He likes my hair.
The thought made her want to smile, but she didn’t dare. Leah was watching.
“Good night, ladies,” Hank called with a wave as they headed out.
“Good night,” they each called back.
“How did it go today?” Leah asked her.
“It went great,” Ellen smiled. “I’m not afraid of guns anymore.”
“Good,” Leah said still watching her.
Ellen wouldn’t let herself look at Travis now. She didn’t dare. Not with the way he looked, the way he made her feel, and his words still sounding in her head.
The women walked back to the lodge together, excitedly chattering about what they might have done to their hair and nails.
Ellen decided she would only allow a wash and condition followed by a trim. But she would get her nails done. That was a luxury she’d missed.
* * *
The womenonly had two more weeks to go before their program would end. Ellen still hadn’t picked a new career path, though Leah had suggested many. Now the pressure was on for her to decide on something.
Today all the women had gone riding, except for Chyna. She’d never done more than the basic intro to horses, when Buck had explained how to ride, and how to care for the horses, then had let them each ride a horse in a circle in the corral. Chyna just hadn’t taken to it and didn’t want to get on any more horses.
Ellen enjoyed going on a ride with the other women but didn’t want to go by herself. For her the fun was more the group activity than riding the horse. Horses were large, powerful animals, and she wasn’t a tall woman. She often found their size intimidating, but she felt comfortable riding near Buck.
Today she’d finished riding early and was heading back to the main house. Passing the pool, she saw Chyna asleep in a blue bikini on a lounge chair.
She must’ve fallen asleep in the warm sun. Her pale skin is turning red.
Ellen woke her by shaking her shoulder. “Chyna, wake up. You’re really getting red.”
“What?” Chyna sat up. “Oh no.” She glanced around.
The sun was lowering in the sky.
“How long have I been out here?”
“I don’t know, but I just got back from our tail ride,” Ellen said. “So, depending on when you laid out, probably a long time. You need to get out of this sun.”
“Yeah, I, I’m hot,” Chyna said. “I’m going to get in the pool again to cool off.” She smacked her lips.
She’s probably dehydrated.
“I can’t believe no one woke you.” Ellen shook her head. “Leah should’ve.”
“Leah had a dentist apt today and went into town,” Chyna said. “She’s probably not back yet.”
Good, that gives me more time before I must answer Leah about career choices. She won’t ask me to meet with her today.
“Well, you need to cool down, drink water and put something on that sunburn,” Ellen said. “If I had anything I’d give it to you, but I don’t.”
“It’s okay, Ellen. I’ll bet someone here has after sun lotion. Thank you for waking me,” Chyna said.
“You’re welcome. I’m just glad I saw you when I did.,” Ellen said. “Before it got worse.”
“Me too.”
