Chapter 24
If were keeping score
Layla
“Well you look cute,” Maggie says as I stand next to her and Lanie.
Cole has us all standing behind the fence waiting for our horses for a guided trail ride.
The morning air is crisp and warm at the same time, the sun already high, heating the wooden rails under my palms, carrying the sweet scent of fresh hay and horse sweat mixed with pine from the nearby trees.
My daisy dukes are short and soft against my thighs, the denim frayed just enough to feel casual-sexy, and my tank top clings lightly, the thin straps slipping a little as I shift.
My hair’s in a loose braid down my back, strands already escaping, tickling my neck in the breeze.
“Thanks girl,” I say, smoothing the hem self-consciously. “Oh hi, MeLanie—it’s good to actually meet you. I’m Layla. Maggie has said such nice things about you.”
“Call me Lanie.” She smiles at me, warm, genuine and then gives a lingering look to Maggie, the kind that makes my heart squeeze with happiness for them.
Their fingers brush casually, a quiet intimacy that feels so easy and real.
They are so cute together it makes me so happy.
The way Lanie’s eyes soften when she looks at Maggie, the way Maggie’s shoulders relax just a fraction, it’s the kind of love that doesn’t need to shout.
I want that. I want it so badly it aches, a sharp little pang right under my ribs.
“Lanie it is.”
I smile at everyone saying good morning—ranch hands tipping hats, girlfriends in boots and sundresses chatting low. I can tell some of these are girlfriends of the ranch hands. Couples. Is this a couples thing? My stomach flips at the thought.
“Alright. Here is how this is going to go. We will have a buddy system. Maggie you’re with Lanie. Luke you’re with Steph. Tommy is with Ashley. Bryan is with Harper and Layla you’re with me.” He shouts, voice carrying clear and commanding across the yard.
Damn, he sounds good when he’s taking charge, giving out orders. Deep, rough, authoritative in a way that sends heat straight to my core. Yes, please tell me what to do.
I see Cole coming out with Shadow and Buttercup.
Shadow is such a beautiful horse—dark bay coat gleaming in the sun, mane braided neat, muscles shifting under his skin like he knows he’s the star.
They have the horses already saddled which is nice.
I kiss Shadow’s nose—warm velvet against my lips, his breath huffing sweet hay—and hop on, the saddle leather creaking under me, reins soft in my hands.
The seat molds to me instantly, familiar now, the stirrups cool against my calves.
“Looks like you’re getting the hang of that,” Cole says, smirking at me from Buttercup’s back.
“I catch on quick,” I smirk back, feeling the familiar thrill of matching his energy, the way his eyes linger on my legs in these shorts for just a second too long.
As we are riding the trail, Cole is riding right beside me, close enough I can smell him, leather, pine, faint sweat from the morning work, that cologne he wears that drives me insane.
The trail is shaded in places, dappled sunlight filtering through leaves, the horses’ hooves thudding soft on packed dirt, birds calling overhead.
He’s telling me about his childhood, stories of sneaking out to ride at dawn, falling off Shadow’s Mom and laughing through the bruises—saying how Shadow doesn’t normally take with people like he does with me.
Which definitely boosts my confidence. My chest swells a little, pride mixing with something warmer.
“A little scared sitting up that high on the horse?” he asks me.
“Not at all. I feel like a queen.” I say, smiling, blushing a little—the heat rising in my cheeks, wind tugging at my hair.
“Yeah, I could see that,” he chuckles—low, rough, the sound vibrating through me.
“Queen of East Tennessee and Seattle riding on noble steed Shadow.” He says in a British accent that doesn’t come out too good which causes us both to laugh.
Both of us are blushing. Who is this guy?
Cracking jokes. Is this Cole? Cole Marshall is that you?
I like this side of him. Give me more of this Cole.
“What’s your middle name?” I blurt.
He chuckles. “That’s deep and random.” He winks—a quick flash of mischief in those blue eyes.
“Hey! You were asking personal questions last night just thinking I’d return the favor.” I charge back, grinning.
“Michael,” he says softly.
“Michael. Cole Michael Marshall.” I repeat, savoring the rhythm of it.
“I like that. That’s a good name.”
“What’s your middle name?” He asks back.
“Lou.” I say. “Layla Lou Park.”
“I thought that was something Maggie just came up with.” He laughs.
“No, she saw it on my driver’s license at the bar.” I say with a chuckle.
“Layla Lou.” He says, voice low, almost reverent.
“Yes?” I say back.
“I like it. It’s fitting.”
“I would’ve much preferred Molly, Sally, Georgia, Eloise. Any of those.” I say.
“That’s pretty specific.” He says.
“I have a list.” I say winking.
We get to the creek swimming hole area and Cole waves everyone down.
“Let’s stop here, take a break,dip our feet in.” He shouts.
I hop down from Shadow, boots hitting soft earth, the scent of water and moss rising up.
Taking a good look around the scenery, I see a huge willow tree with a swing hanging from a big branch.
I start walking toward it leaving the group behind.
It’s gorgeous like something out of a watercolor painting, long green branches cascading like a curtain, sunlight piercing through in golden shafts, water sparkling clear and cool nearby.
I walk toward it and under the waterfall of branches I look up—gorgeous, sunlight piercing through.
This is inspirational. It’s beautiful. I sit on the swing made of rope and a piece of wood—rough hemp under my palms, wood smooth and warm from the sun.
And start swinging thinking of my book. What I will write next.
What will be the conflict resolution of their story?
I feel the breeze and then sun on me and it feels good.
I can’t believe I didn’t see this tree the first time I was here.
“Enjoying yourself?” Cole asks coming under the tree with me—his boots soft on the mossy ground, shadow falling across me.
“I am. I can’t believe I didn’t see this before.” I let out a sigh and continue to swing, the rope creaking gently.
“It’s beautiful.” He says staring me up and down—eyes slow, appreciative, making my skin heat under the gaze.
“It is.” I say quietly.
“My mom loved this tree.”
My swinging slows down. Because Cole gets quiet so I stop. He just stares drifting off in his mind and so I stand up—the swing swaying empty behind me.
“I’m so sorry I meant no disrespect to your mother. I didn’t know. It’s just so beautiful. It was like calling to me or something. I’m sorry—”
He pulls my hand as I start to turn away and pulls me close to him. Our bodies press together, We look each other in the eyes—nose touching, lips hovering, his breath warm on my mouth, the scent of him filling my lungs. My heart slams against my ribs.
“You’re beautiful,” he says—voice low, rough, almost a growl.
I feel the want and the ache of needing his mouth on mine—every nerve lighting up, thighs clenching, the heat pooling low. Just when I think he’s about to—he pulls away. Puts his hat back on, starts walking towards the horses.
I follow him back over. I’m not saying anything. Just thinking. I wanted this. I said I needed time to think and I do. But being around him… he consumes me. He makes everything disappear to where it’s just him and I. But what kind of game is he playing?
We ride back towards the ranch—Cole’s in front of me now.
Maggie and Mel are beside me and we are chatting about the day.
How this was really fun. How we should all get in the pool tonight.
That sounds amazing actually—the thought of cool water on my heated skin, laughter echoing under the string lights.
“Lanie, I hear you have a daughter,” I say.
“I do, her name is Izabella but we call her Bella,” she says.
“How old?” I ask.
“She’s 2,” she says.
“Oh my goodness. You should bring her to the pool tonight. We can grill and swim. She will have a fun time. I will play with her while you and Maggie enjoy some time together,” I say.
“Wow, Layla, that is so kind of you. I would love to do that. Are you sure? You guys don’t mind?”
“Sounds great,” Maggie says.
I nod. And smile.
When we get back to the ranch. Maggie pulls me aside.
“Hey,” she says.
“Hey,” I say, smiling whispering back at her.
“Thanks for that,” she says.
“For what mags?” I ask.
“Ya know, being nice to her. Cole and Luke haven’t really given her a super warm welcome,” she says nervously.
“Are you kidding! She’s a sweetheart, don't have to thank me for that, plus I love kids,” I say.
I’m finally alone walking by myself when Cole runs up beside me.
“You did good today.” He smiles—forgetting he just lip-teased me back under the willow tree but somehow I forget those feelings too when he’s this close. Those eyes looking at me. Makes my stomach do summersaults.
Maybe I’m thinking with my ovaries and not my brain but two can play at his game when I say “I know how to ride, real good and I don’t need instructions.
” I whisper and run my tongue along the lobe of his ear before walking away.
Seeing his jaw get tight and his hands clench brings a big smile on my face. And the score is:
Cole: 01 - Layla: 01