Page 25 of Trusting a Cowgirl

“Have you forgotten I’m a local? That storm is farther away than you realize. It’s gonna get caught up in the mountains and all we’re going to get is some rain.” She pulled her horse to a stop suddenly, causing him to have to slow and turn Dolly around to meet up with her again. She tilted her head to the side and her eyes danced. “You might think that the darkness is when you can find peace. But I challenge you to really see what it feels like to have all your worries washed away by a spring rain.”

As if summoned by her words, a large fat drop of water landed on his hand. Then another and another. She turned her face to the sky and laughed again. Surprisingly, the rain was warmer than he expected. It was like they were in this bubble of cold temperatures but above them had been warmed by some supernatural force.

Warm drop after warm drop pelted him. The horses didn’t seem to mind in the least. Grace’s eyes remained closed and a small smile was plastered to her face. Her voice was quiet and he almost couldn’t hear it over the sound of the water hitting the dirt beneath their feet.

“When things get tough, you know it will be okay when the storm clouds roll in.”

He snorted, and she lowered her face so she could meet his gaze.

“Do you even hear what you said?” he said.

The smile didn’t leave her face, and she just stared at him expectantly.

“Storm clouds are synonymous with bad things happening. Have you ever heard the saying ‘when it rains, it pours’?”

She shook her head and looked up again. “You’re wrong. Rain is healing. People say it symbolizes darkness, but it doesn’t. It brings life and rebirth. Without it, you don’t get roses or rainbows.”

He stared at her dumbfounded. Once again, she’d put him in his place.

The rain shifted from drops to sheets and she let out a squeal. “Okay,thisis a bit much.” She held her hand over her head and met his gaze. “We should probably head back before either of us catches a cold or something. I’m sorry we have to cut our session short.” She had to yell that last bit because of how loud the rain had become.

Riley nodded. She pulled her reins around, forcing Buster to head down the trail toward the country club. He didn’t follow right away. Instead, he looked up at the sky, allowing the rain to wash over him. He heard her words echo in his head.Rain is healing. A shiver raced up and down his spine and he opened his eyes. He could almost feel the pain from his past being washed away.

Almost.

10

Grace

Grace peekedat Riley over the back of Buster’s saddle. He worked at brushing Dolly down in her stall. There was one good thing about tonight. She’d managed to get him to open up, even if it was only a little bit. He had some dark passengers that rode on his shoulders daily.

But within time, she knew she’d be able to help knock them to the ground.

He seemed more relaxed after they returned. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but he was doing better somehow. It wasn’t a big change, but things like this never were. She smiled to herself, proud of how she’d managed to listen to him and not make him feel like she was only there to be his therapist.

Well, that’s how it felt at the moment.

No, she wasn’t supposed to turn him into her best friend. But with people in his situation, it was better for him to think of her as more than just someone who was being paid to listen to him vent.

The sound of the rhythmic brushing was interrupted when Riley cleared his throat. She looked up and jumped, finding him peering over the stall. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Those parties at the club. What goes on there?”

Grace lifted her mouth into a half smile. “Mostly it’s just mingling and dancing. It’s sorta the way we enjoy spending time together out here. When the weather warms up, they might start a bonfire, too.”

“Do you…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I think it would be nice if we…”

She arched a brow. It almost sounded like he wanted to ask her to go on a date with him. Her heart fluttered and she froze. That was definitely against the rules. She knew better, and she got the feeling so did he. So why was he asking her?

Riley blew out a breath and met her gaze again. “I’d like to go, but I don’t know if I’m allowed. Would you mind coming with me? For moral support?”

Her brows furrowed. “Why wouldn’t you be allowed to go? You’re staying here. You’re a guest. In fact, I’m fairly certain you get more perks because of that.”

He lifted a shoulder and broke eye contact again. “I’m not really great in social situations. I don’t… get along well with other people.”

She let out a laugh. “I think you’re doing great. But if you’d like me to walk you there, I would be happy to.” Grace gestured toward her clothes. “I don’t think I could stay due to the fact that I’m incredibly soggy.”

---