by Jill Downey
“Yeah, North Carolina or Montana aren’t exactly hot beds of the industry.”
“I’d love to have you stay with us. I’ll talk it over with Griffin and Walt, but I can’t imagine any reason why not. You could stay in the cabin you’re already bunking in. I’m pretty sure Walt could use another set of hands around here. I think it would be good for you.” She turned in her saddle and smiled at a beaming Tyler. Looking beyond him, she saw that Malena was smiling and her cheeks were a bright pink. She was fairly certain it wasn’t only from the cold.
“Thanks, Pen. If I can stay, I promise, you won’t be sorry.”
“I’m not the least bit worried about that. Is everyone ready to trot for a little bit?”
“Yes,” they all chorused.
Squeezing her legs gently against Raven’s flanks they picked up a trot. The rest of the horses followed suit. They rode silently for some distance. The only sounds were the horses’ snorts and breath, the wind whistling through the trees, and branches snapping underfoot. The snow-covered ground buffeted most of their passage. There was a fallen log across the path ahead and Pen called back to everyone, “Small jump ahead. Ty, Ella just let them have their heads. You’ll be fine.”
They took the jump single file and once everyone cleared it they continued trotting through the woods. They heard a gunshot off in the distance somewhere up ahead. Raven startled and Penelope frowned. There shouldn’t be anyone even close to here. She held up her hand and brought Raven to a stop. “That’s not good.”
“It sounded pretty far away,” Malena said.
“Yes, but it would still be on my private property. I don’t allow any hunting or trespassing.” Another shot rang out and the horses became agitated. Raven picked right up on her anxiety. “Whoa girl, you’re alright.”
“Do you want to turn around Pen? I’ll lead us back the way we came,” Malena asked from the rear.
“Yes, we’d better. We can ride to the meadow or head back home. You guys decide.”
“I’m okay returning home. We’ve already been out over forty minutes. By the time we get back we’ll have ridden well over an hour,” Ella said.
“I’m fine going back,” Ty said.
“Let’s head home then. I’d like to tell Walt about the gunshots right away. Even if I gave permission to hunt on my property, which I never do, it’s off-season. There isn’t one good reason for anyone to be shooting a gun right now.”
Walt listened, his forehead furrowed. He lifted his cowboy hat and raked a hand through his thick gray hair before putting it back on his head. “I don’t like it one bit. Could be poachers. Wilkes had some trouble recently. Found some dead antelope minus their heads a while back.”
Ella put a hand over her mouth. “That’s terrible!”
“I’ve never respected trophy hunters. They’re about the lowest of the low.”
“Did your neighbors ever find out who did it?” Ella asked.
“Nope. Land is so vast and spread out it’s hard to monitor everything that goes on.”
“What’s the punishment for poaching?” Ty asked.
“It’s a felony if it’s a trophy animal like a bull elk. A person could get five years in the pen and a hefty fifty thousand-dollar fine. But ya gotta catch em first.”
“Wow. Kind of makes it seem a little scarier…I mean the stakes are pretty high. I’m sure they wouldn’t want to get caught,” Ty said.
“Nope. That’s fer sure,” Walt said. “I’ll take a quick ride out there now, then me and Poke will go first thing in the morning and check it out further.”
“I just want you to be safe,” Penny said, her brows drawn together.
“I’ll take my rifle…I’ll be armed. Don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll try not to.”
Tyler said, “I’d like to stick around and help unsaddle the horses.”
“Did ya get bit by the horse bug?” Walt said.
“Yeah, I guess I did. A long time ago really, but I never had much of an opportunity to indulge before now.”
“Come along then. I’ll show you where the tack room is and you can grab some grooming tools while we’re there.”
“Sweet.”
“I’ll help too,” Malena said.
They all turned when a voice called out in a lazy drawl, “What’s up Ms. P?” A young cowboy sauntered into the barn. He leaned against a stall door and introduced himself to her guests, sizing up Tyler before he stuck out his hand. “I’m Levi.”
“Hey,” Tyler said. His eyes were hooded as he reached out to shake his hand.
Levi turned and greeted Ella, his eyes widening slightly in appreciation as the introductions were made. Ella was so exotic and beautiful. Her hair was thick…almost black and hung long and loose around her shoulders in waves, her large hazel eyes warm and open.
“Nice ta meet ya. They sure do make em pretty in the Carolinas,” he said.
“Nice to meet you Levi,” Ella said, choosing to ignore his comment.
Levi turned to Malena. “Hey, where you been, Malena? I haven’t seen ya around lately. Trying to avoid me or something?”
Keeping her eyes downcast she said, “I’ve been busy.”
“Too busy to stop and say howdy to your friends? Not very sociable of ya. Me and Poke have been lonely. Ain’t that right Poke?”
“Don’t pay any attention to him Malena. He’s full of hot air,” Poke said.
Levi snorted. “Poke, the only one with hot air around here is you.”
Walt looked at Levi and said, “Where ya been son?”
“I had to meet with some friends. I’ll make up my time.”
“See that ya do,” Walt said gruffly.
“Ella and I are going to head on back to the house. See you in a bit,” Penelope said.
“Come on then, follow me,” Walt said to Ty and Malena. Penelope watched as they followed Walt down the barn aisle, laughing together over something Walt had said over his shoulder. Penelope smiled. She was excited at the possibilities for Tyler. Horses were healing. This could open up a whole new world for him. She hoped that it worked out for him to winter over with them.
16
Malena
Malena stood in her white lacy bra and panties; brow furrowed as she sifted through her closet. Shoving hangers aside, she looked for the perfect outfit for her date with Tyler. She wanted to look good for him. She didn’t know how she was going to be able to eat, her insides were quivering so badly. She pulled out a short black leather tube skirt and paired it with a white silky blouse that had a V-neckline and pearl buttons. She would wear black tights and her favorite black suede boots that hit just above her knees.
She leaned toward the mirror as she applied her mascara. Her hands trembled and she had to wipe a big blob from underneath her eye and start over again, finally managing to coat her long thick lashes. Meeting her own gaze in the mirror, she scolded herself. Get a grip chica! You look terrified. Breathe…
As a finishing touch she added a bright red lipstick, the only other makeup she wore besides her mascara. Rubbing her lips together she smiled. The lipstick looked nice and made her eyes pop. Keeping her hair down, she let it fall thick and loose around her shoulders. Where were her breath mints? Rooting through her bag she found them and shook one into her palm. Ready as I’ll ever be. Grabbing her red wool coat and purse, she left her bedroom and went to say goodbye to Tia Josie. She found her watching a popular Mexican television series on Netflix.
“Te ves hermosa!” Josie exclaimed, when she saw her.
“Are you sure? Estoy tan nerviosa!”
“Of course, you’re nervous. Everyone is on their first date.” Her aunt smiled kindly. “You have nothing to worry about. I’m sure he’s just as nervous. If he’s not, he will be when he sees you. You really do look beautiful…Lo prometo.”
“Here goes nothing,” Malena said opening the door that led directly into the kitchen of the main house. “Bye bye. Don’t wait up.”
“I
won’t. Have fun.”
She heard laughter and talking coming from the great room and wished that there wasn’t an audience. It was hard enough as it was. She stood in the kitchen and took several deep slow breaths before entering. Her eyes quickly scanned the room until she found Tyler. Her heart was beating so fast she felt like she’d just sprinted a mile. He looked gorgeous. He bent over to hand a toy to one of the twins, a brilliant smile lighting up his face. His hair was slicked back, which accented his thick dark brows that crowned his glorious blue eyes.
He glanced up and she watched the hunger flicker across his face as his eyes studied her. He slowly straightened. His gaze wandered from her face to her chest…all the way down to her toes and back up again. Her skin felt scorched.
Faye piped in, “For once my nephew is speechless! You look absolutely beautiful Malena!”
She felt her cheeks grow warm, grrr why do I blush so easily?
“Thank you so much.”
Tyler had on a pair of black jeans and a button-down black dress shirt tucked in, the sleeves rolled up to mid forearm. She could see that he had some sort of tribal tattoo peeking out. The jeans hung low on his slim hips and he wore a black belt with silver studs and a pair of black Doc Martins boots. He walked over to her without breaking eye contact.
“You take my breath away. Aunt Faye is right, for once I’m truly speechless.”
Everyone looked pleased for them except for the senior Mr. Bennett, who looked decidedly disgruntled. She wouldn’t let it bother her. That was easier said than done because it had been ingrained in her to respect her elders, but she wasn’t going to let anything spoil her night.
Finn seemed as smitten as Ty, his eyes wide as he stared at Malena. “I hope you don’t fall for Ty, because when I grow up, I want to take you on a date.”
Tyler casually slung his arm across her shoulders and said, “Too late bro, she’s all mine.”
Malena’s knees felt weak. His. “That’s a wonderful compliment Finn. Gracias. But I’m much too old for you. I know a boy as handsome as you will have no trouble finding a girl that’s just right for you.”
He grinned impishly. “Oh well, it was worth a try.” Malena laughed at his audacity and felt her nervousness ease.
Tyler looked deeply into her eyes, his oozing with warmth and desire. “Are you ready? We get to take Penelope’s Audi.”
“Ooh-la-la, riding in style,” she said, smiling brightly.
His pupils dilated and she heard his breath hiss. “Let’s get out of here.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her along to the front door. Taking her coat, he held it while she slipped her arms through the sleeves. He grabbed his parka from the closet and they stepped out into the cold starlit night to a chorus of well wishes.
Their boots made crunching sounds as they walked to the garage hand in hand. Ty punched in the security code and the doors opened. Walking around to the passenger side, he opened her door and she slid into the luxury sedan. He leaned across her torso and fastened her seatbelt…so close she could smell the breath mint he must have popped. She smiled.
Driving down the lane, they passed the workers quarters and saw Levi sitting on the porch railing smoking a cigarette. “What’s up with that dude? He’s a little sus,” Ty asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure…just a feeling I got. Seems like he has a thing for you.”
“I don’t know…he’s asked me out several times. He’s loud and pushy…but other than that he seems okay.”
“If he bothers you, let me know.”
“Thanks, but I’m okay. I can handle him.”
“Malena, I was serious about sticking around. I like it here.”
She played with the button on her coat.
“No comment?”
“I don’t want to influence you one way over another. It’s not my place.”
He reached for her hand and held it. “I’d be lying if I said you weren’t part of the reason I’d like to stay on, but you’re not the only reason.”
She turned her head to look at him. “I’m glad. We’ve only just met. What has it been—two days?”
“Yes. This is our first official date.” He raised the back of her hand to his lips and kissed it. Her center throbbed. “But I’m hoping you’ll be so blown away that you’re hooked. And besides that, it feels like I’ve known you for several lifetimes already. Are you hungry?”
“Si.”
“Me too.” When he reached the end of the lane, he stopped long enough to give her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll just see where it goes. Okay?”
She nodded and he tweaked her nose as he pulled out onto the road.
17
Malena
Tyler parked in the same corner lot they used the day of the parade. It was right across the street from their destination. The Golden Aspen was a locally owned restaurant. Their son had studied at a culinary school in France and returned to become the head chef there.
“Penelope said this is as good as it gets,” Tyler said. “It’s her favorite place to eat.”
Tyler held the door for Malena as she stepped into a dimly lit, warm and cozy atmosphere of the restaurant. Intimate booths lined two walls with some seating in the center, all covered with white linen tablecloths and hurricane lanterns. There were subdued holiday decorations and a pianist playing soft background music. After they removed their coats and hung them up the host showed them to a booth towards the back of the room. She was aware of the eyes of other patrons following them. She couldn’t blame them; Tyler was a magnificent specimen. She swallowed. And he was her date.
As she studied the menu, she was acutely aware of Tyler’s gaze. Her hands shook and she hoped to God that he couldn’t tell. It was embarrassing. She hated how shy she felt around him. Why couldn’t she be confident and sure of herself like Penelope or Ella and Faye?
The waiter appeared to take their drink orders. Ty raised a brow at her and said, “Three more days and I’ll be able to join you, but please feel free to have a glass of wine if you want one.”
“No, I’ll have a glass of iced tea please.”
“Sounds good to me. Make that two.”
The waiter disappeared and Ty said, “What looks good? I’ve been slightly distracted.”
“Everything, but I’ll wait to hear what the specials are.”
“Me too.”
The waiter returned and recited the specials, which sounded heavenly to Malena. She chose the pan-seared red snapper, oven-roasted asparagus with mashed potatoes.
“I’ll have the rib-eye medium rare with a baked potato and side of asparagus,” Tyler said.
“Very good. I’ll be right back with your bread basket.”
Tyler reached across the table for her hand and turned her palm up, caressing it with his thumb. She gulped. He was definitely smooth. Just how many girls had he dated?
“So tell me, what’s your favorite movie?”
“Right now, it’s your film. Penelope and Griffin were beyond! You were great too. Before that it was Crazy Rich Asians. I know that it’s been out a few years but I loved it. What about you?”
“Black Panther for sure.”
“I haven’t watched that one.”
“Maybe we can rent it one night and watch it together.”
“I’d like that.”
The bread arrived and Ty buttered a warm bun and passed it to her.
“Thank you.”
He focused his gaze on her as he peppered her with questions. “You said your parents were pretty strict, have you dated very many guys?”
She felt her face flush and looked down. “Not really. I went out with a guy who was more like a brother. We went out for a few months…we’d known each other our whole lives, so it was a little weird… kind of embarrassing really. One other date with an older guy from my high school.”
“How is that even possible?” he asked, shaking his head.
“And you? You seem lik
e a guy with a lot of experience.”
He flashed a grin, “I’ve dated some.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet you have. Anyone serious?”
“I was seeing someone for a while, Addison. I met her at Faye and Jesse’s bar. We worked together. She went away to school so we called it quits. I liked her, but a few weeks after she left I realized that it wasn’t love. Before her, I played the field, dated some girls in high school. Only one seriously.”
“Let me guess, a cheerleader and you were prom king and queen.”
“You must be psychic…how did you know?”
“Easy guess. The gorgeous bad boy all the girls wanted.”
“I wasn’t prom king, I was only a sophomore and she was a senior, but she was the queen.” He laughed at her eye rolling. “What can I say?”
Malena’s elbow rested on the edge of the table and she propped her chin in her palm. “Now that I’m thoroughly intimidated, why did you ask me out anyway?”
“Besides the fact that my heart literally stopped beating when I saw you for the first time? I was compelled to. It was bigger than me.” He laughed at her. She must have looked doubtful.
“The way I figure it, my experience is to our advantage.”
“Oh really? ¡Suave hablador!
“Did you just call me a bad talker?”
She giggled. “No, I said smooth talker.”
“Really… listen to what I have to say. Because of my experience I know what I want…and what I don’t, I can tell what’s real.”
“And that helps me how?”
“Because we won’t be wasting our time.”
“I see. But if I lack experience how will I know?”
“Can you look me in the eye and tell me that you aren’t insanely attracted to me too?”
“Honestly no, but your self-assurance is a bit intimidating.”
“Let me put it to you this way, where would we be if I didn’t have confidence? Would you have asked me out?”