The Sweet Life

by Dakota Star

  “You could have been really hurt.” His hands anchored against his hips, forming triangles at each side.

  “What do you want? A written note of apology? Can we please go back now? I’m tired and sore.” Her hand rested limply against her jeans.

  He stepped away, finally taking in how shaken Alexis was from the near fall. Nodding, he returned to his horse, mounted up, and started leading them back to the ranch in a slow walk.

  No longer enjoying the ride, anger took hold of Alexis. She needed something to focus on other than being overly self-conscious near Mitch. She was mad at herself for not controlling the horse, but focused more on her vexation at Mitch, who’d been a jerk when she almost fell off. He may have been attractive, but he was no worldly gentleman.

  The silence stretched between them, making Alexis’s dislike of the dude ranch grow a little more as each minute passed. One thing she planned to recommend to the owner would be new guides, the kind of people who knew how to stay polite and in control when things went awry.

  Chapter Three

  She nursed her second beer at the saloon, which, like the rest of the dude ranch, needed an update, with too much dark wood, sticky and scratched from years of overuse. The friendly bartender, an older gentleman with a beard and requisite cowboy shirt, entertained Alexis and her friends with stories of stupid things city folk just like them did when they came for a visit.

  Someone sat down next to her, but she didn’t immediately turn until she heard that voice. His voice.

  “Johnny Boy, can I have a Corona, please?” Mitch said.

  She swiveled on her barstool to face him.

  “Yes, sir, Mitch,” the bartender said, heading for the fridge.

  Mitch winked at her and tipped his cowboy hat.

  Alexis knew he was anything but chivalrous. “There are plenty of seats around the room.”

  He smelled clean, like fresh linen, if not clean shaven. Afternoon stubble dotted his cheeks, but he must have showered and changed after their ride together.

  His beer delivered, he wedged a slice of lime in the bottle and took a sip. “I’m very comfortable here, ma’am.”

  Had he actually called her ma’am? She didn’t know if he meant it as an insult or if he used it on all the female guests, but Alexis twisted away from him, hoping to engage her friends. Unfortunately, they were involved in a spirited discussion with some of the other trail guides, and she sat on the far stool. It would be awkward to interrupt them in the middle of a conversation.

  A tap on her shoulder had her turning around again. “What’d you think of your ride?” A smile played on his lips as he stretched out his long legs next to hers. “Sorry I was so gruff. I don’t usually lose a rider to a fall the first time out.”

  She had a clear view of his battered black cowboy boots. Dirt and scratches scarred them, and for some reason the little imperfection made her smile. The apology didn’t hurt either. She decided they had both overreacted. “The ride was fun until my horse tried to kill me.”

  “He’s a spirited one, Blaze. Likes to go.” He shifted on the stool to get comfortable, but it also drew him closer.

  “I would guess so.” Her hand reached for the sore spot on her back. It hurt enough for her to take a couple tablets of pain medicine.

  “Not hurt, are you?” His eyes roamed over her.

  “No,” she said, her hand embracing the beer mug again.

  “Good.” He sent her a reassuring smile, which lit up his eyes, and those eyes could make any female fall hard. The denim shirt he wore hugged his wide shoulders, but the rolled-up sleeves exposed a tattoo. She had to resist the urge to touch him, push his sleeve higher to expose his ink.

  “All good,” she said forcefully, and stood up to show him everything worked properly. “No major injuries.”

  His eyes studied every curve of her body. He nodded at her when she returned to her seat. “What do you think of the ranch so far?”

  She had a lot to say on that subject, but not to him. He, like most people, wouldn’t understand the intricacies of her job. “It’s fun. A nice diversion from the city.”

  “I remember you said you’re from New York. What do you do?” His eyes studied her again. All his intense scrutiny caused her pulse to quicken.

  She returned his stare. “I work at a marketing and public relations firm. Our focus is branding and establishing our clients in their niche market.”

  “Are you good at it?” Laugh lines hugged his brown eyes, which radiated genuine curiosity.

  She smiled. “The best.”

  “I bet you are.” He leaned even closer and put on that damned perfect smile. “It’s beautiful on the ranch at nighttime. You want to take a walk?” He reached out a hand.

  She started to extend her hand. Electricity sparked between them, causing her to pull back. “I don’t want to leave my friends.” She pointed at them even though there was no need.

  He peered over her shoulder. She followed his eyes and saw that both of her intoxicated companions chatted with their own cowboys.

  “I don’t think they’ll miss you,” he said, grabbing her hand, but she pulled away. “Let me tell them where I’m going so they don’t worry.” Alexis put some distance between her and Mitch in hopes it would stop the flutter of her heart.

  After Nicole happily shooed her away, she followed Mitch outside, butterflies tickling her stomach. The crisp night air smelled delightful after the crowded, stuffy bar. They passed by a bonfire at the edge of the lake, roaring red and orange. Children scurried around with marshmallows on sticks while parents watched on.

  He kept hold of her hand as they climbed a rugged, twisting path. Alexis slipped a couple times, prompting Mitch to put a gentle hand against her back. Her lungs ached by the time they reached the top. So much for all the money she spent on cardio and kickboxing. They settled on a large boulder, shoulder to shoulder. Small trees lined up like soldiers behind them. In front of her, a valley lay dark and undisturbed, the only noise a faint echo from the dude ranch.

  “Look up,” he said.

  She did, and all her negative thoughts fled. Heavenly was now a term she better understood. The stars above shone bright and numerous, so many she couldn’t even attempt to count them. She hardly ever stargazed in New York, where the night stars battled streetlights and neon store signs.

  “It’s spectacular,” she said.

  “No. You are.” He turned her head toward his with a gentle hand and kissed her. At first, their lips barely met, but soon his lips devoured hers. Time stood still under the eternity of the stars, and she lost herself in his touch.

  “What number is your cabin?” He broke the connection.

  “Three.” It was hard to think, and forming words became a chore. “Why?”

  “Why do you think?” Grabbing her hands, he helped her up before they hastened down the hill. His pace quick, she struggled in the dark to keep up.

  She should have thought about what might happen, but her mind focused on not falling and the sweetness of his large, calloused hand holding hers. She didn’t want to think anyway. She wanted a night of doing. She was good at getting things done.

  She fumbled getting the key into the lock as they entered the small cabin. Mitch tugged his shirt over his head, taking his cowboy hat with it. Alexis watched, admiring the coil of muscles in his arms, every bit the rugged cowboy with his jeans slung low on his narrow hips, the outline of a beard on his cheeks, and his hair mussed from under his cowboy hat.

  He placed a surprisingly gentle hand on her cheek. His soft kiss caused flames to erupt in her stomach. Butterflies be damned, this was a heat she had never known. The bed was directly in front of them. When he gently sent her falling onto it, she hit the scratchy coverlet with less grace than she had hoped.

  She couldn’t help that her mind worked overtime, even with a half-naked cowboy in front of her. “They need new covers on these beds. These are not romantic. But we can take it off. I’m sure the sheets are s
oft.”

  He smiled at the surly remark, moving over her. “I’ll be sure to let my father know tomorrow after I give you all the romance you’ve ever wanted, plus some.”

  Alexis bolted up, hand hitting his naked chest, pushing him back. “Excuse me? Your father?”

  “My father owns this place. He bought it after he retired from New York Hospital. He was head of surgery for close to twenty years but wanted to try something different.”

  “You’re Dr. Johnson’s son?”

  “So what? What does that have to do with us?” Confusion laced the words.

  “Our firm was hired by him. I’m working on the dude ranch’s marketing and rebranding account. I came to the ranch to get a firsthand understanding of how it worked.”

  “What?” His stare turned hard and probing.

  She tucked back loose strands of hair behind her ears. “Your father just hired my company to rebrand and revamp the image of the ranch.”

  “He did what? I told him not to do that. Shit, he went behind my back and hired people from the city who know nothing about running a real ranch.”

  “I came here to help.”

  “You can’t help. You don’t know how to help, and there is no way you could imagine everything that goes into running a ranch from a skyscraper in New York City.”

  “That’s not true.” She heard the doubt in her own words.

  “Did you tell my father you were coming to the ranch?”

  It was Alexis’s turn to be confused. “No.”

  “You came out here to snoop around without telling anyone.” Anger and confusion tore through his words. “You sure you’re not just trying to take the ranch for all it’s worth? My dad wouldn’t know any better.”

  “Your dad did the right thing hiring my firm. I only came out here to see what I could do to improve the place.” She stood tall, meeting his eyes, but the top of her head barely reached his chin.

  “Bullshit.” He pulled away from her. “There is nothing wrong with this ranch. It’s a working dude ranch with livestock. The three years I’ve been here, I’ve seen people come because it’s authentic. Scratchy bed coverings and all.”

  “I can’t do this with you.” Alexis circled away from the bed. “It wouldn’t be right with your father as my client.”

  He spat the words out. “You’re from the city. You don’t understand anything. You come out here, without telling my father, to snoop around and try to find dirty little secrets, and then complain about how it’s not as ritzy or as wonderful as New York, but we want it to be nothing like the city.”

  “You should go.” She pointed at the door.

  “Damn right, I’m going. You should head back to your penthouse.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m here for the weekend and there is no way you are telling me to leave early.”

  Mitch shook his head in frustration. “I just met you and you’re making me act crazy.” Mitch turned on his heels, retrieving his shirt and hat from the floor. “I need some time to think.” He flung himself out the door. It slammed behind him.

  Alexis sat back down on the bed in shock. She couldn’t have imagined a worse weekend.

  Chapter Four

  Alexis, tired and sore, woke from her dream and turned over in bed to retrieve her phone from the nightstand. She hadn’t slept well after kicking Mitch out of her room, but wasn’t sure if he or the mattress should be blamed for the restless night. A text from Jo Jo informed her that breakfast was being served and she should hurry to the dining hall. The cattle drive started at nine and to join in the fun, she’d better get her butt in gear.

  She seriously thought about hiding in her cabin all day, but as she peered around, she wanted out.

  Throwing on clean jeans, boots, and a white t-shirt, she finished by putting her flaming hair in a high ponytail, adding a Patriots cap, but going without makeup. It sounded like she’d be roughing it on the trail, and there was no one to impress. She made her way to the dining hall. Her friends sat at a corner table, plates piled high from the breakfast buffet. She grabbed a cup of coffee and a muffin and joined them.

  “That’s a lot of bacon.” Jo Jo’s plate held heaps of it.

  She huffed. “I’m on vacation. I deserve it.”

  “What’s wrong with you?” Nicole asked.

  Alexis picked at her muffin. “Nothing. Leave it alone.” The muffin turned unappetizing.

  “Not a morning person.” Her toned, tanned friend smiled wickedly. “Just you wait until the cattle drive.”

  “Yeehaw.” She pretended to spin a lasso over her head before draining her coffee mug and heading back for a refill.

  After breakfast, they made their way to the barn. The wranglers were laughing and joking while they worked, leaving the air buzzing with energy. Alexis watched as the guides saddled horses and loaded the back of the green Ford F250 truck with supplies. Coolers stored the food for the lunch break and bottles of water. There was a huge first aid kit, which she hoped no one would need. She prayed Mitch would be driving the truck rather than riding on the trail with the group, but she doubted that would happen. She figured her cowboy, like her, made sure everything got done correctly.

  A crowd gathered around her. There were about twelve adults and two teens. Soon, participants mounted up, and one of the wranglers called Alexis over to help her atop Blaze, who she was blessed with riding once again. After getting in the saddle, she joined her friends at the water station. Once everyone was ready, Mitch called for quiet. He radiated cowboy from head to toe in the early morning light.

  “We’re moving the cattle from one pasture to another. In a real drive, the cowboys would take three thousand or more head of cattle for sale. There’d be as many as twenty cowboys looking over the livestock and keeping them safe.” He paused while the facts settled in. “For today, the most important thing to remember in the cattle drive is that you need to stay safe. Keep a good distance between you and the cattle and listen at all times to the wranglers. We’re going to spread you out around the herd and your job is to not let any of the cows stray too far. If you have any problems, just yell.”

  One of the wranglers let out a deafening “Whoop.”

  Mitch met her eyes and smiled. “Just like that. Guides will be close by the entire ride, which, by the way, goes from nine to five. It’s a full workday for our volunteer ranch hands. If that’s going to be too much time in the saddle, say so now.” His warm brown eyes met hers.

  She refused to turn away.

  After a long second, his eyes returned to the rest of the group. “Here we go.”

  It took a twenty-minute horseback ride to arrive at the field where the cattle lolled in the grass and grazed, and then another thirty minutes to organize everyone around the herd. She realized the cattle were more used to this procedure than the humans accompanying them, and most likely better trained than the riders, but the idea of the drive was still fun, an iconic part of Old West history.

  While still early, the humidity rose and the biting flies swarmed. “I wish I remembered bug spray,” Alexis said to her friends as they waited to be placed around the cattle.

  “No worries.” Nicole unzipped one of the pockets of her jacket and handed over a can of bug repellent.

  She smiled at her always organized friend. “I owe you a beer tonight.”

  “You’re on,” she said right before Janine, one of the female trail guides, pulled them away, leading them up the line and instructing them to watch for strays as the line of cattle trudged forward.

  Alexis rode alone mid-herd. The trek started as a slow slough through the fields. The hazy sun climbed higher in the sky, beating down on her neck, while the herd kicked up dust from the over-trodden pathways. Despite all this, she enjoyed spending the day outside rather than being cooped up in her tiny office. She watched Mitch take charge, spending equal time making sure the people and the cattle were safe. She could see he understood customer service, but he was also respected as a le
ader by his coworkers. He checked in with the other wranglers often, making sure they had water and giving them encouragement and support. When one woman started complaining about the dust and flies, he offered her bug spray and listened patiently, sending the guide who had endured the rant to the front. Alexis wondered if she had been too hard on him. She vowed to apologize and explain all about her job when and if he came over.

  One of the older ranch hands gave the group a history lesson. “Cattle drives peaked between 1867 and 1893. People in the northeast enjoyed beef, but didn’t raise cattle. A cowboy journeyed six hundred miles from south Texas to Kansas to deliver more than two thousand head of cattle to the railroad for shipment north.”

  So engrossed in the history, she didn’t see Mitch ride up from behind.

  “We have some cows trying to stray.” He didn’t give her a chance to say hello, let alone explain about the other night. “Want to help me get them back in line?”

  “Sure.” At least he didn’t seem angry at her anymore. Maybe they’d have some time to chat as they wrangled the cows.

  “This way.” He galloped off.

  She followed at a lope. Two cows had wandered away from the herd, deciding the green grass in the lush meadow was much more appealing than the long trek on the dusty road. She agreed with them and took a minute to rest in the shade.

  “We need to separate them,” he said. “We have a better chance of getting them back in line that way. You take the cow on the right.”

  “Yes, sir,” Alexis said, but he had already ridden off.

  She pushed her horse onward and followed Mitch as he rode between the two cows, cornering the heifer he wanted. He yelled something incomprehensible to get the animal to scamper away. Alexis’s cow eluded her, or she wasn’t good at being a wrangler. The cow dodged away from her horse, running quicker than she imagined it could, and settled a few hundred yards away under the shade of a tree. Watching and waiting, she formed a plan while the silly animal munched on grass.