Chapter 17
Exercise was usually the perfect way to clear my mind. Not today, though. Running on the treadmill was nothing but a chore. I tried to empty my brain of the swirling thoughts and focus solely on pumping my arms in perfect coordination with my feet, but it was impossible.
It was four days since I’d seen Hunter, and nearly every second since then, I’d been analyzing my relationship with him and the stupid mess I’d put myself in.
Lolly jumped her feet to either side of her spinning treadmill and turned to me. “What’s up, babe?”
I stepped to the sides of my treadmill, too. “Nothing.” I sighed. “Everything.”
She reached over and touched my arm. “Shall we go to the coffee shop?”
Asking Lolly to cut her exercise routine short would be like asking her to cut off her left arm. Obviously, not an option. “No. I’ll be okay.”
“You don’t look okay.”
“Gee, thanks.” I wiped sweat from my brow.
“You know what I mean. How about we finish this workout then you can pump yourself full of sugar and tell me what’s troubling you?”
“Sounds good.” I jumped back on the treadmill and ran to keep up with my spinning mat.
“Thata girl.”
Lolly hit the treadmill at full speed, running at a frightening pace. Her high ponytail swung from side to side, and her arms thrust back and forth, yet she breathed like someone strolling along the beach.
Forty minutes later, after an intense core body session with weights where she nearly broke me, it was finally over. We grabbed our towels and bags from the lockers and headed to the Blue Haven Café.
Our usual table was vacant as if begging for our presence. Matt served us with his constant sneer, and I ordered a white chocolate and macadamia muffin warmed up with cream on the side and a cappuccino.
Lolly placed her standard order of green tea and the second Matt ambled away, she leaned forward and placed her hand over my wrist. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s Hunter.”
“The chocolate guy? Did he do something to you?”
“No. No. Nothing like that. It’s just . . . I really like him. I mean a lot. But he doesn’t even know the real me. He doesn’t even know my name.”
“Oh, babe. It’ll work itself out.”
I shook my head. “No, it won’t. How could he forgive me after all my lies?”
“Whoa! You like him that much?”
I nodded. “Yes, but how do I tell him the truth after all this time?” I searched her eyes, anticipating her solution to my problems. But as the seconds ticked on, I conceded the worst . . . she didn’t have one. Even Lolita, who had an answer for everything, couldn’t help me. My chin dimpled, and I tugged my lip into my mouth, determined not to cry.
She squeezed my arm. “Oh, babe. Don’t cry.”
That, of course, opened the floodgates. Tears spilled down my cheeks, and I flicked them away, angry with myself. Our food and drinks arrived, and I utilized the distraction to temper my emotions. Lolita’s intense blue pools examined me, and I felt like she was peeling open my skull to read my brain. The second Matt left, she leaned forward. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“That I’m such an idiot.”
“No, you’re not.”
“I am.” I clenched my jaw and swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’ve been lying to all?—”
“Hello, ladies. I’d hoped I’d find you here.”
“Billy!” A gasp caught in my throat.
My heart slammed into my chest and tears stung my eyes as I tried to take in my sexy cowboy through my blurred vision. As usual, his attire was out of place at this beach setting—a plaid shirt, tucked into jeans and hemmed in with a belt adorned by an oval buckle that caught in the sunshine.
Yet rather than look ridiculous, he looked amazing. Like he belonged. He probably looked like that, no matter where he was.
I wiped my eyes, hopeful he wouldn’t see my tears, but when the smile fell from his face and his eyes softened, I knew I was too late. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Hey, are you okay?”
The kindness in his voice was unbearable, and my lip quivered as I fought my sorrow. “Yes, I’m fine. Sorry.” I flicked at a wayward tear.
“You don’t have to be sorry. As long as you’re okay.”
“Would you like a seat?” Lolly probably thought she was saving me from his inquisitiveness, but the idea of him joining us was a disaster.
“I’d love to, but I can’t, I’m afraid. I just wanted to invite you to come to my show today.” He held a ticket toward me, and I chewed on my lip as I reached for it. “I’m sorry, Lolita; I didn’t think to buy you one, too.”
She fanned her hand. “It’s okay; I’m busy anyway. But Jane’s free, aren’t you, babe?”
I tried to kick her under the table, but she was out of reach. Billy’s eyes drilled into me as if silently pleading for my acceptance.
As much as I’d prefer to crawl into bed, I couldn’t resist him. How could I?
It was amazing he even talked to me after my terrible deceit. But he hadn’t just forgiven me . . . he’d come back. Many times over. I looked up at him and studied his handsome features. He was an honest man, and I was so lucky to have received his forgiveness.
“I’d love to come.” I attempted to grin, though it probably looked more creepy than anything.
His smile dazzled. “Excellent. The show starts at midday—shall we meet in the hotel lobby at eleven?”
The idea of waiting around under the ugly gaze of Needledick had me cringing. “Can we meet at the sun lounge out the front?”
“Of course.” He leaned forward, and when he kissed my cheek, I inhaled his sexy cologne. “I’ll see you then.”
He kissed Lolita’s cheek too, and as he walked away, I admired his butt in the tight, fitted jeans.
“Now that’s a stud.”
I grinned at her. “I know.”
“So, you get to see the cowboy in action. Giddy up.”
“It does sound like fun.”
“Are you kidding? Man and beast working together? That’s what I call a show.”
I laughed at her enthusiasm.
“You know . . .” She tapped her pink fingernail on the table. “He’s proof that it’s not all doom and gloom with Hunter.”
I cocked my head, eager to hear her thoughts.
“If Billy can forgive you, and Henry, and that sexy hunk Corben, for that matter, then of course it’s not unfeasible that Hunter could too.”
I took a huge bite of my muffin, and as I chewed, I considered her answer. Was that possible? Could I hope to continue seeing Hunter after he learned of my dishonesty? I ran my spoon around my mug as I tried to envisage how that conversation with him would go. “I hope you’re right.”
“I’m always right. You know that.”
I waggled my head at her, acting like she was being silly, but of course, it was true.
It was eight-thirty by the time I returned to my room and showered. I had two hours to kill before I needed to get ready for Billy, which wasn’t enough time for a decent sleep.
Instead, I decided to watch a movie. I rummaged through my dusty collection of DVDs and settled on Letters to Juliet. After setting up the DVD, I grabbed a packet of corn chips and curled up in bed to watch it. Fearful that I may fall asleep, I set my alarm just in case.
The hours flew by, and at the sound of my alarm, I went to the kitchen and made myself a strong coffee. Between sips, I splashed water on my face, applied a touch of makeup, fixed my hair, and then went to my closet to decide on what to wear.
Jeans seemed the most appropriate for the Outback Spectacular, so I slipped into my underwear and tugged on the denim. I tucked the jeans into my long, tan, knee-high boots and put on a plain red button-up shirt. By the time I was dressed, thoughts of watching my sexy cowboy in action had my insides doing a little happy dance.
With my bag over my arm, I walked out the door and headed for the elevator. As I rode the elevator down to the lobby, I silently prayed John was busy.
The doors opened, and I sighed with relief at the sound of voices. As Needledick attended to two guests, I dashed across the marble tiles, stepped out into the sunshine, and pulled on my sunglasses.
I was only there a minute or so before a black Holden Rodeo pulled into the drop-off zone. The window glided down, and Billy was behind the steering wheel. “Going my way?” he said.
I laughed, and by the time I’d stepped down the stairs to him, he’d hopped out of his seat and walked around to greet me. He was a showstopper in his country-styled attire. Fitted jeans showed off the toning in his legs, and his chambray shirt, embroidered in intricate patterns across the lapels, finished off his Western style.
“Wow, look at you.”
His broad smile made his look all that more special. “Thanks.”
We kissed each other’s cheeks, and I inhaled his familiar manly scent.
He opened the passenger door, and as I slipped into the seat, I was grateful Lolly had been there when Billy had asked me to go with him today. The way I’d been feeling all morning, I would probably have said no, just so I could blob in bed all day long.
“Did you have a nice morning?” He climbed behind the wheel again.
“Yes, thanks. I watched a movie, Letters to Juliet.”
“Oh, I like that movie.”
“Me too.” We smiled at each other, and I sensed our relationship had just crept another inch closer.
I could have gazed into his molten honey eyes for another hour or two, but it was not to be. He turned his attention to the windshield, put the truck into gear, and drove onto the street.
Our conversation flowed nicely, and we talked about our weeks since we’d last met. While he’d fixed fences, bought and sold a few cattle, helped a cow give birth, and fixed a broken feed trough, I’d practically done nothing. At least nothing that didn’t involve the other men in my life. The only excitement I’d had was meeting the executive board. I told him what had happened.
“That manager of yours needs a reprimand.”
I shot a glance at Billy. If I hadn’t heard those words myself, I’d struggle to believe he’d say anything nasty about anyone. “Oh.”
“He’s never very friendly when I check out. It’s like I’m an inconvenience. That’s what I wrote on my survey, anyway.”
“You did the survey?”
“A few times. I like letting places know when the service is good or bad. If they ask, I tell them.”
“Oh.” I didn’t think anybody did those things. “Have you mentioned me in your comments?”
The dazzle in his eyes matched his brilliant smile. “Of course. I mention you to anyone who’ll listen.”
I returned his smile as a lovely warmth flooded my body.
The twenty-minute drive was over in a flash. Billy cruised off the highway along the service road, drove past the enormous car park designed for guests at the Outback Spectacular, and headed toward the back of the complex. We passed a staff parking sign and drove to the rear of several enormous buildings. Corrugated iron and heavy timbers gave the location an iconic Australian theme, along with the well-thought-out placement of the native plants.
We parked, and Billy raced around to open my door for me. After he shut the door, our fingers slotted together as if this were something we always did, and he led me to a door marked for staff only.
We entered without needing a key. The rustic, earthy smell of horses and hay filled the complex. Billy led me through a series of passages and then opened a door to a fancy horse stable. It was made to look rural with timber fencing and giant feature ropes draped from post to post, yet I was certain it would have all the modern commodities.
Billy squeezed my hand. “I thought you’d like to meet Gypsy.”
He led me past several stalls, and I peered into each one to admire the beautiful horses housed inside. Stopping at the fourth stall, Billy opened the gate, and we stepped into the straw-covered bay. The horse neighed at our arrival and walked over to nudge Billy with her pink nose.
Other than her nose, the horse was pure white. Her mane was long and thick and obviously well-maintained. Her tail, too, was just as well-groomed, and the long, flowing hairs nearly touched the ground. Billy lovingly ran his hand down the horse’s nose, and Gypsy nodded her head.
“This is my girl.” He rubbed her behind the ears, and she pushed against him.
“She’s beautiful.” I stepped forward and held my hand out. Gypsy wriggled her lips over my palm as if I had something to offer.
“Gypsy, this is Jane, the girl I told you about.”
Gypsy nodded as if she understood every word he’d said. Then she turned away from us and swished her tail as she plodded to the back of the stall. She reached up with her nose, and when she turned back to us, she had a rose in her mouth. I gasped as Gypsy walked up to me and stopped. Her black, inch-long eyelashes blinked as she placed the rose in my hand.
I giggled. “Oh my god. How did you get her to do that?”
Billy smiled. “She’s a clever girl.”
“I’d say her master is just as clever.” I’d thought Billy couldn’t get any more handsome. But I was wrong. He’d just become the poster model for cowboys everywhere.
I sniffed the rose as Billy and Gypsy nuzzled into each other. “Can she do other tricks?”
The dazzle in Billy’s eyes convinced me I’d asked the right question. “She can, but sometimes Gypsy is lazy.” Gypsy threw her head up as if in protest, then she swished her tail, moved her hind legs forward, and sat her rump on the ground.
I laughed and clapped my hands. “That’s so clever.”
“She can dance, too.” He over-exaggerated a bow, and Gypsy stood up again. Billy placed his arm up the side of Gypsy’s face and put his right hand on her flank, and as he stepped back and forward and side to side, the horse followed each of his moves. They spun around and side-stepped across the stall, then finished with Billy wrapping his arms around her neck as he pulled her in for a hug. Their bond was incredible.
Billy wove his fingers into mine and led me from the stall.
“That was amazing.”
“Thanks. She really is a clever horse.” Billy downplayed his skill, and I imagined he always did that. My mind snapped to Henry and his lessons about accepting compliments, and I was two seconds off saying something when I stopped. I wanted to slap myself for comparing these two incredible men.
“Are you okay here for a minute?” Billy dragged me from my tumbling thoughts. “I’ll just grab her a treat.”
“Of course.” I nodded.
“Back in a sec.” He squeezed my hand and then walked in the opposite direction to which we’d come. I leaned on the railing, and Gypsy walked up to me. She raised her nose and nudged my hand, so I had no choice but to pat her. I’d been around horses before but had never felt as safe as I did with Gypsy.
“Who’re you?”
I jumped at the sharp voice and turned to a woman in jeans and a tight-fitting T-shirt, walking toward me with a bucket in each of her hands.
“I’m Jane. Billy’s friend.”
She huffed. “So, you’re his girlfriend.”
The snide remark caught me off-guard. “Well, we’re just friends.”
“Is that right?” She squinted as she made a show of looking me up and down.
I stepped back, uncomfortable under her leer. After a couple of awkward seconds, I wondered if she was jealous of me with Billy and wished I hadn’t corrected her statement.
She put the buckets down, and I stepped back farther as she put her hands on the gate. “Hey, girl.” Gypsy nuzzled her as she’d done with Billy, and I had a feeling this young lady had done this many times before.
“Oh, hi, Sam.” Billy’s voice was a welcome relief.
The woman turned to him, and the scowl that she’d shown me converted to a smile, morphing her into a beautiful young woman.
“Hi, Billy.” It was painfully obvious that Sam was very interested in my cowboy.
Billy reached the stable and leaned over the gate to offer Gypsy a carrot. As the horse chomped at the treat, Billy held onto the end of it, fighting against the horse’s strength with each bite. Sam giggled as she watched the struggle between man and beast. While Billy glanced in my direction, Sam, on the other hand, didn’t take her eyes off him. He was completely oblivious to her attention.
Gypsy devoured the carrot in a few seconds, and Billy rubbed her nose again. “Okay, Gypsy. I’ve gotta take Jane up to her seat. I’ll be back for you soon.”
The horse whinnied as if protesting, and he pulled Gypsy’s nose up to his lips and kissed her. “You’re still my girl.”
The horse nodded, and I was certain she’d understood every word he’d said.
“See you soon, Sam.”
“It was nice to meet you,” I said, although it hadn’t been nice at all.
“You too.” Sam’s sneer proved she didn’t mean it either.
Billy led me away from the stables, and with each person we encountered along the way to the arena, he introduced me. It seemed like not only did he know everyone, but based on their weird ogling, I imagined that Billy had told every one of them about me.
Crowds of people poured into the stadium, seeking out their spots as Billy led me to mine. I had a front-row seat in the middle of the arena. At his indication, I sat with my rose on my lap, and he leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Are you okay here?”
“Of course.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
A waiter arrived to take my meal order. My grumbling tummy was happy with the meal choices, and within twenty minutes, my steak and salad, squishy bread roll, and a glass of wine arrived and were positioned on the narrow table before me.
People filled the seats quickly, and just after I finished my meal, a layer of smoke billowed across the sand-covered arena floor. The lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the crowd as if everybody held a collective breath. Loud music echoed about the enclosed space, and spectacular lighting announced the start of the show.
And then Billy arrived.
He was at full gallop on his beautiful white horse. His cowboy hat was white, too, matching Gypsy perfectly. He was a white knight. My white knight. I smiled so broadly my lips quivered.
The crowd cheered with me as Billy launched up from the saddle to stand on Gypsy’s back as she galloped around the outer edge of the arena. The two of them were a magnificent spectacle, and I was as star-struck as a lovesick teenager when Billy tipped his hat at me as he galloped past.
Two other horses came out to join Billy. Their riders were scantily clad women, and I sat forward in my seat, desperate to see if Sam was one of them. Their tricks were timed to choreographed perfection as the horses galloped around the stadium. It wasn’t until the horses had been around twice that, I confirmed that yes, Sam was indeed one of the riders.
Knots of jealousy prickled my stomach, and I fought to smack that silly emotion aside.
For the next hour, Billy did one clever horse trick after another. Each one was more daring than the last, and I cheered and clapped them all.
Dogs, too, were in the show, enthralling the crowd with their funny yet highly skilled antics. Billy’s tricks were a cut above all the other riders, and I had a crazy notion he did them all just for me. Considering he’d always presented himself as shy when he was in my company, he was anything but in this environment.
After the show, the lights came on, and people stood to make a hasty exit from the stadium. I remained seated, certain Billy would find me as soon as he could.
My sexy cowboy was at my side within five minutes of the closing act. He still wore his white hat and looked as stunning as ever with his broad smile dominating his face.
“What’d you think?” He sat at my side, and I kissed his cheek.
“It was magnificent. You’re so talented.”
“I’m glad you liked it.” He stood and reached for my hand and clutching my rose, he led me from the stadium, back out to the stables. We returned to Gypsy’s stall, and after I’d fed her a carrot, Billy showed me how to brush her down.
I caught Billy’s molten honey eyes glancing at me over Gypsy’s flank, and each time I met his gaze, his smile warmed my insides. The horse shared her attention between the two of us, nudging us when we stopped rubbing.
“She likes you.” Billy looked as proud as a father with a newborn.
“I think she likes the attention.”
“Not necessarily. She’s pretty feisty with some people.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yeah. Horses are clever. They have an instinct for someone not being quite right.”
I tried to stifle a yawn but felt awful when he noticed. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay, you must be exhausted. Let’s get you home for some sleep.”
“I’m fine.”
He touched my arm, and our eyes met. This strong, amazing hunk of a man had a lovely soft side to him, and my body turned to mush as he curled his hand on my cheek, and I leaned into him. “It’s okay. I understand.” He took the horse brush from my hand and hooked it up on the wall.
After another lengthy goodbye with Gypsy, he led me out the back again and to his truck.
During the ride home, I fiddled with the stem of the rose as we talked about the show.
I tried not to voice my lousy opinion of Sam every time he mentioned her name, which was often.
The conversation turned to his other horses back home, and the pride he had for his animals was extraordinary.
I imagined he’d spend loads of time out in his vast paddocks tending to his animals.
But as the miles cruised past, I wondered how, or even if, I would fit into that picture.
I came from the country life, but now that I’d experienced city living, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back.