Chapter 6
Corrine
I had kept watching the clock at the bottom of the computer screen. I wanted to be able to run out of the building and race to Stormy. To be able to officially call the mare mine, was a dream come true.
And now, all of the dreams that I had held, would now be possible.
The adventures I wanted to take with Stormy were along the lines of competing in a Barrel Race, competing in Endurance Rides, and seeing where any long ride will lead us.
However, the main adventure I wanted to take was to have Stormy believe in me.
Just as I believe in Stormy. To have that bond that only comes once in a lifetime.
Sure, when Stormy followed me without the lead rope, that showed that Stormy trusted me, but that was also all before Stormy had been sold as well. We needed to form a new bond so that there will never be any doubt in her mind that she isn’t going anywhere.
The moment the minute changed to three in the afternoon, I turned off my monitor and raced to the front lobby.
Out the front door, I went as I hauled my butt to my car.
The moment my back hit my seat, the door closed, I had the engine started.
Fifteen minutes later I pulled up in front of the stable where Stormy was held.
Grabbing my boots from the back seat, I quickly slipped out of the little wedges I had on and pulled on my boots.
Since it was mostly casual where I worked, they didn’t much care what we wore but we had to look somewhat like we knew what the heck we were doing.
When I made my way to the stables, I hadn’t seen Stormy in her stall, so I made my way out to the pasture.
And that was when I saw her.
As if she knew the minute I was there, her head picked up, she whinnied, and then her hoofs pounded the ground to get to me.
“Stormy.” I cooed at her as I reached my hand through the gate and rubbed her nose.
I jumped when I heard, “She’s missed you.” That was Parker. Travis’ foreman.
“I’ve missed her.” I told him truthfully.
“Is there a round pen or an open space where I can ride her?” I asked him.
“Ma’am. It ain’t in my place to tell clients what they can and can’t do. But ma’am she ain’t broke. She’s wild.”
“And she will never be tamed or broke. But you didn’t answer my question.” Just because I was young and, in my profession, some people thought that they could run right over me.
Nope. Not this girl. Not this woman.
“But...” Whatever Parker was about to say was cut off when Travis came riding upon a beautiful buckskin.
“Afternoon.” He tipped his black Stetson at me.
I nodded back as I asked him. “Is there somewhere that I can ride Stormy? Somewhere where we will be out of the way.”
“Boss, I have already told her.” Whatever the man was about to say had been cut short when Travis looked at him with death in his eyes.
Well.
Then he pointed over to a stretch of land that was mirrored to the pasture the mares were all kept in, “You can ride her over there.”
Smiling I nodded back and then I moved around Parker who seemed a little white in his face. Serves the man right.
I opened the gate for Stormy and then she walked through prancing. She knew what was about to happen.
The moment I had the gate closed back I saw the opening in the fence between the stable that led to that stretch.
With a smile, I jogged, and Stormy was right on my heels.
“You ready girl?” I asked her when I came to a stop on the other side.
And then she did what she always did when we were free reining, she knelt down and laid on her belly with her legs and hoofs underneath her.
I climbed on her back and laid down on her as I attempted to wrap my arms around her neck.
When Stormy stood I smiled.
I had missed this.
With glee, I grabbed a hold of a section of Stormy’s mane, and then I clicked at her.
Like a bullet out of a gun, we were off.
As the wind whipped at my hair while Stormy’s hoofs ate up the ground, I felt free. I felt alive.
There was no other feeling quite like the feel of being on a horse’s back, riding free with the wind.
Around and around the massive stretch of land we rode. Stormy never once eased off her pace and I didn’t dare tell her to.
Just as we crested over the next rise, Stormy slowed.
And then she slowed even slower to a walk.
As soon as we made it to the stables, I slid off. Yes, I was going to be walking funny the next two days, but this was worth it.
I led her to her stall, locked her door, and then I gave her a little water in her bucket.
After I grabbed a brush and a curry comb I got to work.
This had been our ritual. If we rode, she got a rub down. If we did anything, heck she still got a rub down.
When I had ridden in on Stormy, I had missed the men that were gathered at the railing of a corral.
I hadn’t realized what I had started.
I also hadn’t seen the look of pride in one set of deep hazel eyes.
And I hadn’t noticed the look of surprise, shock, and respect in about twenty other pairs of eyes.
After I finished with Stormy, I walked over to Travis as he was looking over some papers on a clipboard, “Dinner?”
“Nah. One of the men’s wives brought a dish of beef stew earlier today.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in two days or so and make a few meals that you can reheat in the oven.”
“I’ll walk you to your car.” Today, Travis had on a pair of wrangler jeans that hugged that butt like they were sculpted and made just for him. He had on a light blue jean shirt with his sleeves rolled to his forearms which were his normal.
As soon as we made it to my car, I had stopped dressing the man down with my eyes, until I saw it.
Was that a tattoo?
My fingers itched to reach up and trace that design to wherever it leads. Get it a grip Matthews.
I hadn’t locked my doors, so Travis reached down and opened my door for me.
“Thank you.” But as I turned my head to look at him while I climbed into my car, he was holding a hundred-dollar bill.
“Seems you left this underneath the peach cobbler.” He had a knowing grin on his face.
“Travis. It isn’t right. I know how much you charge. On top of that, what you did for Stormy. I’ll…” Whatever I was about to say was quieted when he placed one thick muscular finger over my mouth.
“Darlin’ I’ll see you in a few days.” Then he placed the hundred-dollar bill in my hand that was holding onto the door frame.
That night in bed, dreams of a man with dark brown hair, hazel eyes, a body that was made from a now broken mold, and with tattoos, had filled a void I hadn’t known was even missing.
The next day at work, I wanted to go ride Stormy again, sadly I was on shift at Redman’s. Just as I sat back at my desk with my third coffee of the day a hush settled all around the office.
It was then that suddenly I heard someone just outside of my office. Since it was her office and then another one right off of the elevator that was near the reception desk, there wasn’t anything that I haven’t ever not heard. “Can you tell me where Ms. Corrine Matthew’s office is please?”
“Yes. Corrine’s office is the second door on the right.” I heard Margaret’s older voice tell the younger man.
Then I saw the younger deliveryman through the bay windows just before he knocked on my office door.
“Ms. Corrine Matthews?” The younger boy asked.
That was weird in itself. I have never seen anyone around my town with that emblem on their polo shirt. And I also knew everyone in my town. I didn’t know this man.
So I answered him warily, “Yes.”
“I have a delivery for you. If you will sign your name, please?” As he handed me a small clipboard, I grabbed a pen and signed my name.
After that was done, he handed me the long rectangular box that he held in his other hand.
The moment I grabbed the box I caught the floral fragrance that was being held inside.
It was my favorite smell, lilies, as I removed the lid from the box, there lay nestled in white silk wrapping, were twelve pink lilies.
Then nestled inside of the flowers was a light purple card, I pulled it free and stared at the neat scrawl that laid there.
‘Corrine, have dinner with me tomorrow night. Call me if you can make it. Travis.’ I stared dumbfounded at the cell phone number that was written at the bottom of the little card.
It was then that I rubbed my finger over the number and tried to fight the smile that wanted to rip from my face. Though I lost that battle and with a giddy smile, I punched in the number, just as my finger hovered over the call button I paused.
Was this a good idea? What did it mean? I had never had dinner with anyone, least of all a man.
Thinking this through, I sat my phone back down on my desk.
For the next half an hour, I entered figures into an expense account for a client. However, when I realized that I had typed out Travis instead of a figure, I said, “Heck with it.”
I grabbed my phone and hit the call button.
On the second ring, I heard that deep timbre, “Hello?”
“Travis. It's Corrine.” I knew he had to have been able to hear the smile that was plastered on my face.
And then to my shock and amazement, I heard the same on the other end of the line, “Hey. I see you got your delivery.”
“I did. Lilies are my favorite, so thank you.”
“Your welcome.” That deep timbre. God.
Closing my eyes I said, “What time for dinner tomorrow night?”
“Pick you up at six?” Was that excitement in his tone?
“Sounds great. I’ll text you my address.” After we hung up, I couldn’t help but stare at the beautiful flowers.
Since I was off in half an hour, I hadn’t rushed them to the break room for some water and a wet paper towel.
However, the moment I made it home to my apartment, I got those Lilies in a vase and put a healthy amount of water inside.
That night when I should’ve been sleeping so I have my beauty sleep, I was instead running through my options for an outfit.
When I awoke five hours later, I didn’t even try to wipe the smile from my face.
This may be too soon, but I was happy. And nothing was going to bust this bubble that I found myself in.
Sadly, a client had busted that bubble. I had just been about to turn off my computer when my boss Mr. Michener came storming into my office looking flustered.
“Mr. Allen wants these figures inputted immediately.” He was out of breath. That was a first for my mostly stoic boss.
I glanced at my watch. If it was for any other client, it would hold until tomorrow. However, Mr. Allen was one of their top accounts.
Sighing, I nodded.
The moment the file was sitting on my desk, I grabbed my phone and called Travis.
This time, he answered on the first ring, “Darlin’.”
“Hey, something has come up at work. I may be a little late. Can I meet you as soon as I get finished? I’m sorry, I’m going to try to hurry.” I hated this.
His inhale of breath actually sounded like he was relieved in a sense. “Yes. That’s fine. Can you call me when you leave your place? Just come to the ranch. Never tell me sorry for anything Darlin’.”
“Okay.” I smiled.
It took me all of forty-five minutes to type in the figures for the report.
I raced out of the office and headed to my apartment. I had taken my shower this morning so nothing would hinder me from getting ready for this date.
I pulled my hair free of the braid it had been on and luckily it was wavy and perfectly curly. Let’s hear it for heatless curls.
Last night I had decided on a nicer pair of jeans and an off-the-shoulder striped blouse. I paired that with my cutest pair of ballet flats that I owned.
Spritzing on some perfume, I touched up my makeup keeping it light, I was ready.
I glanced at my watch and saw that I was only technically five minutes late. However, we had already agreed that I would meet him at his ranch.
After I locked up my front door, I made my way down to my car.
I grabbed my phone and texted him, ‘On my way.’
Immediately my phone pinged with a text back, ‘Be careful.’
Smiling to myself I tossed my phone back in my bag and made my way down the two flights of stairs.
Sadly, things always seem to happen when you never wished they would.
Just as I put my hand on my car door handle, I felt it. That sting.
I quickly grabbed my epi-pen from my bag that I never left home without and as I was about to insert the pen into my thigh, I hit the paved covered parking lot while everything around me went black.