Page 6 of Faking it with the Cowboy

“I haven’t ridden a horse in years.” My stomach bubbled with nerves. I wasn’t going to lie to myself. He looked good. He’d filled out from the days when we used to share a seat in the back of the bus on the long ride home from school.

“Then it’s time we got you back in the saddle, don’t you think? Come on, I’ve got a mare that would be perfect for you. Sweet as sugar, and I’ve never seen her spook. She reminds me of that horse your grandad used to let us ride. What was her name?”

“Mandy.”

“That’s right.”

“I haven’t thought about her in a long time.” Though I grew up on the edge of town, my grandparents owned acreage out in the country. Birch and I used to help them on the weekends until they decided they couldn’t keep up with it anymore.

“Whatever happened to your grandparents’ place?” Birch led the way into the barn and past dozens of stalls. He didn’t seem to be in a big hurry and stopped to rub noses or give each one of the horses a scratch between the ears as we passed.

“My aunt’s still living there. I hope I can get out there next time I go home, but I don’t know when that will be.”

Nodding, Birch stopped in front of a stall where a tan horse with a blonde mane stood. “This is Swifty. She got her name because she likes to dance to Taylor Swift songs.”

“No way.”

Birch pulled out his phone and pressed a few buttons. The first few beats of “Love Story” floated through his speaker. The big mare shuffled her feet and swayed her head.

“Still don’t believe me?” His lips split into a huge grin.

“Maybe this is just her song.”

Birch tapped his phone. The music stopped, then another song started. Swifty whinnied and tapped her hoof to the opening strains of “Trouble.”

“Okay, I believe you.” I put my hand up, palms out, in surrender. “If I’m going to be riding Taylor’s number one equine fan, which horse will you be riding?”

“If it’s been a while since you’ve sat in the saddle, maybe we should ride together.” Birch shrugged like it wouldn’t make a difference to him whether we rode double or not.

A shiver raced down my spine, then back up again before I reminded myself we were just friends. He’d always looked out for me and probably didn’t want to see me make a fool out of myself in front of his co-workers and friends.

“Well, it has been a long time…” I pursed my lips. “Maybe we could start off together and see how it goes.”

His eyes lit up. There was no way it was because he wanted to feel my chest press against his back or my thighs alongside his. He was just being nice.

“Sure. You need a hand getting up in the saddle?”

“No.” I grabbed hold of the horn and slid my foot into the stirrup. Then I heaved myself up, hoping like hell I’d end up close enough to fling my leg over the saddle. Success. I savored the moment while I waited for him to take the spot in front of me.

“Why don’t you slide forward? I’m going to let you take the reins while I sit back and enjoy the ride.”

“You want to ride behind me?” I glanced over my shoulder, picturing his big frame pressing against my back. Goosebumps pebbled my skin. It shouldn’t be a big deal. We were just friends.

Though the thought of riding double with a friend probably wouldn’t make my skin feel like it did now… like it had just been set on fire.

At Birch’s nod, I gulped in a deep breath and shifted forward in the saddle.

5

BIRCH

The morning flew by like we’d fallen into a time warp. I’d forgotten how easy it was to be around Jericho. She reminded me of a time in my life when I looked forward to each and every day. Not like now when most mornings I had to drag myself out of bed. Back then, it felt like anything was possible—maybe even the possibility of a smart, college-bound girl falling for a guy who couldn’t wait to be done with high school.

I shook my head. We’d never been more than friends. She’d never given me any indication she’d ever think of me that way. Still, a guy could dream.

“You ready to stop for lunch?” I could have sat behind her all day with her ass sandwiched between my thighs, but my stomach had started growling over an hour ago.

“Sure. Do you have somewhere in mind, or should we stop here?”

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