Chapter 6
Nash watched as Buttercup filled up on fresh grass in the field. A quick look at the time said Ellie would be there any minute.
Anticipation bolted through him like a determined racehorse, hot and exhilarating. Nash had barely gotten a wink of shut-eye last night, and even that was infused with thoughts of Ellie Blaire.
Before drifting off to sleep, he’d let himself daydream—imagining what it’d be like to kiss her while they rode bareback in the sunset.
Of course, his mind had summoned an image of them sharing a horse, which wouldn't be happening today.
It had also dreamed up that Ellie had turned her pretty face toward him, batted her lashes, and dropped her gaze to his mouth in invitation.
Something that would also not be happening today.
As benign as the scene should have been—there’d been no spoken or visible danger, after all— Nash had woken up in a panic.
He’d spent hours trying to dissect that dream, hoping to figure out why it had him so ill at ease, but he came up short.
In the light of day, it didn’t seem like much to lose sleep over, but he’d have been happier having a continuation of the daydream he’d summoned before falling asleep.
Nash pushed thoughts of his rough night aside.
He paced in the shadows while waiting for Ellie to arrive, his insides bundled tighter than a hogtied calf.
He wasn't sure how in heaven's name he was supposed to stay true to the NDA he’d signed when his family kept poking and prodding and putting their nose in his business.
Aunt Jackie was nearly as bad as Grandma C with all her excitement surrounding Nash’s time at Wild Buck’s.
And though his brothers agreed that Nash couldn't rightfully give them any details regarding Ellie’s whereabouts, Nash had received texts from Thatcher, Wes, and Rem, too, each asking, without actually asking, if anything had changed.
Nash had ignored them. It was a good thing Thatcher and Wes were now married and in homes of their own and that Rem lived at the old farmhouse with the rest of the ranch hands.
At least that made it easier to avoid them when he went back home.
"Which one are you going to ride this evening?" Ellie asked from behind.
Nash wondered if this was how his interactions with Ellie would be—her coming up behind him, announcing her presence with that familiar voice that set his blood ablaze.
It was really her—the girl-turned-woman who grew up alongside Nash, even if it was on the silver screen. And today, she was there with him.
Without glancing back, Nash eyed the other horses. “I’m riding Pepper, the black and white horse over there. He has his eye on Buttercup, so I figure I’ll let him shoot his shot."
"That's so nice of you." Ellie came up beside him and bumped his arm. The heavenly scent of lilacs filled his senses. Lilacs, he should have guessed she’d pick the best-smelling scent nature had to offer. It seemed the flower’s blooming season—when compared to most—was fleeting, which was likely the case with Ellie’s visit.
He glanced over to take in the beautiful sight of her. Yesterday, Ellie had looked incredible in a light, cotton blouse and matching shorts, but today, she looked even better in a pair of jeans and cowboy boots. She looked like someone who belonged here, who could maybe even belong to him.
"Will this work?" she asked, glancing down at her outfit before looking back up at him.
"Yep.” Nash gulped. “Perfect."
Ellie grinned. “Don't let these fool you," she said, glancing down at the impressively worn boots. "I've never ridden a day in my life.”
“I’d be more surprised to hear otherwise,” Nash teased.
Ellie bumped his arm. “These were a gift from the director of my upcoming film. He said I should bring them along as a good luck token. He’s hoping they’ll also help get me into character while I’m here."
She lifted her feet in turn to scrutinize the soles before resting them flat back on the dirt.
“At least somebody got to wear these in real life.
You'd be amazed by the selection of used items they have in the wardrobe sheds.
I always joke that while I'm out there playing different roles, everyone outside of Hollywood is living the life we actors only dream about.”
Only dream about? Nash blanched at the curious sadness in her statement. "Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? Doesn't everyone dream of what it would be like to be famous?”
Ellie shook her head. “I’m sure most people wonder what it's like, but I bet if it came down to it, they’d never really want to trade places with us."
There was that sadness again, the underlying theme that she was missing out on a life she didn't feel like she could have.
The idea generated an odd sort of determination in Nash, made him want to show her the best time he could while she was tucked away in Big Sky Country. He may not have traveled the globe like Ellie Blaire had, but Nash was certain this was the best place on earth.
Ellie sniffed, straightened her shoulders, and clapped her hands twice like she was ready for business. "I hope Buttercup still likes me today because I'm really looking forward to this ride. In fact, I was dreaming about it all night.”
Nash looked over to catch her gaze. His lower belly flooded with warmth. “Me too.”
He cleared his throat and motioned to the saddling station. He'd already gotten Pepper saddled up for himself, picked out a proper saddle for Ellie, and groomed Buttercup so she was ready to go. Nash gave Ellie a breakdown of the dos and don’ts before helping her onto the saddle.
“There you go,” he said proudly. “I’ll mount Pepper once you’re more comfortable. For now, go ahead and lead her in a circle around the saddling station. Slight tugs on the rein only. Think of it like a steering wheel; it doesn’t take much to change direction.”
When Buttercup failed to start walking, Nash noticed the death grip Ellie had on the reins. He grinned and reached up to shake out her arms like his pops used to do to him. “Loosen up your grip,” he said.
Ellie nodded and let her arms go lax.
Nash nodded in return. “Okay, that’s better. Now squeeze your calves around the horse just a bit, and she’ll start walking. So long as you don’t panic, she won’t panic, and you can have a nice, calm walk with her.”
Buttercup took a few steps forward.
“Good girl,” he crooned. “Be sure to praise her when she does something right.”
“Okay,” she said nervously. “Good girl, Buttercup. Good—” Ellie stopped as Buttercup went into reverse and began walking backward. “Oh no,” she squeaked. “Why is she doing this?”
Nash checked Ellie’s grip on the reins once more, already knowing what he’d see.
“It’s okay, it’s okay,” he assured. “Remember what I told you about resting position? When you tug straight back, you’re telling her to stop or back up.
If she gets mixed signals, she’ll be confused at best, ticked off at worst.”
"I don't want her to be either of those things," Ellie said with a nervous laugh.
It took a bit more practice, but soon Ellie and Buttercup fell into a rhythm, and Nash mounted Pepper and came up alongside.
“Horse riding is more complicated than I thought,” Ellie said as the horses walked evenly side-by-side.
“It is until you get the hang of it,” Nash allowed. “But you’re doing great.”
Ellie nodded. “I’m trying. There are a lot of rules to follow.”
"True, but like every good camp leader ever taught, break the rules and wind up like the fools. Follow each one and have lots of fun."
Ellie chuckled. “Is that what they really teach you at summer camp?"
"Sure. Didn't you ever go?"
"Only in the movies. I guess if you count pretending to go to camp while you stay in hotels and trailers with your dad or your manager, I have. But no, not the real thing.”
"Oh, you're missing out. I had some of the best times of my life at summer camp, kid’s camp, and youth trips with my church. I’ve even gone as a youth leader to help out."
“More volunteering?” she asked.
He nodded. “The youth pastor guilted me into it, but yeah.”
“So that means you were the one reciting the rule motto?”
He chuckled. “You betcha. Only I made it sound cool, like a country rap type of thing.”
“I bet you did. Wait, do they really have matching tee shirts and all that?”
“They sure do. The last time I was a leader, our group was the Holy Trailblazers. I’m the one who designed the logo, so you know it was the coolest.”
“Man, I’d like to see that, you in your coolest-ever camp shirt, blowing the whistle to gain the kids’ attention and rapping the rule motto. You were probably their favorite camp leader.”
“No probably about it, sugar,” he said while puffing his chest. “Makes me excited to take my own kids camping one day. When I have them, that is,” he added, not wanting to give the wrong impression.
Ellie let out an exaggerated sigh. "Like I said, you guys are living the lives that we only dream about."
She said it with a hint of amusement in her tone, but there was no escaping the underlying theme: It seemed that her life in Hollywood had been losing its luster.
Buttercup kept in perfect pace with Pepper as they followed along the open trail.
Soon, they’d reach the heavily wooded portion, where the horses would break away to walk single file.
Nash glanced over to catch a pleased expression on Ellie’s face.
He was glad she’d been able to relax and enjoy some conversation as they went.
"So, were the camp directors right?” she asked. “Was following the rules more fun?"
"I'd say about eighty-five percent of the time, yes, absolutely. It's like with football. How fun would it be to play the game if nobody followed the rules?"
"Okay, so let’s talk about the fifteen-to-twenty percent."