Page 18 of All for You

“Let me show you the rest of the ranch.” I guide her down the porch steps with a hand still lingering at her waist.

“Okay, cowboy,” she replies, a spark of defiance lighting her hazel eyes again now that the nastiness is over.

I steal glances at her while we walk across the path leading from my house to the equipment barn. The sunlight kisses her auburn hair, turning it into a fiery crown that seems too damn enchanting. I watch her face as she takes in the vast open fields, and I feel a surge of pride knowing I’m the one showing her this slice of heaven.

“Like what you see?” I ask, keeping my voice casual despite the swarm of emotions kicking up dust in my chest.

She nods, her gaze sweeping over the pastures. “It’s so much bigger than I imagined.”

“Everything’s bigger in Texas, honey,” thickening my drawl. I say it with a straight face, but I get an eye roll for my efforts.

Her new cowboy boots look like they cost more than the worn-out pair I’ve had for years. They may be pretty, but practicality beats fashion out here. I hope she doesn’t get blisters because we have a lot of ground to cover. Considering our whole relationship is a sham, it’s stupid to feel so protective, but I can’t help myself. The sight of her trying so damn hard stirs up the brittle that had formed in my heart.

“Come on, let’s introduce you to the heart of the ranch.” I lead her toward one of the barns, but a strange possessiveness tightens my grip when I notice a few ranch hands fixing fences giving her admiring glances.

“Is this where all the magic happens?” she teases, her eyes gleaming.

“Magic, sweat, and a whole lot of swearing.” I open the barn door for her.

“Sounds like my kind of place.”

“We actually keep a lot of our equipment and tack in here,” I explain, pointing out the different tools, each with its purpose. “It ain’t glamorous, but it gets the job done.”

“Kinda like you?”

“Careful now, don’t make me blush.”

She laughs, and the light, musical sound hits me straight in the gut.

“There are riding areas out back,” I continue, gesturing toward the outdoor pens at the opposite end of the building. “And we have another barn where we house the horses just behind this one. You ever been on a horse?”

“Does a carousel count?” Her laughter fades into the softest most tender smile that damn near knocks the wind out of me.

“Guess I’ll have to show you the ropes then.” I look forward to having her close and teaching her how to ride. The double meaning isn’t lost on me, judging by the quick dart of her eyes, it’s not on her either.

“Looking forward to it.”

We share a look, heated and lingering before she breaks eye contact. Her cheeks match the color of a red saddle hanging over an empty stall down the way. I clear my throat, suddenly aware of the sexual tension between us.

And hell, if I don’t want to feel more of it.

“Let’s keep moving. There’s more to see.” I lead her out of the barn.

“Okay.”

I lead her out the back and into the horse bard where a faint breeze carries the odor of hay and leather. The earthiness of fresh manure hits us next. I brace myself for her reaction, and memories of past dates wrinkling their noses in disgust, but Rachel doesn’t flinch.

“Smells like... success?” She grins.

“That’s one way to put it,” I respond. “It’s the smell of life on a ranch; you can’t get away from it.”

“Doesn’t bother me. It’s real.” She glances at me, eyes bright and shiny. “And something tells me you’re full of shit sometimes, too.”

“Ha!”

We round the corner to where ranch hands are working with some younger horses. Rachel’s gaze fixes on the animals with a level of delight that reminds me of a child at Christmas.

“I’ve always wanted to learn how to ride,” she says, her voice taking on a wistful tone. “Ever since I was a little girl.”

---