Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Beckett
Not even sunshine, fresh air, and being on the back of my favorite horse can distract or calm me after the way Clara left last night.
Damn Noah, just walking in like it was his own place.
Clara had been so close to her climax while riding my thigh, and it had been one of the hottest things I’d ever seen. She had been incredible, her skin flushed and her body nearly vibrating from chasing that release.
But as soon as my dumbass younger brother walked in, uninvited, Clara had turned bright red and dove for the floor and the shirt she’d taken off. Noah at least had the sense to step back out onto the front porch.
But Clara had still bolted as soon as she was fully dressed.
I’d almost chased after her, but her car had been halfway down the drive by the time I’d shoved past my brother and gotten outside.
My chest had been tight until she sent a text letting me know she was home safe, like always. I’d kicked Noah out of my house, ignoring anything he’d been about to say.
I warred with myself the entire night – debating between going to her apartment to make sure she was okay, or calling her, or just giving her space. I opted for space, but I didn’t get much sleep.
This morning, I waited until well after dawn to send her a message to let her know I’d be out of range today doing trail inspections, and she’d yet to respond. Normally I’d relish being in nature, in this beautiful piece of land my family had carved out for themselves and future generations.
Today it just felt like a job, instead of one of my favorite things about our business. Thankfully, inspecting the trails with Henrik was going better than expected.
There were a couple of obstacles that were easy enough to clear out with the ropes we’d packed, instead of needing other equipment.
“Hey, boss – you think we can hit another trail today or do you want to stick to the schedule?” Henrik asked from ahead. His chestnut mare, Lightning, was one of the sweetest horses I’d ever met. It was no surprise Henrik had insisted he bring her when he came on to work with us.
He slowed and let me come up beside him as the path widened.
“Missing the trails, are you?” I joked. I checked the time and considered how long it’d take to add a second inspection.
“I won’t lie, this is one of my favorite ways to spend the day.”
I nodded. “Yeah.” There was something special about being on the back of a horse and trusting each other enough to explore the wilderness together.
“What do you think?” I asked. We were about twenty minutes from the end of the current trail.
“It’s still early enough that we could check out the White Tail Trail. The guys can handle chores alone for a couple more hours.”
“Okay, let’s do it.” Maybe the extra time would help me sort through whatever the hell happened last night. “Lead on, Henrik.”
By the time we got back to the ranch and got the horses brushed, fed, and put up, it was just before sunset.
“You sure you don’t wanna join us for a few beers at the bunkhouse?”
I shook my head. “Not tonight, but maybe next time.” Henrik nodded and headed over to the single story building my great-grandfather built for the men – and now women – who worked on the ranch.
It was long, resembled a log cabin, and had three bedrooms. One of them even had bunkbeds, but at the moment only two of the rooms were occupied.
There was a small kitchen and living space, and two small bathrooms.
I didn’t drink with them often, but I did enjoy spending a couple of hours of downtime with them. They were a good group and always down for a game of cards – poker, rummy, whatever.
Tonight, though. I was too unsettled. I didn’t know what to do about Clara and whatever she’d been thinking during dinner last night.
She’d spooked so quickly – both during our conversation when we were eating and then again when my brother barged in. I couldn’t blame her for that last part.
I had a feeling she’d be concerned about what some people might say about us being together. There’d been rumors and nasty gossip about her and our friendship when we were in high school, when people thought she was after me for the Ashland name.
Clara had never once cared about my last name.
Or the status and money that came with it.
That was one of the reasons I’d made sure to keep the friendship so strong, even when we were apart for school.
And then after her parents had died, I tried to bring her into the Ashland family fold even more – bringing her over for holidays, birthdays, random movie nights.
I’d been in love with Clara since we were teenagers, I just hadn’t pieced together that’s what it was.
I didn’t give a shit about what anybody said.
Never have. So many people had made jokes or comments about me never dating or only dating once in a while, and the “are you a monk” jokes were endless.
It wasn’t entirely a lie. I hadn’t dated much.
A few short relationships when I was younger, and a couple of one-night stands back when I competed in some smaller rodeo events.
But that had been the rush of adrenaline from competition and women basically throwing themselves at anyone who even remotely looked like a cowboy.
It was true I hadn’t been with someone in a while. I didn’t see the point. None of the dates or short-lived relationships had felt right. There was always something missing. I hadn’t realized what until a few months ago.
Clara.
Something in me shifted, a clarity that had been waiting for me to notice it.
She’d had dinner with the family over at my parents’ house and called me not ten minutes after she’d left to drive home. The fear in her voice as she told me she’d almost hit a deer and was in a ditch had near stopped my heart.
I grabbed Thatch by his arm and yanked him with me to the truck while I kept her talking to me on the phone.
Thatch had called the sheriff, and they sent out an ambulance to have her checked out.
I made the drive in less than five minutes, Thatch silently white-knuckling the oh-shit handle as we both kept Clara talking.
The sight of her sitting on a fallen tree limb while her car was only a few yards away stuck at an angle and in a ditch was carved into my mind forever.
It was hard to not insist I pick her up and drop her off any time she came to the ranch. But I knew better than to push or make her think I doubted her in any way. Clara would hand me my ass in a basket if I tried.
And now, months later, I needed her more than ever. I couldn’t – wouldn’t – lose her. Especially not now, not after tasting her.
No, Clara was mine. I might as well have her name branded on my chest.
Maybe it made me a fool or some kind of sap, but there was only one person I wanted to spend my time with.
All I had to do was convince Clara that we could get through anything – whatever anyone might say, accuse, or gossip. My chest tightened at the thought that someone could even think she wasn’t good enough or worthy enough. What utter bullshit.
Clara was mine, and I was hers.