Page 30 of The Earl's Wrangler
“I’d love for you to come,” Randall said.
Sawyer shook his head.“I’m not going to run from this.I’m not some coward.”He hated that the others thought that, and he couldn’t face them at the moment.He went back into the barn, pulling the door closed after him, hoping to all hell that everyone would just leave him alone.
He worked for hours, cleaning every stall, sweeping, and dusting down the tack room.He also hosed down the concrete in the center of the barn and swept away any dirt.The place was as spotless as a barn could get by the time he was through.He had so much angry energy, and he just had to wear it off.
Eventually the barn door slid open and Randall clomped down the aisle in his new boots.He got some tack and saddled the horse he’d ridden before.He also saddled Sawyer’s horse and led them both out of the barn.
“Where are you going with those?”Sawyer snapped, still on edge.
“We’re going riding,” Randall told him.“Well, I am.You can either come along or put this guy here back in his stall.”He seemed angry, and Sawyer sighed and put his tools away.“It’s your choice.”
Sawyer found Randall in the yard, holding the reins of both horses.He passed the one set to him and then mounted his horse, waiting for Sawyer.
“Sometimes you are the pushiest person on earth.”
“And sometimes you are the biggest pain in the ass.Now get on.We’re going.”He nudged his horse forward, leaving Sawyer standing alone.The bastard didn’t even look back.
Sawyer mounted and hurried to catch up.“You think you won something?”
“Yeah, the booby prize—your prickly company for the next hour.”Randall seemed upset, and Sawyer didn’t know why.He was the one who everyone wanted to hurry away with his tail between his legs.It was one thing when leaving was his choice.But he had decided to stay, and now everyone, including Randall, had suddenly changed their tune and wanted him out of here.God, this whole situation sucked, and he really needed to get his head around it.Most of the time it felt like he was revving his engine but only spinning his wheels.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not,” Randall said.“You’re angry because we all suggested you leave.”He picked up the pace, and Sawyer did the same just to keep up.“You’ve thought about it.I know you have.So why get all upset?”
“You just don’t understand,” Sawyer said, wishing he had the words to explain.
Randall chuckled.“Maybe I do and maybe I don’t.But you’ll never know until you talk to me.”
“Smartass,” Sawyer retorted.
“Fine.”Randall took off, and Sawyer groaned before following him, his horse flying over the range land, his hair blowing in the wind.There was nothing as invigorating or mind-clearing as the wind around him and a horse galloping under him.The connection between the two of them was astounding, and it always made Sawyer’s heart soar.
As they reached the tree line that indicated the creek that was the water source for the ranch, they slowed and pulled up.Randall dismounted and tied up his horse, waiting for him.Sawyer did the same, then followed Randall under the trees.“Is this some kind of forced march?”
Randall stopped at the edge of the creek, the water gurgling over the stones as it went on its way.“No.It’s an effort to get you to pull your head out of your ass.Is it working?”he barked.
“You want me to run away too.”
Randall shook his head.“What I want you to do is come back with me.I’ve seen your world, and I can show you mine.It’s so different from this.It’s green, really green, because it rains a lot.There are expansive lawns and paddocks.I have a few horses for riding—nothing like what they have here.But it’s my home and where I grew up.”Randall tugged him close, so they were chest to chest.“I want you to come.I don’t want to go back and just say goodbye.”He leaned slightly forward, his heated gaze boring into Sawyer’s.“I want to see if what we have is some sort of fluke or if it’s real.”
“Then stay,” Sawyer said.
“I can’t.You made me see that I need to be a better version of myself, and to do that I have to be there.There are changes I need to make, and dammit, I could use your help to do that.You’d be helping me, and you’d be safe.”Randall’s voice cracked, and Sawyer found himself nodding.
Randall kissed him hard enough to nearly buckle his knees, only backing away when they needed to come up for air.Then he kissed him again, his hands roaming down Sawyer’s back, then holding his ass hard and firm until Sawyer groaned deeply against his lips.
“Okay,” he growled.“I’ll go back with you since you asked so fucking nicely.”
“Good.Now how about we get on to the fucking?”Randall pressed Sawyer down onto the grass, kissing him nearly senseless as he opened his belt and popped the buttons on his jeans.
Chapter 12
IT SEEMEDthat getting a passport at the last minute was a big deal with many obstacles, not the least of which was the trip to Cheyenne to the federal offices there.Fortunately, Sawyer had a copy of his birth certificate, and they were able to get him a picture.Now they were back in Cheyenne at the airport for their flight to Philadelphia.From there, they would catch their flight to London.
“What are we going to do when we get there?”Sawyer asked as he sat in his seat on the plane, bouncing his leg nervously.
“Have you flown before?”Randall asked, realizing he probably should have asked Sawyer before now.When Sawyer shook his head, Randall took his hand and held it through the announcements and taxiing.Sawyer seemed to hold his breath as soon as they hit the runway, and didn’t inhale until they were in the air.“It’s okay.Just breathe and relax.We’re on our way.”
