28. Cowboy Like Me
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
cowboy like me
IMOGEN
THE CASCADE FOOTHILLS
“I can’t believe you brought the hat,” I grumble.
Even behind his sunglasses, I can see the little mischievous glint in his eyes. He’s so proud that he held out on me with the cowboy hat for almost the whole drive, choosing to bust it out only five minutes before we arrived at the ranch. It’s not even enough time for me to give him road head.
“Gotta keep the sun outta my eyes.”
“You’re literally wearing sunglasses.”
He’s dressed in a green and blue plaid button-up and a pair of Wranglers that really accentuate his ass. And we can’t forget the cowboy boots, and now, the fucking cowboy hat. It’s all black with a dark brown leather band and a wide brim. He looks like he should be chewing tobacco and calling me sugar.
“I just wanted to see you sweat when you saw a real cowboy,” he purrs. “You did sweat when I pulled this thing out, right?”
“No comment,” I mutter, staring straight ahead.
We pull up to the ranch and I’m immediately struck by the view: gentle, rolling hills and trails disappearing into lush trees surrounding a small house, with some horses grazing in the grass off to the side. It’s so beautiful that I can’t help snapping a picture to send Piper.
IMOGEN: [Image attached] Getting laid and going horseback riding.
PIPES: 20 bucks says you’re gonna fall off that thing.
I snort, and Roman glances over at me.
“What?”
“Piper thinks I’m gonna fall off the horse.”
“That’s why I’ll be there with you, to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
I flash him a faux-puzzled expression.
“Wait, I thought you were here to get laid.”
He leans over, slipping his fingers under my chin and tilting it up just a bit. I can smell the mint from his toothpaste mixing with the spicy scent of his cologne as his mouth hovers close to mine.
“You’re a mouthy little thing today, aren’t you?”
“Want to shut me up?”
“Not at all. It’s just that every time you talk, I start thinking about those pretty lips doing something real indecent.”
He claims my mouth in a soft yet fiery kiss before quickly pulling away again.
“What’s gotten into you?” I ask.
“Freedom.”
Before I can respond, he’s grabbing a bag and letting Mitzy out of the car, only leaving me wanting more. We follow Mitzy while she trots ahead, up the driveway toward the large blue ranch house, then suddenly I hear a shrill whistle from beside me.
“Hey, Carter!”
After a few seconds the front door swings open and a man in his late 60s steps out. He’s got short, curly gray hair, dark brown skin, and kind eyes, dressed in a light blue button-up and black jeans.
The moment he sees Roman his face breaks out in a smile.
“Roman Burke,” he sighs, jogging down the stairs. “How the hell are ya?”
Roman takes off his sunglasses and hooks them into his shirt. There’s a confidence in his stride as he approaches the man, and the two of them share a warm embrace amidst laughter.
“It’s good to see you, kid.”
“Kid?” Roman scoffs. “We’re both getting on in our years, old timer.”
“I think I’ve got a few years on you yet,” Carter chuckles, his eyes falling on me. “This must be the gorgeous young lady you were telling me about on the phone. Carter Williams. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Imogen Flynn.”
Carter’s handshake is firm, his eyes twinkling as he studies me. I wonder how much Roman told him.
“The kid here and I go way back. I’ve known him since he was about as tall as Mitzy. He used to sneak into the pen with all the bulls… almost gave his momma a heart attack.” Carter crouches down, giving Mitzy a scratch behind her ears. “Missed this old girl, too, of course.”
“Is it still okay for her to run around?”
“Oh, absolutely! She can be as big a menace as she wants. Even picked up a couple of big ol’ bones for her to chew on.”
Roman shakes his head, grinning as Mitzy trots up the front steps and into the house, making herself at home.
“I heard it’s your first time riding,” Carter tells me. “I picked out a special horse just for you— oh, and Roman? Cash is all ready for you. Told him you were coming.”
“Perfect. How is the old man, anyway?”
“A stubborn asshole just like his owner.”
We drop off our bags and Carter leads to the stables, where to my surprise Roman reaches for my hand, his fingers linking with mine. He looks so calm, like all the tension he’s been carrying has just melted away, wrapping his arm around my waist as the old ranch hand gestures to one of the stalls. A gorgeous horse with a speckled brown and white coat pokes its head out.
“This is Polly.” Carter strolls right up to the animal, giving her a gentle pat. “She’s the calmest, most relaxed old lady I know. Nothing bothers her. I always give new riders the calmest horses. They’re more forgiving of mistakes.”
“Mistakes?” I ask nervously, a thousand terrible scenarios flashing through my mind.
Carter leans over to me, his eyes bright and his mouth curled into a dazzling smile.
“You’re likely to bump them when you start riding, make errors turning, maybe forget the best way to do things. Polly here won’t mind one bit, she’s always happy as a clam. Worse comes to worse, she loves apple slices. You wanna really win her over, that’s how. We’ll give you some snacks to take with you.”
“Go on.” Roman rubs my back. “You can pet her.”
I take a timid step forward but stop mid-way. She looks sweet, but she’s… big.
“She’s not gonna bite you,” Roman assures me.
I’ve never been this close to a horse before, except for one time. Logan and I rode in one of those horse-drawn carriages for my 21 st birthday, but that was different. We weren’t actually on those horses, and we were so hammered we wouldn’t have been afraid even if we were about to be trampled to death.
“Are you sure?” I squeak. “I was googling pictures of horse teeth in the car, and they’re— are you laughing?”
Carter and Roman’s shoulders are shaking.
“Man, you didn’t tell me she was funny too.”
“Hey, I’m doing my best out here!” I bark, a smile creeping across my face despite trying my best to look serious.
“Trust me, really, she’s not gonna take your hand off,” Carter reassures me, opening the stall door for us to step inside. “Polly’s a big ol’ sweetheart.”
I take another step.
“Where do I pet her?”
“Here, I can show you.”
Roman steps forward, wrapping his fingers around my wrist and guiding my hand up to Polly’s neck. I start lightly at first to make sure she’s comfortable before I get a little more intense, and she lets out a gentle sound of affirmation.
She’s so soft.
“That means she likes you.”
I can’t help but giggle, continuing to alternate between gentle strokes of my hand and the more intense scratches she seems to really love.
“Atta girl,” he purrs.
“Are you talking to her, or to me?”
Roman leans in close, his lips brushing against my ear.
“It’s always you, darlin’.”
I’m trying not to blush too hard, but this more flirtatious and playful edge isn’t making it easy. I want to hit him with my own line, something to make him as flustered as me, but before I can come up with anything he’s already placed an old brush in my hand.
“What’s this for?”
“Keeps her from getting saddle sores and it’ll help the two of you bond. She could use some pampering.”
He grasps my wrist gently, and guides me in brushing Polly’s coat.
“I’m all about pampering,” I chuckle. “We’re gonna get along well.”
Polly radiates calm, and for the first time in a while, my mind feels quiet. I’m not thinking about the possibility of getting caught, about what this trip means for the both of us, or about my application to the conference. I’m just… existing.
It’s nice.
I brush the horse slowly, taking my time to smooth down her coat bit by bit, but when I move to head behind her, Roman quickly stops me.
“Never walk behind ‘em. Doesn’t matter how tame they are, better safe than sorry.”
“Right.” My cheeks burn with embarrassment. “Sorry.”
Once I’m finished, Roman teaches me how to secure her bridle. He goes slowly, making sure that I’m following every step and I watch with fascination as he secures her saddle and her bit.
“Now we’ve just gotta get you on her,” he says with a smirk. “But we’ll do that when we get outside.”
I nod, psyching myself up as Carter takes a step forward and motions to another stable.
“Roman, you wanna get reacquainted with Cash?”
“You bet. Can’t wait to see my boy.”
We head out of the stable and I tug on Roman’s sleeve. He’s mentioned a family horse before.
“Is Cash yours?”
“He was my dad’s, technically, but I took care of him and rode him the most.”
Carter opens another stall door and I’m greeted by the sight of an enormous black stallion, with a coat that reminds me of the night sky.
“Holy shit he’s like two of me tall!”
I take a step back, watching Roman nuzzle up against Cash. He sinks against his horse like no time has passed at all, completely comfortable next to the massive creature. He grabs a brush and starts to glide it through the horse’s coat, placing kisses on his neck.
“Missed you, baby boy.”
The natural crease between his brows has all but disappeared.
“These are for you.” I hear something thunk down beside me and look over to see Carter with a pair of worn black riding boots on the ground. “Should fit.”
“What’s wrong with my sneakers?”
“You’re gonna need ankle support,” he announces, gesturing at the boots. “Put ‘em on.”
I sit down on a small stool and slide off my shoes, stashing them in the corner while Carter helps me into my boots.
“Now you look like a pro.”
Carter fetches Polly, gently guiding her to the middle of the enclosure. There’s already a small set of stairs set up, and he walks me through how to mount a horse correctly. She’s as calm as can be, even after I drop the reins a few times trying to figure out how to grip them. It takes a while, but I feel like I’m getting somewhere as I put my foot in her stirrup, angling my knee in the direction of Polly’s face as instructed.
“Okay, good. Now, put your palm right in the middle of the saddle and straighten your leg.”
I take my time, pivoting slightly and making sure my hand is really on the saddle before fully committing. My nerves take a while to adjust to the fact that I’m going to be riding an animal who could, at any moment, decide she doesn’t want me on her damn back anymore and buck me off.
“Now, push up, and swing your other leg over, and— that’s it!” Carter exclaims as I manage to get it all in one clumsy motion.
My heart pounds as Roman beams up at me, walking over to pat my leg before giving Polly a good scratch on the neck.
“Atta girl.”
“Now this time I know you’re talking to her,” I chuckle.
He shoots me a wink before the two men begin to walk me through actually moving on the horse. I’m a little unsteady to begin with, and it definitely takes some brain power to make sure that I’m going through all the right steps: look at where I’m planning to go, squeeze my butt first, then my thighs, then my calves. When Polly finally starts walking I can feel at least half the tension bleed out of my body all at once.
“Holy shit! I’m riding a fucking horse!”
Roman snaps a picture, grinning from ear to ear.
“You’re doing great!” Carter calls, reassuring me despite how unsteady I’m still feeling.
We spend a lot of the next hour or so going over stopping, starting, and steering, and I end up doing more than a few laps around the enclosure with Polly. She’s patient and sweet, and before long I feel like I’m really getting the hang of this.
“Hey, I’m pretty— oh shit.” I’m trying to steer toward them, but I mix up which leg I’m pushing against Polly and wind up turning away from them. “Okay, I was pretty good at this! Come on, girl.”
I correct my technique, and after a few seconds, manage to turn to face the two of them.
“See? We did it eventually, right Polly?”
Roman watches proudly, his plaid shirt riding up a little while he leans against the fence, and I get a look at the soft trail of dark hair that disappears underneath the waistband of his jeans.
He motions back to the stables with a quick flick of his head.
“I’ll go get the old man.”
“What do you mean, you’re already here!” I tease.
“Keep up the backtalk, darlin’. We’ll see where it gets you.”
I can feel every inch of my skin grow hot under my clothes, Roman tossing me a flirtatious look before disappearing inside.
Carter chuckles to himself as he double-checks to make sure everything is secure.
“The kid seems pretty damn smitten. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him like this.”
Before I can manage a reply I hear Roman guiding Cash out of the stable, and watch him set up and mount the massive horse in one fluid motion.
“You ready to ride, little miss lippy?” He pats his saddlebag. “Got apples, a blanket, and some snacks and drinks just for us.”
“Of course!” I exclaim, stroking Polly’s neck. “We got this, right, Polly?”
“Take the low road,” Carter shouts as he grabs the gate for us. “Less hills for the newbie. I’ll get the guest house ready for you in the meantime.”
“Thanks, Carter. We’ll see you in a bit.”
Roman turns Cash toward the path and I follow, beside and slightly behind.
“You good, darlin’? I don’t have to tie you to the saddle to keep you on that horse, do I?”
“No,” I laugh. “But if you’ve got rope, I’m sure we can make good use of it.”