by Rosie Harper
“Oh,” was all she was able to say. Jared felt a pang of guilt begin to creep up his spine and he suddenly felt bad for his calloused answer. It’s the truth, though, he reminded himself. He looked back over at her, her face turned away as she whispered softly to the horse she was brushing and his heart palpitated. It was the truth, but something small inside him wished that it hadn’t been.
***
“This is Sasha. She’s a little older and therefore should be pretty easy to start you out on,” Jared said, leading the brown mare from her stall. Emily smiled at her and took the reins from him.
“Start me out on?” She asked, looking at him as she stroked the horse. Jared nodded and led her to the training pen he had fenced off.
“I train these horses to race and to compete. Many of them belong to other patrons who have paid me to care for them and I get a percentage of the winnings if my horse wins. It’s very important to know how to train them properly,” he explained, clicking his tongue and directing Sasha to a corner. Emily dropped the reins so the horse could comply with his commands and she stood on the outside of the pen, watching. Jared went through the different cues he had for which tricks or commands and Emily made a mental list of all of them to remember. Most of them were the same from when she trained horses back in high school and her early college years in upstate New York, but a few of them were unique to him.
“Here, why don’t you try?” he said handing her the reins. Emily opened the gate she had been leaning against and allowed him to exit the pen before she started. She spoke in a soothing voice and introduced herself to the mare, walking her around the pen a few times. Jared watched her intently, impressed by how comfortable she was. She began with some of the easier commands, giving the signals he had shown her and Sasha followed easily. After a few minutes, once she felt that Sasha trusted her, she started to make the commands a little more complex. Jared was flabbergasted at the tricks she had Sasha doing, many of which he hadn’t shown her yet.
“You’re a trainer?” He asked, dumbfounded. Emily didn’t say anything but gave him a large, proud smile. Alright, now he was more than impressed. What were the odds that the one sane woman to respond to his ad would also have experience training horses?
“When did you learn to do that?” Jared asked, still not quite able to fit all the pieces together. Emily clicked her tongue and led the horse in her next trick.
“I learned back in high school. I started working at the stables when I was fifteen and eventually they showed me how to be a trainer. When I moved to New York, I got a job as a trainer for a stable upstate until the owners retired and sold it,” Emily beamed. Jared frowned. Where in New York was there room for stables?
“You did that in the city?” He asked doubtfully. Emily laughed, the sound piercing him in a way that made his heart speed up exponentially.
“No, of course not! The city barely has trees let alone stables,” she giggled. Jared’s frown deepened in his confusion and Emily noticed. “There’s more to New York than just Manhattan. Upstate there’s a lot of open countryside. It’s not the same as here, and it is a smaller state so it’s very expensive to have a property of this size but they exist,” she explained. Jared nodded quietly, turning his back to Sasha.
“Well, maybe we should bring out Sebastian and let you work with him a bit,” he said, grabbing hold of Sasha’s reins and letting her out of the pen. Emily watched him escort the horse back to her stall with a smile of satisfaction on her face. Hopefully I’ve aroused his interest enough to keep the conversation going a little longer today, she thought. Otherwise, it was going to be a very long week if this was going to be the most she could get out of him.
***
They didn’t talk much the rest of the day, which was okay for Emily. They were busy going through the Horses and he taught her their individual signals to call that specific horse and he showed her a few of their routines. He was very talented with the horses and, as much experience as she had, she was a little out of practice. He didn’t seem to notice, though, or at least he never commented on it. It felt so good to be back working with horses. The afternoon breeze kicked up and Emily closed her eyes, letting the cool air wash over her. Jared turned to walk the horse around the pen as a cool down before taking her back to the stall when his eyes caught Emily. Tendrils of her hair had fallen out of its pony tail and were whipping across her face in the breeze. Her eyes were closed and his heart lurched. He shook his head, turning back to the horse he was working with.
“We should call it a day,” Jared said, his tone not betraying the rapid speed of his heart. Emily opened her eyes and turned to him. He was looking away from her and seemed intently focused on the ground. She smiled at him and nodded.
“Okay, sounds good. What do you need me to help with?” She asked, opening the pen gate so that he could escort the horse out. Jared glanced over at her and immediately regretted it. She looked so sweet and beautiful in the evening light that he had the overwhelming urge to kiss her.
“Uh, no. I’ve got it,” he stuttered, steering the horse toward the stables. Emily’s smile faded and was replaced with a disappointed frown. Did he like her at all? Even a little bit? She watched him walk away and sighed. She turned toward the house knowing that a nice shower would make her feel better. She was thankful for the week they had to get to know each other, because she was half-tempted to call Felicia and tell her she was coming back. She walked into the kitchen and took her shoes off outside the door so that she didn’t track any of the dirt and mud in. Once inside, she headed straight for her bedroom and the attached bathroom. She turned the water on, sticking her hand in the water stream to feel the temperature. Once she got it to her liking, she disrobed and climbed in. The warm water splashed over her and she sighed. It’s only been a day, maybe he just takes a while to warm up to people, she tried to console herself.
Jared walked into the house and heard the water running. Thankful that he had a moment or two away from her to collect his thoughts, he let out a breath of relief and set his boots outside next to her shoes. He didn’t know what was coming over him. He had only gotten into this so that he could keep the ranch, but with each passing hour he felt his attachment to her grow. He strode to his bedroom, removing his shirt to prepare for his own shower. He would have to get Sherry’s opinion before he allowed himself to act on anything with Emily. He was so engrossed in his thoughts he didn’t hear the water shut off. He walked into his bedroom and tossed his dirty shirt in the hamper beside his closet. Unzipping his jeans, he noticed he needed a clean towel. He went back into the hallway to grab one from the linen closet when he felt something warm and fresh bump into him. Looking down he saw a pair of equally shocked brown eyes staring at his chest. Emily hadn’t expected to run into him, and certainly not shirtless, when she came out of her bedroom. He was hot and sweaty and sculpted to perfection. She felt heat surge through her and tried to take a step back but found herself frozen. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, making her look up to meet his eyes. Her eyes widened at the pure intensity and desire in them. Desire for her. Emily gulped as her lips parted slightly.
Jared tried to fight it. He tried to tell himself that it was just lust and the work of the day getting to him but he couldn’t hold back any longer. He wanted her. Needed her. Bending down he scooped her into his arms and captured her lips with his own. A bolt of electricity surged through them at the contact and Emily moaned against him. If she had thought him indifferent toward her his kiss proved differently. It was deep and passionate like she never would have guessed from a man of his demeanor. His tongue dipped into her open mouth and Emily wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him closer. Taking the hint, Jared scooped one of his arms beneath her ass and hoisted her up. Emily wrapped her legs around his bare waist, not breaking the kiss and loving the sensation of his bare chest pressing against her. Breaking apart, gasping for air they stared at each other. If she had any intention of stopping, now would be the only
time because Jared wasn’t sure he could hold himself back much longer.
“Jared…” She whispered, almost pleadingly. His restraint inside him broke and he carried her to his bedroom. He looked at her with such passion and emotion that Emily’s heart leapt. So he wasn’t indifferent toward her after all. He set her on the bed and she quickly stripped off her clean shirt and bra, wanting there to be nothing between them. Jared finished undressing and pulled her pants off, staring at her gorgeously naked body. Emily shivered from the intensity of his gaze but she didn’t want to cover herself. She wanted him to look at her like that always. Jared leaned over her, kissing her again but this time much more slowly. Emily moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist again, feeling his arousal press against her. With one swift motion, he slid inside her, filling her completely. Emily gasped, breaking the kiss. Jared slowly began to rock his hips, pulling out and pushing back in tantalizingly slow. Emily moaned and lifted her hips to meet his thrusts, taking him deeper. He made love to her slowly, enjoying every sensation of her wrapped around him. His blue eyes bore into hers and her heart almost broke with the depths within them. Her climax was building and her breaths came out in pants. He started to go a little faster, taking her to the edge.
“Jared!” She cried out as her orgasm peaked and shattered. Pleasure coursed throughout her body and made the tips of her toes tingle. Jared thrust into her again and again, bringing her back to that edge a second time. She cried out and flung her head back, her body barely having time to reset after the first orgasm before the second one was upon her. He loved the way she looked when he brought her such pleasure and was determined to do it again but this time he would join her. He thrust harder, building the pleasure back up and when she cried out he felt his own release just behind. He gave one more thrust and spilled into her. Breathing heavily, he collapsed beside her. Emily opened her eyes and looked over at him. He was staring at her with such affection she was afraid she was imagining it.
“I’m sorry if I have been less than welcoming to you. I just don’t express myself well,” Jared said, guilt washing over him at the confusion he saw in her eyes. Emily smiled and stroked his cheek.
“I think you just expressed yourself very well,” she teased. Jared smiled at her, feeling true happiness fill him. Emily sucked in a sharp breath at the sight. If he was stunning before, he was breathtaking when he smiled. He had two dimples she never noticed and it lit up his face like he was the sun itself.
“Are you hungry?” Jared asked, brushing her still damp hair behind her ear. Emily nodded.
“Starved,” she said. Jared laughed and rolled onto his back.
“Let me shower and then I can fix us some dinner,” he offered. Emily nodded and began looking for her clothes to get dressed. Jared got off the bed and watched her start to pull her pants up.
“You, could also shower with me?” He asked, a little hesitant at the boldness. Emily looked up at him and let her pants drop back to the ground.
“I did get a little sweaty. Maybe it would be a good idea.” She said mischievously, following him to the bathroom.
***
“Where is she? Is she here? Is she crazy?” Sherry said, bursting into the kitchen the following morning. Jared rolled his eyes and flipped the pancakes on the griddle.
“Yes, she’s here. No, she’s not crazy. She’ll be out soon, she’s just getting dressed,” he answered, pulling the cooked pancakes off the stove and flipping them onto a plate. Sherry nodded, still searching his house for signs of the woman.
“So what do you think?” She whispered. Jared smiled, his thoughts going back to the night he had spent with her in his arms. He’d never felt so close to someone before. They didn’t need words to communicate; it was as if her body alone understood him completely.
“I think we need to plan for a wedding,” he said. Sherry gasped, noticing the large smile on his face.
“You love her!” She said accusingly. Just then, Emily appeared in the kitchen. Jared felt a blush come to his face and looked away. Emily couldn’t contain her smile from the brief dialogue she had overheard but didn’t want to make it more awkward for him.
“How’s Sunday for the wedding?” She asked, sitting down at the table. Sherry smiled at her and turned to her brother, waiting for his answer. Jared handed Emily a plate and shrugged.
“How’s tomorrow?” He countered with a large grin.
THE END
BONUS BOOK 5
Alone With A Cowboy
Mail Order Bride
By: Avril Adams
Alone With A Cowboy
Kate idly stared out the window of her office, watching the people below mill about on the street. She swivelled in her chair, playing with a pen when her boss came in.
“Kate! I have an assignment for you,”she proudly declared. Kate promptly spun around to face her boss and smiled.
“You do? That’s great! What is it?”she eagerly asked, leaning forward. She hadn’t had an assignment for four days now and she was starting to get desperate. She’d even consider covering a toddler’s fashion show! Her middle-aged boss returned her smile and handed her a large envelope. Kate took it and frowned in concentration as she flipped through it. The packet was filled with weather charts and satellite pictures of the surrounding outback areas. Kate looked up at her boss and gave her a questioning look.
“What is all this?”She asked, gesturing at the packet. Her boss crossed her arms and smiled at her.
“Thisis your assignment. Remember those cyclones that hit back in February?”She asked. Kate nodded and frowned in confusion.
“Yes…but what do you want me to do? I’m no meteorologist!”Kate said. Her boss chuckled and waved her off.
“I know that dear. Your assignment is to go check on the areas around Darwin where one of the cyclones hit. Entire villages had to be evacuated. It’ll be good to check in on the progress. How the repairs are coming; what damage was done to the land, the people? Anything and everything.”Her boss explained. Kate nodded, her excitement falling and turning to anxiety.
“Okay, great. I can do that. When should I leave?”She asked, hoping that she had at least a day to pack and prepare. She’d always been a city girl and while she’d traveled to Darwin before, she stayed in the city and hadn't trekked into the outback. Unfortunately for her, the villages that had been hit by the cyclone were all east of the city—some were even remote islands off the coast. Was she expected to travel to those, too?
“I already booked your flight to Darwin. You leave this evening at five o’clock. Make sure you pack sensibly,”her boss advised, walking out of her office. Kate watched her go, her face twisting into one of hesitation and a little bit of disgust. She didn’t want to go trekking around the outback. That was no place for a city girl like her. She sighed and glanced over at the clock on her desk. It was ten AM, which gave her plenty of time before she needed to be at the airport for her flight. She started to flip through the envelope, reading through the details to get more information about what her boss wanted her to do. She was aware of the cyclones that had hit, they really had done damage along the Queensland territory and she had read the stories that their news station reported about the damage and displaced people. That didn’t mean she desired to travel to those places. Judging by the footage her colleagues had captured, seven months was not enough time to restore the landscape.
She read through the previously published articles about how roads had been closed and Elcho Island had been without power or water. She groaned and continued reading. It was horrible what the storm had done to these territories, and it would make an excellent follow-up story, but her gut was twisting with apprehension and fear at the thought of going out there. It’s not like it’s about to be hit by another cyclone. I’m sure they’ve had substantial repairs in the last seven months. You’ll be fine! She told herself. Letting out a deep breath she turned to her computer and pulled up a search engine. Still, just in case, it might not hurt to have
someone a bit more experienced with her. She scrolled through the options of guides until she found one that seemed promising. Picking up her phone, she dialled the number listed and waited for someone to pick up.
“Darwin Private Tour Guides, how can I help you?”An elderly voice answered.
“Hello, my name is Katherine Porter and I am a journalist with the Sydney Daily Press. I will be traveling to Darwin and cities east of there for a report on the continual damage of Cyclone Lam. I’m hoping to reserve a local guide who will be able to take me through the city and outer territory.”Kate explained. The woman on the other line crooned and she could practically hear the excitement in her voice.
“Oooh, yes. That was a nasty storm, it really did a number on the buildings and roads out this way. What days are you going to be coming out, dearie?”She asked. Kate’s shoulders dropped in relief. This might be easier than she thought. With a guide, she could be in and out in no time. Get the story, get back home, and get it published.
“I’m flying out tonight. I’m hoping to get started in the morning. What’s your availability like for tomorrow through Sunday?”She asked. The older woman made a distressed sound and Kate could hear her furiously clicking on her computer.
“Oh, so soon. We don’t typically have availabilities that sudden. We usually request at least two weeks’notice in order to find a local.”The woman told her. Kate sighed and tried to think of what to do. It was doubtful another company would be different unless she went with an actual tourist group. But that wouldn’t take her where she needed to go and would be a waste of time.
“I understand and I’m sorry for the short notice. I contacted you as soon as I was given the assignment. Would you mind checking, though? I’d love to be able to give your small company a shout out in the article for all your wonderful assistance.”Kate said, hoping to trigger some pride in the woman.