Chapter 5
Quick Release Knots
Layla
It’s been a few days since poker night, and all I’ve been thinking about is Cole. I don’t understand what happened exactly, but I know something did. Something shifted. Something cracked open just enough to make me aware of him in a way I wasn’t before and now I can’t seem to shut it off.
I’ve been writing since around six this morning, coffee in hand, laptop open on the small table by the window.
I finally finished my first chapter, and instead of feeling relieved, I feel…
restless. Watching him feels like research I didn’t know I needed.
Maybe he is why my words are finally flowing.
Cole’s finally back from the weekend, and I’ve been watching him since I woke up. I tell myself it’s just background noise while I write, but that’s a lie. If I’m being honest with myself, I missed looking at him.
He’s walking the fence line, talking softly to the horses while he works.
He feeds them grain, checks their water troughs, runs his hands over them like he knows every inch of their bodies by heart.
I wish he knew my body like that. I enjoy watching him work.
There’s something grounding about it. Something real.
He’s not a bad-looking guy. Actually… he’s really handsome.
Just has a bad attitude. But, watching a man work like that—getting dirty, muscles flexing without him even trying—does things to me.
I bet he could toss me around like I weighed nothing.
Not a lot of men can. But I bet he could.
Okay deep breath. Focus, Layla. That escalated quickly.
Where did that thought even come from? And why am I suddenly interested in the grumpy cowboy?
I take a sip of coffee and look away from the window, trying to focus back on my screen.
It doesn’t work. Because, I don’t understand why he’s so closed off with me.
Or why I’m so damn desperate to get to know him.
It’s like that saying, you want what you can’t have and apparently my brain took that as a personal challenge.
Wanting a man like him seems so dangerous.
He crouches down by one of the horses, running his hand carefully down its leg, probably checking for swelling or injury or whatever it is people who actually know horses do. I don’t really know. All I know is that he’s gentle with them.
Which doesn’t match his gruff tone. Or his sharp edges. Or the way he looks at me like I’m an inconvenience and a temptation all at once.
There’s someone sweet in there. I can feel it. Someone who’s been hurt badly enough to lock everything down tight.
And I want to know him.
I get dressed while still glancing out the window, choosing clothes that can get dirty. Jeans, a simple top. Nothing fancy. I’m hoping, maybe stupidly, that Cole might show me around. Show me what his day-to-day life looks like here on the ranch. Not for me, ya know, for educational purposes.
When I open the front door, I look down and stop short. There’s a pair of boots sitting right there. Maggie. Of course.
She must’ve left them for me so I wouldn’t get my tennis shoes dirty. She’s been talking nonstop about how I need boots if I’m going to survive out here. They’re cute, turquoise at the top, brown at the bottom. I recognize the brand from her rambling earlier. Justin’s.
I sit down by the door, slip off my sneakers, and tug the boots on.
And to my surprise they fit perfectly. I’ve never worn boots before, and honestly, I wasn’t sure they’d work with my thick calves but they slide on like they were made for me.
Maggie probably figured it out. She seems like the type who notices things like that.
I stand up, take a few steps, feeling taller somehow.
Stronger. That was a really kind gesture, I really like her.
And the thought hits me unexpectedly, sharp and quiet all at once, I’m going to miss her when I have to leave.
I’m getting attached to this family very quickly.
Six months suddenly feels both far away and not nearly long enough.
I leave the house and head in Cole’s direction. The crunch of gravel under my boots must give me away, because he turns around from the fence line just as I reach it.
And when he sees me… he looks me up and down. Slow. Intentional. His head tilts slightly, mouth pulling into a smirk when his eyes land on my boots. That look wasn’t accidental. I try not to overthink it. I fail.
I smile anyway.
When I reach the fence, he leans back against it and asks, “Where’d you get those boots?”
I laugh, slipping my hands into the back pockets of my jean shorts. “I believe your sister got them for me.”
“Figures she would do something like that,” he mutters.
I hesitate, then add, “Do they look good on me? Or do I look like the ultimate cowgirl poser?”
His eyebrows lift, and he looks away like he’s considering his answer a little too carefully.
My stomach tightens.
Then he says, “They look fine on you.”
Relief floods me so fast I almost laugh. Fine? I’ll take fine from him. I grin, big and give him a little twirl right there in the dirt, feeling ridiculous and pleased all at once. Why does it mean so much more coming from him?
He rolls his eyes. “You done showin’ off?”
“Never,” I tease.
“What’s up, city girl?” he asks. “What do you want? I’ve got things to do today.”
I should hate that nickname, but I don’t.
“Well,” I say, shifting my weight, suddenly aware of how close he is, “that’s the thing. I wanna learn some stuff. About ranch life. Important stuff.”
He watches me closely now.
“If you teach me,” I continue, “I can be your helper. I’m here for six months, it’d be nice to actually know what I’m doing. Plus, you’ve got that big spring thing coming up next week for the ranch. I’d really love to help.”
His jaw tightens, a muscle jumping there like he’s arguing with himself. He’s deciding whether I’m worth the trouble, He stares out into the field behind me for a long moment before looking back down at me.
“You wanna learn how to groom and saddle the horses?” he asks.
My face lights up. “Yes, please.”
He nods once. “Come on, then.”
I can’t help it, I bounce on my toes, excitement spilling over, then climb up and over the fence. Halfway down, he reaches out his hand. This feels bigger than it should, like crossing something more than just a fence.
I take it. Of course I take it.
His grip is firm and steady, warm around my fingers, and when my boots hit the ground, I’m suddenly very aware of how close he is.
“Thanks,” I mumble.
He doesn’t say anything, just releases my hand and turns toward the barn.
The sun is beating down on us as we make our way toward the horses.. It’s hot in that good, lazy way, warm air clinging to skin, cicadas humming somewhere in the distance. I start humming without realizing it.
Cole glances over at me.
“Does sound come outta you twenty-four seven?”
Actually yes, humming actually calms my nerves but he doesn’t need to know that. And why does he notice everything? Even the parts of me I forget I’m doing sometimes.
I smile and feel my cheeks warm. “Sorry. I just… really love it here. And I’m nervous everything is new, ” I shrug. “It kinda makes me not miss Seattle at all. And if things keep going the way they are I’m starting to think six months in Tennessee isn’t enough.”
He doesn’t respond, so I keep going, nerves making me chatty.
“I’m just happy you’re going to teach me some things. What’s that saying? Rope me in? Show me the ropes? Ehh, I can’t remember but I was kinda hoping I’d eventually make it on your good side.”
“Yep,” he says.
That’s it? Just yep? I gave him something real and he gave me one word. Why does that make me want his approval more? This man makes me work for every inch, that’s for sure.
When we reach the barn, he stops and turns toward me. “Go get Shadow. Bring him out here and tie a quick-release knot to this post.”
I nod like I know exactly what that means and head for Shadow’s stall.
“Hey, handsome,” I whisper, petting his nose. He nudges me like we’re already friends. Still this is a huge animal and my nerves haven’t kicked yet. I grab the reins, and he follows me easily out to the post.
Cole nods when I finish tying the knot. “Come closer.”
He shows me the rope. “This is how you tie a quick release. It’s easy. Now you try.”
I copy his movements carefully, fingers clumsy but determined. He watches me closely. Chewing his toothpick.
“Perfect,” he says.
The word lands heavier than it should. I shouldn’t care this much but coming from a man of few words it feels earned.
He grabs a bucket filled with different brushes. “This one’s a curry. You use circular motions. Neck, shoulders, sides, hindquarters. Watch me do it on Magic, then you try Shadow.”
I follow him, watching intently as he works on his horse.
“Easy, girl,” he murmurs. “Gotta get you cleaned up.”
Then he glances at me. “This is Layla.”
My chest warms. So this is how he lets people in, through the things he loves. He introduced me to his horse. And he didn’t call me city girl. That shouldn’t mean anything but it does. It shows me his gentle side. Not the tough and gruff exterior he puts on.
I listen as he explains each step, trying not to stare, but it’s hard not to.
His eyes are impossibly blue up close. His blond hair is sun-lightened, his beard flecked with a little red.
He’s tan from working outside every day.
His lips look soft—which is honestly the only soft thing about him.
I bet he’s a good kisser. The way he rolls that toothpick around he’s got to be.
“You listening?” he asks.
“Huh?” I blink. “Yeah—sorry. I’m just… in the zone.”
He smirks. “Alright. Your turn.”
We move back to Shadow.
“Curry first,” I mumble to myself. “Circular motions.”
“Yep. Just like that. Now the dandy brush.”
I start brushing, and suddenly his hand covers mine, guiding the motion. I stop breathing for a moment.
“Like this,” he says quietly. “Follow the direction of the hair, especially where the saddle sits.”
“Oh,” I breathe.
He’s close. Too close. I can smell him, leather, sweat, something warm and familiar. My breathing gets heavier, and I hope he doesn’t notice. It’s getting very hot out here.
We finish brushing, then he nods toward the mane. “Just run your fingers through it gently.”
I do, feeling strangely proud.
“Now it’s time to saddle.”
We walk over to the tack area.
“Grab your pad,” he says.
I reach for the purple and pink one.
“I figured you’d pick that,” he mutters.
“Oh really?” I grin. “Know me so well already, Scrooge?”
“Will you quit callin’ me that?”
“Will you quit callin’ me city girl?”
“No.”
“Then it’s a no from me too.” I stick my tongue out.
He chuckles, and my heart does a stupid little flip.
I did that. I made him chuckle, not a laugh, not yet but a chuckle. That’s progress.
“Now grab your saddle,” he says. “Don’t slam it—set it down gently.”
He steps in, adjusting it slightly. “Drop your cinch like this. Right side.”
“Okay!” I say way too loudly.
“Now tighten it. Not too snug.”
I start tightening and Shadow puffs out his belly, stomping. And it frightens me.
“What did I do wrong?” I panic.
Cole moves fast, hands on Shadow’s neck. “Nothing. They get moody.”
He rubs Shadow gently. “It’s alright, buddy. She’s gotta learn somehow. Be nice to the pretty lady.”
I blush.
Oh, pretty lady? Where'd that come from? I pet him too, calming myself as much as the horse.
Cole checks my work, tightens the cinch again, then looks at me. “Horses sense your emotions. Just stay calm, okay?”
“Okay,” I say, smiling.
It’s hot. Sweat trickles down my back.
“Do you guys have a pool?” I ask. “Because wow this heat is something else.”
He snorts. “We don’t have a pool.”
I breathe in the smell of leather and dust.
“Do you gotta get back to your writing,” he asks, “or can I show you something?”
My heart jumps. “You can show me something.”
Whatever you want to show me cowboy, I am down for the ride.
“Then hop on your horse.”
I grin and swing up onto Shadow. “Where are you taking me?”
He mounts Magic beside me.
“You’ll see, Layla.”