“Why did you bring that horse here if he’s not for the guests?” Jane demanded as Caden and Bridget began leading Valentino from the barn.
“I have my reasons,” Caden said briskly.
“Good to meet you, Bridget,” Jane quipped. “When you get here in the morning you can start by cleaning the tack.”
“Ignore her, she’s baiting you,” Caden said under his breath.
“It’s not easy,” Bridget whispered.
“Do it anyway. Deep breaths, count to ten.”
By the time they’d reached the paddock Bridget was feeling better, and releasing Valentino into the field, she looped her arms around Caden’s waist and leaned into his chest.
“I was so angry when I saw her with him, and when she started towards you, I wanted to rip her hair out,” she muttered.
“I know. I could see the smoke coming out of your ears.”
“What happened with her.”
“Nothing, not really. We ended up in the barn late one night, got to talkin’, she made it clear she wanted somethin’ to happen, but I told her I had to get back to my ranch. She said we could pick up where we left off on my next visit. I didn’t say anythin’, but that’s what she was referrin’ to.”
“It was that recent?”
“No, it was a while back, but she was always out on a trail ride or teachin’ the few times I was here. We didn’t even exchange words.”
“Oh, I see,” Bridget said softly. “The question remains though, how am I going to work with her now? This is going to be impossible.”
“You want my advice?”
“Yes, definitely,” she nodded.
“When you arrive in the morning, make nice. Apologize-“
“Apologize? You’re kidding?”
“Nope, apologize, make friends, otherwise you’re right, it will be impossible.”
“Shit.”
“I think we should go up to bed.”
“I agree. I want a shower and a cuddle.”
“Me too,” he said giving her a squeeze.
“Will she listen, about Valentino, I mean?” she asked as they began walking.
“She should. Max knows, and Max is the boss.”
“That’s something, I guess.”
Overcome by a heavy yawn, she rested her head on his shoulder as they made their way up the drive.
“A shower and sleep, that’s what you need,” he declared.
“What a divine thought, to sleep in your arms all night,” and tomorrow I’ll just roll with the punches. It’ll work itself out one way or another. If she’s a total bitch, I’ll just quit.
CHAPTER NINE
Bridget was due at the barn at eight o’clock, so Caden had set the alarm for seven. When it buzzed them awake, Bridget groaned her displeasure and rolled over to hold him.
“Don’t let me leave,” she mumbled.
“You have to get back to your cabin, shower, and have breakfast, you need to move your butt.”
“Nope, I refuse,” she said firmly, and reaching down she took hold of his semi-hard member.
“No fair,” he grumbled closing his eyes.
“I know, but I’m not leaving this bed until I have my way with you,” she muttered, continuing her salacious massage. “There,” she whispered, feeling his cock harden in her fingers. “See how easy that was?”
Rolling on to her side, she reached behind her and guided him into her hungry canal, then letting out a long, soft moan she pushed back, impaling herself.
“Damn, girl, you are so willful,” he mumbled as he held her hip and began to pump.
“That’s not a complaint is it?” she murmured.
“Not right now,” he grunted.
Moving his hands to her breasts he tweaked and rubbed, then dropping his lips to her neck he sucked in her skin.
“Oh, Caden, this is the only way to wake up.”
“Mmm, I agree,” he muttered.
Closing her eyes she sank into the joy of his slow, forceful thrusts, and when he moved his hand from her breasts to her clit, she caught her breath.
“Feel good?” he whispered.
“So good. If you keep doing that…”
“I know, darlin’. I’m not gonna stop. I’m gonna fuck you till you come, and when I get you back to my ranch, I’m gonna be doin’ a whole lot more than that.”
“You are?” she squeaked feeling her moment approach.
“Oh, yeah, I’m gonna start your trainin’.”
“My training?” she breathed.
“I’m gonna dress your naked body in ropes, I’m gonna flog your ass, I’m gonna train your mouth, and you know what else, don’t you?”
His promise sent her tumbling into her release, and as the spasms sent the tingling prickles through her limbs, she heard him groan through his moment as his essence spewed inside her.
“I’m sorry,” she moaned, “I cannot leave this bed.”
“I know,” he said cuddling her, “and I don’t want you to.”
She felt herself drift away, lost in a sea of serenity, but his alarm clock buzzed a second time.
“I hate that sound. I remember that clock from before.”
“Different clock.”
“I still hate it,” she grumbled.
“Darlin’, you’ve gotta get up. It’s almost seven-twenty.”
“I can’t stand it,” she yawned, and reluctantly moving from his arms she stumbled from the bed and headed into his bathroom. “I’m going to shower here, then all I have to do is run back to the cabin and change clothes.”
“You need to eat,” he called after her.
“I will,” she called back.
Lounging in the bed, he thought about what had happened the night before. He’d told Bridget the truth about Jane, but what he’d left out was that Jane had done more than subtly suggest they get together. She thrown herself at him, pulling off her shirt and grabbing his crotch as she’d tried to kiss him. Her aggression had been startling, and looking back on it he wondered if he’d been remiss in not reporting the incident to Richard. If she’d been that assertive with him, it was possible she might try the same thing with the celebrity guests.
Hearing the shower fall quiet, he turned his attention to the bathroom door, and when Bridget stepped in the room with a towel around her chest and her wet hair falling around her shoulders, he wanted to jump from the bed and ravage her all over again. As she reached for her clothes, he slipped from the bed and ambled across to her.
“Listen, my lovely, you need to make your peace with Jane.”
“I know,” she nodded, “and I will.”
“I don’t wanna hold anything back,” he said carefully, “but I also don’t wanna interfere with your success here, and for that to happen, you’ll need to get along with her.”
“What do you mean, hold anything back?” she asked feeling her heart jump. “Was there something between you two that you didn’t tell me about last night?”
“No, absolutely not,” he said firmly.
“Then what?”
“I’m only gonna tell you this so you have the whole truth, and then, no matter what she says, or anyone else says, you’ll know it, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Jane was very aggressive with me. She literally, physically, uh, came at me. I had to push her off.”
“Really? Huh.”
“I did though, push her off me. I barely saw her after that until last night. I had no interest in her, and that’s it.”
“Thanks, Caden. I’m not surprised,” she said pulling on her T-shirt.”
“You’re not?”
“Not at all, she’s the type. She’s naturally pushy. It’s her nature.”
“Huh, yeah, I guess you’re right,” he nodded. “That’s another reason I love you so much.”
“Why?”
“Because you have an instinct about things, about people. You can read them.”
“I didn’t read things right when I saw you and Melin
da,” she sighed.
“That was different, you were emotional, you were hurtin’, you just reacted, and you had people yappin’ in your ear, but that’s behind us now.”
“Yes, sorry, you’re right. I have to run. Will you meet me in my cabin for lunch at midday?”
“Of course I will,” he said with a final hug. “Now, scoot.”
He watched her hurry from the room, and was about to enter the bathroom when his phone rang. Returning to the bed he sat down and picked it up, wondering who would be calling him so early.
“Hello?”
“Good morning.”
“Richard, what can I do for you this morning?”
“Max just called me. He’s sick. He sounded terrible, coughing, sneezing.”
“Oh, no.”
“Obviously I don’t want him around anyone, God Forbid we have a flu outbreak.”
“God Forbid,” Caden agreed.
“He said that Jane and Tim will be taking some of the horses out on the trail today, but he wants Bridget to ride the other horses in the arena so she can get to know them. The grooms are there, but with Max sick, and the guests arriving, I’d feel better if you were around the barn, you know, just to keep your eye on the place. Would you mind?”
“Not at all.”
“I don’t know when you have to get back to your ranch, but-“
“Richard, it’s not a problem. If you have room for me, I’m happy to stick around until Max is feeling better. I have no desire to leave Bridget right now. I’m glad of the excuse to stay.”
“We’ll need your room in about three days, maybe it’s four, you need to check with Celeste, but you can always stay with Bridget in her cabin when the time comes.”
“I’m sure we’ll be happy wherever we are,” Caden replied.
“I appreciate it, Caden, thanks. After Heather Chadwick arrives I’m going to run into town and pick up some medication for Max. Do you need anything?”
“Nope, but if it’s okay to leave the barn for an hour, I’d like to come with you. I wanna buy some flowers for Bridget, and I wanna pick them out myself.”
“Leaving for an hour or so will be fine. It’s more the general feeling that someone is at the helm.”
“I get it. I’ll head down there after breakfast.”
Hanging up the phone, Caden padded into the bathroom and turned on the shower, and as he stepped under the water he felt a wave of relief.
This is good. If I’m at the barn Bridget will behave herself, and maybe Jane will too. Hopefully it will allow them to mend fences. I’m glad I told Bridget what happened. I feel better, and now she knows everything there is to know. She took it well, but she has no reason not to. She should be feeling very secure.
In her cabin, eating a bowl of granola, Bridget was deep in thought. She was grateful Caden had told her the whole story. Now she knew what kind of woman Jane was, and she had no doubt that Jane was going to be trouble with a capital ’T’. She knew the type well. Women who saw the barn as their domain, and did whatever was necessary to retain control and chase away anyone who posed a threat.
She probably has Max wrapped around her little finger. She may be able to ride and teach, but she’s not a horse person. A horse person wouldn’t put a blanket on a horse on a warm night and make him stay a stall just for their convenience. No, she’s selfish and self obsessed, and I’ll bet she’s totally pissed that Caden is spoken for.
Leaving the granola half-eaten, she grabbed her pager, and heading out the door she hurried across to the barn. She didn’t want to give Jane any excuse to rail at her. Reaching the stable yard a couple of minutes after eight, she walked into the barn and discovered it empty except for the grooms, but there was evidence that two horses had been in the cross ties.
“Shit. Valentino,” she muttered, and running outside she glanced across at the paddock.
The big chestnut was happily swishing his tail and grazing on the lush green grass, and letting out a breath Bridget ambled back to the barn.
“Where’s Max,” she asked one of the workers.
“Sick. Jane said she left a note for you in the tack room.”
“Okay, thanks, Jimmy.”
Walking into the tack room she looked around, and saw sponges, rags and cleaning products on top of a trunk, along with a note.
Clean all the tack before lunchtime. The first guest arrives today and it has to be ready.
Bridget burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
It was Caden’s voice, and turning around she continued to giggle.
“Caden! What a wonderful surprise. What are you doing here?”
“Max is on death’s door apparently, and Richard wanted someone lurkin’ around the barn to keep the peace.”
“He knows about my argument with Jane?”
“No, I was just kiddin’, but he did ask me to hang around and act like a bossman. Somethin’ about having the appearance of someone at the helm.”
“There’s nothing for you to do, at least, I don’t think there is. Max is either wandering aimlessly around the barn aisle trying to look busy, or he has his head buried in paperwork in his office.”
“That’s your observation from one day on the job, is it?”
“Ah, good point,” she grinned.
“Why were you laughin’ when I came in.”
“Here, read this,” she said handing him the note.
“Huh, subtle,” he said raising his eyebrows.
“The grooms cleaned every bridle, halter and saddle in here yesterday.”
“Maybe she didn’t notice,” Caden suggested.
“Uh, hardly. She and Tim went off on a trail ride, so she would have noticed when she tacked up the horses.”
“Not necessarily. The grooms might have done that.”
“You’re right, they might have. Well, regardless, I’m not cleaning tack that’s already been done. Max told me yesterday that he wants me riding in the arena so I can get to know the horses a bit, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
“Start with Goliath,” Caden suggested. “He’s the big bay with diamond on his forehead.”
“Okay, Goliath it is,” she nodded. “I’ll bring him in.”
As she picked up a halter and headed out, Caden stared at the note in his hand. It was a full on, frontal attack. Jane wanted to make sure Bridget knew her place. Jane was the boss, and Bridget was her underling.
“I don’t see this workin’,” he mumbled. “Jane left out all this cleanin’ stuff, so she was in here and she would have noticed the job had been done. Damn, this isn’t good.”
Heading back into the barn aisle, he walked up to one of the workers who was hosing out some buckets.
“Hey, Jimmy, excuse me.”
“Hi, Caden. Do you need somethin’?”
“Did Jane and Tim say how long they’d be gone?”
“About an hour or so. They’re takin’ the trail that goes up the hill behind the house, but when they come back they’ll be takin’ off again on Duster and Harry. They’ll have had the six main trail horses out before lunch.”
“Ah, excellent. Could you please help Bridget tack up Goliath. You know which is his saddle and bridle right?”
“Oh, sure, I’m happy to help. She’s a real nice girl, that one.”
“Yep, she is,” Caden nodded, “thanks. I’ll go and see what’s holdin’ her up.”
Walking outside he saw Bridget had stopped at the fence of Valentino’s paddock. Keeping Goliath behind her, she was stroking Valentino’s face, reassuring him that he was her number one, but as she started to leave, Valentino started kicking up a fuss.
“He’s jealous,” Caden muttered. “Valentino and Bridget are a match. I’ll have to work this out somehow. I’m not separatin’ them.”
She paused, talked to Valentino for a moment longer, then continued on, and as she headed towards the barn, he noticed that her hair was glimmering red in the sun, and her whole being seemed
to be glowing.
I’m so in love with you, Bridget Cooper. If this thing with Jane doesn’t work out, you can come and hang out at my ranch, help me with the foals. I’ll bet you’d be great at that.
“Hey, cowboy,” she said as she approached.
“Hey, yourself,” he smiled falling into step beside her. “Jane and Tim will be back in about an hour, but they’re gonna be takin’ out two more. I want you to be in the ring ridin’ when they get here, and I want you to stay there until after they leave. I don’t want you and Jane havin’ words. I want things to settle for a bit.”
“Sure, whatever you say,” she nodded.
As she led Goliath into the barn, he paused, his eyes scanning the sky. It was a warm day, but as often happened in the spring, he could see storm clouds on the horizon.
I wonder if that’s headed our way. I haven’t checked the weather since I got here. I’d better, and I’d better call the ranch, let them know I’ll be gone longer than I thought.
“Bridget,” he called stepping into the barn, “I’m just runnin’ up to the house for five minutes. I’ll be back shortly.”
“No worries. Anything I should know about this big guy?”
“Yeah, he stops on a dime. You don’t need any rein.”
“Glad I asked,” she laughed.
She watched him stride away, staring at his wide shoulders and his panther-like walk.
I am so in love with you, Caden. If Jane, or any woman, comes near you, God help them.
CHAPTER TEN
It was almost midday, and walking with Caden to her cottage for lunch, Bridget saw a gleaming black Range Rover parked up at the house. She’d heard Heather Chadwick had arrived, but unable to see the front door from the barn, she’d missed catching sight of the star as she’d left the vehicle and moved inside.
The morning had passed with no drama, but it was due to Caden’s forward thinking. Every time Jane and Tim were returning from the trail, or leaving to head out again, Bridget was in the ring putting a horse through its paces, and Caden had made sure he and Bridget were on their way to lunch before Jane and Tim returned from their last ride.
“Thanks for making the morning go smoothly,” she said as they approached her cabin.
When a Cowboy Loves a Woman Page 8