Chapter 23 #4
Ty kept an eye on her and saw the smile spread across her face when she entered the hallway. With a bit of time to sharpen her skills, he didn’t doubt she’d accomplish anything. By the time she returned, he placed the dishes in the dishwasher and started it.
“What will we do about Ice?” she asked, entering the kitchen.
“He can go with us. Do you have your water bowl?” he asked.
“Yes, I have everything in my backpack. My leash won’t be long enough,” she said, worried.
“I have rope in the barn to extend it. My dogs stay close to the horses, and they’re used to them. We’ll teach Ice to keep to the side. If you don’t like my first option, we can place him inside the kennel here in the house,” Ty said, giving her a choice.
“If you don’t mind, I want to keep him with me. He doesn’t like it when we get separated,” she explained.
Ty took her arm and led them to his barn. When he arrived at the first stall, Scarlett heard the horse nicker to greet him.
“Scarlett, meet Hank. He’s the most intelligent animal in this place,” he bragged. “He knows the land blindfolded. I literally tell him where we’re heading, and he goes.”
“Do horses usually know where to go?” she asked.
“You control most of them by your reins and feet. Not Hank, he’s one of a kind,” he said. “Do you want to pet him? You’re in front of his stall. Turn more to your right, away from the door. I’ll give you a carrot for him.”
Scarlett did as he instructed, and he showed her how to hold the food in her hand. Hank gently took it, his lips nibbling along the skin, tickling her.
“What’s Hank’s coloring?” she asked while he nudged his head into her hand to encourage her to pet him. She stroked his face and made longer ones along his neck.
“He’s brown with white stocking feet. In the middle of his head, he has a white patch shaped almost like a star. It lets everyone know he’s special,” he said, stroking the gentle beast.
“It sounds like you and he share a great fondness for one another,” she said gently.
“My dad gifted him to me when I came home. He died shortly after and Hank became a great comfort to me. I’m sure Dad instructed him to keep an eye on me.
Once, when I cleared the pasture on the north side, I tripped and broke my arm and ankle.
I didn’t think I’d make it back home. Hank encouraged me from the fence where I tied him.
It took me forever to climb on, and he ambled toward the house until one of my helpers discovered me,” Ty explained.
“It seems in the darkest moments, Hank always comes through.”
“What a sweet story. It’s a great way to remember your dad,” Scarlett said as Ty moved her to the left and opened the stall to lead Hank from his stall to saddle him.
When he finished, Ty glanced at Scarlett. “I’ll put you on the horse. Since Ice stays to your left, I’ll tie him on the same side while we ride. I’ll climb up behind you after I close the barn.”
“Will Hank take me where I want to go?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve never let anyone else ride him. Maybe we’ll try it out and see,” Ty said, considering her idea.
He helped her onto the horse, tied Ice with a rope, and handed it to her. “I’ll let you hold his rope this time to reassure you he’s with us. Once you’re more comfortable, we can tie him to the saddle or he can follow on his own.”
Scarlett gripped the horn tightly as the horse moved, walking out of the barn.
She heard Ice following her. The doors to the barn shut, and Ty climbed on behind her.
His chest pressed against her back, and he leaned in, taking the reins.
“If you get thirsty, I have water in my saddlebag. You can hold on to the horn if it makes you feel secure, or you can place your hands on my legs to balance, whichever feels more comfortable.”
She longed to move her hands from the metal and feel the muscular thighs pressed against her legs. Yet, she kept them where they were, unsure of how it might seem if she held on to his legs. Hank walked them away from the house.
“Shall we try out your theory?” Ty asked, his breath tickling her ear.
“Ummm, what?” she said, feeling confused by her senses. His chest rubbed against her back with the horse’s movements. Ty smelled like leather and the herbs he used for cooking. The warmth of the sun gently caressed her skin, and his question sent goosebumps throughout her body.
“Ask him to take you to the lake,” he suggested.
“Hank, will you please take me to the lake?” she called to the animal.
He turned and strode in the opposite direction, making Ty chuckle. “See, I told you he’s the smartest animal ever.”
“You really didn’t steer him?” she asked, surprised.
“Nope. He’s the best,” Ty said proudly. “We’re walking on the main road to my east pasture.
We use it to take hay to the animals on this side.
The field to your right has wildflowers of all colors.
I wanted to make my garden bigger and plow it up, but my mother threatened to tan my hide for even suggesting ruining a piece of Mother Nature’s garden. ”
“Maybe she thinks it’s the only thing you can’t kill,” she teased.
Ty tickled her side, making her laugh out loud. “You and my mom will get along famously. She said something similar to me already. The left side holds my cattle. Hank will eventually turn right, bringing us to the best fishing place in Serenity.”
“How many acres do you own?” she asked.
“One hundred-twenty,” he said. “Part of it belonged to my parents and I purchased the land beside them to settle down and have a family. I love the community and how they come together. Chase’s parents set a great example when they moved here.
His dad never turned anyone down when they showed up at his door with a broken arm or sick.
His mom and mine made meals for families who needed an extra hand. ”
“Did you and Dr. Winters go to school together?”
“We did. Chase hung out with the football team. I came home from school and ranched,” he said while he stopped Hank and guided him to a tree.
“I brought dessert if you want to sit by the lake and enjoy the nice day before it gets colder. The leaves have a hint of yellow on them, but in another month, they’ll turn orange, red, and gold. ”
“I’m not ever turning down dessert,” she said as he placed his hand on her thigh, letting her know he stood beside her.
“Place your foot in the stirrup and then stand and swing your leg over. I won’t let you fall,” he assured her.
His large hands wrapped around her waist as she swung her leg over, and he gripped both sides, leading her to the ground.
She removed her foot, and he went around the horse to retrieve Ice.
He handed him over to her while he dug into his saddlebag. “Take four steps straight ahead and then three to the right, and you’ll be under the shade. I have a blanket roll on Hank, and I’ll bring it to sit on.”
“You thought of everything,” she murmured. “What did you bring me for dessert?”
“I brought seven-layer cookies,” he said, untying the blanket.
He brought it over and spread it on the ground. “Take one step and you’re on the blanket,” Ty said before sitting down. Scarlett joined him, and Ice sat beside her.
Ty opened his bag and pulled out a bottle of water.
She listened as he poured it into the bowl for her dog.
“I’m not up to date on my service dog etiquette, but I remember Allie mentioning the owner needs to give him his food.
I don’t know if it includes water, but I’m holding it directly in front of you to give to him. ”
Scarlett reached out and took it, measuring the amount with her finger. When she felt secure enough, she placed it in front of Ice. “Thank you for thinking of him.”
“He’s part of you. I can’t separate one from the other. Here’s a napkin, and I brought two pints of ice-cold milk. It’s a must with the richness of the dessert.”
“You sure know how to show a girl a good time. You feed her, take her for a ride, and then give her cookies and milk,” she teased, taking his offering.
“You’re the only person I’ve taken to the lake, and it’s the first time I’ve shared my cookies and milk. I don’t serve these at the restaurant. My mom made these for me at least once a week, and I keep this recipe for myself,” he admitted.
“Ah, it holds a memory. My mom makes miniature pies. Depending on the season, they contained different fillings. During the summertime, we got strawberry and blackberry pies. In the fall, we enjoyed apple and pumpkin pies. At Christmas, she made French silk and pecan. Spring always gave us cherry pies. It made us feel special by having our own.”
“Exactly. Can I ask what made you join the military?” he asked, placing a cookie on the napkin in her hand.
“My dad and brother served. My brother, Ryan, always pushed me to do my best. Growing up in a small town, it didn’t take long for the boys to realize I didn’t put up with their crap.
They made fun of me because Ryan taught me self-defense, and I appeared more independent than most of the girls in my class.
I grew up with a love for my country, and when one of the boys asked me if I planned to join the military as a joke, it got me thinking. ”
“You entered the military to prove him wrong?” he asked.
Scarlett scowled. “Never. I excelled better than some of the boys in gym and outran them in track. I have an eidetic memory. Once I saw something, it stuck. It helped me land the job, which I enjoyed, and earned the respect of my peers.”
“Do you miss it?” he asked softly.
“Yes. I miss my brothers and sisters, too, but I didn’t plan to re-up. I wanted to come home and work in the private sector. In fact, I got a call about a position the day I returned home. It seemed perfect,” she said wistfully.
“Then why don’t you meet with Leo? It can’t hurt to see what he has to offer,” Ty encouraged her as she bit into the gooey cookie.
“I’ll think about it. Oh, my. My taste buds have died and gone to heaven. I taste the chocolate chips and coconut, but what’s the other flavor?”
“It’s butterscotch,” he said, biting into his own.
The leaves on the tree shimmered as the wind blew, and Scarlett raised her chin, enjoying the feel of it on her face. “It’s beautiful here, very…peaceful.”
‘It’s one of my favorite spots,” he said, passing her the mason jar of milk. “Hope you don’t mind the pint glass.”
She giggled. “I’ve drunk from worse things.” Scarlett sobered. “Thank you for bringing me here. They’re holding a memorial for Debbie after the coroner finishes his report. Will you come?”
“Yes. I’m providing the food,” Ty said. “Debbie made many friends in her short time here, and I imagine everyone will come to pay their respects.”
“How can you cook for everyone if you can’t work in the kitchen?” she asked.
“Kassie volunteered the hospital’s. Debbie wanted her ashes spread in the same place as her daughter’s.
It’s close to them, and we can use the entire patio and cafeteria.
Randy will make trays for the vets who don’t want to come down to the crowds and a few teens who can’t leave their rooms. They ordered all the items from Seattle to avoid any mishaps, and one of the men will follow it to ensure it arrives untainted. ”
“Wow. How will you have the time?” she asked.
“My team volunteered to cook with me, and I’m prepping everything before the service. They’ll keep an eye on things while I attend, then I’ll return. The teens and veterans volunteered to set up extra tables and place the gas heaters outside in case it gets chilly.”
“Debbie must’ve made a big impression on people for them to do all this for her. I didn’t know her as long as the rest of you, but she always treated me like one of her kids,” Scarlett said softly, wiping her cheek. “I didn’t mean to ruin the moment. I’m touched by the way everyone pitches in.”
“Debbie consoled many of the teens and a few veterans. She always answered their calls, or they came to the center, and she’d sit with them, drink hot chocolate, and listen to their troubles.
She often visited families who didn’t have a vehicle.
If children lived there, she always packed them a few sweet treats. ”
“I can picture her doing it,” Scarlett said. “Since you’re coming to the service, do you mind picking me up? I planned to ask Kassie or one of the veterans, but I didn’t want to bother them when they knew her longer than I did.”
“It doesn’t matter how long you know someone. It’s the feeling they leave you with that counts. Debbie made everyone feel needed, loved, and cared for in her short time here. I’ve known some people all my life, and never experienced what Debbie evoked in others,” Ty murmured.
Scarlett set her glass down and screwed the lid on. “I agree with you,” she said softly.
Ty shifted closer to her, and his thumb caressed her cheek. Scarlett smiled and leaned into his hand. “You’ve made a great impression on me,” he whispered.
Scarlett felt his warm breath as he leaned in.
She tilted her head to meet his lips as he kissed her gently.
His warm tongue teased hers, leaving her wanting more.
A warm sensation traveled down her body as their tongues explored one another.
Ty pulled her closer, and she placed her hands on his chest. His heartbeat thudded rapidly against her fingertips, and his hand glided to her neck.
She wondered if he felt her pulse racing, matching his.
The kiss grew deeper, and he tasted like chocolate and butterscotch, making her senses go wild. Her hands sought the feel of his skin to see if he felt warm like her. He gently pulled her back.
“If we don’t stop now, Hank and the hands will get an eyeful. I enjoy spending time with you, but I didn’t bring you here expecting anything,” he said, his voice sounded gravely.
“I like our time together, too,” she said.
“Why don’t we head back? Do you still want to stop by Chase and Kassie’s? I want to see if they need help providing meals for the community,” he asked, pulling her to her feet.
“Yes, please,” she said as Ice jumped up and stood by her side. He packed up everything, rolled the blanket, and then led her to Hank. Ty held the stirrup while she climbed on and then handed her the rope for Ice.
When he mounted behind her, his arms brushed against her as he took the reins.
He leaned down to her ear. “Shall we see if he follows your command again?”
The warm whisper of air sent a shiver down her spine as she leaned against his chest. “Hank, take us home,” she ordered.
The horse turned around and started up the road.
Scarlett didn’t mind his leisurely pace as Ty held her safely in his arms. The accident made her leery of her surroundings, but from where she sat, she realized her command of the horse felt less like an action and more like a premonition.