you giving him the eye. I know – don’t ask” Jessie rolled her
eyes. “I had to let Dawson name one, or I would have had to
turn in my wedding ring – and you know how fond I am of it!”
The girls laughed and gave each other a hug.
“I knew he’d remind you of Beau. We just got him in
about six months ago. Why don’t you go get acquainted. Sam
will be right out with a saddle. Hey… I’m really glad you’re
here.”
Alex smiled, “me too,” and headed over to introduce
herself to “Mr. Willis.” She was really looking forward to
getting out on the trail, to spending more time with her good
friend, and to the two weeks ahead. She wanted to put all
thoughts of Taylorwood and everything that happened with
Sally Jennings, out of her mind. She didn’t want to think about
her relationship with Dez – or any relationships at all, for that
matter – except for the one she was about to form with Bruce
Willis.
“Hi buddy. I’m Alex. Do you mind if I call you
Bruce? It’s nice to meet you,” she whispered in his ear as she
gently stroked his forehead.
Just then Bruce nipped at his lead rope as a saddle and
blanket landed on his back. Alex stepped away, not wanting
her arm to be mistaken for the rope, and was surprised to see a
long dark braid hanging down from beneath the wrangler’s
well-worn cowboy hat. Apparently this was a cow-girl! She
was a little taller than Alex and looked great from the rear, as
she slowly tightened the cinch. She gave Bruce a pat on the
neck, told him not to be so grumpy, and turned around. Alex
was immediately attracted to her dark complexion, brown
eyes, and slightly crooked smile. She looked Indian. In fact –
she looked a lot like Jessie. There was instant chemistry. They both reached out to shake hands at the same
time. As they touched, Alex felt a flutter in the pit of her
stomach.
“Hi, I’m Sam. I’m Jessie’s cousin.”
“Nice to meet you, Sam. I’m Alex.”
They stood there for a moment, smiling at each other.
Alex remembered that Jessie had once mentioned a cousin,
Samantha. She lived somewhere in Colorado and had just
broken up with her lover, at the time.
“Nice to meet you too.” Sam spoke softly, as her eyes
traveled down to Alex’s boots and back up again. “From the
look of those legs, I think I better lower your stirrups a couple
of holes.”
For once Alex was glad she had put on her snug jeans
instead of the baggy, more comfortable ones she usually
reached for. She could have easily made the saddle adjustment
herself, but was unable to speak due to all the thoughts racing
through her head – Was Sam still single? Had she moved to
New Mexico? When was her birthday? She wanted to call
Lena to make sure they were compatible.
“Whoa, Alex. First things first.” She heard the voice
inside her head reminding her to take things slow, and yet right
at the moment was having a little trouble remembering why.
She took a deep breath and did her best impression of calm and cool. “Thanks, Sam. By the way, will you be going along on
this ride?”
“Oh yes, I’ll be bringing up the rear, keeping an eye
on everyone from there. Actually, I offered my spot to Jessie
so you two could visit, but she said she had too much to do.” “Of course. I know how busy she is.” Alex chuckled to
herself with a knowing smile. Jessie had to be behind this and
she didn’t know whether to thank her or strangle her! “We better get on. It looks like everyone’s about
ready. Would you like to hang back with me – that is if you
don’t mind eating a little dust?”
“I’d like that, and a little dust never hurt me before.”
Relaxing and enjoying the scenery weren’t the only goals on
Alex’s list anymore. She was now looking forward to spending
the next two hours getting to know some things about this
attractive woman. She was determined to use her head this
time, and not let her heart and emotions take over so quickly.
She glanced over at Sam and knew that would be a lot easier
said than done.
There was a slight breeze and a few puffy white clouds
rolling by as the gate shut behind Alex and Sam. A short
distance away Jessie and Dawson stood in front of the hay
barn, holding hands.
“You think you’re pretty clever, don’t you?” Dawson
asked with a wink and a squeeze of his wife’s hand. “I hope
you know what you’re doing, Mrs. Black.”
Jessie had a hopeful twinkle in her eye. “I am and I do,
Mr. Black.” As she watched her best friend ride away, she had
her fingers crossed. A little luck couldn’t hurt either. There
was no one who deserved happiness more than Alex, and
Jessie hoped with all her heart that she may have finally found
it.
Thunder Mountain Ranch By G. L. McCarthy What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation, after a horrific ordeal at Taylorwood, finds Alex involved in solving a murder, finding a lost lover and having a long overdue romance. Will new memories keep her in New Mexico or will the pull of Taylorwood take her back home.
Taylorwood (Alexandria Whitney Mystery) Page 18