He points at the far side.
Then he flashes a grin. “I won’t even stress about my geldings eating your fancy shit.”
“I didn’t bring enough for three horses.” Yet I don’t see any other way that this will work.
“My boys are like bulldogs, they’ll be too lazy to go after your high octane stuff. Your only other option is to let her take a little of mine and hope she doesn’t get a gut ache,” Oliver grunts. “Much like the one I’m getting over this conversation.”
Asshole.
I might not say the word, but I have no doubt it’s written all over my face.
“Fine,” I mutter.
“I’ll help,” Rachel adds. “I’ll take her for a walk around the area until you’re done.”
I try to give her my most genuine smile.
By the time we finish moving the stacked bales from one holding area to the other, I’m hot and cranky.
Oliver has barely broken a sweat, and he hauled three times as many as I did.
Must be nice to have all those muscles.
Too bad they’re wasted on such a jerk.
When Misty gets put into her new stall, she goes directly to try and sniff out the remnants of the old alfalfa.
“My ex-wife was like that,” Oliver muses as he wipes his palms over the hips of his Wranglers. “Always wanted what she couldn’t have.”
Rachel leans against the fence, propping her toe on the bottom edge as she watches Oliver saunter away. “Whew, if I was single—”
“Gross. Let’s go get some curly fries, I only have an hour until we get the arena.” My thigh hurts where I broke my leg from lifting the heavy bales.
But there was no way I was going to whine.
“So, you’re all fired up over what your horse eats while you go for the greasy stuff?” she chuckles, falling into stride next to me.
“I’m pretty healthy at home. I need some comfort food.” I pluck a leaf of alfalfa from her auburn braid. “My treat.”
TheBigO: I hope Colorado is treating you well?
RacingQueen: Haha, north of there. Rough start to the day, but getting better now. Only thing that would make it better is if we were in the same zip code.
TheBigO: That’s my girl.
His text makes my pulse pound in my ears.
I’m not sure when exactly it happened, but I think I am his. At least until we meet and figure out if we even can stand each other.
“Looks like you’re not single either.” Rachel points with her fry at my phone while waggling her eyebrows.
“Kinda? Is it weird to like someone this much that I’ve never met?” I set my screen down to focus on my food.
She shrugs, biting off the end of her shoestring potatoes. “I think the parts we all fall in love with are between the ears. The rest is gravy if there’s a real connection.”
“What happens if the in-person stuff is a bust?” I swirl my next bite in ketchup, secretly hoping that it doesn’t end up that way.
“We have so much in common. I’m just worried that we’d take one look at each other and he’d say no.” I don’t think I’m ugly.
But sometimes people just don’t vibe.
Rachel nearly chokes. “You’re joking, right? Fine, maybe your first meet up you should both wear masks.” Her laughter carries over the picnic tables and echos off the metal bleachers. “Then you’d know. And I better hear all about it afterwards.”
RacingQueen: I have a new book recommendation.
TheBigO: A new favorite?
RacingQueen: Yep. A masked man. A mystery, like us.
TheBigO: I’m game.
“Well?” She pauses, tilting her head as she waits.
“I think it’ll work.” With a flourish of a stiff fry, I wave it through the air like a wand. “It’s gonna be magical.”
Rachel crumples up her wrapper and stands, holding out her hand for my empty container. “When is the big moment?”
My belly tightens in anticipation. I know I can’t delay forever.
“Soon. I think before I go home?” That means within the next couple of days.
Holy crap.
Her eyes widen. “Wow. Does he know you’re here?”
“Nope. I hope he likes horses.” Pushing up from the wooden seat, my leg aches and I haven’t even started riding yet.
“Oh boy. He’s in for a rude awakening if he doesn’t. Speaking of, let’s go get Misty saddled. I want to show you some warm ups that can help her be more limber.”
I feel like I’m just going through the motions as I put my mare through the exaggeration exercises.
Every thought keeps turning back to him.
Now that I’ve decided, I can’t wait.