“So Kendra asked you to take them a couple of horses to ride home on?”
“Exactly. She already checked with them and they’d be very happy if I’d agree to do that. I can borrow their truck to drive to the GG and when the road dries out, they’ll bring mine to town and we’ll switch out again.”
He gazed at her, clearly turning it all over in his mind. “And how long do you think it’ll take for the road to dry out?”
“I don’t know. I can’t hear the rain anymore, so maybe the storm’s over. If the sun comes out, the road might be dry enough later today. Kendra could answer that better than I can.”
“A ride to town sounds like more than a wee outing.”
“Actually, it’s not. There’s a shortcut to town through the woods. Kendra and I have gone that way lots of times when we felt like getting a treat at Pie in the Sky.”
Aleck’s brow furrowed. “How long would it take?”
“We can make it in under twenty minutes, even going slow. I know you’re uneasy about the riding, but think of the advantages. At the end of the ride we’ll pick up Rory’s truck and be in my apartment about ten minutes later.”
Heat flared in his gaze. “That part sounds—”
“Pure barry?”
“Aye, it does. But if my baws have been jostled every which way on the back of that horse because I don’t know the proper way to ride, I might not be in any shape to enjoy it.”
“I promise I won’t let that happen. I have a stake in the outcome so I’ll keep checking on you to make sure you’re feeling comfy.”
He still looked unconvinced.
“This won’t be as hard as you think. Way easier than a caber toss. Like I told Kendra, you’re an athlete. Twenty minutes is doable, even for a beginner.” But he didn’t like being a beginner. She could see it in his eyes.
He was silent for a few seconds. Then he gave a short nod. “All right, then, lass. I’ll put myself in your hands.”
“Mm. I like the sound of that.”
His breath caught. “I hope you know you’re drivin’ me crazy.”
“No more than you’re doing to me.”
He groaned softly and glanced away, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Lord give me strength.” He took several deep breaths before turning back to her. “What’s next?”
“We lead Diablo and Strawberry out to the wash rack pad and saddle them there.”
“Wash rack pad?”
“It’s a cement area on one side of the barn where they bathe the horses. We don’t want them standing in the mud while we saddle them.”
“I want to help with the saddlin’.”
“Good.” Evidently once he committed to something new, he wanted all the info he could get. Saddling his own horse was a great way to demystify the process. “I’ll get us a couple of lead ropes.”
“I’d like to lead my horse out there, too.”
She paused, surprised and delighted with the request. “Absolutely.” She was also tickled that he’d referred to Diablo as my horse. She glanced into Strawberry’s stall to make sure he’d finished his breakfast. “I’ll take Strawberry first so you can see how I do it. Be right back with the ropes.”
She returned with them, handed him one and opened Strawberry’s stall door. She gave a running commentary as she attached the lead rope and brought the gelding out into the barn aisle. To say Aleck watched her every move was an understatement. His intense scrutiny created an electric vibration, leaving her alert…and aroused.
He walked beside her as she led the roan gelding out of the barn and tethered him to the wash rack’s hitching post. When it was his turn to take Diablo out, he copied everything she’d done, including making occasional comments to the horse. She hadn’t been conscious of doing it with Strawberry, but Aleck had noticed every detail.
He tethered the horse to the hitching post, gave him a scratch under his mane and turned back to her. “What now?”
“Grooming.” Setting down the tote she’d grabbed on the way out of the barn, she picked up one brush and handed him the other. “Begin on the left side and work your way around.” She started brushing and his gaze intensified as it had when she’d demonstrated leading. “The pressure should be gentle but firm.”
He made a humming noise low in his throat.
She paused to glance at him. “What?”
“What you just said reminded me of somethin’ I’m tryin’ to put out of my mind for now.”
A flush crept over her skin. “You’d better, or we won’t be ready to leave when Kendra and crew arrive.”
“I know that, lass. Usin’ all my powers of concentration. Carry on.”
“Not much more to it. Don’t press too hard on the bony parts.” She groaned. “Sorry.”
“Dinna fash yourself. My mind was already goin’ there.” He started brushing Diablo.
After a few minutes, she glanced across Strawberry’s broad back to check on Aleck’s progress. Sure, that’s why she was looking over there. It had nothing to do with the play of muscles under his shirt as he applied gentle but firm strokes to Diablo’s coat.
Her core muscles clenched. Time to take her own advice and calm the heck down. Was there anything about him that didn’t give her heart palpitations? Nope, he was a fine specimen of manhood from head to toe.
Oh, wait. His clunky rain boots didn’t turn her on, and they needed to go. “We’ll grab your cowboy boots before we leave. You need a better heel to help keep your feet in the stirrups. You’ll want your hat, too.”
He squinted up at a slight break in the clouds. “I’ll wear my hat, but I’d hate to get mud on those fine boots Rory bought me.”
“You won’t get much. We can ride up to the end of the flagstone walk. But they’re boots. If Rory were here, he’d tell you…what was that you said? Don’t fash yourself?”
“That’s what I said. Interestin’ to hear it with a Boston accent.”
“You get the idea, though, right?”
“I do.” He blew out a breath. “I’ll wear the boots.”
She moved to Strawberry’s right side, which robbed her of a visual on Aleck. Now he had one of her backside. Was he looking?
Another of his deep hums told her he was. She moved faster, galvanized by the promise of what the day could bring. “I’ll get the tack.”
“I’ll come with you. I’m finished, too.”
“Then we can put the tote back.” She waited for him to drop his brush in it. “You must have turned on the afterburners to be done that quick.” She picked up the tote and headed around to the front of the barn.
“I just kept pace with you.” He fell into step beside her.
“I predict you’re going to be very good at this. I can see why you’ve had success as a lawyer.”
“How do you know I have?”
“Well, you said you love it, and that usually means a person’s successful. You also have an extraordinary eye for detail. Clearly you’ve found your path.”
“And you’ve found yours, it seems.”
“I have.”
“I’m happy for you, lass. Glad you found a place where you can thrive. And you are thrivin’. That might be why I—” He paused.
“What?”
“I’ve been tryin’ to analyze why I’m so…affected by you.”
“Affected? That sounds like a disease.”
He laughed. “Sometimes it feels like I’m comin’ down with somethin’. It’s just that I want you so much…more than I’ve ever…” He took a deep breath and met her gaze.
Holy hot Scot. The fire in those green eyes would melt her panties in no time.
His chest heaved again. “We need to get those horses saddled.”
“Yes. Yes, we do.” Assuming she had enough working brain cells to accomplish it.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Aleck used his honed ability to concentrate as he’d never used it before. By the time Tansy had instructed him in saddling and bridling a horse, he could have
taught a class in it.
The unfamiliar task had been a welcome challenge that had steadied his runaway heartbeat and calmed his restless tadger. He hadn’t been so out of control since…ever.
Rory was the impulsive one, the guy who’d often ended up in a guddle because he hadn’t paused to consider the ramifications of his behavior. True, his latest escapade had resulted in finding the love of his life. Then again, he’d been in a position to change his circumstances.
Aleck had no wish to change anything. He had friends, family and his dream job. He loved Scotland and planned to live there forever. So why had he eagerly climbed aboard a horse named Diablo for the sole purpose of ending up in an American girl’s apartment? Making love to her was not in line with the path he’d laid out for himself.
But he was going to do it, anyway. Because…Tansy. He had no other excuse. One glance into her brown eyes and he was lost.
Mounting the reddish horse named Strawberry with practiced ease, she led the way over to the house so he could get his hat and boots. Their horses’ hooves squished in the mud as he followed her to the rail fence that stretched on either side of the flagstone path.
Swiveling in her saddle, she glanced back at him. “Come up on my left side so you’ll be closer to the walkway.”
He nudged Diablo in the ribs and neck-reined him the way Tansy had taught him before they’d left the barn area. It wasn’t the best parking job in the world, but it would do. When he pulled gently on the reins, Diablo stopped. “Brakes work. Steering wheel needs some adjustin’.”
“You’ll get the hang of it.” She climbed down and looped Strawberry’s reins around the railing. “Get off on the left.”
“I remember.” He used the horn to steady himself during the dismount. It would likely save him from disaster during this adventure. He might be a numptie when it came to riding a horse, but he had a grip like iron.
After looping Diablo’s reins around the railing like Tansy had, he joined her on the walkway.
“You’re doing great, by the way.”
“Thanks.”
“How does the saddle feel?”
“Better than I expected. Not as comfy as an easy chair, though.”
“Give yourself time and you might prefer it to an easy chair.”
He smiled. “Doubtful.” He climbed the steps. “I need to take off these boots before I go in.”
“Right. I’ll wait for you on the porch.” She sat in the second rocker over from the door.
As he claimed the one beside her and tugged off his first boot, his stomach growled.
She glanced at him. “Hungry?”
“Pay me no mind, lass.” He set the boot beside his chair.
“I’m not surprised if you are. So am I. We should each grab something.”
“Sounds like fun.” He chuckled and took off his other boot.
“I’m talking about food.”
He glanced at her. “I’m not.”
Her breathing changed. “You really have to stop looking at me like that.”
“Can’t help it.”
She held his gaze for a moment longer. “Go get your stuff.” Her voice was low and throaty. “Before I forget myself and kiss you.”
“I’d like that.”
“Go.”
“Aye, right.” He pushed himself out of his chair.
“Meanwhile I’ll see what I can find in the kitchen that will be quick and easy.” She pulled off her boots and stood. “We don’t want to arrive at my apartment faint with hunger.”
“I promise food will be the furthest thing from my mind, whether I eat somethin’ now or not.”
“Even so, we should…” She paused. “I hear horses.” Turning, she looked across the yard toward the empty pasture. “Must be the grandparent brigade.” She rose on tiptoe and pointed. “There they are. See ’em?”
“Aye. Comin’ along the fence.”
She grinned. “They’re making tracks, too. No washed-out road is keeping them from their grandbaby. That’s Kendra out in front. Bet it was her idea to ride over here.” She waved and Kendra waved back.
“Does she keep a horse over at Quinn’s place, then?”
“No, she’s on Fudge, Wes’s horse.”
“And Wes is…?”
“Quinn’s youngest son. I keep forgetting you haven’t met his kids. You will. Wes is a horse vet and he stables his horse at his dad’s.”
“Quinn’s horse is an interestin’ color.”
“Banjo is a buckskin.”
“Fudge and Banjo. I almost want a horse so I can name him.”
“Aha! You’re getting into this. I thought you would.”
“I said almost. The names are fascinatin’. What are Jo and Brendan’s horses called?”
“Don’t know. First time I’ve seen them. They got them last month.”
“Jo’s looks like a happier, taller version of Eeyore.”
“Yeah, he’s handsome, all right. She’s been sharing Eeyore with Mandy, so it’s not surprising she wanted a gray. Looks awesome with Brendan’s roan. His horse and Strawberry would almost make a matched pair.”
“I used to think of all horses as being brown, like Diablo.”
“It’s the most common color, but as you can tell from this bunch, it’s not the only one. It’s cool to see all the variations.” She sighed. “I love these animals.”
“Want one?”
“Definitely, but not until I can afford my own place where I can keep a horse. I’m saving up.”
“Sounds excitin’.” All these specific plans —Rory wanting a house and kids, Tansy saving for a horse and her own place--were vaguely annoying. What were his? Surely he had some.
“Hey, you two!” Aunt Kendra parked Fudge next to Strawberry and Quinn pulled Banjo in alongside her.
“You made good time.” Tansy glanced over at Brendan and Jo as they rode up to the other side of the fence and dismounted. “Beautiful horses!”
“Aren’t they?” Jo patted the neck of her dapple gray. “This is Mercury and that’s Mars.” She pointed to Brendan’s horse. “I wanted to name mine Venus, because that would be cute to have Mars and Venus, but I finally decided he wouldn’t like having a girl’s name.”
“Thank the Lord.” Aleck gave Jo a thumbs-up. “Sanity prevails.”
“Bonnie and Clyde didn’t sit well with Aleck.” Tansy sent a wink in his direction.
“That trips up a lot of folks, Aleck.” Aunt Kendra smiled at him as she started up the walkway. “Looks like you decided to ride Diablo over to Ryker and April’s.”
“Aye. That I did.”
Approval shone in her eyes. “Good for you.”
“And he groomed and tacked up that horse, too,” Tansy said.
Quinn nodded. “Good man.”
“Appreciate the compliment, but I get the impression that’s standard procedure around here.”
“It is.” Jo followed Aunt Kendra and Quinn up the walkway with Brendan right behind her. “That’s how Kendra got me over my fear. You must not have any since you’ve jumped right in like that.”
“I’m not afraid of the horse. Just worried that I’ll end up on my bum my first time out.”
Quinn smiled. “That’s the mark of a good fall, son. If you’re coming off, it’s best to land on the seat of your pants. There’s no disgrace in falling. We’ve all done it.”
“All of you?” Everyone nodded. “Am I supposed to find that comfortin’?”
“You’re not going to fall.” Tansy reached over and squeezed his arm. “And even if you do, we’ll be going so slow it won’t matter.”
“Sorry, but I don’t find that comfortin’ either, lass.”
“Enough.” Aunt Kendra came up on the porch. “We’re freaking him out when there’s no reason. It’s an easy ride and Tansy knows the route. Did you two get some breakfast, by the way?”
“We didn’t,” Tansy said. “And we probably should eat something before we go.”
Aunt Kendra
’s eyebrows lifted. “You’re kidding, right? There’s no probably in that sentence. Come inside and we’ll get you fed. Do you know if Zane and Mandy have had anything to eat this morning?”
“We have not.” Rubbing his eyes, Zane walked out on the porch in his bare feet. “Are you guys having a party or what?”
“Oh, honey.” Aunt Kendra gave him a kiss on his beard-roughened cheek. “Did we wake you?”
“Yes, but I don’t care. I’m so freaking glad to see you. With the road out, I was afraid—”
Jo gasped. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. Mandy and I just need…” He cleared his throat and his gaze swept the group. “We need our family.”
Such a declaration of vulnerability from a rock of a man like Zane took Aleck’s breath away. The outpouring of love and hugs that followed created a sizable lump in his throat.
When Rory and Damaris started their family, they’d be surrounded by the same warm circle of caring folks. It was good to know. But his chest hurt, all the same.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Breakfast was a quick affair, for which Tansy was grateful. Aleck seemed to be, too. He clearly wanted to get on with it. The sooner they made this ride he was nervous about and progressed to the good part, the better.
After breakfast, Kendra found a hat for her to wear. Rhys woke up right before they were ready to leave, so they had a chance to see the little guy. Then they left without fanfare since everyone was fully occupied with the baby.
She waited for Aleck to climb aboard Diablo before she mounted up. Once he was in the saddle, she checked his stirrups and asked him to stand in them so she could make sure the clearance was optimal.
That required focusing on the very region of his body that had fueled some sizzling fantasies recently. The denim of his jeans contained, but didn’t fully conceal, what lay in store for her.
Stop staring, Tansy. She gulped and looked away, but it was too late. Heat spiraled through her belly and moistened her lady parts. “You’re fine,” she murmured. Mighty fine. “Go ahead and sit down.”
“It’s nice to be appreciated, lass.”
A Cowboy’s Destiny: The McGavin Brothers Page 11