Page 14 of Braving the Storm
I mean, it’s the truth. I am genuinely curious. Although the part of me who spent half the truck ride up this mountain imagining how my own uncle’s stubble would feel brushing over my lips, that hussy has an ulterior motive.
Something about the prospect of seeing that tattooed, giant ofa man around animals is doing things it shouldn’t inside my stomach.
Fluttery, swoony things.
“Yeah, come on, Briar. He’s only checking them out for who needs what for their shoes. Now that the snow’s thawed and the forecast is good, Storm’s gonna come up and get them all done.”
I feel like this man could be speaking a foreign language, but I trot behind him to keep up with his long strides. With every muddy patch I navigate, I’m ever more grateful for mynew bootsthat are keeping my toes warm and dry.
“Is this your ranch?” As we walk into the barn I take a couple more photos and videos on my phone. This feels magical. A picture book level of unreal. Am I romanticizing this entire moment, or does the air even feel lighter up here?
After being trapped for so long, this mountain is absolutely the place my tattered heart needs to be in order to find some solace.
“Ah, you won’t get much use out of that thing up here. There’s no cell coverage up the Peak.” Kayce jerks his chin towards my phone. “Reception down in Crimson Ridge can even drop in and out when the weather gets hectic. We’ve got patchy internet up here inside the house, at least. Drives me nuts being so isolated, but it is what it is. Come to think of it, Storm might have only just managed to get WiFi at his place. Pretty sure he lived all hermit-style without it for years.”
“You know, I actually could use some digital detox time while I’m here, so that doesn’t worry me in the slightest.” Hopefully, I sound breezy as I say the words. Inwardly, I’m dreading what will be waiting for me on my phone when I do eventually check my messages.
Kayce stops beside a wooden partition, and a horse's head immediately pops over with a loud snort.
The size of it and suddenness makes me jump and stifle a squeak. This horse is taller than he is, even with his cream-colored cowboy hat on, which means they both tower over me.
“Hey Winnie-Win, meet your boyfriend Storm’s niece… this is Briar.”
My cheeks go a little pink at the introduction, but I quickly shake it off.
“Can I take a photo of her? She’s beautiful.”
“Of course. Winnie’s a total slut for the camera. But come give her a pat and say hello first, city girl.” Kayce chuckles and shows me how to do a properhorse greeting.
I’m in love within seconds.
Not with the charming cowboy—I mean, he’s nice to look at, you’d be blind not to appreciate that golden, all-American athletic glow—but with the horse. Actually, all the horses.
We work our way around the barn, and Kayce is the perfect tour guide. Which I discover is actually what he does here at the ranch during the warmer months. Visitors come and do activities like trail riding, and some even stay over at the property while they still operate a herd of cattle and run a relatively small ranch operation.
Or, at least, his dad does, and Kayce helps out, from what I can gather.
“You’ll vibe with Layla when you get to meet her. The two of them will be back any day now… They took off for the winter, and last I heard, they were in Ireland somewhere but getting ready to fly out.”
Half my attention is on the man beside me, and the other half is on the prickling sensation that dances along the back of my neck. I still haven’t seen sight nor sound of my uncle, and feel a little disappointed that I didn't catch a glimpse of him around the horses.
They’re such gentle giants. Old souls speaking through big, liquidy eyes as they peer at me and nibble my hair. Their whiskery muzzles and velvety feeling lips explore my pockets, searching for treats, which leaves me giggling each time at the tickling sensation.
I’m aware that as worrying as it is that I’m curious, I very muchwant to see what he’s like around these creatures. It’s barely been a day and I have an unhealthy amount of interest in the man I’m going to be leaving here with—going home in the company of after we’re done.Alone.
The man I should not be thinking about at all.
Kayce ushers me down past the rows of stalls filled with shavings and hay, surrounded by an earthy smell that hits my nose, we head in the direction of a room found at the far end of the building. It smells rich and leathery inside the cramped space, and I see all sorts of riding-related equipment. Saddles and halters and stirrups. Or at least, that’s what I think these things are called.
Then, my eyes fall on the figure I’ve been secretly hoping and sneaking sidelong glances to watch out for. He’s leaning over a table along one wall, flipping through a notebook, and when we walk in, he straightens up, letting the pages fall shut with a thud.
His blue eyes flicker to me, and then to Kayce. It’s quick as lightning, but I see the way his eyes tick down ever so slightly.
That’s the moment I register that Kayce’s hand is settled on the small of my back. It’s not anything more than a guiding touch, a polite motion to show me through the doorway before him, and there definitely hasn’t been anything more than friendly chat between the two of us.
I feel awkward all the same.
Does he think I’ve been out here flirting and throwing myself at the first sign of attention from a man?
