Bridleton

by Becky Barker

  “I’m just too old for that nonsense.”

  “You’re not too old,” insisted Chey. “I’ve been doing some research and people in their nineties are having bypass surgery. You’ve always been active. You don’t smoke or drink and your general health is good. Why not improve your quality of life?”

  “Those kind of operations cost a lot of money.”

  “Is that what’s stopping you?” asked Andrea.

  “Not entirely,” said Nanette. “The doctor assures me I can get government assistance for medical issues. I’ve just never considered the option. I’m not a welfare case.”

  “Well, first thing tomorrow morning we’ll do some serious research,” declared Cheyenne. “There’s not much we can’t find on the Internet. We’ll get ourselves better informed and check out the possibilities.”

  “If you decide to have the surgery, we’ll find a way to pay for it,” promised Andrea. She didn’t know how but she refused to consider the alternative at the risk of losing her Nanna. “Now that Chey and I are home we can help you through recovery too. There’s nothing we can’t handle if we stick together.”

  She made the declaration with heartfelt sincerity and realized she’d never said anything truer. Her family meant the world to her even though she’d spent the last few years avoiding the fact. Whatever the cost, protecting them was worth every penny.

  “Well we don’t need to worry about it today,” said Nanette. “Today is for relaxing and enjoying.”

  “I’m fine with that,” said Cheyenne. “But I’m getting hot already.” She yelled at the men in the pool, “Hey, guys, how about a volleyball game?”

  At her suggestion Zack went searching for the necessary equipment. When he found it, they stretched the net across the middle of the shallower end of the pool and started pairing off teams.

  “How ‘bout Trace and I take on Noah and the girls?” said Zack.

  “You sure you don’t need him to defend against us? It might take all three of you,” shouted Cheyenne as she jumped into the pool. She disappeared underwater and then popped back to the surface. “Come on, Drea! Let’s show ‘em some action!”

  Andrea smiled at Nanna. “I think Chey’s bragging might be a little misplaced.”

  “Probably,” her aunt agreed. “Do you think that suit of yours can hold up to water sports?”

  “Probably,” she said, laughing. “I guess we’ll find out. If you see a piece of turquoise flying through the air you might want to cover your eyes.”

  The chill of the water stole her breath as Andrea used the ladder to ease herself into the pool inch by inch. It felt frigid against her hot skin.

  “That’s the hard way,” Trace told her. “Just hold your breath and jump.”

  She ignored the advice, having always preferred a slow transition. “You do it your way, I’ll do it mine.”

  “Come on, come on, you’re such a sissy!” shouted Zack.

  “I’ll sissy you with a spike to the head if you don’t quit harassing me, big brother! You never were any good at volleyball.”

  His shout of outrage got drowned out when she made the final dip underwater. With a hard kick off the ladder, she dove to the center of the pool and surfaced beside Cheyenne. Bouncing on her toes, she grinned at her brother on the opposite side of the net and shouted, “Bring it on!”

  Trace’s serve was swiftly returned and the volleys flew back and forth with a lot of jumping, splashing and good-natured ribbing. Nanna moved to the side of the pool, dangled her feet in the water and cheered for both teams. It didn’t take long to realize Noah and the women were too much for Trace and Zack. Chey, by far the most agile player, took pity on them. After the first game she dove under the net to level the competition.

  Fifteen minutes later, Zack’s team won the second game. The third game would be the tiebreaker but they were all running low on energy. They took a few minutes to just relax in the water.

  “How ‘bout we call it a draw and get the grill fired up?” suggested Chey. “I’m hungry but I want to get a quick shower before we eat.”

  “You don’t know the meaning of quick shower,” said Zack.

  She made a face at him. “I’ll bet I can shower, change and be back on the patio before you even get the steaks on the grill.”

  “It’s a bet.”

  “I’ll take some of that action,” said Trace. “I’m gettin’ mighty hungry myself. I’m for any plan that gets the food on the table faster.”

  “Then let’s get with it,” said Zack. “I may not be the best volleyball player in the world but I am the best barbeque chef.”

  A chorus of groans echoed the outrageous boast. He waved them off and climbed from the pool, followed more slowly by Trace and Chey. After offering Nanette a hand up Zack passed out dry towels. Andrea didn’t want to leave the water just yet. She might be slow getting into the water but she was equally slow to get out of it.

  As the others gradually moved from the pool deck toward the patio, she floated toward the deep area. Her breath hitched as she felt Noah’s hair-roughened arms circling her waist. He tugged until her body spooned against his, her back to his chest. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder, letting him support her weight while she floated.

  “I’d forgotten how much fun you are,” he whispered, nibbling on her ear. “You don’t play enough.”

  “Says the pot to the kettle.”

  For long, leisurely minutes they floated, enjoying the sun and water and each other. Andrea had missed the closeness. She missed touching him and feeling his body next to hers. While the others worked on the patio, she basked in the comfort of Noah’s arms.

  Goose bumps danced over her skin as he planted kisses across one shoulder and then the other. When he sucked on the back of her neck she felt the pull deep in the pit of her stomach. Reaching down, she grabbed his thighs and sank her nails into the taut flesh. He moaned, a long, low, needy sound that matched the way she felt.

  Noah reciprocated by bringing both his hands up to cup her breasts. He used his thumbs to slowly rub her nipples into hard knots. A tremor quaked through her. She wanted him badly. Almost badly enough to try some inventive activities in the pool. Reaching between them, she palmed his growing erection. It thrilled her to feel the fierce, immediate response.

  His low growl of warning didn’t keep her from stroking him harder, so Noah gradually moved to the edge of the pool where they couldn’t be seen from the patio. He turned Andrea in his arms and pulled her close. She wrapped her legs around his hips and rubbed herself against his fully aroused flesh. Up and down, back and forth, she rocked in a torturous rhythm. He slipped his hands under her suit and gripped her buttocks, kneading the supple flesh. They teased each other until their breathing grew labored.

  “Take off your top so I can taste you.”

  The command shocked Andrea out of her passion-drugged arousal. “I can’t take off my top,” she said, glancing toward the patio.

  Her refusal made Noah stiffen and ease his grip on her. The passionate intensity of his gaze changed to brooding darkness. “Nobody can see us.”

  “I’d still be exposed!”

  “What’s the big deal? You’ve been taking your clothes off for strangers all these years? Why not for me?”

  Andrea hardly believed her ears. She slammed her hands against his chest and pushed herself out of his reach. “You big jerk!” she yelled and then lowered her voice to an angry whisper when she remember the others. “I’m not a stripper! I get paid to wear clothes, not take them off! If that’s what you think of me then it’ll be a cold day in hell before you see this body naked again!”

  Turning abruptly, she dove underwater to the ladder and hauled herself out of the pool. Knowing she needed to rein in her temper before joining the family, she snatched up a towel and dried off with rough, jerky movements. Take off her bra! He expected her to undress for him in broad daylight? With her family standing just yards from them? After barely touching her for days?
After telling her they had no future and suggesting he wouldn’t care if she went back to New York?

  Did he really equate modeling with public nudity? Stupid redneck assumption! Unbraiding her hair, she fingercombed the tangles and shook it until it flowed over her shoulders. Still fuming, she asked herself if he’d always been so damned arrogant. First he’d accused her of being a snob and now he compared her to a stripper? Unbelievable. What a big fat jerk!

  Andrea slipped her feet into flip-flops just as he hauled himself from the pool.

  “Drea.” His tone coaxed but she ignored him.

  She started to wrap the towel around her sarong-fashion but changed her mind. Unashamed of her profession or her body, she decided to flaunt it even though the wet fabric exposed more than it covered. Let him get a really good look at what he’d be missing. Maybe her family would be too busy to notice the thinness and clinginess of her bikini.

  When Noah reached for a towel she left the shrub-enclosed pool deck and walked the few yards to the patio. She arrived just in time to see a visitor round the corner of the house. The sight of Lloyd stopped her in her tracks.

  “I knocked at the front door,” he told Trace, Zack and Nanette. “When I didn’t get an answer I followed the voices back here. Hope you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all,” said Zack as he fired up the grill. “Judging by the Yankee accent, I’d guess you’re a friend of my sister’s.”

  “Lloyd,” Andrea spoke to draw his attention and then joined them on the patio. A look of genuine pleasure lit his eyes when he saw her. It went a long way toward smoothing her ruffled feathers.

  “What a beautiful vision,” he declared. “Like a mermaid rising from the sea.”

  “It’s the bikini,” Zack drawled laconically. “Looks like bits of seaweed.”

  Andrea shook her head at his taunt but flashed Lloyd a grin. He opened his arms and she hesitated. “I’m all wet and I smell of chlorine.”

  “I’ll risk it,” he teased, shortening the distance between them. He wrapped her in his arms and hugged her tightly. “I’ve missed you like hell.”

  Andrea put her arms around his neck and hugged him back, welcoming the affectionate greeting. Her ego had taken quite a beating since she got home and his open adoration eased the sting a little. He kissed her and she returned the kiss but felt guilty. Though it was good to see him, the direction of her life had taken a three hundred and sixty degree turn since they’d parted. She needed to discuss a lot of things with him but didn’t want spectators when she explained the changes.

  How she wished she could respond to him as strongly as she did to Noah. Lloyd was a really decent, successful man who did his best to make her happy. She admired him and enjoyed his company. So why couldn’t she love him?

  “I didn’t think mermaids had long, skinny legs,” Trace muttered loudly enough to be heard. The comment put an end to their embrace. Andrea glanced his way. He and Nanette sat on the left side of the patio near where Zack worked with the grill.

  “Cretins!” she responded to the continued teasing. Lloyd gave her another supportive squeeze.

  Chapter Seven

  “Just cretins and jerks, that’s what we are,” said Noah as he approached from the pool. She and Lloyd turned their attention to him and another shaft of guilt hit her. Not because her boyfriend had arrived unexpectedly but because her pulse leapt at the sight of Noah’s mostly naked body.

  “You the jerk?” Lloyd asked, half-friendly, half-serious.

  Noah’s expression remained blank. “So I’ve been told.” He shot a glance at Andrea, his gaze touching on the masculine arm linked around her waist. Then he looked Lloyd in the eyes again. Arrogance laced his next question. “And you are?”

  Lloyd slipped his arm off her waist and reached out a hand. “Lloyd Rubbens.”

  “Noah Courtland.”

  The two men briefly shook while sizing each other up in a purely male fashion. Andrea didn’t like the sudden flare of testosterone, so she turned Lloyd’s attention to her brother. “The head cretin over there is Zack.”

  Their guest took a couple steps from her and offered a hand to Zack then to Trace, who introduced himself. Next he turned to Nanna. “And I’m guessing you’re Andrea’s Aunt Nanette.”

  She offered her hand and gave him a smile. “That I am. Welcome to Bridleton, Mr. Rubbens.”

  “Lloyd, please, and thank you. I’ve heard so much about the place it’s nice to finally see it.”

  They all turned as the kitchen door opened and Cheyenne made her reappearance. She wore a short denim skirt and white tank top that accentuated her trim, youthful figure. Lloyd moved toward her next. “And this gorgeous creature must be Andrea’s baby sister.” He accepted her outstretched hand and brought it to his lips.

  “I don’t know who you are,” Chey replied flirtatiously, “but I already like you.”

  Andrea laughed and made the introductions.

  “I’ve always heard things are bigger in Texas but is everyone so tall?” asked Lloyd.

  He stood eye to eye with Andrea when she went barefoot but he got a lot of teasing from his taller clients. Knowing how sensitive he could be about his height, she moved closer to him. He slipped his arm around her waist again and they shared a warm smile. The interaction caused a brief, heavy silence on the patio. She felt a stab of remorse when Noah’s expression tightened. Then she remembered his insult about stripping and frowned.

  “I’m ready to slap some steaks on the grill,” said Zack, breaking the awkward moment. “It’s medium rare unless I hear any different.”

  Noah glanced his way. “None for me, thanks, Zack. I’ve got other plans.” His gaze briefly locked with Andrea’s before he bid them goodbye and headed into the house. She forced herself not to react or watch him leave.

  “Probably gonna go visit Baron.”

  Trace’s suggestion had her targeting him with a glare.

  “Needs to scratch an itch, I suppose,” said her brother.

  Cheyenne coughed to cover a sputter of laughter. Andrea stiffened in annoyance. She wanted to strangle both men for implying Noah would go directly to Shelly Hastings’ place.

  Lloyd distracted her with a question. “You have your own royalty in Texas too?”

  Andrea offered him a smile and forced herself to relax. She hadn’t wanted Lloyd at Bridleton and didn’t want him involved in the little drama. Nor did she want to offend him. Having a friendly, adoring male at her side made her feel good. At least, temporarily.

  “Only with livestock,” she explained. “Baron is a breeding stallion.”

  When he looked puzzled, she changed the subject. “It’ll take my brother at least fifteen minutes to char our steaks. I’d like to shower off the chlorine. If you want, I’ll show you to the guest room so you can freshen up. I’m sure you had a long, hot trip.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  They excused themselves and went inside the house. She gave him a brief tour until she heard Noah come down the stairs and leave by the front door. Then she showed Lloyd the downstairs guest room, dodging a more intimate embrace with the excuse that dinner would be ready soon.

  * * * * *

  Late in the evening, Andrea and Lloyd strolled across the yard to the front porch. After a pleasant, casual dinner on the patio, she showed him around the main homestead of the property. City born and raised, he’d never touched a horse or cow, so she gave him a quick lesson in their overall operation.

  “We breed and raise longhorns for the beef market and to sell to other breeders. Some ranchers in the area raise the longhorn bulls for rodeo stock.”

  “For bull riding competitions?”

  “Yes.”

  “You said you used to ride in the rodeo, didn’t you?”

  “No, I used to ride and compete in western pleasure classes but never anything as risky as rodeo riding. That takes serious dedication and there’s a big difference.”

  “So you sell a lot of cattle to the beef ind
ustry?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did we eat some unfortunate cow earlier?”

  Andrea laughed. “Yes, that’s something you get used to early in life on a ranch. We raise cattle and some pigs for human consumption. They aren’t pets.”

  “And you raise horses for pleasure riding?”

  “Mostly but some of the horses, like Baron, are thoroughbred champions. We still have a waiting list for his offspring. Unfortunately he had to be sold due to our financial crunch.”

  “Where are all his offspring?”

  “Some of the yearlings and two-year-olds are in the pasture beyond this barn,” she said as they approached the one closest to the house.

  “You sure have a lot of barns.”

  “Not all the buildings are barns,” she explained. “Several of them are used to store equipment. The big round ones on the other side of the corrals are grain silos.”

  She pushed through the double barn doors with Lloyd by her side. Although it was an old structure, Noah and the ranch staff kept it as clean as some newer, stainless steel facilities. Buyers didn’t want animals born or raised in unsanitary conditions.

  Rows of stalls spread in either direction. At their entry, horses’ heads popped over the stall gates to welcome them.

  “Friendly crowd,” he said.

  “They’re curious and they’re always hoping for treats.”

  “What sort of treats?” Lloyd held back a little as she moved between the rows of stalls.

  “They especially like carrots and apples. Don’t you want to touch one? These are mostly mares. They’re very gentle and in the late stages of pregnancy. A few already have new foals.”

  Lloyd stepped closer to her and touched one satiny head, patting it like she did. He remarked about the size of mares as well as their offspring. When they’d finished the tour they washed their hands at the big industrial sink and left the barn. He took her hand as they strolled back toward the house.