Page 19 of All for You

“Is that so?” Leaning against the fence, I watch her watching the horses. “Well, honey, I might know a thing or two about riding… and other stuff.”

“Really now? I hope you’re not all talk, cowboy.” Her cheeks are flushed, but her voice is steady.

“I’d never bullshit you.”

“Then teach me, Travis. Teach me how to ride.” Her eyes lock on mine.

I swallow hard. “Oh, I intend to.”

The tension is thick enough to rope and tie down. We stand there, catching each other’s eye and looking away, the air between us igniting with an energy that feels like it will implode at any moment.

“Damn boots.” She shifts her weight back and forth, grimacing.

“Those things giving you trouble?” I nod at her fancy footwear.

“Killing me is more like it. I don’t think they’re made for actual walking. Or any ranch activities, for that matter.”

“Should’ve warned you about that.” I try to hide my smile. “But you look so damn cute in them.”

“Next time, I’m sticking to sneakers.” She huffs.

“I could teach you in proper boots. Got plenty that are already broken in,” I offer with a wink.

“Sounds like a date. Or, um, not.”

“Only if you’re up for it.”

“Try and stop me.”

We share a laugh, easy and genuine, and something shifts between us. I’m beginning to think that whatever is happening between us, fake relationship be damned, is starting to feel very real.

“Rachel,” I say softly, tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. “I know this is supposed to be pretend, but… I’m having a lot of fun.”

She stills. “What are you saying, Travis?”

I breathe deeply, then blow it out. “I’m saying that… I want us to be friends.”

She stares at me for a long moment before I wonder if I read her all wrong. “Me too.”

The relief is sweet. “Good.”

Chapter 5

Rachel

My gaze sweeps across the sprawling acres of Travis’s home. In the distance, horses graze, their tails flicking away flies, near a grove of what I believe are mesquite trees. I know he said his main operation is cattle, but he has quite the herd of horses as well in all sizes and colors. The open sky stretches above me, streaks of pink and orange bleeding into darker blue as the day nears its end. Other than the interaction with his mother this morning, this has been of the best days since I arrived in this little Texas town.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Travis stands with one foot on the lower railing, arms crossed over the top, his voice husky with quiet pride.

“It’s magnificent.”

“This land has been in my family for generations. To me, it only gets better with age.”

“Why aren’t your siblings here? I can’t imagine anybody purposely giving this up.”

“As the oldest, it was common knowledge that the place would pass down to me when my father passed. I’ve always had an interest in the animals and lifestyle, so to me it’s never felt like an obligation. I think that took a load off their shoulders. Mybrothers like it well enough, but they don’t want to be ranchers. And my baby sister is too interested in fashion and boys right now. Of course, if any of them ever change their mind, there’s always a place for them here. I’m happy to share the workload.”

It’s different here, so removed from the constant hum of the city that used to put me to sleep at night. It took me a few weeks to get used to the quiet of a small town at night. The human drama I thought I craved now seems trivial against utter tranquility. I’m sure it’s not always so peaceful. Maybe today is special. Perhaps the stars aligned just for me today. I don’t care, because this is perfect.

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