Page 145 of Well Played

I breath in the clean, mountain air. At least this place feels peaceful. If nothing else, maybe I’ll feel some peace again.

My truck bounces along the bumpy dirt road it finally turns into a rough gravel driveway.

I lean forward, taking in my first glimpses of the ranch where I’ll be staying for however long it takes til…well, however long it takes.

The sight of green, rolling hills with livestock scattered here and there greets my eyes. I carefully steer the truck up the gravel hill, crossing under a large archway that reads Blackstock Ranch with a horseshoe hanging upside down.

I hear Stormy give another whinny. She hates being trapped in the small horse trailer and I can’t blame her. It’s been a long ride from Texas and we’re both done.

The large ranch-style house appears as if out of nowhere. It’s built like a log cabin but rambles and goes on forever. To the side, to the back, the house looks like a complicated maze because of all the additions. To my right, I spy a big horse barn that looks new and taken care of. On the other side, there’s a pasture where I spy some cows roaming and another barn.

I bite down on my lower lip. Up until now, I’ve been running on pure hope with very little time for self-doubt or my usual social anxiety. Now, I’m feeling the whole gambit.

We come to a stop in front of the large house, and I breathe out a sigh of relief. At least I didn’t’ kill myself or Stormy. There were a few times on the way up here I thought we were both going off the side of the mountain.

I cut the engine, open the door, and gingerly take a step down.

I’ve only got the one leg down on the gravel when I hear a deep voice. “Guess you would be Leah, huh? Saul’s rich goddaughter that he’s pawned off on me?”

My head swivels in the direction of the husky sound. My gaze starts at the muddy cowboy boots, then up long, muscle legs encased in tight jeans. I find myself staring a little too long at the crotch area, and then moving my roving eyes on up to a red and black plaid shirt, and finally landing on an amused, hardened face with the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen. They’re a deep forest green and for some reason the sight of them makes my heart gallop at a faster speed.

“That would be me,” I say with a twist to my lips and hard steel in my voice. This cowboy isn’t the first to tell me I’m not wanted. Probably won’t be the last either. “Thanks for the warm welcome.”

He does the same thing I just did and scans me from toe to head. I swear there’s heat in his green eyes when he finally says something back. “I hope you’re prepared to work hard. This won’t be easy.”

Those are the only words he says while walking over to the horse trailer to inspect Stormy. I hear him open the back of the trailer and speak to her in a gentle tone. Guess she gets more gentleness than I do.

He walks Stormy off the trailer without saying another word until finally he looks back at me.

“Well, you ready to work or not?” he growls.

I nod resolutely.This man has no idea. I’m going to work harder than anyone he’s ever seen.

4

Why doesfamily have the ability to see things about yourself that you can’t or won’t acknowledge? Damn them. -Matt

Matt,one week later

“What arey’all two up to today? How’s Stormy doing?” Glory asks in a soft voice while spooning up another serving of grits for her husband. She sends both Leah and I a sympathetic look. I guess she, like everyone else, knows Stormy is still giving us fits.

“We’re going to work on getting me on the horse like we have every day this week,” Leah says dryly. One corner of her mouth lifts. “I think that has to be the first step before we can start on anything else.” She shakes her head sadly. “She’s still bucking every time we try to saddle her up.” The look in her eyes says she’s as worried and anxious as I’m rapidly becoming. Stormy was probably an ornery horse to begin with, but now she really wants no part of being ridden.

“We’ll get there,” I say huskily. “She’s getting there, just gonna take time.”

My brothers send me a surprised look. I’m usually the pessimist in the family. This optimistic side of me is new, but I can’t watch Leah get down in the mouth about things again. She’s always so sad. I swear, she smiled yesterday, and my heart just about stopped.

Somewhere, over the last week, we’ve made a silent kind of peace with each other. Maybe it’s because she’s shown up at the horse barn every morning before me. Maybe it’s because she mucks stalls and does stuff to help out around here without anyone even asking. Maybe it’s because I’m an old softie and she tugs at something inside of me.

Leah emits a deep sigh. “Yep, sure. I’m going out to see her. I’ll meet ya there, old cowboy.” She places her dish in the sink and turns to look at us all. She gives a strained smile. “Thanks for making breakfast, Glory. My turn tomorrow. Good to see everyone.” She gives everyone a small smile as she walks out the door.

I don’t try to stop myself from watching her hips sway. The woman has been the star of my fantasies since she got here, and I can’t seem to shake it. I don’t think I’ve ever been obsessed with someone the way I am her. She works so hard and barely asks for anything. Over this last week, I’ve become deeply fascinated with the rich girl. Except she doesn’t act rich at all. She acts just like any regular cowhand, always trying her hardest. And watching her ride on the horses around here…there’s nothing like it. She’s like art in motion. Beautiful as can be.

“Yo, brother, you gonna do anything about this crush of yours of what?” Chase asks. I turn to him sharply and see the shit-eating grin on his face.

I dig back into my eggs and roll my eyes. “I don’t have a crush, you idiot. I’m working with her.”

“Sure, that’s all that’s going on. That’s why you were watching her backside like it was your job or somethin’. Whydon’t you just admit you got feelings for the girl, Matt? Be mature about it?” Chase questions, his cocky voice mocking the thoughts I’ve already had over the last few days.

---