Taboo Cowboy: A Secret Baby Ranch Western Romance

by Crowne, KC

  She smiled at me, and it was the sweetest, most genuine smile. Dammit, Christopher, where did you find her? She was as perfect as they came.

  Hell, maybe I could make a country girl out of her yet.

  Molly

  “This is Martha,” Silas said, giving a grey and white speckled horse a pat on the back. “She’s the gentlest, sweetest mare we have. Perfect for beginners, even if she’s a bit slow.”

  I looked over at Silas’ horse - jet black with silky fur. He was easily twice the size of Martha, if not more. I knew nothing about horses, but there was a wildness to him that intrigued me.

  “Are you riding him?” I asked in awe.

  “Jagger? Nah, not for this walk. He’s too wild, too unpredictable,” Silas said. “Fine for when I ride alone, but I want to make sure Martha can keep up.”

  Silas led Jagger back to the stables while I stayed with Martha. I wasn’t sure if I should touch her, or how. I patted her on the back much like Silas had done earlier, and when she didn’t seem to respond negatively to that, I stroked her fur.

  “Beautiful girl,” I whispered to her.

  I’d never been this close to a horse before and had never touched one. Her coat was mostly a light grey with what reminded me of white freckles dotting her body. Some spots were larger, and her chest was mostly white as well.

  Silas returned with a brown horse. He was all brown, a chocolatey color except for a white line down his snout. He was still larger than Martha and maybe a little closer in size to Jagger, but the wildness I’d seen in Jagger’s eyes wasn’t in his.

  He seemed much calmer, but just as beautiful.

  “This is Traveler. He’s more experienced with riding in groups, for our trail rides. And in case it’s needed, he can carry two people easier than some of the other horses. He’s used to it.”

  I cocked an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Two people? Like I’d be riding with him? The very idea brought heat to my cheeks and blood flowing low in my body to places it shouldn’t be flowing.

  I didn’t think it would be a very good idea. Not with my best friend’s dad.

  “Alright, so a few tips,” Silas said, walking over to Martha. “We’ll have you mount from the left side. I’ll hold her steady. You gotta relax. A horse can sense your tension. You’ll put your foot here…” Silas motioned toward the stirrup. “And then propel your other leg over the top of the horse, holding onto the reins. You don’t want to push down too hard on her back, but you can place your hands on her back for balance. Ready?”

  I stared at Martha, then at Silas. Was that really it? Was I really ready to hop on the back of a horse? I had some second thoughts, but I saw the look in Silas’ eyes - he was confident, and his confidence gave me a boost of my own.

  “Don’t worry,” he said, sensing my nerves. “I’ve helped plenty of beginners. Most much younger than you. You can do this, Molly.”

  I swallowed hard and nodded. If he believed in me, then I could do it.

  He held Martha’s head in his big hands, stroking her muzzle and speaking to her in a soothing tone. I stopped and admired it for a moment, watching as this giant of a man - known for his bad attitude and lack of manners - doting upon the horse.

  He was good with them, and it melted my heart. It was like I was seeing a side of him that he didn’t show off very often.

  Silas caught me staring, and I knew I couldn’t delay for another second. I placed my foot in the stirrup as he told me to. Thankfully I’d taken dance and gymnastics classes when I was younger, so my balance was pretty good. I propelled my other leg over the horse and squealed as I found my balance.

  I was sitting on a horse.

  I held onto the saddle horn since it was there.

  “You don’t wanna hold onto that too much,” Silas instructed, walking over to the side. “Balance your body on its own, don’t rely on the horn to save you from falling. Sit up straight, don’t lean forward. And relax. Move with the horse and you’ll be just fine.”

  “Thank you,” I said softly.

  He winked at me and walked over to Traveler. I noticed he didn’t have a saddle.

  “Do you need to get him ready?”

  “No, if we need to ride double, it’s better to do it without a saddle,” he informed me. “Better on the horse that way.”

  He was still talking about us riding double. The very thought of that warmed my insides. Behave yourself, Molly. This is Christopher’s dad we’re talking about.

  Silas climbed on his horse like a pro, and I watched every movement. His ass in those jeans was still a sight to behold.

  “Now we’re just going to walk, an easy little trail ride. Just squeeze gently with your legs - not too hard, and she’ll start movin’. Martha is a little lazy, so you may have to give her a few soft bumps to get her goin’.”

  I did as he told me. Martha took a couple steps and it caught me off guard. I jolted slightly, spooking her into a little bounce

  “Careful, hold onto the reigns gently, don’t pull back on ‘em or she’ll stop. Sit up tall,” he said, giving me instruction as Martha walked around the gated area. She moved slowly, so balance wasn’t an issue at all. “Look straight ahead between her ears, not at her.”

  I listened to every word and did everything he told me.

  “Good, good,” he said, and his praise brought a huge smile on my face. Knowing that Silas was impressed meant a lot.

  “When she’s walking’, don’t keep squeezing’. Only when you need to get her goin’ - yeah, you got it. Look at you go.”

  Martha was barely moving to be honest, but it still felt like we were galloping to me. It was magical. I couldn’t believe I was riding a horse!

  Silas and Traveller came up beside us. Martha stopped and lowered her head, nibbling on some grass poking through the gate.

  “Ready to try an easy trail?”

  I nodded my head, smiIing as I sat atop a creature that could only be described as majestic. “Do you think I’m ready for it?”

  “I do, but I wonder if Martha is willin’. She seems to be a bit slow this morning,” Silas said, hopping off his horse and walking over to Martha. He ran his hand through her mane and seemed to think about it for a moment. “If you don’t mind, it would probably be easier if we rode together.”

  “You think—you think that’s a good idea?”

  “I can take you on better trails too. With Martha, we’d probably just walk around the house a bit. It’s up to you, though.”

  I gave Martha a squeeze. She walked two steps and started eating again. I squeezed with my legs and gave her a soft bump and she moved one step and that was it.

  It would be a very slow trail ride today.

  “If you were here longer, we could practice on Martha and move up to one of the bigger horses, but I fear we don’t really have the time today.”

  “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

  Silas gave Traveler a pat, and I looked over at the two of them. It would be so easy to just hop on his horse and go for the ride of my life. Or I could play it safe with Martha and maybe walk a few feet.

  The choice was obvious, even if I knew it probably wasn’t the best idea.

  “I’d be open to riding with you. I’d love to go on a trail if you’re up for it.” My voice was softer than I expected, almost like I was embarrassed to be taking him up on his offer.

  Perhaps I was.

  It wasn’t like me. I was normally outspoken, confident, and talkative - but being around Silas turned me into a schoolgirl with a crush.

  “Hop off. Here, let me help you,” Silas said. He came over and held Martha steady as I essentially did the reverse of climbing onto the horse.

  “You were great, Martha,” I said, stroking her soft nose. “Thanks for being my first.”

  Silas gave me an odd look before he took Martha to the stables, leaving me with Traveler. He was so much taller than Martha, and bigger too. I was nervous walking over to him and wasn’t sure if I should. But I
felt compelled to touch him.

  I walked over slowly and rubbed the side of his face. “Hello, pretty boy,” I murmured. I stared into his big, brown eyes and felt a connection with him instantly.

  This is why people love horses, I thought. I felt so cheated, as if I’d missed out on so much. For the first time, I could understand why some people might favor not living in the city. I couldn’t believe I had such a thought, but I’d also never experienced anything like this before.

  It totally changed my view on life. Not that I planned to ever pick up and move to Texas, but I could see why some might be tempted to do so.

  “You’re a natural, Molly,” Silas said, startling me with his low, deep voice.

  I had no idea he was behind me. “Thank you,” I said, glancing back at him.

  There was something in his eyes too - something that set my insides to smoldering. His eyes were hazel, almost a golden brown but with hints of green. It reminded me of the nature around us. They suited him, made him look almost wild. Untamed.

  “Alright, since Traveler is a bit taller, let me help you up,” he offered.

  He walked over, and while he held onto the horse from the side, he also helped hoist me up onto it’s back - his hands holding my waist and lifting me as if I weighed nothing at all. To him, I probably didn’t. The muscle and tone in his forearms alone showed that he was built from the years of hard, physical labor.

  He hopped on behind me, and right away, his body pressed against mine sent chills down my spine. I was so wet already and cursing myself for it.

  His big, strong arms wrapped around me and took control of Traveller. When Traveler moved, it was at a faster pace than Martha and took me by surprise. I fell backward into Silas.

  “Sorry,” I said, blushing.

  “It’s fine,” he said. “I can help you balance.”

  We didn’t say much else - I really didn’t have the words. I was so turned on, I thought my panties might melt right off me. The friction from the trotting didn’t help matters either; it only added to the sensations inside me, the desire.

  I’d have to take care of myself again this evening. If Christopher didn’t go out, I’d be spending some alone time in the bathtub. There was no way around it; I was so freaking horny.

  I felt guilty for it too. I tried to stop the thoughts, but it was useless when Silas’ body was so close to mine - and maybe I was imagining it, but I swear I felt a bulge pressing against me. Was he as turned on as I was?

  Did it matter?

  No, because nothing could happen.

  We exited the gated area and headed away from the stables, toward the vast expanse of land in the distance. He turned down a trail, with the sun above us and a stillness around us that I didn’t think I’d experienced in my life. Nowhere in the city was this quiet. I didn’t even know it could be this quiet.

  “Mind if I ask you something?” Silas asked, breaking the silence.

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  “Are you really my son’s girlfriend?”

  I frowned. I didn’t want to throw Christopher under the bus, but I wasn’t sure what to say. Answer a question with a question, I decided. “Uh, why would you ask?”

  Silas sighed. “Christopher and I have a complicated relationship, as I’m sure you’re aware.”

  “Yes,” I said softly, eager to change the subject. “You weren’t part of his life until he was ten, and then you didn’t get to see him regularly until he was fifteen and his mother passed.”

  “I wanted to see him sooner, but…”

  I waited for him to finish his sentence, the silence around us suddenly becoming deafening.

  “But what?” I finally asked.

  “But his mother— she said it wasn’t a good idea. She was seein’ another man for a while, said that Christopher thought he was his dad.”

  “Yes, Steve, I think.”

  “Yeah, that’s his name. I guess they weren’t that serious since Steve wasn’t around after Heather’s death.”

  “No, Christopher said they’d ended things prior to her diagnosis. I don’t think Steve ever found out, but Christopher said he never saw him again.”

  “Shame. Heather made him sound like a good father. Better than me, at least.”

  “Well, he wasn’t there for Christopher and you were, so I’d say that makes you the better dad.”

  “I guess,” he answered, and I felt his body move in a shrug. “Doesn’t change the fact that I barely got to know my son.”

  We walked along a creek bed, the sound of rushing water helping to drown out some of the silence. I really didn’t know what to say to Silas. I hardly knew this man, and all the blood had left my head the moment our bodies were pressed together. But I wanted to help Christopher. And in a way, I wanted to help Silas too.

  “You know, there’s nothing stopping you from getting to know him now.”

  He snorted. “Hard to do that when he wants nothin’ to do with me. I try, Molly. I try to get him to talk to me, but you can’t force it, you know?”

  “No, but I think inviting him out here was a good first step.”

  “He normally refuses to come out. Not sure what was different now.”

  I had an idea - not that I would share it with Silas. I had a feeling that it had a lot to do with Tyler. Christopher had made it sound like his dad was pushing him more than usual to visit, but from the sounds of it, maybe that wasn’t true. Maybe he just wanted to see Tyler and knew that he’d need to pull a fast one over his dad if he wanted to sneak out.

  I loved my best friend, but sometimes he was a bit self-centered.

  Didn’t mean I wasn’t going to do what I could to repair his relationship with his father.

  “Christopher is afraid you won’t accept him for who he is.” I spoke slowly and carefully. I wouldn’t give away his secret because it wasn’t mine to tell. But it was about more than just him being gay. “He was raised for most of his life in the city, far away from the ranch. This life isn’t for him. But he felt like it was pushed upon him.”

  Silas sighed, his whole body moving with that one action. “I know, I know. It’s hard sometimes. I always thought if I had kids, they’d want to run the ranch one day. But I love him regardless of all that. I love him no matter what.”

  If I thought my heart had melted earlier when he was talking to the horse, well, that was nothing compared to that moment. Hearing Silas’ love for Christopher nearly brought tears to my eyes.

  We rode for a while longer, mostly in silence. Silas seemed to shut down again, and instead, we focused on the beautiful trail. The streaming water. The green trees surrounding us. The sunshine shimmering through the leaves. The smell of the earth and water and of things I couldn’t recognize.

  It was pure magic, every step of the way.

  I didn’t even realize we were nearing the end until the trail cleared, and I saw the stables in the distance.

  “Was it everything you hoped it to be?” Silas asked as we trotted to the stables.

  “It was amazing.” And I wasn’t talking about just the horseback riding. Being near him, listening to him talk about Christopher - everything about it was eye opening.

  And I couldn’t wait to talk to my best friend.

  Silas

  Dammit, Silas, why did you ask her to ride with you? You know how long it’s been since you’ve been close to a woman! You should have thought this through.

  And you shouldn’t have let your guard down.

  I’d never confided in anyone like that. There was something about Molly that encouraged my soul to free itself of the burdens it carried. The talking helped a bit. It distracted from the growing erection in my jeans. Every time I thought I might get some relief, she’d press backward into me. I’d feel the warmth of her body against me, and I was a goner.

  I had to cut the trail ride short out of fear of exploding. I couldn’t take it. I simply couldn’t be that close to her and remain a gentleman.

  And that was sad be
cause she seemed to enjoy herself. I loved that I could give her the experience. I wanted to take her out again and again, but I knew better - I needed to keep my distance. Even if she wasn’t Christopher’s girlfriend, she was much too young for me. Twenty years my junior. She was the same age as my son, for fuck’s sake. What was I thinking getting turned on by her?

  Not that I could help it. It went beyond thinking - it was instinct. My body reacted to her and there was not a damned thing I could do about it.

  We couldn’t get back to the stable fast enough. I was both eager to get away from her, but also dreading it. It really had been too long…I didn’t realize how much I craved the closeness. But I couldn’t behave this way toward her, so for that reason, I was cutting our ride short.

  I’d keep my distance so I wouldn’t do something I’d regret and make myself out to be a bigger asshole than I already was to my son.

  When we returned to the stable, I carefully helped Molly down. Her waist was so tiny, but her hips were full and nice to grab onto. I caught myself lingering with my hands on her body and abruptly pulled them away. We were both on the ground now, no need to keep holding onto her.

  “Sorry,” I muttered.

  “It’s fine.”

  She was still close to me, standing only a few inches away. Traveler was to one side of the stable, blocking our view of the house. It was like we were in our own little world.

  “Thank you again,” she murmured, clearing her throat. “I had a wonderful time.”

  “Good,” I said. “I think everyone should get a chance to ride a horse at least once in their life.”

  “Hopefully it won’t be the last time,” she said, hope in her eyes. Her tongue licked along her lower lip. They were pinkish red, almost like she was wearing lipstick - but no, they were natural. Just perfect.

  I needed to get away from her, but I didn’t want her to leave. Abruptly, I offered, “Wanna feed some of the horses?”

  “Really?” she squeaked, excitement in her voice. I nodded, and her smile was as bright as the sunlight outside. “I’d love to.”