Chapter 40
FORTY
MEREDITH
I’ve just finished loading my breakfast plate in the dishwasher when the front door opens. It’s not locked when someone’s around, and now we all have the security app on our phones.
The footfalls carry into the kitchen behind me.
Bowen would’ve gone down the hall first to his room, or to clean up.
Calder always comes straight to me if he returns from chores before I leave for work.
I straighten just in time to get taken into his strong, sun-heated embrace.
Sweat clings to his shirt, but I don’t care. I like rugged, dirty Calder.
He buries his nose in my nape and inhales. “That fucking wildflower smell makes me hard every time.”
I cover his hands with mine. “It’s my shampoo.”
“It’s your shampoo, bodywash, detergent, everything.” He spreads his fingers on my waist and nibbles my earlobe.
Shivers course through me, and I sink farther into his embrace. He told me what Gil said to him about the possibility of some kids breaking and entering just because they can. It’s taken away some tension I didn’t realize I was carrying.
“Spend the morning with me.” His hot breath gusts across my ear, and I shiver. “Let’s go riding.”
I try to see if he’s serious. “Like, now?”
“It’s gorgeous out. Not too hot, little breeze. Fucking perfect.” He catches my mouth for a kiss. “We can get the horses limbered up for Friday.”
“I have to work.”
“It’s Monday.” A big brewing and packaging day, but riding with Calder on a beautiful June morning sounds divine. It’s one of my favorite things even when a hot cowboy isn’t with me.
“I know. The guys will help us. They’re already out.”
“Riding?” A pang of jealousy hits my chest. I love my job but miss having time for other parts of life. Holly, Ransom, and I used to take rides on gorgeous summer days. Holly would pack a picnic, and we’d just enjoy ourselves.
“Yep.” He spins me around and hooks his hands around my waist. “Are you in?”
I’ll end up naked if I say no. Either ride sounds amazing, but under my fingertips, excitement vibrates through him.
He wants to go riding in the pastures, and I want to be with him when he does.
Maybe I want to recapture more of the good memories of me and my sister and Ransom.
There’s a lot of them, and I don’t want to let any resentment steal them from me.
I slide my hands up his muscular arms. “Let me change.”
“I can help.”
“Then we won’t get back outside.”
He pretends to consider. I laugh and pat his chest before untangling myself from his embrace.
I’m giddy by the time I get downstairs in a worn pair of blue jeans and boots.
I ditch the Jules Creek polo for my old Robbers shirt.
I stuff my feet into my boots and lift my cowboy hat from a hook on the wall.
When I turn, my heart somersaults. He’s reclining against the island, watching me through hooded eyes, his cowboy hat on and the brim down low.
His legs are crossed at the ankles, and he’s folded his arms over his chest.
This is my favorite view in the world. The desire swirling inside me gets demanding.
“You sure you weren’t the model?”
He smirks. “Very sure I’m not in any magazines in my underwear.”
“Hm. Shame.”
He pushes off the island, and we walk down to the barn. Calder falls two steps behind me, and when I slow to see why, he says, “Keep walking. Let me watch that ass.”
I’m beaming from the inside out and add more swing to my hips.
Sawyer sees us from the barn and wanders out, grinning. “Mer, you’re finally coming out to play.”
“McBossy told me to.”
She lifts a brow. “Good. There aren’t many pastures in Denver.” She swaggers back into the barn.
Her comment dims my mood. She wanted to make a point, and she did.
Calder touches the middle of my back. “Don’t think about it. Not today.”
I smile at him, but a tiny knife twists in my heart. I won’t be able to ignore the decision for much longer. We go to the tack room and grab the lead ropes and halters. We’ll get these on the horses and lead them into the barn to saddle.
Sawyer appears in the doorway, and I give her a warning look. Don’t rain on my day. She flashes me an apologetic smile then lifts her chin. Her attention is on Calder.
“I’m not sure which horse you’ll pick, but the big one is Monster Jam.”
“Like the movie?” he asks.
She lifts a shoulder. “He’s one Ransom bought from a client at the vet clinic. He’s not good for kids, and needy, meaning he likes to be around other horses. He doesn’t mind people, as long as one other horse is with him.”
Calder’s brows draw together. “So, you want me to take him, or no?”
“He needs a confident rider. Any anxiety will get passed right to him. So if you’re confident, you won’t get dumped on your ass.”
“I know you think it’s been a long time since I’ve been in the saddle,” he says, his lips in even more of an arrogant twist, “but I’m not going to get dumped on my ass.”
“Just sayin’, if there’s any doubt, take Juneberry. She’s mine. Monster is ride-or-die for Styx, but he might get nervous.”
Calder nods. “Any other tips?” His question is serious. He may think highly of his handling skills, but he wants to do right by the animals.
Sawyer relaxes. “No. I try to ride him through the summer, and even in winter, but I don’t go far. It’s not much more than a pony ride going in circles in the corral. He’s good. His rider just needs the confidence he lacks.” She turns to me. “Have fun, and don’t ride naked.”
A laugh pops out of me, and Calder shakes his head. He grabs my hand and pulls me along.
“She just said don’t ride naked. Not that I can’t get you naked at some point during this trip.”