Page 110 of Wingwoman
He gestured to Echo's feet.
Holy hell. I hadn't even realized that we had sped up to a steady trot with our horses. Not only that, but I had relaxed into the ride. I was no longer gripping the reins like this ride was going to be my death.
Instead, they rested loosely against my palms, the leather soft and supple. With each quick trot of Echo's hooves, I bounced, my body loose and following his movements.
It was exhilarating, while also completely peaceful. For the first time since my breakup with Brent, I sighed, my mind nearly blank. There was no spiral of anxiety clawing up my chest, tightening my lungs. No phones to answer, no emails to respond to...
It was just Echo and me and nature.
"I can see how this could be addictive," I said.
"This is nothing," Josh whispered.
"Compared to?"
But he didn't answer me. Didn't even look at me. He merely kept his eyes straight ahead on the path while his smile grew wider.
Then again, I didn't really need his answer, did I?
Forty minutes later, we rounded the corner at the treeline of the ranch. Some of the ride we’d spent chatting and laughing. Other parts? Were totally silent. Like a partner meditation.
And we were both completely relaxed and at ease.
Or at least, we were. Until we turned the corner and trotted toward the stables where a BMW SUV was parked and a man in an expensive-looking suit leaned against the hood, waiting in Josh’s driveway.
Even from here, I could tell his tie was silk and his shoes were polished. Not exactly the style you find here at a horse rescue very often.
Cash barked and took off toward the visitor… or rather, intruder. Because if the grim look on Josh’s face was any indication, this guy was not welcome here.
Josh quickly dismounted his horse and even though his forehead bunched into a frown, the skin between his eyebrows creasing, he paused to help me down from my horse as well.
Always the gentleman.
He handed the reins to the horses off to Rob, then stalked towards the man in the suit, his lips locking in a thin line.
I started to follow, but he whipped around, halting me mid-step. “Could you takeCash inside for me? This’ll only take a minute.”
“Are you sure?” I glanced at the man in the suit. “Should I—”
“Don't worry," Josh teased. "He won’t bite me.” But his tone was forced. Like he was trying too hard to sound light and funny.
“I wasn’t worried about him.”
Josh frowned, his eyes softening. "Hope... please."
“Fine." With a sigh, I whistled and called Cash's name.
Satisfied that I was letting it go, Josh made his way over to the man as his dog obediently ran back to me, tongue lolling out and smiling in that happy way tired dogs do.
"Come on, boy.” I gave him a quick pat on the head as Rob came up beside me.
I looked at Rob. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know.” Rob shook his head. “But it's never good when Owen Wright comes by."
"Why? Who's Owen Wright?"
"Depends who you ask." Rob paused to spit into the hay, then adjusted his cowboy hat. "Some might call him a businessman..."
