Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
SIENNA
It had already been a wild morning and it was only nine.
I shook my head, tightening my scarf and tucking it into the front of my coat so it wouldn’t get in the way or tempt the horses into nibbling the dangling ends.
It felt like I’d barely slept last night, my thoughts just swirling around in circles as I thought about my dad, the ranch, my music, the press, and, of course, August.
Always August.
Of course, seeing him dripping wet and on display this morning was probably not going to help me sleep any better tonight. I wanted him. It was only natural, he was hot, he was nice, and I knew exactly how well he kissed. And now he was sleeping down the hall from me.
Until he leaves, a nasty voice in my mind whispered and I chose to ignore it as I slid on my boots and walked out the door.
Ten days left of our fake dating contract.
Would he leave immediately on day thirty?
If he even waited that long. He was too chivalrous for his own good, I had no doubt that once he saw I was okay he would be on his way.
August was waiting on the porch, his red hair haloed in the watery morning sun, and I wondered if this ranch tour was a bad idea when he seemed to look effortlessly good no matter what he was doing.
Muddy on a football field? Hot. Carrying his nephew around and cleaning food off his little face?
Ovary-squeezing. Naked, skin-still-steaming?
I forced that last image out of my mind before my cheeks could heat with my tell-tale blush and tried my best to respond normally to August’s smile of greeting.
Fucking dimples.
“Ready?” I asked, flipping my ponytail over my shoulder and tugging the door shut firmly behind us before we set off through the trees. My breath fogged the air and August’s long legs kept up with my brisk walk easily.
It was funny really, I’d never had much problem being a morning person when I was in Lavender Creek. Something about mornings here were just better.
“So, how big is this place?”
Our footsteps crunched on leaves as we walked in the direction of Lilac house, but instead of heading inside we continued on past. I shrugged. “A few thousand acres.”
“Ten and a half,” a helpful voice corrected and I jumped, not having seen Haven approaching. “You going to see Tea?”
August let out a low whistle while I nodded. “I’m giving him a tour.”
“She skips all the best bits,” Haven said, grin flashing across his face as he clapped August on the arm. “You come and find me when you’re ready for a real tour.”
He was gone as quickly as he’d appeared, whistling cheerfully as he bypassed us and headed for the trail that led to Indigo house.
“What’s his deal?” August asked, nodding his head towards Haven’s retreating form, and I snorted.
“Haven’s just a flirt and you’re fresh meat.”
August chuckled and I relaxed. The barn closest to Lilac house stored equipment and feed, and the field after that was open space for the horses to roam.
In the summer, it was one of my favorite fields because it filled with wildflowers in a dozen colors.
For now, it was perfect as an exercise pen for the horses who wanted to roam and graze.
It was fenced in the distance and a gate was in place to keep them away from the dirt road that ran between acres, but the field was mostly empty for now.
August leaned against the fence, looking out at the two horses we could see in the distance, his face filled with a gentle kind of awe. “Damn, they’re big.”
I laughed, unable to hold it back, because it was near-enough the first thing I’d said when I’d seen my first horse too.
“Come on, let’s see Tea.”
He dutifully followed as I unlatched the gate so we could walk towards the large barn a few feet away.
“Every horse here is a rescue,” I explained as we walked through the large, open doorway and the familiar scent of hay, animal, and horse shit hit us.
“Haven and Ryder split their time between land maintenance and working with the newcomers, some of them are abandoned foals or were mistreated so they need extra rehab and care. Joe and Wyn do a lot more of the medical care side of things, but they all chip in where necessary.”
August was watching me, a soft look on his face and I looked away.
“What?”
“It’s just impressive.”
I shrugged. “I don’t really do much.”
“You made all this possible.”
I waved off his words, making my way through the barn and stopping in front of a familiar mare.
She was a light brown colour with a white flare over her nose that ran down to her chest and the sweetest brown eyes framed with long lashes — honestly, Tea could give Muffin a run for her money when it came to sheer adorableness.
“This,” I said, pitching my voice low as I clicked my tongue comfortingly at the mare, “is Chantilly.”
August didn’t seem to know what to do with his hands as Tea dropped her head lower over the stable door, eager for nose pets and scritches. His hands clasped tightly in front of his chest as he looked at me with wide eyes, waiting for permission, I realized.
“Go ahead.” I smiled, biting my lip when he cautiously stretched out his palm and let Tea sniff him. “She won’t bite. Probably.”
He snatched his hand back so fast I couldn’t help my laughter. Tea’s ears flattened in surprise at the abrupt sound and I apologized to her with soft chin scratches until she relaxed again.
“She’s cute,” he said, voice rising like he was surprised and my grin made my cheeks ache.
“Trust me, she knows it.”
Tea chuffed, like she understood every word I’d said, and then nudged her head towards August once more. This time he was more confident when he reached out and stroked the soft space between her eyes, his stance relaxing as he smoothed up and down the space.
My eyes lifted to the ceiling, avoiding watching the petting motion and the fact that it made me feel irrationally jealous.
I wanted to be Tea in that moment, pliant under August’s fingers — and they were nice hands too, strong and calloused from hours spent training but still well-kept and large.
Big enough that they could probably hold my breasts without much effort —
My chin snapped up when August started to laugh, but he was looking at Tea as she attempted to coax treats out of him by licking his hand.
“Sweet girl,” I crooned and when she snorted and clicked her teeth sharply I laughed, rummaging in my pockets for a sweet mint treat that I knew were her favourites. “Do you want to give her one?”
August nodded, but it was a jerky movement, unsure, and I reached out without thinking, wrapping my hand around his to demonstrate how to cup his palm mostly flat as he presented Tea with her prize.
He gasped and then grimaced, likely as he felt a warm, slobbery mouth on his skin.
Tea didn’t even bother chewing, just gulped the thing down while I tutted at her.
I’d told her over and over that she should chew before she swallowed.
She’d not bothered to listen yet, but the day was early, maybe she’d surprise us.
“Do you ride her?” August lowered his hand and my arm dropped away. In truth, I’d forgotten it was there, his touch was so easy, so right.
“Whenever I get the chance.” I scrubbed my hand down and across Tea’s chin towards her neck. “But Joe takes her out for me too, so she gets plenty of exercise when I’m not here. I’ve heard the kids love her when we do lessons in the summer as well, she’s very gentle.”
We moved on after giving Tea one more mint, stopping to greet the next few horses though a few stalls were empty — their owners most likely out in the field.
“Do you have a favorite?”
August smiled, one dimple appearing in his cheek. “Tea, obviously.”
“Obviously.” I laughed, appreciating the sentiment but noticing how his eyes strayed back to a gelding we’d seen a few moments ago. They were nearly fully black, with a spattering of brown and white across their legs that reminded me of freckles. “How about them?”
They were a new arrival — or new since I’d last been around anyway — so I didn’t know much about them. Luckily, I didn’t have to pretend to try since Ryder walked in, hat on low to shield his eyes from the sun, leading Honey, our maple filly, to her stall.
“Hey,” he said, face smooth. He wasn’t grumpy, exactly, but he was a man of few words in my experience, a quality I’d found attractive when I’d first met him. Or maybe he simply didn’t get the chance to talk much, considering Haven did so much of it.
The thought made me smirk as I nodded at him. “Hey yourself. We were just admiring the gelding.”
“That’s Henry, he’s a little wary of strangers at the moment so watch your fingers.” Ryder closed Honey’s stall door and then raised an eyebrow at our surprised faces. “What?”
“It’s just that he was fine with us, in fact he couldn’t get enough of August.” I nudged him and he rubbed the back of his neck, hiding a small smile. “Maybe it’s fate.”
Ryder rolled his eyes. “This again?”
August shot me a questioning look and I waved a dismissive hand. “Ryder doesn’t believe in soul mates.”
“She’s a fucking horse, Sienna.”
The exasperation in his voice made me smile wider as I clicked my tongue and Tea looked up immediately. “She’s my soul horse.”
August nodded, like that made total sense to him. “Henry could be my soul horse. If I get to know him better.”
“Maybe learn to ride first, city boy.” There was only good humor in Ryder’s voice when he said the words but I flinched nonetheless.
It was good, I reasoned, I needed the reminder of August’s impending departure.
This was all temporary, even if it felt good.
His life was back in New York, with his career, his family.
“I plan to,” August said, surprising me, and Ryder’s brows rose like he was pleased by the answer.
“Well, you know the best way to learn how to ride a horse?” August shook his head and Ryder smirked. “Cleaning its shit.”
“Humbling,” I murmured and we laughed. “I’m sure there’s plenty of it to go around, but we’ve got the rest of the tour to go yet.”
“Another time,” Ryder said and August nodded firmly, like the thought of shovelling shit was a genuine plan worth looking forward to.
We walked out of the other side of the barn where another dirt road intersected and wrapped around the outskirts of more greenery.
In all honesty, walking around the entire ranch would take hours.
He’d seen the best bit already, in my opinion, though a close second would be the lakes, and the weather was good enough for it today…
but it was quicker and easier to access the trail on horseback and August wasn’t ready for that yet.
“When do you think you’ll head back to the city?
” I asked as the cool air brushed over the lingering warmth in my cheeks.
I had needed the reminder not to get too comfortable playing house with August — after all, the last time we’d kissed he’d ended up running away afterwards.
Seeing him naked this morning didn’t make that fact disappear.
He shrugged, not quite meeting my eyes as he walked beside me. “I’m not sure yet. You trying to get rid of me already?”
“Maybe.” I smiled as I said the words, trying to keep my tone light even as I knew that it would be easier on us all if he left now, before I got too attached. Before I wanted to keep him.
“I like it here,” was all he said in reply. I didn’t know whether he meant it as a I’ll miss it when I go or as a I want to stay. Maybe he didn’t know, either.
We wandered for another half hour, the fields rolling into one another effortlessly until we appeared back behind the Pink house in a full circle.
August blinked, glancing behind us as if confused as to how we’d ended up back here and I smothered a giggle.
It had been nice, chatting with him, sharing this space with someone.
It wasn’t nearly as scary as I’d thought it would be to have him here in the place I loved more than anything.
Maybe that was the most worrying thing of all.
My jeans were soaked with morning dew and my toes were cold inside my boots as we walked inside the house.
Normally I’d have peeled my jeans off as soon as I got in the front door, but with August at my side it didn’t seem appropriate.
He might get the wrong idea and think I was trying to even the score after he’d unwittingly flashed me this morning.
The door closed behind us and Muffin came running down the stairs, nearly soundless, with just the faint thump of her paws against the wood giving her incoming presence away.
“I’m going to dry off,” I said as I toed off my boots and headed for the staircase, unable to resist ribbing him a little. “You know, with a towel. Those things that normal people use?”
I heard his chuckle but didn’t look back, worried seeing those damn dimples again might prove too much for me as I left him red-cheeked by the door.