Page 13 of Austin's Answer
I clapped my hand on his shoulder. “Fate has a way of surprising us. It’s just you and Mason left. Wonder who’ll fall first?”
Before he responded, I turned to the group of guests gathering in front of us. “Your first trail ride is this afternoon, and we want everyone to be comfortable on the back of a horse. First thing we’re going to show you is how to greet your horse.”
I walked them through how to approach Ginger, giving everyone a chance to try. I corrected a few guests who were too nervous to remember my instructions, and another who was overeager and ran at Ginger, but overall the group was solid. Luke held Ginger steady, remaining taciturn through it all. Iused to call Declan a grump back before he met Chloe, but Luke put him to shame sometimes.
Familiar laughter floated through the air, reaching my ears. I glanced over to see Emily leaning against the fence as Chloe climbed over it with her camera. I called out, “There’s a gate, you know.”
“Gates are no fun.” Chloe flashed a grin at me. “Continue with your lesson. Pretend I’m not here.”
We were all used to Chloe by now. She liked to get shots of all the guests so they didn’t have to walk around with their cameras and could just enjoy the experience. She sent every guest home with a stack of pictures to remember their time here.
“Our resident photographer, everyone. You’ll see Chloe throughout your stay, snapping photos.” I winked at her and joked as I struck a pose, “Try to get my good side.”
The guests chuckled when Chloe leaped into action, camera clicking as I pretended I was a fashion model. After walking the pretend runway, I got back to business, helping the guests practice mounting Ginger. Through it all, I was aware of Emily leaning on the fence, watching.
“Okay, I think you’re all ready for your trail ride in a few hours. Are there any questions?”
“Are you single?” a woman blurted out the question before slapping her hands over her mouth. A few chuckles came from the group.
“Alas, pretty lady, my heart is taken.” I leaned forward and gave a mock whisper, “But my brother Luke is available, if you like the strong, silent type. He’s only a grump sometimes.”
A few more chuckles rang out. I knew Luke would get revenge later, but it was worth it when the embarrassed woman dropped her hands and laughed. I dismissed the group, reminding them to meet at the barn after lunch for the trail ride.
“You get to take care of Ginger.” Luke shoved the reins into my hands. “And I’m not leading the group this afternoon.”
I saluted him as he stalked off. His grumpiness had increased as we all found our mates, but I didn’t know why. Luke wasn’t one to share his feelings. If it got any worse, I might just have to sit on him until he shared.
I led Ginger back to the barn, unable to stop my grin when Emily fell into step with me. She’d let her dark hair down, and it had that wind-swept look that made me picture waking up next to her in the morning. Every muscle in my body tightened as I fought the urge to pull her into my arms and bury my face in her hair and breathe in her scent. To finally kiss the lips that haunted my dreams.
Instead I asked, “How’s your day going?”
“Well enough. I’m happy with the progress the horses are making.” She shoved her hands in her pockets. “I need to run into town and replenish my kit. And I want to swing by home to see my dad.”
“Want company?”
“You’ve got a trail ride to lead, and I won’t be gone long. A few hours at most.” She grabbed a brush as I removed the tack from Ginger. “You’re good with the guests.”
“I like people. Makes it easier.” I shrugged off the compliment and picked up a second brush. Together we brushed the horse, preparing her for her stall. “I got exposed to so many different people while working for the rodeo, and I learned everyone has a story. I like to hear them.”
“You always were a good listener.” She said it quietly, but my shifter hearing picked it up.
“I like to listen to people. I love to listen to you.” Our eyes met over Ginger’s back. “Just the sound of your voice can soothe the restlessness inside of me.”
A blush spread across her cheeks. “Well, you certainly heard enough of it back when we were teens.”
“Never enough, Em. I’ll happily listen to you the rest of our lives.” I put Ginger in her stall while Emily returned the brushes. She grabbed an apple from the bin and brought it over, offering it to the mare. She stood right next to me, close enough that the heat from her body reached mine.
“When I was gone, I never fully settled,” I said. “I would lie awake at night, remembering the sound of your voice. I told myself not to, that I needed to leave you behind, but it was the only thing that grounded me enough to fall asleep.”
“I don’t know what to say to that.” She turned to face me. “For years, whenever I thought of you, I reminded myself of your words and told myself that you had moved on, and I needed to do the same.”
“I never moved on.” I laced my fingers with hers. “You were always with me. I just didn’t understand why until I saw you again.”
She bit her lip, looking away. “A part of me wants to believe you, Austin. But that seventeen-year-old girl is still screaming at me to run.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat, searching for the words that would bring her back to me. But they wouldn’t come.
Her gaze reflected the turmoil going on inside her. “I need to go now. I’ll see you after your trail ride.”
