Chapter Twenty One
“Did you finish your essay?” Riley asked the sulking Tara. Ever since their talk, her sister had given her the cold shoulder. Recalling how many times she did the exact same thing to her mom, she did what her mom always did: absolutely nothing.
“I’ll finish it tonight,” Tara snapped at her.
“If you have time to listen to murder podcasts, you have time to finish your essay. Headphones off until you finish your homework. You still haven’t caught up, and we can’t have you falling further behind,” Riley explained softly.
“You’re not my mom, Riley. I killed her,” Tara said, walking into her bedroom and shutting the door.
Riley sighed. Maybe she needed to put Tara into counseling.
She blamed Tara’s issues on her dad. If only her dad drank and fell asleep, compared to the angry man who came home, hurling all sorts of accusations and hurtful slurs.
As soon as they settled, she’d use the emergency fund to find someone who might find the words to help Tara feel better about herself.
Goodness knows, she explained, accidents happen on a ranch all the time.
The door opened, and Garrett entered, smiling at her.
She wanted to rush to him and wrap her arms around him, but everything felt new, and Tara might come out of her room at any moment.
Acting like her parent, Riley refused to allow Tara to see her bring multiple men home.
For now, she preferred to keep things between her and Garrett.
“Where’s Tara?” Garrett asked as he reached her. Riley held him at arm’s length as she pointed to her room.
“She’s upset with me,” she confided.
“Maybe a horse ride will make her feel better?” he suggested, waiting for Riley to give her permission.
“I don’t know if she’ll go,” Riley said, biting her lip.
“Why don’t you get your boots on? I’ll talk to her,” he said, heading toward Tara’s room.
He knocked on her door. “Tara, it’s me. May I come in?”
When Tara gave him permission, he entered, leaving Riley to finish getting ready. Excitement ran through her at riding Storm. Putting on her boots, she waited at the table.
A few minutes later, Garrett came out without her sister. “She’s fine. She and Kara are texting, and they plan to watch a show together.”
“When? She needs to finish her essay,” Riley asked, getting her jacket.
“You know, kids these days,” Garrett said, shaking his head. “They have each other on the computer, and they’re watching it together.”
“Ugh. Life seems so much easier for them. Or I’m getting old because I want to say when I was your age, we bicycled to our friend’s home and watched it together,” Riley said, giggling.
“I’m older than you, and I feel the same way,” he told her as he went to the laundry room for a clean shirt after his tussle with Matthew.
“I’m glad it’s warming up a little. It’s the perfect time to plant things and get seedlings going. You have the perfect spot for a garden shed to start them,” she told him as he went into the laundry room.
“I’ll keep it in mind,” he said, rising and removing her new hat from its hook. “Don’t forget this.”
“Never,” she said, grinning. “What happened to your nose?”
“Nothing. We live on a ranch. Let’s get going,” he said briskly.
When they arrived at the barn, Riley jumped out, excited about the ride.
“Hold on to your horses, Riley. We have to figure out your cast. Can you pull back on the reins without hurting, and what about your leg?”
“If I can hold a pan of water, I can handle the reins. My leg gets better by the day. It barely hurts anymore. I control the horse with my thighs. I rarely used my reins with Sir Richard. On a ranch, it’s easier to have your hands free.”
“Who taught you to ride like that?” he asked, impressed by her skills.
“We hired a Native American cowboy. He helped me break Sir Richard and taught me to ride without a saddle, using the pressure of my knees to move him. I taught him how to cook in exchange. I haven’t worked with Storm.
I don’t know how she’ll respond. Maybe we can put them in the paddock and try them out before riding them? ”
“Definitely,” he agreed. “Why don’t I try her first?”
Riley narrowed her eyes at him. “I may walk clumsily, but I assure you I know how to ride. In fact, I recall you telling me I did a good job only last night.”
Garrett grinned. “Yes, Baby Girl, you sure did.”
“Why do you call me that? You never did before?” she asked as they entered the barn.
“Because when I see your vulnerability, it reminds me there’s a little girl who grew up taking on the responsibilities of the world because someone failed her.
She grew into the feisty, fierce woman you show everyone today.
I call you Baby Girl because it’s an endearment, letting you know I see you, all of you. Does it bother you?”
Riley smiled slightly and gazed at him. “From anyone else, yeah. But from you, no.”
Garrett grinned and planted his lips on hers. For long moments, they shared a kiss with his hands cupping her bottom, and hers gripping his shirt.
When he raised his lips, she grinned, “You promised me a horse ride and not one like last night.”
Throwing his head back, he laughed, “Yes, ma’am.”
Garrett saddled the horses and led them into the paddock. “Your ride awaits. I’ll carry you,” he called, coming toward her. Instead of hearing, ‘You’re not the boss of me,’ Riley threw her arms around his neck when he picked her up.
“I don’t like not kissing you when I come home,” he murmured as he carried her to the horse.
“I want to keep things between us for now. You read and see people who parade multiple partners in front of their kids, and then the child gets messed up. Tara will want to start dating soon. I want to set a good example. It doesn’t mean I don’t want you to kiss me,” she said as he lowered her to the ground.
Garrett cradled her head as he traced her bottom lip with his tongue and gently nipped it. She moaned and pressed herself against him as his tongue explored hers.
“I thought you wanted to go riding,” he teased as he spread kisses down her neck.
“Oh, I dooo,” she cooed. “I like how you teach.”
“How sore are you?” he asked, gazing into her eyes.
“I barely noticed it this morning. I even managed to walk straight,” she said cheekily. “How about you?”
Garrett laughed out loud. “Besides feeling tired because someone wanted to explore my body, I’m walking just fine.”
“Good to know,” she said as he pulled back and lifted her on Storm. The horse barely moved while Riley shifted on the saddle.
“We’ll walk her in a circle first,” Garrett instructed as Riley rolled her eyes.
She gave the horse a gentle kick and Storm walked in a circle.
After the third pass, she set the horse to gallop.
The two of them seemed made for each other as Riley leaned down and patted Storm’s neck, whispering to her.
Ensuring Riley handled Storm, Garrett mounted Brutus. They took their time getting to know the animals. When he felt comfortable with her riding ability, he opened the paddock, and they rode beside each other.
“I’ve missed this,” she said, smiling at Garrett. “Thank you for letting me ride her.”
“You’re welcome. She’s an incredible horse. You did a good job picking her out,” he complimented her.
“Oh, yeah? Then why did you put her last on your list? She deserved the number two spot at the very least. If you bought those other horses, you wouldn’t have given her another thought.”
Garrett glanced at her as she patted Storm and spoke to her. Seeing how much she loved the horse already, Garrett didn’t bother to explain he purchased it for her. Or the fact if he wanted to buy the whole damn barn of horses, he could have.
The clouds grew darker grey, and he turned to Riley. “Let’s head back. It’s about to storm.”
Riley grinned, and her eyes sparkled as she sent Storm running. Garrett turned Brutus, yelling, “Riley, stop.”
She only went faster, sending his blood pressure soaring. What if she lost her grip with her broken arm? His heart raced as he sent Brutus after them. He caught up to her when they reached the barn.
He jumped down from Brutus and pulled Riley from Storm.
“Stop, Garrett. What’s wrong with you?” she said as he hauled her over his shoulder. He set her inside the barn door, and his hands caged her. “What do you think you’re doing riding an unknown horse like that?” he ground out. “You might’ve gotten hurt. Stay here.”
He brought the horses inside and slammed the barn door shut before tending to the horses.
“Did you get a stick up your ass?” she snarked. “Why do you suddenly have an attitude?”
“You almost caused me to have a heart attack,” he exclaimed. “Storm’s a new horse. You don’t know her enough to take off like that, especially with a broken arm.”
“You’re not the boss of me, Garrett Johnson,” she yelled. “I’m not some damsel in distress. I know horses and ranching, and I can run circles around any of you cowboys.”
Oh, did she irritate him. His head threatened to blow off his neck as he stared at her blazing eyes. Did she understand he didn’t want her to get hurt?
Riley lunged forward, kissing him and taking him off guard.
Garrett’s arm circled around her waist as he lifted her against the barn door.
His lips crushed against hers. Their tongues clashed as his anger dissipated into fear, then into desire.
He loved her, and the thought of losing her sent him to his knees.