Page 17 of Rust and Stardust

I watched as Lucas attempted to follow my instructions. Hismovements were stiff and clunky to begin with, but by the time we’d made a full pass around the corral, he was starting to loosen up a bit. Another round and we were riding like he’d been doing it for years. And Daisy, bless her heart, was as patient as she could be, letting this newbie kick and squeeze her all the way around the yard.

As we made our third lap around the corral, I couldn't help but notice how natural Lucas looked up there. His initial nervousness had melted away, replaced by a look of pure joy. The sun caught his dark hair, highlighting the hints of auburn I hadn’t noticed before, and his green eyes sparkled with excitement. I found myself staring, mesmerized by the sight of him.

“How am I doing, cowboy?” Lucas called out, flashing me a grin that made my heart skip a beat.

I quickly averted my gaze, focusing on Daisy's hooves. “Not bad for a city slicker,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “You're a natural.”

Lucas laughed, the sound warm and rich. “I think I'm starting to see the appeal of this cowboy life,” he said, patting Daisy's neck affectionately.

I glanced up at him, unable to keep my eyes averted for long. He looked so good in that saddle, the sun blazing behind him, his body rolling easily with the movements of the animal below him. I caught myself wondering if he could ever give up his life for a place like Sagebrush. If he could ever settle for someone like me.

I quickly shook those thoughts from my head. It was dangerous to let my mind wander down that path. Having a fantasy was one thing, but catching feelings… that was the real killer. Instead, I focused on the task at hand, guiding Daisy and Lucas around the corral once more.

“Alright, let's try something a little more challengin’,” I said, coming to a stop near the fence. “I'm gonna let go of the bridle, and you're gonna guide her yourself.”

Lucas's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of nervousness crossing his face. “Yousure about that?”

I nodded, offering him a reassuring smile. “You've got this. Just remember what I told you about using the reins.”

Slowly, I released my hold on Daisy's bridle and stepped back. Lucas took a deep breath, his hands tightening on the reins.

“Okay, girl,” he murmured to Daisy. “Giddyup, I guess.”

And then, for some unknown reason, probably because of watching too many movies, he gave her a kick. Daisy, knowing what that meant, took off at a dead run.

“FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!” Lucas cried as Daisy tore across the corral, ducked through a gate, and went galloping through the pasture.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I bolted across the corral to Willow who’d been watching us for some time. Grabbing a handful of her mane, I swung myself up onto her back and gave her a kick.

“Hyah!” I cried, taking off across the pasture as fast as I could.

Thankfully, Daisy was old and slow, and Willow was not one to be outrun by an old nag. I urged Willow faster, my heart pounding as we gained on Daisy and Lucas. The wind whipped through my hair, and I could hear Lucas's panicked shouts growing louder as we closed the distance.

“Hold on tight!” I yelled, leaning forward in the saddle. “Pull back on the reins!”

Lucas was bouncing wildly in the saddle, his face a mask of terror. He managed to glance back at me, his eyes wide with fear. “I can't!” he cried. “She won't stop!”

I gritted my teeth, pushing Willow harder. We were almost alongside Daisy now, and I could see Lucas's white-knuckled grip on the saddle horn. In one fluid motion, I reached out and grabbed Daisy's bridle, pulling hard.

“Whoa, girl!” I shouted, my voice firm, but calm. “Whoa!”

Between Lucas pulling on the reins, my voice, and Willow beside Daisy, she seemed to finally get the hint. At last, I saw her slow and come to a stop. I slid off Willow’s back, rushing over to the other horse as her rider started to lean dangerously to one side. I caught Lucas as he fell, his weight knocking me back a step. His armswrapped tightly around my neck, face buried against my chest as he trembled. I could feel his heart racing, matching the frantic beat of my own.

“It's alright,” I murmured, my hands gripping him tightly. “You're safe now. I've got you.”

Lucas didn’t try to get down. Instead, he clung to me, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. I held him close, my own adrenaline still pumping from the chase. For a long moment, we just stood there, the only sounds were our ragged breathing and the gentle nickering of the horses.

Slowly, Lucas lifted his head, his green eyes meeting mine. There was a sensitivity there I hadn't seen before, a mix of fear and gratitude that made my heart clench.

“You… You saved me,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “You saved my life, cowboy.”

In that moment I felt something dangerous bloom in my chest, a feeling so deep that I didn’t know I was capable of. However, that was nothing compared to the elation I felt the next moment as Lucas’s lips pressed to my cheek, his arms tightening around my neck.

“Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you.”

All I could do was stand there in stunned silence, this man cradled in my arms in the middle of my family pasture. At that moment I could only be sure of one thing.

I was in big fucking trouble.

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