Page 11 of Scrape the Barrel
Avery was already unbuckled and out the door by the time I had my seat belt halfway off. To say she was excited was an understatement.
“Bailey! I get to ride a horse today!” she exclaimed to him as she ran in his direction.
I got out, not bothering to lock my car behind me.
Bailey offered me a smile as he turned his attention to Avery, who came skidding to a stop in front of him in her pink cowgirl boots. “A horse, huh?”
She nodded quickly. “Yeah. Do you think I can ride your horse?”
He took the piece of straw out of his mouth, flicking it to the ground. “Nova’s a little too advanced for you, Aves, but I’m sure Callan has the perfect horse just for you.”
“Just for me?” Avery asked as I came to a stop a few feet behind her, taking in the ranch. It was beautiful out here, with three barns, multiple arenas, and pastures that stretched for miles. The bright green grass swayed in the slight wind like waves in an ocean. The sound filled the air, the pine trees swaying at the tips where they towered over the land.
Where was this when I was having a terrible day? One breath of this air and I’d forget all about the stress. It smelled like pine and oak mixed with the scent of the various animals around the ranch. The Idaho breeze was calming, relaxing my stiff body instantly.
“Hmm, it might be. Can you keep a secret?” Bailey asked Avery, crouching to her height.
She nodded again, and he leaned closer. “I think he might put you on Lettie’s horse.”
Avery’s face lit up. “Really?”
Bailey nodded with a wink, then stood, ruffling her hair as he faced me. “Callan will be out in a minute, he’s just finishing up with a student.”
“Thanks, Bailey,” I said.
I glanced behind me at the white farmhouse, then heard boots scuffling on the dirt. I turned to find Avery running toward the fence lining one of the pastures.
“Avery!” I called out, hurrying after her.
“Yes, Mama?” she asked like she hadn’t just run away from me.
“You can’t run off like that. We don’t know this place.”
“We don’t bite,” a male voice said to my right.
I turned to find a man wearing a tan cowboy hat, light wash jeans, and a gray t-shirt that hugged his body. The same man that I spilled coffee all over in the cafe. If he recognized me, he didn’t give any indication.
He stood about five feet away with a hand casually slung over the fence. His eyes moved to Avery. “You ready for your lesson?”
Avery spun so fast that her hair whipped out behind her. She beamed up at him from where she stood next to me. “Yes! I’m so excited.”
“You’re Callan?” I asked, feeling a little dumbstruck. My hair was in a ponytail, my plaid shirt hanging open to reveal my white tank top underneath. I’d chosen sneakers and flared jeans to complete the outfit, but now I felt like I looked a little homeless compared to him. Not that he was wearing anything fancy, but at first glance, he was definitely the kind of good-looking that could get away with wearing anything and he’d still be striking.
He nodded, holding a hand out for me to shake it. “My apologies, I thought you knew. Callan Bronson.”
I shook it. “Sage McKinley.”
“Pretty name,” Callan remarked as I let go of his hand. It may have just been the sun, but I swore his cheeks turned a pinkish hue. “And you are?” he asked, turning to Avery.
“Avery,” she supplied eagerly.
He brushed his hands on his jeans, almost like he was nervous. “Avery. Just as pretty a name as your mother's. Ready to get started?”
She nodded and he waved her along as he turned to head for the barn. Avery practically skipped alongside him. I stayed a few feet back, crossing my arms as I watched the two of them ahead of me.
His dirty blonde hair curled just below his hat, showing off his tan neck. His biceps were that perfect size—just enough to stretch the sleeves of his shirt.
I hoped he didn’t look at me the way I was studying him right now. I looked like I just rolled out of bed and decided to show up. I cursed myself for not putting on any makeup. But why did it matter? I wasn’t here to impress anyone.
