Chapter 15 Eau de Horse
Eau de Horse
Wes
After two weeks in Cottonwood Creek, I’m starting to feel the rhythm of the place again. Not much has changed since my summers spent out here, and it’s a comforting feeling, as if this place exists outside of time and space. It’s a constant.
Dad’s given me my marching orders. Get the ranch ready to sell and convince Pops that’s what needs to happen in the meantime. There’s so much maintenance I need to do before my eight-week stint at Dawson Ranch is up that I’ve been kept busy all day.
Once four o’clock hits, I finally climb into the blue Chevy to head over to Sawyer’s, excitement coursing through my veins at the thought of getting to spend some more time with the horses.
The old truck smells like dust and leather, a scent that I’ve always associated with Pops, but now that this is my primary vehicle, it’s rubbing off on me, too.
Wearing the expensive cologne Hannah bought me to go tend the cattle hardly seemed necessary anymore.
No matter what I put on in the morning, I come home smelling like sweat, dirt, and manure, so I'd tossed it in the trash.
One less thing to remind me of that epic failure.
I pull up Sawyer’s gravel driveway and park, easing my door closed in case she’s already on top of the horse.
It’s a gorgeous fall day, the perfect kind of day to spend outside.
That crispness in the air lasted until almost noon, and it will be back by suppertime.
The sun has me squinting, so I flick my aviator sunglasses open and slide them on.
I can’t remember the last time I spent so much time outdoors. It’s invigorating.
Anticipation makes my skin feel taut all over as I head over to the fenced-in training area.
I love being around the horses. I’ve missed having them at Dawson Ranch.
If I can get into Sawyer’s good graces, maybe she’ll let me come by and help with the horses more often.
I remind myself to be on my best behavior today as I search for Sawyer.
I find her in the stable, tacking up Luci, and approach them with care. The horse’s nostrils flare, but he tolerates her cinching the straps.
She looks my way, that ever-present smirk on her lips as though she finds something about me being here funny. “Hey, city boy.”
The nickname rankles and I can’t help but spit out a reply. “When are you gonna knock it off with that city boy shit, Red? I haven’t looked like a city boy since my second day being here.”
She looks me up and down, her eyes snagging on my Stetson before continuing their perusal down to the cowboy boots on my feet.
She steps into my space, and my breath catches as she snatches my hand from my side.
I hiss through my teeth as she flips it over and brushes her thumb gently over the blisters decorating my palm.
My heart kicks up in my chest at her soft touch, and I swallow down the sudden burst of desire burning through me like tinder that just found a spark.
She licks her lips, and then her blue gaze finds mine, a hint of fire dancing behind it as she backs up a step. “Once all the blisters turn into callouses, then maybe I’ll consider a new nickname.”
I cock a brow and station my hands on my hips. “You’re sort of a ballbuster, you know that?”
She smirks at me again, and those blue eyes light with humor. “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Just wait until you start helping me train.”
“Can’t wait,” I mutter.
I say it, and I mean it. Something about going head-to-head with Sawyer Addams is positively enthralling. I can’t get enough of it. And while she might still despise me, I'm eager to spend more time with this woman who doles out insults like Mrs. Mackey doles out baked goods.
“Again,” Sawyer says.
She’s been on top of Luci for all of five minutes and he’s already tried to toss her from his back when I brought out the noisemakers Sawyer had set out for today’s training. She kept her cool and got him calmed down, but I’m not eager to do something that might make her get thrown.
“Are you sure about this, Red?”
“Yes. It’s exposure therapy. He’ll be fine.”
“It’s not the horse I’m worried about,” I mumble.
I sigh and make sure I’m in Luci’s line of sight before I shake the noisemaker.
He doesn’t explode the way he did the first two times we tried it, but he’s still agitated. Sawyer gently croons to the horse, making shushing noises to calm him down.
She’s graceful in the saddle no matter how agitated the horse is, like she’s done it a million times. She probably has, but that doesn’t stop me from being impressed.
I can’t take my eyes off her as she rides, her body moving effortlessly with the horse. Her flannel gaping open, to show another graphic T-shirt with the words Get Off Your High Horse in bold letters.
How many of those T-shirts does she own?
Luci settles down more quickly this time, and Sawyer nods at me. I take her cue and shake it again. This time, Luci’s reaction is minor. Sawyer corrects it, still relaxed in the saddle and Luci continues his trot around the ring.
Sawyer’s chin tips toward me, and I repeat the noise. This time Luci doesn’t react. I can’t help but smile as Sawyer praises him, rewarding him with some gentle pats to his neck. I can feel her excitement from here and it’s infectious.
She brings Luci to a stop in front of me and grins down. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile so big.”
I shake my head at her. “It’s fun watching you in your element, Red. Even more fun seeing you get excited about something.”
She slips out of the saddle elegantly, and then she’s looking up at me. “He did good today. I didn’t end up on my ass in the dirt, so I’ll take it.” She glances proudly at the horse, who looks like he’s preening.
I reach out and give him a scratch on his nose, which he seems to enjoy. “Was he the last training session today?”
She runs her fingers through his mane, her smile still bright as she nods. “I was going to brush him down and then call it a day.”
“Mind if I stick around?”
She shrugs. “Do whatever you want, city boy.”
I follow her into the stable and watch as she untacks the horse. She hisses out a pained breath as she works the buckle on the billet strap.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. My joints are just sore from holding the reins all day. I’m fine.”
“Here. I’ll do it.” I gently nudge her out of the way so I can undo the billet strap and finish untacking him.
She sighs, massaging her knuckles one at a time. “Thanks.” She glances away, looking out at the pasture where the rest of the horses are still out grazing.
Her copper hair glistens in the setting sun, making it look like it's glowing in the dim light of the stable, and her face melts from the hard-bitten mask she often wears into something more serene and relaxed. It's a side of her I haven't gotten to see yet.
I put the saddle away and grab the grooming kit from the tack room.
Sawyer sits on the little wooden bench and her eyes drift closed.
Her face looks drawn and tired. The tough as nails veneer has dropped and I get to see a tiny glimmer of vulnerability.
Sawyer with her guard down is a beautiful sight to see, and I want more of it.
She must feel my stare because her eyes open, and her gaze immediately swings my way. She sees the curry comb in my hand and gets up off the bench to take it from me.
“Do you mind if I do it?” I tip my head toward the horse.
She shoots me a questioning look. If I tell her she looks like she's about to fall over, her pride would get in the way of her letting me do her a favor.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had the privilege of grooming one. You could go in and shower or something. No offense. You kind of stink.” That last part is a lie. She smells like horses, but I’ve always loved that smell.
Her eyes narrow at me. “It’s eau de horse. You smell just as bad as I do.”
I grin because she’s right. I actually smell worse. The scent of cows isn’t nearly as nice as that of horses. “I’ll go home and shower when I’m done.”
“Alright,” she relents, handing the comb back to me. “But I’ll stay. I don’t trust you not to mess something up.”
“Wow. You really don’t think much of me if you think I could mess this up.” I chuckle when she doesn’t answer and get to work on Luci’s dark coat.
It’s quiet in here with the rest of the horses still out in the pasture.
I talk to Luci softly about what I’m doing and let myself relax as I use the comb to loosen up the dirt before switching it out for a brush that I work over his coat until it shines.
He snorts at me when I get to work on his mane that has some burs tangled in, and I smile.
“You’ll feel better once I’m done. Then you’ll go out and roll in the burs again, and we’ll be back at it, won’t we? ”
I can feel Sawyer’s attention on me, but I don’t pay her any mind. Grooming Luci is helping me unwind.
I’d forgotten how good it felt to be on top of a horse until I rode Cash the other day. And yeah, I was saddle sore and everything ached, but I was also invigorated.
“You’re good with him,” Sawyer murmurs behind me.
I spare her a glance, noting that she’s still massaging her knuckles. “Horses are easy. It’s people I have a hard time with.”
I’m gifted with a smile. “I guess you and I are similar in that regard.”
My lips tick up at the corners. “You? Not good with people? I don’t believe it,” I say, my tone thick with sarcasm.
She grants me an impassive look before resting her head on the stable wall and closing her eyes.
“Are you feeling okay? You look a little pale.”
She gestures to her red hair. “I’m a ginger. I'm always pale.”
I snort. “Not when you’re mad. Then you get red everywhere. And you always have some color in your cheeks, even when you’re not in a temper.”
“I’m fine. Just tired.”
My gaze sweeps over her, trying to discern whether to believe her.
“Stop staring at me,” she snaps.
I smirk and turn back to the horse. "So, does this training facility of yours have a name? I didn't see a sign out front."
She shrugs. “Never really thought one up. Most of my business comes from word of mouth. People just pass along my name and number.”
I shake my head. “Every good business needs a name.”
She brushes a copper strand of hair from her face. “Well, when you come up with something worth carving into a sign, let me know.”
I grin, tucking that challenge away for later. “You got any plans for dinner?”
She eyes me suspiciously. “You trying to score another free meal?”
I chuckle. “No. I was actually thinking it’s about time I start paying you back for everything you’ve done for Pops. I’ve come to the conclusion that I owe you a hell of a lot more than you owe me.”
For a split second, something soft flickers in her expression, but she masks it quickly.
“Well,” she muses, “I’m not one to turn down a hot meal.”
“Good. Because I’m not one to half-ass a thank you.” She tilts her head, finally meeting my gaze, a hint of amusement curving her lips. "You gonna take me out to dinner?"
I shake my head. “I’m gonna cook for you.”
Her eyes widen in surprise, and they look so blue that I’m half-tempted to take her outside to see if they match the color of the sky.
“Is this your attempt at poisoning me?”
“Give me some credit. I’d never poison someone I still owe about a million favors to. I’ll make sure we’re even first.”
I wouldn’t try to poison her at least. I hope Pops had something at his house I can grill because I don’t exactly know my way around the kitchen.
A little bit of color comes back into her cheeks as she smiles. “Well then, I’ve gotta see this.”