Chapter 12 #2
The barn is eerily still, not a soul in sight. They’re all probably out taking care of the ranch.
I completely zone out, and before I know it, we’re in the barn standing in front of a horse stall. My hand grips Santiago’s as my knuckles turn white. Santiago rubs circles on the back of my hand, soothing my nervous energy.
“This is Shadow. You’ll be riding her today.” Santiago waves his free hand to the horse staring back at me with her ears pinned forward.
Her raven coat shines as she approaches the gate of the stall. She pokes her head out over the wood, and her nostrils flare as she focuses on me. Shadow’s eyes have me pinned in place.
“She’s beautiful,” I whisper.
Santiago nudges me. “Scared?”
“A bit,” I admit.
“Don’t be. She’ll be able to sense it.”
I snort. “Right. Because it’s that easy.”
“Why can’t it be?”
“Because,” I explain as I turn to him, “fear is paralyzing. It holds you in place until you can’t breathe.”
His eyes soften in the corners. “You have to fight it, mi Cielo. You can’t let the fear win.”
The way he says it makes me think he believes I can do it. I can be strong and face the ugly memories I’ve always tried to forget.
“I’ll try.”
My optimism is rewarded with a kiss on my cheek.
“Good girl,” he growls in my ear, sending flutters through my stomach. Santiago pulls back and looks around. “Get yourself acquainted with Shadow. I’ll be right back. I need to find my foreman, Javier.”
Before I can argue, he’s gone. Shadow’s focus is undeterred.
“Guess it’s just you and me, huh,” I mutter. Shadow whinnies her response.
I force one step forward. Then another. And another.
Shadow dips her head, and I take it as a good sign. On a shaky breath, I place my hand on the bridge of her nose. The contact slows my racing pulse, as if she’s giving me some of her calm, letting me know I’m okay.
“Can I help you with something, beautiful?”
Off to my left, a man leans on his shoulder against the barrier of the next horse stall over. I don’t know how long he’s been standing there, and I don’t like that fact.
He looks in my direction with his coffee-colored eyes. The sleeves of his red flannel are rolled to his elbows, and his boots appear to be soaked with a mix of melted snow and mud.
Definitely a ranch hand.
“I’m good,” I respond dismissively and return to stroking Shadow’s coat, moving to her neck.
Shadow lets out a puff of air from her nose.
The man pushes off the wall, strolling toward me. “It’s no trouble. A pretty woman like you shouldn’t have to get her hands dirty.”
“A little dirt never hurt anybody. So, I’ll say it again, I’m good.” I turn, giving him my back.
“I like a woman who knows how to work.”
“Good for you,” I respond curtly over my shoulder.
Shadow moves her head, hovering above my shoulder, then lets out a short chuff in the guy’s direction. I may not be a skilled equestrian, but I get the feeling that Shadow isn’t a fan.
“How about I take you out for a drink tomorrow?” he pushes.
I feel him standing less than a foot away. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Some men are good at taking hints, and unfortunately, this guy seems to be in the other group. He acts like any woman is blessed to get his attention, which means there’s no way she doesn’t want him.
This guy is in for a rude awakening.
“No thanks. I don’t date cowboys,” I quip.
“I saw you walk out of Santiago’s house.”
He went there. Nope.
Whipping around, I cross my arms. “So?” Shadow’s attention remains on the man.
Okay, I admit to being wrong about horses. Shadow is clearly a girl’s girl.
I don’t like that I gave him what he wants—my attention. But the moment he said Santiago’s name, he landed on my shit list, and I’m okay with letting him know it.
A small smirk lights the guy’s face. “So if you don’t date cowboys, then what are you doing with him?”
“Fucking,” I bark with a strong tone of reproach.
“Manny!” A man with a body full of lean muscle storms toward us. The snarl on his face looks like there’s hell to pay, and the debtor is the persistent man in front of me. “Te dije que checaras el pastizal del sur. Mueve tu trasero para allá.”
I told you to check the south pasture. Get your ass over there.
Someone’s in trouble.
“I was just—” Manny starts, his bravado nowhere in sight.
The lean man stops between Manny and me and shouts, “Get!” After Manny scurries off like a bat out of hell, the man turns to me and apologizes in a much softer voice. “Sorry if he was bothering you.”
Dropping my arms, I no longer feel the need to defend myself. While I’m perfectly capable of getting rid of a pushy man on my own, I’m always grateful for the help.
I wave off the apology. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“I’m Javier.” He holds his hand out to me, and I clasp it with my own as I connect the dots.
“The foreman.”
He drops my hand and nods. “That’s me.”
“I’m Blake.”
Javier’s face pinches then brightens as he connects his own dots. “Jennings? I knew your father.”
I shouldn’t be surprised. Daddy was born and raised here. Just because I never came around Falling Sky doesn’t mean he didn’t. But just the mention of him still makes me tighten my hands into fists, my nails digging into my palms.
“Happy to hear it.” My platitude has no enthusiasm behind it.
I’m saved from the awkward silence when Santiago finds us.
“Javi, there you are.” Santiago comes right to my side. Shadow moves, deeming me safe, I assume, and Santiago places his arm across my shoulders. “We’re taking Ace and Shadow. I figured while we’re out, I’d check and make sure the snow drifts haven’t gotten worse.”
Javier tips his hat. “Sounds good, boss.” He and Santiago get to work saddling the horses.
When it’s time to mount, most of my nerves have dissipated. Shadow and I have officially bonded. After that, things get difficult. Javier and Santiago coach me simultaneously, overwhelming my uneasiness.
“Be sure to look where you’re going. Your horse follows your eyes,” Javier instructs.
“Squeeze with your calves. Not a kick,” Santiago directs from atop his own horse, Ace. Ace is much bigger than Shadow and has shiny copper hair. They wait for Shadow and me and the exit of the barn, the doors wide open.
Leaning forward, I whisper to Shadow, “I just need you to follow Ace. Do that, and I’ll make sure you get a big treat.”
Shadow cranes her neck, looking at me with one eye. It’s like she’s making sure I’ll keep good on my bribe.
I hold my hand up like I’m taking a witness oath in court. “Cross my heart, babe. Do this for me, and I’ll get you…” My attention switches to Santiago. “What’s her favorite treat?”
Santiago’s brows are pinched together as he watches. “Sugar cubes.”
I return to Shadow. “I swear you’ll get sugar cubes.”
Shadow whinnies and trots to stand beside Ace. Santiago gives me a proud look. “Let’s go then.” He makes a clicking sound with his mouth, and Ace canters away. Shadow follows closely.
Behind us, I hear Javier comment, “That’s one way to do it.”