“Hey, you’re back.”
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing? He’s wild. You’re lucky he didn’t stomp your ass. And how the hell did you get the other two horses into the arena without bridles?”
“You didn’t tell me he was wild, and the other two followed me out. I told you I’ve never worked on a ranch before. I guess some guidance would have been appreciated,” I growl at her.
Beth looks shocked and then begins to laugh. “They followed you out?”
“Yes, they did,” I reply indignantly.
She has dirt on her face and is wearing a stetson hat. Beth pushes it up at the front and tries, unsuccessfully, to stop laughing.
“They aren’t pets, they’re working horses. You’re lucky they didn’t bolt.”
With my hands on my hips, I lean into her body space. “Well, perhaps you should have explained it to me.”
Beth nods, and although she’s stopped laughing, there’s a grin firmly planted on her face.
“You’re right. This boy here is Titus. I’m amazed he didn’t bite or stomp you. Maybe you have a way with horses?”
Still pissed at her attitude, I scowl at her. “Considering I’ve never been this close to a horse before, I doubt that.”
Beth’s smile widens. “You know they can sense fear? Horses are pretty good at knowing what type of person you are. You walked right up to him, no hesitation, you spoke in a low tone, and Titus respects you.”
I eye the horse who’s still in the same position and watching both of us. “He didn’t seem to mind me being in his space. I watched a thing on llamas once, and if their ears go back, you’re in trouble.”
A giggle escapes Beth, and I quickly turn my head to look at her. “Llamas? You watched a show on llamas?”
“It was on late-night TV. And what’s wrong with llamas?”
“Nothing,” exclaims Beth. “I figured you more a porn guy.”
I take a step back and shake my head. “Really? Well, do tell, Beth. What kind of guy am I?”
I’m pissed, and I have no idea why I’m pissed. I think it’s because she’s laughing at me, or maybe because Beth seems to have such a low opinion of me.
What’s wrong with a guy like me watching a documentary?
With her hands up in surrender, Beth takes a step back, widening the gap between us. “I apologize. I meant no offense. I should have given you better direction. I’m used to ranch hands knowing what they’re doing, and I was hell-bent on fixing the fences this morning. If you’d been hurt, it would’ve been on me. And you’re right, ears back isn’t a good sign.”
I nod but don’t say anything.
Titus snorts and shakes his head as though he’s not impressed with her explanation either.
“What were you going to do with him?”
“I was going to put him in the arena with the other horses.”
“Okay then, he’ll need a halter. You want to do it?”
I lock eyes with Beth, keeping my face free of humor. “I don’t know how.”
“I can show you what to do?”
“Okay.”
Beth grins at me. “First, we need to give his face a bit of a brush down.”
As she speaks, Beth walks toward some ropes which are on the outside of his stall and looks at me expectantly. When I get within an arm’s reach of her, she holds one out to me, and it looks like a bridle without the bit. Beth moves toward a table on the other side of the barn and picks up a brush.
“This is softer than some of the others. It slips over your hand. Be gentle when you use it. You ready?”
I’ve got the halter in one hand and the brush in the other. “I think so?”
“Always approach him from the left and let him see the halter. Put it over his head, then slip his nose through the band.”
I open the stall, and Titus takes a step back and shakes his head.
“Okay, buddy… I mean, Titus. We can do this.” I close the gap between us and slip the halter over his head, which has a longer rope clipped to a ring on it. Titus doesn’t move. I lightly brush his face and some of his mane. “Now what?”
“Make sure it’s not too tight around his ears. We don’t want it so tight that it’s cutting into them.”
“Okay, Titus, did you hear what Beth said? I’m going to make sure your ears are okay.”
Titus doesn’t move a muscle as I follow Beth’s instructions.
“Now, hold it in place with your left hand and do up the buckle with your right on the left-hand side of his face. It needs to be tight enough so it won’t fall off, but loose enough so it’s not digging into him.”
When I’m done, I stroke his face again, and Titus stomps the ground, taking a step forward, so I’m almost hugging him.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
“What?” I ask as I run my hand over his side.
“He likes you. I’ve been trying to get him to trust me, but I’ve had no luck. And here you are, a city slicker, and he likes you. More importantly, he trusts you.”
“Maybe he realizes I could have easily screwed this up, and he’s grateful I didn’t tie it around his balls.”
Beth laughs. “Guide him out to the arena, and I’ll grab some ropes for the other two.”
Titus follows me, and I unclip the long rope when we get into the arena. Titus rears up, it takes me by surprise, but he lands near me, shakes his head, and runs after the other horses.
“You okay?” yells Beth.
“I thought for a moment he was going to stomp me.”
“Nah, that was him letting you know he likes you. His ears weren’t back, so he was only playing.”
I feel Beth stand next to me, but my eyes never leave the horse. “He’s a beautiful animal.”
“Yeah, he is. Dad found him but couldn’t catch him. I did a couple of weeks ago. To be honest, after yesterday, I didn’t think I’d be able to break him, and maybe I can’t. I think he’s picked you.”
“Break him?”
“Yeah, so he can be ridden.”
My mind goes back to my first few weeks as a Marine. They break you down and build you back up. I later wanted to be in the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command or MARSOC, and it was six months of hell, but I came out stronger for it. Thomas Trent was a great commander. I hated him to start with, but as time wore on and I proved myself to him, I eventually understood the only person I needed to impress was me.
Titus prances around with the other horses, and I turn and head back for the barn.
“Sean?”
I hold up my hand and wave but keep walking. There’s still work to do. I make it back into the barn and have the pitchfork in my hand when Beth comes stomping in.
“Sean?”
“Yeah?” I ask as I put a pile of manure into the wheelbarrow.
“You okay?”
“Yep.”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Maybe he doesn’t need to be broken.”
“Titus?”
“Yeah, maybe he’s fine the way he is. Not everyone needs to be stripped down only to build them back up. Maybe Titus wants to be free.”
Beth stands there, not saying anything, but watching me work. I finish mucking out the stall and put new straw and water into it when I finally look at her—she’s frowning with her arms folded across her chest.
“What?”
“We should go into town. I’ll buy you dinner.”
“Did you fix the fences? Don’t you need me to do… I don’t know, ranch stuff?”
“Ranch stuff?” asks Beth with a grin and small shake of her head. “Yeah, we have more ranch stuff to do, but I’m calling it. We’re leaving early. I’m going to show you the sights and buy you dinner.”
“Why?”
“‘Cause I have a feeling you weren’t talking about the horse.” Beth heads for the doors. “When you’re done here, come up to the house.”
I watch her walk away, but Beth doesn’t look back. No, I wasn
’t talking about the horse. I loved being in the Marines, but I also appreciate the freedom I now have as a citizen. My bike and the road are sometimes all the things I need.
To ride without thought or fear, to be free.
I guess I think that’s what it’s like for Titus.
Two hours later, I’m freshly showered, dressed, and waiting for Beth on the porch. I’ve changed into another pair of jeans, a black T-shirt, and my cut. The view from the porch is spectacular. I can see why Thomas wanted to stay here.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
With my arms braced on the railing, I look over my shoulder. Beth has changed into dark denim jeans, a red spaghetti-strap top, and a pair of high-heel black boots. She looks perfect. Slowly, I turn and give her the once-over, and when I get to her face, it’s a lovely shade of pink.
“Not sure you’d want to know my thoughts right now, Beth.”
To my surprise, Beth bursts out laughing. “Does that work on girls where you’re from?”
“Sometimes,” I reply with a grin.
“City girls sure are stupid.” With a shake of her head, she walks down the porch stairs, and when she reaches the bottom, Beth looks up at me. “You coming or what?”
“Yeah, I’m coming.”
Beth walks toward an old pickup truck, and I jog down the stairs to catch up to her.
“We could go on my bike?”
Beth stops and gives me a sideways glance. “You a good rider?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Okay.”
“Are country girls always this easy?” I tease.
“Only when we know what we want.”
Beth brushes past me, her perfume filling my senses and leaving me wondering how she managed to get one up on me, again. Walking quickly to beat her to my bike, I throw a leg over and hold out my hand.
Beth scoffs, places her hand in mine, and climbs on. “Let’s go, city boy.”
I grin over my shoulder at her, start my bike, and head into town.
Beth
Sean smells like musk, spice, and something familiar I can’t quite put my finger on. The feel of him and the bike under me, I swear it’s as close to heaven as I’ll ever get. He handles the bike easily, much the same as he does the horses and figuring out what to do around the ranch. I was so preoccupied with myself and my inner demons this morning, I gave him no direction in the barn, but he figured it out. You have to admire a man who doesn’t need to be told.
To direct him into town, I tap his leg, left or right, and he turns. Sean’s motorbike is loud, and as we pull up and park in the middle of Main Street, people stare, and some even stop. It’s not a big town, and I’m sure the gossip will spread like wildfire. As soon as he turns his bike off, I dismount and wait on the sidewalk.
Sean takes his time before he joins me, lips pursed, he looks at me with those big blue eyes from under long dark lashes, lashes which are far too long for a man like him.
“You didn’t like it?”
I frown and watch his eyes as they focus on his feet. “Didn’t like what?”
His gaze comes back to me. His hands are in the pockets of his jeans, and Sean looks almost child-like, but a man as big as him could never be mistaken for a child. “The bike.”
I laugh and shake my head. “No.” I reach up and touch him on his upper arm. “It was fun.”
Glancing around the town, most people try to look busy, but some are still openly staring, so I lower my voice. “It’s a small town is all, and they’ll be talking about you long after you’ve left. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong impression.”
It could be a trick of the light, but I swear his eyes turn a shade of green.
“Ahh, I see.” Sean holds his arms out wide. “Don’t want to be seen with the biker.” He’s nodding and has his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.
“What?” I ask, with my hands firmly planted on my hips. “Don’t be ridiculous! It’s because you work for me, and you’re a man. It’s got nothing to do with you being a biker.” In a huff, I turn on my heel and stomp down the sidewalk. I’m so annoyed with him and distracted that I run smack bang into the one and only Myles Graham.
“Whoa, there, Beth! Who’s got your panties in a knot?”
I stumble backward, trying to get as far away from him as possible and find myself encircled in Sean’s arms.
“Are you okay, Beth?” asks Sean.
“Who the hell are you? And get your hands off her,” demands Myles as he takes a step toward me.
I hold up a hand in his direction and stagger sideways away from him and out of Sean’s arms.
“He… is none of your business.” I swing my head in Sean’s direction. “I’m perfectly fine!”
“You don’t sound fine, Beth,” drawls Myles.
“You heard the lady, she’s fine,” interjects Sean.
“Who is this, Beth?” asks Myles in an angry tone.
Both men are glaring at each other, and I’m at a loss for words.
“Who are you?” asks Sean.
Myles swings his head in my direction, and those once pretty brown eyes, that I wanted so much to love me, now look angry and hurt.
“You’ve moved on already? Didn’t take you long, did it?”
My mouth falls open, and I stagger backward, trip, and fall flat on my ass. With heat burning my cheeks, I glare at both men as they rush forward to help me up.
“Back off!” I hiss angrily as I try to scramble to my feet. Once I’m upright, I straighten my shoulders and glare at Myles. “This is my new ranch hand,” I say, gesturing to Sean. “And this is Myles Graham.” Turning on my heel, I stalk across the street, ignoring both men. I keep walking until I hit the local diner. Flinging open the door, someone catches it before it slams against the side of the building, and I realize it’s Sean. His face is a mask of anger—red colors his features.
“What?” I ask.
“Did you forget my name?”
“No, your name is Sean.”
His hand grips the door harder, and I can see his muscles straining against his T-shirt. Sean leans in and, in a controlled tone, says, “My new ranch hand. Not Sean MacKenny but only my new ranch hand.”
I shake my head. “Jesus! I didn’t mean anything by it. I was angry. I didn’t want to talk to him, let alone give him any information on you… on me… on any damn thing.”
Sean drops his gaze to my chest, purses his lips and nods. “Right, right… you didn’t mention that you dated Myles Graham, the man you suspect—”
Closing the gap between us, I place my hand over his mouth effectively cutting him off. “Shh!” I glance over my shoulder and look around. When I look back at him, I can’t tell if his anger has gone up a notch or if he’s shocked I’ve put my hand on him. Quickly, I drop it, but I don’t move out of his space. “I’m sorry, okay? That I disrespected you. It wasn’t my intention, and I get you’re upset. Yes, I dated Myles. He fooled me. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to think badly of me. You knew my dad, you…” Tears fill my eyes, and my throat closes up.
I’m staring into his eyes and swear they change color again, this time to hazel. I’m shaking my head, my mouth opening and closing, but the words won’t come out.
Sean reaches down, grabs my hand, pulls me down the street and around the corner where he leans me up against a wall, then he pulls me into him as my tears fall. This is the second time in as many days this man has held me while I fall to pieces, and again, I feel safe, protected, and a little foolish. Straightening up, I put my back to the wall and tearfully look up at Sean. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again,” I whisper.
“It’s cool. Try not to forget my name.”
Looking into his eyes, they’ve gone back to blue. Sean’s grinning at me, and my stomach does a flip.
Laughter bubbles up out of me, and I shake my head. “I’m sorry I broke down… again. As for forgetting your name, it’s common. You can understand how a girl could get confused.”
With his arms either side of me, Sean nods profusely and looks up at the sky.
“Why do you do that?”
He drops his head and locks eyes with me. “What?”
“You keep looking anywhere but at me. You have such pretty eyes.”
Sean grins, steps back, places a hand to the back of his neck, and nods as his face goes red. “Right, right. How about you buy me an early dinner, and I’ll keep my eyes on you.”
Now it’s my turn to avert my eyes as I nod and point toward the diner. “Come on. They make a mean hamburger.”
Sean chuckles while taking my hand in his, and we walk together, back to the diner with my insides fluttering like I’ve got a swarm of butterflies inside me.
Sean
True to my word, I keep eye contact with Beth, but strangely, she can’t keep eye contact with me. I let her pick where to sit, and we ended up in a booth at the back of the diner.
“So, come here often?” I ask.
Before she can answer, a bigger, older lady with dyed bright red hair steps over to our booth and says, “Hell, honey. Beth Trent has been coming here since before she was born.” The woman smiles warmly at us. “How you been, honey?”
“Sean, this is Mavis Jones. Mavis, this is Sean MacKenny. Sean is my new ranch hand… he knew my dad.”
Mavis’ smile falters a bit at the mention of Beth’s father. “Well, any friend of Thomas’ is a friend of mine.” Mavis nods and smiles bigger. “Now, I can guess what you’re going to have, Bethy, but you, young man, you look like a burger-with-the-works kind of guy with a side of fries and some chicken wings. Am I right?”
I grin and nod. “Sounds about right. Could I have a Coke, too, please?”
“You sure can, honey.” Mavis reaches over and touches Beth lightly on the shoulder then goes back behind the counter.
Beth smiles shyly at me. “Mavis has worked here for as long as I can remember. Dad didn’t have a lot of friends here in town. He was well known, but he kept to himself, mostly. Mavis used to flirt with him, horribly. Dad would always blush and wave her off, but I think he secretly liked it. He ate here every Sunday. Always wore his favorite blue shirt, and always sat in Mavis’ section.” Beth smiles. “And like me, he always ate the same thing.”
Spark of Vengeance: MacKenny Brothers Series Book 2: An MC/Band of Brothers Romance Page 3