Page 57 of Never Left You
Narrowing my eyes at him, I stood from the table. “I’ll get the horses ready,” I said softly, handing my plate off to Stetson.
“I’ll come with you.” The legs of Cash’s chair moved against the wood floor and before I had any time to protest, he was at my side, his hand finding the small of my back as he gently guided me from the dining room.
The heat from his palm radiated up my spine and to my neck, a tingle causing me to hitch my breath. Once the night air hit us, my hope was the crisp feeling would take away the warmth from him.
Nope.
I was proven wrong.
Even though his hand had fallen away, his warmth was only amplified.
I could feel him around me, hovering, creating those butterflies I didn’t want to admit were there.
“What’s the best horse for the wildest buck?” Cash jogged ahead of me, pushing open the door to the stable so I could walk in.
“Hmm,” I thought, turning to the ranch’s horses. “My guess would be Blaze.”
“Blaze?” Cash responded. “Please tell me you’re not joking when it comes to his name.”
“Nope.” I spun on my heel, my braid whipping around to fall on my shoulder. “He’s Nick’s, technically. Well….we own him, but Nick rides him the most. He doesn’t really like when others ride him, so he’s a bucker.”
“Good. Let’s get him riled up.” Cash rubbed his palms together, a wry grin forming on his lips.
I eyed him up and down. He began to shift from side to side as I opened the stall, that cocky-ass smile only growing as I stepped into Blaze’s stall. The deep gray horse bobbed his nose at me, already angry I was waking him, but he let me slip on the lead. I took two steps back, and he followed.
“Where is all of this confidence coming from?” I chuckled, Blaze puffing some air next to me.
Cash’s palm reached out to touch Blaze on his nose, stroking down his white patch. “Honestly…” he sighed. “Not sure. Just…with you here, I gotta get on this horse.”
I don’t even think he understood what those words did to me. He was so focused on Blaze as he stroked down his nose. But I was frozen. I gave him confidence? Just from being here? I watched as he studied the horse, learning the way Blaze breathed for a few beats. He was focused on the horse, cooing at him and talking to him. Saying things like, “You won’t buck me off won’t you?” and “You’re a good guy…I can tell.” All the while Blaze bobbed his head and leaned into Cash’s touch. I didn’t give this man anything. He already had the confidence.
His gaze met mine, his lips twisting into a smile that formed little wrinkles around his eyes. I blinked away the moment, getting my emotions in check yet again. He may have wanted to kiss me in the arena earlier—but if I wasn’t careful—I’d kiss him here.
I cleared my throat, remembering my family was on their way.
Forcing myself to remember I didn’t need to feel this way.
I pointed to the tack room. “Can you grab the saddle? Or are you riding bareback?” I changed the subject.
Cash was reaching out his hand to pet Blaze once again, but stopped, frozen in place. He tilted his head and gave me a soft, playful glare. “I do not ride bareback.”
“Ah.” I lifted my chin, finding myself wanting to play back. I wanted to tease and smile along with him. “Only the insane cowboys ride bareback and bulls.”
“Insane,” he emphasized. “I’ll get that damn saddle. You get the bronc rope.”
I led Blaze into the arena, grabbing the few necessary items along the way, catching sight of Cash from the corner of my eye. He had the saddle hung over his arm, the long rope swung over his shoulder, his hat tipped on his head, the bridle in between his teeth. He walked quicker to catch up to me, his eyes glowing once he got closer to Blaze.
“Think I can get a ride in before Lachlan gets here with the calves?”
“You need more than just me in this arena before you jump from a chute, so I veto that idea.” I ran my hand down Blaze’s neck.
“Oh, come on,” Cash groaned.
“Nope, he’s not too thrilled we woke him.”
“Nah.” Cash gave his back a pat. “He’ll have fun, we talked didn’t we Blaze. The event has to be fun for the animal too, right?”
“First rule of rodeo.” I nodded. “You think you got this?”
