Chapter 11 #2
When I dared to open my eyes, the cows were running off into the distance, taking their cloud of dirt with them.
I inhaled a shuddering breath and looked down to make sure everything was still there.
Feet. Knees. Hands. I was intact, at least physically.
As the realization of what had just happened set in, my legs shuddered, and I looked for something to grab onto for support.
Fortunately, there was a low fence nearby, and I sagged against it, clutching onto a post with both hands.
“Lauren!” Matthew’s voice rang out as he sprinted toward me. I’d never been so happy to see someone in my life. “You alright?”
When he was close enough, I launched myself at him, flinging my arms around his waist in a hug he clearly hadn’t anticipated, as he swayed backwards on impact. I needed to hold onto something solid. Something that wasn’t trying to kill me.
“Cows.” His broad chest muffled my words as I clung to him with all my might.
Tenderly, he wrapped his arms around me, smoothing one hand over the back of my head. “I’m so sorry. Someone left a gate open today. They don’t normally get in here, and they got spooked by something.”
Sensing that he was about to let go, I pulled him closer. He smelled like fresh hay and Ivory soap, a surprisingly heady combination. “They ran straight for me.”
“They weren’t trying to hurt you, I promise.” He caressed my back in soothing circles. “You’re safe now.”
A horrifying image of the cows trampling the Jernigan children ran through my head. “Don’t you need to go round them up?”
“Tyler and Walt are on it. Walt is the one who radioed to say they’d gotten in.”
“Oh.” Even though I would have been perfectly happy to spend the rest of the evening in his arms, I reluctantly released him and stepped back. He must have thought I was a loon, latching onto him that way. “I’m alright now. Sorry for jumping at you like that.”
I looked up at him, afraid that he would wear an awkward expression because of what I’d done. Female guests probably didn’t violently hug him every day. Instead, what I saw in Matthew’s eyes was heat, the same kind I felt when I was around him.
“You can jump at me any time.”
His deep voice created an ache low in my belly. Desire pinged between us…
Cows are back in the pasture. Sorry about that. Guest left a gate open. Over.
I looked around, but it was Walt’s voice blasting through the walkie attached to Matthew’s belt.
Matthew sighed and brought the walkie toward his mouth. “Thanks, Walt.” He attached it to his belt again, and his voice took on a more businesslike tone. “Are you sure you’re okay? Can I have someone bring a cup of tea to your cabin?”
Before I could answer, Gigi ran toward us, her glasses askew on her little face. “Dad! Dad! Did you get them?”
“Everything is okay,” he assured her as she arrived at his side, messy-haired and panting hard. “The herd is back where they belong, but Lauren got a little scare.”
Gigi nodded. “You’re not used to cows.” She wasn’t asking me, she was telling me. And she was right.
“No, I’m not. I bet you are, though.”
She nodded. “Yeah, but I like horses a lot better.”
“Me too, Gigi.” I gave her a shaky smile. “Me too.”
She tilted her head to one side. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Gigi—” Matthew started.
“I have no plans,” I said, interrupting him.
“Let’s go on a ride, just you and me. Dad has a full schedule.”
“I’d love that.” It was true. I preferred Gigi’s company to riding with a group of other people.
“Cool.” She was acting blasé, but I could tell she was excited. “What time?”
“I know you’re an excellent rider,” Matthew said to her, “but you can’t take guests out alone yet. Walt can lead you two.”
She looked so forlorn that I had to do something. “Maybe you can help me pick out an outfit for the dance after we ride and teach me a few steps so I don’t make a fool of myself.”
Gigi kicked the dirt. “Okay. I still think I’m old enough to lead a ride though.”
Matthew patted her shoulder. “Give it a couple years, and you’ll be leading rides, honey. I promise.”
I could have stayed and chatted with them all night, but I knew he had to get her to bed, and, frankly, I needed a moment to relive the stampede and freak out in the privacy of my cabin. Then, something terrible dawned on me.
“Matthew, I think it was me. I probably left the gate open. I was taking pictures during my hike this morning, and I got distracted by this beautiful bird. I might be the one who let the cows in.”
He put a hand on my shoulder, and even that small touch grounded me as I whirled with panic.
“It’s okay,” he said softly. “These things happen. No harm was done.”
“I feel so bad, though.” I was the type of person who could ride this guilt trip for hours if I let myself.
“I’ve done it before,” Gigi said. “Don’t worry, Lauren. As Dad says, shit happens.”
“Gigi!” Matthew pressed his hand to his forehead, clearly mortified.
“That’s one way to put it.” I tried to suppress my laughter and failed. The tension in my body uncoiled. “Thanks for being so understanding. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“I hope you get some good rest tonight,” he said.
Gigi waved to me. “See you tomorrow at breakfast.”
As they walked away, Matthew put an arm around her shoulder, and a lump formed in my throat.
He was a good dad. A really good dad, admirably committed to running his family’s ranch.
After being married to a man whose only passions were sailing, spending money and sleeping with beautiful women, it was refreshing to meet someone with values like my own.
Unfortunately, I’d have to settle for being his friend, and not let it go any further than that.
Then again, I couldn’t help what my late night imagination would do with him, alone in my room with the curtains drawn. That was a whole different story.