Page 14 of Stirring Up Trouble
Anything to help with the runaway thoughts I can't escape.
After we finished up, Ms. Connie practically pushed us out the door. The group split up from there. A big chunk of the men went out towards the stables while others loaded up in trucks and headed down the long road leading off the ranch.
Blaze waved Elton, Bobby Allen, and I over to his truck. The big beat-up looking thing had me a bit worried we wouldn't make it there in one piece.
Leslie whistled from where she jumped into her own vehicle and sped off. Blaze actually cracked a smile at that, shaking his head before climbing in.
I sat in the back but then noticed that Elton and Bobby Allen would be separated. Switching with Elton, I moved to the passenger seat while they gathered in the back. I could immediately feel the tension in Elton's body melting away once he was close to his partner.
On the other hand, it was like I absorbed his tension and piled it on top of my own.
Blaze didn't pay me any mind as he pulled away from his home and drove us in the direction of the rodeo. He didn't make conversation, nor did he even go so far as to turn on the radio, which was concerning.
Everyone knew that true psychopaths drove in silence. Why would anyone want to be left to their own thoughts?
It wasn't too long before we pulled up to the arena. Lights illuminated the space, making it visible despite the early hour. There were several trailers already parked there, both of the horse and human variety. I could see tents and booths, even some food trucks along one side.
"Wow," I said softly, taking it all in.
"This looks pretty neat," Elton said from the back as Bobby Allen hummed in agreement.
Blaze didn't say anything. Instead, he climbed out, slamming his door and marching towards the front of the truck.
"What the hell did I do?" I said out loud, turning to look at the couple in the backseat.
Elton bit his lip but said nothing.
Bobby Allen shrugged. "I'm not sure you did anything at all. It's weird. Even Leslie said he was acting strange. Don't let it get you down, Robin." He clapped me on the shoulder, then we all climbed from the truck and followed the path Blaze went.
Considering he had asked us to come help him, it was a bit odd to me that he just stormed off as soon as we got there. No instructions, no questions about what we were good at or how he could be of assistance.
When we reached the check-in desk, we could see things were already in motion. Leslie jogged up as we were taking it all in. "You don't want to follow him right now. He's got his britches in a twist,” she said, rolling her eyes. "Come with me. I've got a pretty good idea of where you guys should be. I think that Blaze would agree with me if he weren't being such an asshole."
Her words had me feeling the slightest bit of relief. I still didn't like the fact that the man was upset with me or our presence in general, but if even his best friend was noticing the difference, then I knew there was more going on.
Leslie got us all sorted out, putting Elton in charge of smaller tasks that would keep him busy and close by while Bobby Allen got sorted with the horses. I was meant to be an extra set of hands for any veterinary services needed.
I was also asked to ride in one of the events.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Leslie smirked. "I personally think it's a great idea. You said that you could ride properly and if you could handle some rope, then why not give it a try?"
"But it's been years," I argued. "I can't be any good anymore."
She put her hands on her hips, presenting the picture of defiance. "You don't know what you're capable of. I have a feeling there's a lot more to you, Robin, than even you know. Be a big boy and go out there and wrangle you a steer or something. Don't let Blaze's bitterness keep you from showing off. Besides, the love of your life could be at this rodeo. Don't you want them to see how capable you are, how talented and sexy you can be up on a horse?"
I had snorted at the assessment. Not just because the love of my life being there was a strange concept for me, but also because I knew that the only eyes I wanted on me were those of Blaze Anders.
He was nowhere to be found though. He practically disappeared the moment we arrived.
Since I didn't have any tasks I needed to take care of right away, I went with Bobby Allen to check on all the different horses. We hadn’t brought any animals with us since we were planning on the possibility of bringing at least one animal back if the pickings were good. I could immediately see a positive change in my friends as we walked through the stables.
As we made our way down the line, I smiled and petted a few of the gorgeous animals. It wasn't until we were near the back that one caught my eye, damn near stealing my breath.
The majestic solid black quarter horse looked like something out of one of my childhood books. It's gaze practically begged me to come forward to touch it.
Bobby Allen hummed as he walked beside me. "Looks like you got yourself a new friend. Wonder if the owner would let you ride?"
