Chapter 4
4
Why does family have the ability to see things about yourself that you can’t or won’t acknowledge? Damn them. -Matt
Matt, one week later
“What are y’all two up to today? How’s Stormy doing?” Glory asks in a soft voice while spooning up another serving of grits for her husband. She sends both Leah and I a sympathetic look. I guess she, like everyone else, knows Stormy is still giving us fits.
“We’re going to work on getting me on the horse like we have every day this week,” Leah says dryly. One corner of her mouth lifts. “I think that has to be the first step before we can start on anything else.” She shakes her head sadly. “She’s still bucking every time we try to saddle her up.” The look in her eyes says she’s as worried and anxious as I’m rapidly becoming. Stormy was probably an ornery horse to begin with, but now she really wants no part of being ridden.
“We’ll get there,” I say huskily. “She’s getting there, just gonna take time.”
My brothers send me a surprised look. I’m usually the pessimist in the family. This optimistic side of me is new, but I can’t watch Leah get down in the mouth about things again. She’s always so sad. I swear, she smiled yesterday, and my heart just about stopped.
Somewhere, over the last week, we’ve made a silent kind of peace with each other. Maybe it’s because she’s shown up at the horse barn every morning before me. Maybe it’s because she mucks stalls and does stuff to help out around here without anyone even asking. Maybe it’s because I’m an old softie and she tugs at something inside of me.
Leah emits a deep sigh. “Yep, sure. I’m going out to see her. I’ll meet ya there, old cowboy.” She places her dish in the sink and turns to look at us all. She gives a strained smile. “Thanks for making breakfast, Glory. My turn tomorrow. Good to see everyone.” She gives everyone a small smile as she walks out the door.
I don’t try to stop myself from watching her hips sway. The woman has been the star of my fantasies since she got here, and I can’t seem to shake it. I don’t think I’ve ever been obsessed with someone the way I am her. She works so hard and barely asks for anything. Over this last week, I’ve become deeply fascinated with the rich girl. Except she doesn’t act rich at all. She acts just like any regular cowhand, always trying her hardest. And watching her ride on the horses around here…there’s nothing like it. She’s like art in motion. Beautiful as can be.
“Yo, brother, you gonna do anything about this crush of yours of what?” Chase asks. I turn to him sharply and see the shit-eating grin on his face.
I dig back into my eggs and roll my eyes. “I don’t have a crush, you idiot. I’m working with her.”
“Sure, that’s all that’s going on. That’s why you were watching her backside like it was your job or somethin’. Why don’t you just admit you got feelings for the girl, Matt? Be mature about it?” Chase questions, his cocky voice mocking the thoughts I’ve already had over the last few days.
I snort. “Like you were so mature about your feelings for Glory, Chase. Took you forever to finally see the truth even though it was starin’ you in the face.” I chuckle, remembering the run around those two gave each other before they finally got together.
Glory giggles. “He’s got you there, Chase.” She rubs her pregnant belly and then leans over to gather some of the dishes from the table. Chase immediately jumps up to help her.
“Took me a little while to get my head out of my ass. You’re supposed to be the smarter brother, though. At least that’s what you’re always sayin’.” Chase throws me another shit-eating grin and I glance over at my other brother, Alex. He’s grinning like a fool too, and I shake my head.
“You agree with the moron?” I ask him softly. “Think I’m infatuated with my new client?”
Hell, I guess I am pretty obvious. But there’s something about Leah. Something tugs at my heart even though I’ve been accused of not having one in the past. Not to mention the sweaty dreams I’ve had of her, taking her every which way I can, pounding into her from behind or…
“Yep, sure do agree with the moron, at least this time,” Alex says cheekily interrupting my daydreams.
I sigh, long and hard. “Not like it matters, Alex. She’s not interested.” I glance over to where Chase and Glory are washing dishes together while teasing and laughing with each other. “She doesn’t think of me that way.”
“She watches you,” Alex says matter-of-factly. I swing my head around to see amusement on my usually solemn brother’s face. “She watches you when you aren’t paying attention. Same as you do with her. Way I see it, y’all are both gone over each other, but too afraid to make the first move. Better cowboy up and do it, Matt, before she gets tired of moonin’ over you.”
I blink, hard, thinking of the way she looks away from me sometimes, like she’s just been studying me, and I’ve caught her in the act. Could she have feelings for a stubborn old cowboy like me?
“Maybe,” I say gruffly, “maybe I should.”
A gentle frown appears on Alex’s face. “Be careful though, Matt. Her horse isn’t the only one that’s hurtin’. There’s pain there so tread lightly. Whatever she’s been through,” he shakes his head gravely, “well, it wasn’t pretty.”
I nod. I get the feeling sometimes like I’m trying to heal two beings at once: horse and rider. Yes, Leah can ride and ride beautifully, but she’s still skittish and tentative. And then there’s that sadness that clings to her. It makes me just want to wrap my arms around her and never let go.
“I’ll do my best, brother, to be gentle.” Because I would rather kill myself than hurt that girl. This girl has captured both my heart and my hormones.