Page 19 of Knot Her Cowboys
“No,” Kit conceded, “but I’ve heard you, Morgan, and Cash talk about her, and I feel like it’s given me an idea of her character. There was a lot of love in your circle.”
I didn’t dare cling to the hope that fate would do a fucking thing. I meant what I said—even a single day with her would be better than none—but twelve years was a long time. I no longer had faith that she thought the same about me. She’d have come back if she did, wouldn’t she?
Pumpkin tried to hand me a slobbery stick, dragging me out of the start of my spiral, and I tossed it for her, watching her sprint down the trail and back up again.
I let her distract me the rest of the walk back to the lodge, Kit walking quietly next to me, a silent support.
I tucked myself away in the bunkhouse before the kids arrived, sprawling out on my bed to stare at the ceiling and contemplate my life.
Just one glimpse.
Was that asking too much of the universe?
I rolled over, willing myself to fall asleep. At least in my dreams I would get to see her again.
“All right, cowpokes.” Levi stood in front of the group heading out onto the trail ride. “Does everyone have their hats and sunscreen on?”
The little kids joining us shrieked their affirmation, and I tipped my borrowed straw cowboy hat to him.
“Please line up in the order of the horses we paired you with and our staff will make sure you get on safely.”
Dakota was at the front, instructing each person on how to sit on the horses, and making sure their feet were secure in the stirrups.
He had put me on a beautiful dappled gray mare named Starlight. She was sweet, but he warned me she was a little feistier than the others. Since I had actual riding experience, I was confident I could handle her. It was like riding a bike, all those core memories unlocking now that I was sitting in the saddle.
Bruce and Bryan both looked like they were regretting every moment of their existence leading up to this point. They weren’t afraid of horses; I’d made sure of that before booking here, but theydidhave an aversion to getting dust on their fancy suits. I had offered to ask Cash if any of the staff could loan them something more appropriate, but they liked the idea of wearing other people’s clothing even less.
Dakota had paired them with the two chillest horses on offer, even more relaxed than the ones they gave to the kids. Having that secret knowledge made me smile. I wouldn’t dare tell them, knowing their egos wouldn’t let them see it with the same amusement I did.
Once everyone was up on their horses, Dakota brought his around to lead us out of the corral, each one of our rides automatically starting to follow. Levi brought up the rear of the group to make sure no one got left behind.
The trail was smooth and easy, packed dirt weaving through lush forest. I’d looked at the trail map beforehand. The whole trip was a circle, leading us first up into the gorgeous hills and then down into the open plains along a river we would cross to get back to the ranch. A few people were between Dakota and me, but even so, his sweetgrass and sandalwood scent floated back to me, catching me off guard as the breeze swept it through my senses every so often. My whole body tensed each time andStarlight did an uncomfortable little dance. I patted her neck in apology whenever it happened, and she settled quickly. Horses weren’t fond of tense riders, and Starlight was very quick to let me know she didn’t appreciate my reactions to Dakota.
I only hoped the breeze wasn’t giving me away to my alphas, who rode behind me. My scent neutralizer was working harder than usual with the summer sunshine, and I wasn’t sure how strong it still was. They were already a bit uppity about my friendship with Cash; I could only imagine what sort of words they would have if they caught me unwillingly lusting over someone else. It wasn’t my fault Dakota smelled so good. If omegas could control our reactions, we would’ve started doing that a hell of a long time ago, but alas, we were at the mercy of our instincts and hormones.
“How long is this?” Bruce asked behind me. “My ass already hurts. How is this fun?”
“It’s two hours, so buckle up, buttercup.” I turned to look at him, blowing a kiss. “You’re gonna be walking like a real cowboy when we’re done.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“It means I’ll run you a bath when this is all over for being such a good sport.”
Bruce grumbled.
“Mine keeps hitting me with her tail,” Bryan complained.
“She’s just keeping flies off,” I told him.
“I feel like she hates me.”
“Doyouhateher? Horses know when you don’t like them. Give her a nice pat and pretend she’s like a big dog.”
He hesitantly reached out, jerking his hand away when she shook her head, tossing her mane.
Dakota had offered for me to bring them down between breakfast and the trail ride so they could have a few extra minutes to get to know the horses and boost their comfort levels,but they had gone right back to the community building once their plates were empty, choosing to work instead.
I didn’t like it, but I refused to let their lack of enthusiasm ruin this weekend for me.
