Page 2 of The Edge of Intensity

Cosima snorts. “Here I thought you didn’t give a damn and would welcome the guy in your jammies.”

“Don’t tempt me, Cosima. You know I don’t give a flying fuck what others think.” Lies. All lies, because if I need to be on set to make the horse do his thing? I make damn sure my appearance is utter perfection.

Another notorious demand I place on myself. I have routines for everything and this too adds to the stress life gives. I haven’t even mentioned the many other triggers that can set off a migraine or shove me into a mental tailspin. Scents, bright light, flashes, people in general, just to name a few.

“Uh.” Cosima firms the tone of her voice to add with a little snap, “Be sure to grab some decaf I made you along with the crackers I placed on the counter.”

“Thanks, sis,” I grunt with a hint of annoyance.

She knows me all too well. Forgetting my water intake goes hand-in-hand with not eating and only realizing by the end of the day, so I eat a big meal…resulting in my stomach acting up. My stomach isn’t amused most of the time due to the different meds I have to take and have taken in the past.

At least I’ve managed to get somewhat of a handle on my headaches to keep the migraines to a minimum. Which involves ignoring social activities, keeping to myself, and making sure I take my meds along with a steady flow of food, fluids, work, and relaxing activities.

“You’re welcome, sunshine,” she replies with laughter in her voice.

The corner of my mouth twitches. I love my sister. She’s my best friend, support system, business partner, and roommate all rolled into one. I’m thankful to have her in my life and she knows it. I wouldn’t even know what I’d do without her. It’s also why my mother liked the idea of me buying the ranch, but only if my sister would move in with me.

Cosima is also the one who always gets me grumpy. For one because she’s always around, but mostly? I can be myself and not have to hide when I’m in pain or don’t want to talk or be nice.

I take a deep breath and steel myself for what I’m about to do. Turning, I walk back to Cosima and give her a hug. She freezes for a second and then returns the hug full force. I rarely want people in my personal space and only want it on my terms…which is almost non-existent.

“Okay, you can let go now.” Cosima chuckles. “I love getting one of your rare hugs, but I also know you’re silently counting inside your head to endure it.”

Pulling back, I grin and tell her in all honesty, “I love you.”

“Yeah, yeah, I love me too. Go and change, and don’t think that I’m letting you off the hook by talking to the guy who brings your horse. The hug was special, but not special enough to bribe me.”

I roll my eyes and smile as I jog in the direction of the house. I kick my boots off before entering and wander through the kitchen and the hallway until I get to my bedroom. The first things I grab are some clean clothes along with a fresh towel. I take a quick shower and blow-dry my hair when I’m done.

The light-blue flare jeans hug my curves. That’s putting it mildly since my ass is double size. My sister has a completely different build. I’m more like a pear figure while Cosima rocks the hourglass. We’re completely different. I mentioned the social and mental part, along with our figure, but where Cosima never steps foot outside the house without lip gloss, I never so much as own or touch makeup.

I do however obsess over my clothes. They need to be clean and perfect. My slight obsession to dress the part of a cowgirl adds to the obsession. A blue-checkered flannel shirt with a white tank top underneath, a red bandana, my flare jeans, light-brown cowboy boots, and my cowboy hat. Perfect. I smile at myself in the mirror and stroll out of my room.

“He’s early,” Cosima yells from the front porch.

“Great,” I mutter to myself as I wander over to her.

Cosima points and I have to block the sun with my hand and squint to see what she’s looking at.

“Holy hell, is he insane?” I grumble. “Who transports a horse like that?”

Cosima chuckles. “I’m assuming a cowboy biker, didn’t you listen to all the details I found out about them when you wanted to buy one of their horses?”

“All I care about is the horse,” I murmur with a load of worry in my voice.

The way a man is riding his bike alongside the horse I’m about to buy worries the hell out of me.

“The horse doesn’t seem to care all that much,” Cosima quips. “I’m guessing those guys ride their bikes all the time and the way she trots shows she’s relaxed and used to it.”

I ignore her because she’s right. Still, I’m not liking it.

“Be nice,” my sister warns as the biker comes closer.

I shoot her a glare and want nothing more than to reply with, “Fat chance,” but I won’t. Cosima might be my sister and always there when I need her, but she has her limits as well. If I piss her off, she’d walk away and I’d have to deal with the biker myself. It’ll drain my battery, so to say, but I’d do it because I want the damn horse too much.

The bike comes to a stop and the guy swings his leg off. His cowboy hat is pulled down to hide his eyes. He’s wearing a leather vest with patches on it and a white shirt underneath it. Wow. The man has some serious muscles.

He tips his head back and I suck in a sharp breath. Damn. The man has some serious bright blue eyes. There’s blond hair sticking out from under his hat, and his scruffy jaw adds to his rugged handsome appearance. He gives me a smile that causes a dimple to appear on his cheek.

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