Page 39 of Bull Rush

“All right. What do I do?” Samantha looks skeptically at the ATV.

“Just hop on behind me and hold on to me. Like I said. I’ll keep it pretty slow, but it’ll be a little bumpy through some of these parts,” I explain, hoping that warning her will keep her calm rather than scare heroff.

“Okay.” There’s still a wary tone to her voice, but she climbs on behind me.

“See you back at the ranch?” I glance at Haze, and she nods before she heads off toward Kell and the horses.

When I get backto the ranch, it’s a whirlwind of activity. Grace is waiting with the paramedics, and they help get Courtney loaded onto the ambulance and on her way to get evaluated. They let Samantha ride with her, and Grace promises to arrange a ride back for them whenever they need it.

I’ve parked the ATV and am back in the barn, puttering around, hoping to run into Hazel when she brings Teddy back. It doesn’t take long, and she’s working on putting Teddy back in his stall when I find her.

“You doing okay?” I ask, leaning against the post and keeping a safe distance in case she isn’t.

“I’m fine. It’s just another thing we didn’t need. You know?” She shrugs.

“I know.” I nod solemnly.

“We made a pretty good team taking care of it though. I appreciate your help. You and Kell were great with the guests today.” Half a smile appears and fades just as quickly. I have to tamp down the urge to preen a little over her praise, just thankful for once I’ve managed to line up a few things in a row that are putting me in her good graces.

“I was thinking maybe when things have died down tomorrow, maybe I’d take them out to feed the horses a snack or something. Show them that there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Sure. That sounds good.” She nods. “Just not Wolfsbane, maybe? They’ll never get on a horse again if they have to see him on a bad day.”

“Nah. I was thinking Lady Luck and Admiral. But Wolfsbane can make friends when he wants to. He just needs a little extra encouragement.” I feel defensive of my old guy. He’s temperamental sometimes, sure, but he has a good heart.

“Yeah. I’ve noticed. A lot like his rider. He eats up the extra encouragement like it’s candy.” Hazel flashes me a look.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Her brow arches up. “’Oh, darlin’, I’ll take it niiiiice and slow. Wrap your arms around me.’” She rolls her eyes and loses the tone that mocks me for one higher pitch. “’Oh, Mr. Stockton, I’d just love to hear all about your ranch.’”

“I was just being friendly.” Seems Wolfsbane isn’t the only one who can’t catch a break around here.

“Uh huh…” She shakes her head, but a smile teases at her lips, and it’s hard to tell if she’s actually jealous or just teasing me.

“If you don’t want me to take them out to feed the horses, just say so.”

“Feed all the horses you like.” She dusts off her hands on her jeans as she finishes up. I close the distance between us, and her eyes fall to where my boots nearly touch hers.

“I got other cures for that brand of jealousy, Mrs. Stockton.” I tease her, and I watch as her shoulders roll back.

“Jealous?” She tilts her head, and then her eyes lift to meet mine in defiance. “Nah. Those kinds of women fawn too much. They don’t recognize when he’s the kind of horse that likes to be rode hard and put away wet.”

She flashes a bright smirk in my direction and then turns to saunter back out of the barn. And fuck, if she doesn’t have a point.

SEVENTEEN

Hazel

CURTIS:

You, me, and your toy tonight. It’s been too long. 8 p.m.

I stare downat the message and glance at the clock. It’s only a few minutes ‘til and I’m anxious. I’m not really excited for phone sex tonight, but I feel guilty that we haven’t had anything resembling intimacy since he left. I’ve been blowing Curtis off way too much lately. This last week, I barely answered his texts, and when I did, they were only one or two words at a time. Between the inn and Ramsey, almost all of my time has been monopolized.

If the situation was reversed, and I was in Curtis’s shoes, I’d be panicking. I’d be sure that I lost him to his ex-wife, and I’d be wanting reassurances. My stomach turns just thinkingabout how sick with anxiety I’d be. So I feel like I owe him this much, at least.

But it feels like I’m somehow betraying Ramsey by spending this kind of time with my fiancé. All the torturing each other back and forth, the bickering, and him helping today. The pretending we’ve been doing is starting to go too far, and all the reminiscing is getting to my head.

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