Chapter 4
REMY
This is already a very weird day.
I mean, yesterday was, too. My first attempt at a vacation in nearly two years, and it ends with a lovely dinner at the home of a rancher who seems completely focused on caring for me?
This morning felt odd, not just because I only worked a few hours last night but also because I slept a solid eight and a half hours for the first time since I had the flu a couple of years ago.
The deeply comfortable bed in the large, airy room felt like it could be straight out of a fancy hotel.
And it was wonderful to have a leisurely breakfast without rushing to chain myself to the computer.
And now this adventure! I feel genuine excitement surging through my veins as we drive casually up to the rundown farm.
Today I have a purpose aside from my own goals.
Well, two. I want to save a horse, but I also want Stone to be proud of me.
It would be amazing to have someone other than bosses acknowledge when I try hard at something.
Stone slows down as we pass a field with a lone horse staring vacantly at the fence. Even I can see that his bones are too visible. And I don’t think he notices when our large pickup and horse trailer rumble up close to him.
“Is that the one?” I murmur.
“Yeah.” I look over to see Stone shaking his head sadly. “The poor guy. That dull coat means he hasn’t been fed properly in ages. They’re probably giving him cheap feed and rationing it to make it last longer. It happens more often than you’d want to think.”
I can relate to that. I’m so frugal with my grocery budget that I often have just an apple for lunch and a bagel for dinner. My full dinner and breakfast with Stone has me feeling completely invigorated by comparison.
A beady-eyed farmer drives up, and I take a deep breath, waiting until he is within earshot. Showtime.
“Look!” I shriek through the open window. “He’s so beautiful!”
I jump out of the truck and run over to the fence, waving to the horse who turns to look at me dully. Stone leaps out and follows me, giving the farmer a friendly wave.
The man gets out and trudges over, scowling. “Whaddya think you’re doing on my land?”
I grab Stone’s arm. “Honey, he looks exactly like Prince Clippyclop – the horse I had when I was eight. I’m sure I told you about him!” I stare in delight at the poor animal, who takes a few tentative, creaky steps toward me.
“Sorry,” Stone says to the man. “We’re just on our way to buy a horse for my wife. She has a very specific idea of what she wants.”
The farmer shrugs. “Yup. Women can be fussy.”
“He’s perfect.” Turning to the farmer, I widen my eyes. “Please – is he for sale?”
The man stares between me and Stone. “Is she serious? He’s fifteen already.”
From the way my “husband’s” arm tightens around me, I think the poor horse must not be aging well. “Please?” I look up at Stone, batting my lashes. “You said I could get any one I wanted. Well, I want that one.”
Stone looks over to the farmer. “Is he for sale?”
The man scratches his head and shrugs. “I…guess.”
They walk off to make a deal, and I call out, “Here, Prince. Come say hello.”
I don’t know the first thing about horses, just that I like them, but Stone taught me on the drive how these animals will pick up our energy.
So I force myself to breathe smoothly and stay as calm as possible when he ambles over.
When I hold my hand out for him to sniff, he seems to like me.
I give him a gentle pat, triggering a gentle snuffle before he butts his nose into my palm again.
His huge eyes are so sad. He’s definitely lonely – all by himself in this field, with nobody to care for him? A lump forms in my throat. I relate to this guy way more than I should.
“He’s all yours, baby.” I turn to see Stone grin as the farmer ambles over to a gate.
I don’t know what comes over me. But it feels like the perfect excuse to do what I’ve been wanting to do from the second I laid eyes on this mountain of a man.
“Thank you!” I say, throwing myself into his arms for a bear hug.
He freezes for a split second. Then the entire world tilts as his arms cuddle me into his chest. Strong hands stroke my back, warm even through my hoodie. The way he rocks me comfortingly sends an avalanche of feelings surging through my entire body. It’s not just arousal. It’s more. Much more.
Inhaling his masculine scent, my hands tighten around the back of his neck, stroking his skin gently as one of his palms drops to caress my hip.
I nearly moan from the feel of his hard, broad chest supporting me.
From the way he exhales across my hair. From the way I’d swear he doesn’t want to let go.
“Remy,” he whispers, dipping his lips to my ear. “I’m so proud of you. Great job.”
Now I’m fighting back tears. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard those words before, never mind from a man I’ve known less than twenty-four hours.
“This feels so good, I never want to stop,” he murmurs, “But let’s get your Prince to his new castle, okay?”
Swallowing quickly, I step back. “Yes. Let’s get him home.”
He grabs a lead, then walks the horse into the trailer. I watch in delight as Stone pats Prince gently, whispering words of encouragement. He drives much more slowly on the way back to the ranch, so as not to jostle our new friend in his unfamiliar enclosure.
The windows are open, the sun is shining, and a sense of supreme peace washes through me while gazing at the rolling fields, herds of cattle, and mountain peaks.
After driving for around twenty minutes, I notice Stone’s hands are clenched on the steering wheel. "What's wrong?" I ask.
"It's all just so frustrating." His voice seems strained, but he keeps it low.
"There are tons of rescue places where people can surrender their animals if they don’t have the time or money to keep them.
No questions asked. Yet people let their fucking pride get in the way.
And a beautiful animal like this suffers. "
"I guess animals are better than people."
“They're certainly better than some people." Stone sneaks a glance my way, then reaches out to give my hand a light squeeze. "You were so good, Remy. Just dramatic enough without being over the top. You made it look like I had no choice but to buy him for you, no matter what. It was perfect."
"Do you feel bad giving money to…” I hesitate. "A cheap asshole?"
"No." He pats my knee. "That farmer might have four kids to feed at home and one going to college. Maybe the roof collapsed last winter and he's about to default on his mortgage. You never know what someone else is going through."
"That's a very kind way of looking at it."
He shrugs. "Life has been very good to me. But desperate people do desperate things these days." When we pause for another truck at a crossroad, he looks over and peers at me. "Can I trust you?"
I burst out laughing. "Well, I've certainly trusted you – I'm staying at your house and I don't even know you."
Stone grins, resting his hand on my knee this time. "And that means a lot to me, Remy. Seriously." When he pulls his hand away, I miss the feeling of his body touching mine. It's like I'm addicted already just from that one hug.
"Sometimes there are people who don't pay attention to their animals at all. Just leave them in a back field somewhere, to let nature…take its course."
My mouth falls open. "What?"
"Anyway, the word is gradually spreading that if anyone sees something like that, they can call us and we'll take care of it."
"In a movie, ‘taking care of it’ means somebody's going to get whacked," I laugh.
Stone chuckles. "I've never had to take anyone out. Well, so far. I've also never come across an animal that I couldn't nurse back to health." He turns and winks, then taps his knuckles on the side of his skull. "Touch wood."
Seeing such a tough-looking guy being silly warms my heart. He's so balanced. I wonder if the animals can sense that?
"But, the thing is, I am a horse thief," he continues. "I figure if they can't be bothered to care for the animal or even call someone who can, they don't have the right to keep it. So I'll sneak by in the dead of night, break a fence, and lead the animal to the trailer."
"Whoa," I sputter. "That's a pretty big deal out here in the mountains, isn't it?"
"A huge deal. But I haven't heard anyone complaining yet." He shrugs. "I have a great lawyer. I know in my heart I'm doing what's right."
We chat about animals in movies, the best films for certain kinds of weather, and what kinds of days are the best for curling up and reading. I end up knowing Stone a lot better by the time we arrive back at Bone River Ranch.
I feel like he's getting to know me, too. I'm usually closed off. Chatting with people feels like I’m wasting time when I should be working. Distracting me from my work. But hanging out with this incredible man makes me feel alive and free. Like my energy is being replenished.
He drives into the back of an enormous stable, then leads Prince into a stall. The horse looks around, decides he approves of the space, then heads straight for the water.
"I guess you'll be feeding him nonstop?" I ask.
"No, actually. We have to be careful. Small meals, frequently. Letting him gorge would be a shock to his system."
He shows me something called an auto feeder.
It has a camera attached. "This machine will make sure he gets many small meals all day long.
I'll keep an eye to see how fast he eats and set the timer accordingly. I’ll also watch to see if he's super focused on the food or not.
" He chuckles. “Some horses get bored of eating and wander away, but we’ll mostly keep him in the stall for a few days so he can rest.”
Stone smiles at me. "I've done this a lot, and every horse is different, but the first couple of weeks always require patience. Do you want to pet him again before I set the feeder?"
"Yes please.” Reaching up to him in his roomy stall, I let him smell my hand again. He instantly butts his nose against my palm. I pet him gently, loving the way he looks at me with those big eyes. He already seems a bit happier than he did in the field.
"We won't give him too much stimulation at once," Stone says as I step back. "We have to assume he was out there alone for quite some time. Tomorrow we'll work on his coat a bit. If he seems ready, we'll let him meet one of the other gentle horses.”
Interesting. Stone just assumes I'm still going to be here?
I mean, I want to stay for a while. I really do. Being with him makes me feel grounded. Also, I've gotten more fresh air in the past two days than I have in… I can't even remember.
And being physically close to this wild rancher makes me feel incredible.
Does he know how badly I want to snuggle in his arms again? Want him to hold me, whisper in my ear, and make me feel all protected and warm… and his?