Page 144 of Westin

WESTIN

The next morning, I set out a pair of jeans, boots, and a shirt for her before I head to the barn. When chores are done, I take Rocky and Gracey out, brush them down, and saddle them up.

The sky overhead is dotted with puffy clouds. The air smells like spring.

She comes up the path from the gatehouse. Her blonde hair falls down her back in a braid. Her jeans hug her hips and thighs, highlighting her beautiful curves. The only thing she doesn’t have is a hat.

“Come here, darling,” I call.

She enters the barn, hands in her back pockets, like she’s nervous. “What’s this?”

“Let’s ride,” I say. “We could both use some time out of the house.”

She looks confused, but then her face breaks into a smile. God, we’ve both been so caught up in our problems, I forgot how pretty she is when she’s happy. I leave the horses by the hitching post and put my arm around her waist.

I take my hat off, she stands on her toes, and I kiss her. When I withdraw, I settle my hat on her head. It’s a little big.

“There you go,” I say. “So your hair doesn’t bleach.”

“What about you?” she asks.

I shrug. “I’ll be alright today. It’s not hot.”

She follows me back into the barn, and I hold Gracey so she can mount up. Then, I swing onto Rocky, and we head out around to the back trail that goes up the hill. It runs along the old divide between Garrison Farms and Sovereign Mountain Ranch. Now, it all belongs to us.

She rides easily, hand rested on her thigh. The light breeze teases her hair. Now, seeing her in the sun, I realize she’s pale. She needs to get out more. Being locked up by Thomas made her afraid to go back out into the world.

“I’m surprised you didn’t spank me yesterday,” she says, a little sass in her voice. “For doubting you.”

“Sometimes, people don’t need correction, Diane,” I say. “Sometimes, they just need somebody to love them.”

Her throat bobs, her lips parting.

“What do you think I need, sir?” she asks.

I take a beat. Rocky and Gracey bring us up the hill, through the growing spring grass to the crest that overlooks where Clint Garrison used to live. Now, it’s just a burnt patch and a barn. Sovereign will tear it down soon and turn everything into pasture.

“I think you’ve always needed someone to love you, Diane,” I say.

Her eyes are wet, fixed on the horizon. “Thank you,” she says, her voice raspy.

I stack my hands on the saddle horn. “I think sometimes, I get wrapped up in my own head.”

She nods. “I think I get wrapped up in…all this.” She makes a gesture at her heart and drops her hand.

I nudge Rocky closer until I can reach out and touch her thigh. She looks over and offers a watery smile.

“Sovereign Mountain is beautiful,” she says. “It makes me feel better.”

“I’m glad.”

“And you make me feel safe.”

I touch her face, pushing her hat back. “All I want is for you to be happy and safe, darling.”

There’s a faint screech from the trees, like a bird of prey. Crows rise, swirling. I know there’s a hawk somewhere in there. Diane lifts her eyes to the mountains. Her shoulders sink, and her face clears as she looks up at them. I know she must have spent a lot of time as a child, watching those mountains, wanting more.

She’s hungry. She wants to bite deep into life, to taste it thoroughly.

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