by Dakota Star
And then the games began. Playing cowgirl was hard work. Every time she reined her horse close to the cow, the animal sped away, only to stop and eat grass until another attempt was made. This continued until Mitch returned.
“I can’t do it,” she complained. Sweat dripped down her back and off her cheeks even as dark clouds rolled in to cover the sun. Her baseball cap offered little protection against the mounting humidity.
“It’s not easy, and these two are known for being wily. Maybe between the two of us, we can get her back in line. If not, I’ll send a wrangler to fetch her later. It’s not like she’s going to stray too far. You go left and I’ll go right. Let’s try to get around back and turn Cloudy.”
“Cloudy?”
“That’s her name,” he said.
“Why did you name her Cloudy?”
He shrugged. “If you look at the markings on her side, they reminded us of clouds.”
Laughter filled the field. “Very original.”
They worked well as a team. The two approached the cow from behind and then spread out to flank the crafty beast on either side. Unable to bolt right or left, Cloudy ran straight and they were able to guide her back to the herd.
After the brief cow escapade, everyone traveled at a lazy pace for the rest of the morning. The cows sauntered slowly, stopping occasionally to nibble grass or drink from streams. At noon, the group left the cows with some of the ranch hands to enjoy a picnic lunch.
Plastic red and white checked tablecloths and cutlery decorated tables set in the shade. Along with hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, salads, beans, biscuits, and bacon also adorned the tabletops. She watched Mitch circulate from group to group, making small talk, getting to know the participants and making them laugh. A strange stirring swam inside Alexis and happiness overtook her when Mitch came around and put a hand on her shoulder.
“How’s lunch, ladies?” he asked.
“Yummy,” Nicole said.
“The beans, biscuits, and bacon are the traditional fare cowboys would eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They were quick and easy to prepare, they would not spoil, and they would keep the men strong.”
“Every day? All three meals?” Jo Jo asked. “I mean, I love bacon, but that seems a little excessive.”
“That’s how it was back in the day, so go ahead and enjoy all the extra goodies here. There’s also pie for dessert, and let me tell you, it’s tasty.” He tipped his Stetson at them and sauntered away to talk with some other guests.
“Girlfriend,” Jo Jo said, “that man is tastier than any pie. And the way he stares at you…”
“Stop. Just stop,” Alexis cut off her friend. “We’re not having this discussion.”
“I never asked what happened last night.” Nicole stared. “You disappeared on us.”
“Nothing happened.” The memories mocked her and she wanted to laugh and blush at the same time. She did neither, not sure what to feel. “He’s the owner’s son.”
“No!” It was said in unison.
“Yes,” Alexis said. “Nothing will ever happen, so can we please drop the subject?”
People lounged, eating pie and sipping iced tea. The humidity continued to rise, causing the flies to swarm even though she borrowed more bug spray from Nicole. Dark clouds rolled in and the sky crackled with energy.
“Mount up,” Janine yelled from on top of a picnic table. “It looks like we might be in for some unexpected weather.” People scurried to their horses.
As she scanned the crowd from astride Blaze, Alexis noticed the wranglers looked tense. When Mitch rode by, she stopped him. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s a thunderstorm watch. It wasn’t in the forecast this morning. Lightning can be dangerous for people on horseback, plus it can spook the horses and cows. Unfortunately, we’re not near any place with good coverage, and there’s a stream crossing coming up.”
“We can’t stay here?” she asked.
“We’re too out in the open, even with the trees.” As if to confirm his words, thunder boomed in the background. “Got to go.” He rode off toward the other wranglers.
Once everyone mounted up, the group continued their trek. The cows, startled and scared by the encroaching thunder and dark clouds, surged forward, bellowing at one another. The horses fidgeted, ears perked, eyes wide as the wind picked up and the lightning flashed from afar.
Then the downpour began.
“We need to get the horses and cattle across the river,” Mitch yelled to the group of participants who now banded together, cows left to the wranglers. “There’s a pavilion not too far away. People can shelter under that until the storm passes. The wranglers will take care of the herd.”
Mitch and Janine organized the riders. “It’s only a few minutes to the river. Once across, Janine will take you to the pavilion.” He yelled so people could hear him above the storm.
The group rode away from the soggy cows with Mitch in the lead and Janine in the back. The three sodden friends bunched together. The rain soaked Alexis’s t-shirt and drenched her jeans. The wind whipped cold rain against her cheeks, and she shivered, riding on with the rest of the unhappy people. The thunder and lightning were constant companions, coming closer and closer.
It took the group ten minutes to get to the water’s edge. Once there, the river was wide and churning. While she could see the top of some rocks, Alexis sensed it was deeper than it appeared. The thunder and lightning intensified.
“We just have to get the horses across and the pavilion is there.” Mitch pointed, riding along the steep bank.
She could see the wood-covered rectangular shelter across the river. There were tables nestled under it and a huge stone fire pit for campouts. She couldn’t remember anything more inviting.
“The river has really picked up with the downpour. We’ll go two by two.” He sat tall as he led two teens through the river first and then escorted the older couple who must have been close to sixty. He sent Janine to keep watch under the pavilion when most of the group had reached shelter.
Cracks of lightning and the deep bass of thunder made the horses dance. As Alexis waited for her turn, lightning laced the sky. Horses skittered in place. One reared, but the man astride stayed in the saddle.
“We don’t have any more time. You last four can go together,” he said.
They began the journey across the river.
“Are you ready?” he asked, cowboy hat sinking low on his forehead, rain streaming off it.
“Yes,” Alexis shouted over the thunder. Her horse jogged at the edge of the river, snorting loudly, eyes wide.
Crossing the stream should have been a pleasant way to cool off. This was anything but. The water, while not deep, swirled around the horses’ legs, the thunder and lightning continuing to spook them. The wind drove the cold rain into her eyes, making it hard to navigate the crossing.
They were in the middle of the river when she heard the jarring crack from above. She watched a branch from a nearby tree, ripped loose by the heavy winds, fall into the water. Her horse reared back, bumping into the other horses and skittering away.
“Pull them in a circle,” Mitch yelled as chaos erupted.
She grabbed a tight hold on her reins and hauled Blaze away from the branch, moving him in a circle. Nicole’s horse bolted to the other side of the stream, jumping onto the bank, breathing heavily. Her friend, pale but still in the saddle, patted the dappled gray’s neck as she sat next to the man making the crossing with them.
Jo Jo was not so lucky. Unable to control her horse, it bolted. Alexis watched as her friend jerked back on the reins too hard, causing her horse to stop suddenly. The gelding eyed the branch now floating down the river. The black beast’s brown eyes opened wide in fear. Looking like the cover of Black Beauty, the gelding stood tall on its hind legs, front legs thrust out in front of him. Jo Jo, unable to hold on, rolled off the horse’s side, landing with a splash in the stream, spooking the animal further.
/> Alexis watched in horror as the horse’s front hooves hit the water inches from Jo Jo. Quicker than what seemed humanly possible, Mitch rode into the chaos, jumping off his horse and scooping her friend out of the water as if they were actors in a movie and he was a professional stunt double. Seconds later, Jo Jo sat on his horse while he held the reins to both his mare and the black gelding. Urging them forward, he guided the horses out of the water and onto the wet grass along the bank.
Once on land, Alexis kicked her horse to follow her cowboy to the pavilion where Janine had a fire roaring to life. The truck had also made it to the pavilion with coffee, tea, and treats.
Mitch tied up the horses, helped Jo Jo dismount, and hovered over her. Another wrangler carried a blanket and wrapped it around her.
“Are you okay?” Alexis asked as she dismounted Blaze.
Nicole gave Jo Jo a hug, but it was hard to do with her hands already full of cookies and pastries.
“Fine.” Jo Jo stared at them with a wry smile. “Just a little embarrassed.”
“Don’t be embarrassed,” Mitch said. “You handled it well. It was a tricky situation and you did everything right. As good as any pro.”
“Thanks.” She backed away from Nicole’s smothering embrace.
“No, thank you for staying so calm.” He tipped his cowboy hat. “How do you feel?”
“I feel fine.” She ran a hand through her wet hair, flat but still stiff with product. “Don’t worry about me.”
“I’m going to send a medic over. I have to check on everything, but I’ll be back too.”
Alexis tried to fathom what was going on behind his eyes, but they were hidden in the shade of his cowboy hat. “Some adventure,” she said to her friends as he walked away. She squeezed the rain out of her ponytail.
Nicole said something in Spanish.
“What?” Alexis asked.
“Girlfriend, you’re in for a wild ride.”
As the medic approached, Nicole held out cookies. “You both need some sugar.”
Chapter Five
Alexis stood in the beige shower stall. The water was tepid and the pressure nonexistent. Bathroom needs an update as well, she thought as she lathered her hair with shampoo. After she dressed in black leggings and her favorite green pullover, she headed outside to the bonfire where she planned to meet the girls. A talk therapy session was most desired, along with a little alcohol. She’d come clean about Mitch since Nicole had already guessed something was going on and she wanted to get some much needed advice on what to do next.
The sky’s vivid pinks and oranges blended with the oncoming darkness. The bonfire roared, sending sparks into the crowd gathered around it. She grabbed an IPA beer at the outdoor bar, all the time searching for Jo Jo and Nicole. When she couldn’t spot them, Alexis grabbed a marshmallow from one of the numerous bags lining the tables, along with graham crackers and chocolate bars. She wedged the spongy white blob on a thin skewer. It had been a long time since she had enjoyed s’mores. She spun toward the bonfire, giddy with youthful nostalgia, found a spot within the crowd, and toasted the marshmallow.
His linen-fresh scent told Alexis the wrangler was behind her before she heard his voice.
“That looks tempting.”
She stood straight, warring with herself to turn around and face him. He confused her. He was so mean the previous night, but then today asked her to help with the strays and saved her friend. Alexis had no idea how to feel or what to say. “There’s plenty on the table over there.” She sounded abrupt, but couldn’t stop. “Help yourself.”
“I’m good for the moment,” Mitch said. “Hey, I’m really sorry about the other night. And about not saying sorry to you sooner today. I wanted to. Really.” He didn’t touch her, but having him close enough to smell his crisp cologne caused an unnerving flutter in her stomach. She turned further away, closer to the flame, charring her marshmallow. She let it burn, all the while knowing his eyes were on her. A second later, she pulled the treat from the flames and spun to find Mitch, but he was gone.
“Serves me right,” she whispered to herself as she walked away and found a seat at one of the picnic tables.
“Hey there, girlfriend.” Nicole’s voice rang out through the crowd.
Alexis turned to see her friend, who had dressed comfortably in jeans and a light pink hooded sweatshirt. Her cinnamon skin glowed under a long dark blanket of glossy hair as she passed by the fire pit.
“Join me for a treat?” Alexis asked.
“You know it. Keep an eye out for the troublemaker of the group.” Nicole headed to the bar to get a drink and fill her plate.
“Holy moly, did you see that guy at the fire pit?” Jo Jo asked when she arrived. Nicole handed her a plate full of s’mores before they all turned toward the flames.
“Subtle of us.” Alexis couldn’t help but smile at what a few drinks did to them.
All three stared at a ruggedly handsome man.
“Should I go over?” Jo Jo asked.
“Give it a minute,” said Nicole.
They watched as the man looked around. Suddenly, two small children erupted through the crowd, running up to the handsome stranger and demanding he take them to the pool.
“Looks like he’s taken,” Alexis said.
“Damn.” Jo Jo pouted. “Glad I waited, but that doesn’t mean I can’t look.” She stood and flexed, her chest arching so everyone around could get a good look at her striking figure and perky breasts. “I need a drink.”
When she returned, talk veered back to work as the three friends ate too many s’mores and drank a few too many beers. Alexis never found the right moment to bring Mitch into the conversation.
“It’s getting chilly.” Jo Jo wrapped her naked arms around her middle. The strappy black camisole top provided little in the way of protection. “Let’s go back to the bar.”
“I think I’ll just turn in.” Alexis hadn’t had much sleep the last couple nights and all the exercise was catching up to her.
“No way,” said Nicole. She grabbed the redhead’s braid and yanked gently. “You’re coming with us.”
The dark, overcrowded bar hosted a country band playing loudly in the corner. They found a small, sticky table in the back and order some tequila shots from the bartender.
The music roared around them and after a couple shots, Alexis found herself awake and enjoying the band. When line dancing broke out, she watched as Mitch joined the side of an attractive blonde guest. She couldn’t turn away. He was a good dancer and the blonde was having a little too much fun. Laughing, the woman missed a step and bumped into Mitch. He grabbed her and swung her around.
Alexis heard their continued laughter as she dragged her gaze away. She hoped to get her mind off him by focusing on work. She surveyed the room, noting the types of tourists who visited the ranch, but her eyes returned to the dance floor when the music changed. The couple was gone.
Suddenly, Jo Jo’s manicured hands were thrust in front of her face. “Stop staring.” There was a look of concern in her eyes, dramatic under a thick layer of liner and shadow. Everything about her friend was an artistic masterpiece. She could have graced the cover of a magazine, and actually wanted to model, but her height, five foot six, left her dreams unfulfilled. Never the slacker, she became a financial guru and was working her way up the finance department of Inventive PR and Marketing. “I’ve got an office story to get your mind off the cowboy. Remember coffee guy?”
“Who could forget him?” Nicole scrunched up her nose in distaste.
“What was his name?” Alexis asked. “Jerry? Jeremy? When was he fired?”
“He still works there.” Nicole’s giggle hung in the air. “He’s the one with the droopy pants who is always showing off what is underneath. Get a belt, right?”
“Okay, so what’s the story with this creep?” Alexis asked.
“His name is Jerry and he was drinking from the communal coffee Keurig. Julian in accounting called him out abou
t never bringing in supplies. It got heated and Jerry’s pants fell off as he attempted to shove Julian. Both Jerry and his pants actually fell down and hit the ground. I witnessed it. You can’t make this shit up.” Jo Jo laughed so hard her chair tipped back.
Mitch pushed the chair into the upright position. Alexis hadn’t noticed his approach. “How are my three favorite women?” he asked. “Sore from the cattle drive?”
“I need someone to work out my kinks,” Nicole said.
“I’m sure you’ll find many people willing to do that,” he replied with a smile. “Can I join you?”
“Absolutely,” Jo Jo said before Alexis could call for a girls’ night.
He tugged over a chair. He’d left his cowboy hat at home and his brown hair fell over his forehead. “Having a good time?”
“The best,” Nicole said as she touched his arm. “All that ranch work must be great exercise.”
His laugh left Alexis feeling tingly. “It is, but hauling hay bales isn’t all that exciting. Tell me about yourselves. I haven’t had a lot of time to hear your stories.” He waved his hand in their direction before taking a long sip from his beer bottle.
“What do you want to know?” Jo Jo’s pixie face, open and honest, was ready to answer any and all questions.
“What do you girls do? I know Alexis works in New York, but what about you two?” His eyebrows quirked in question.
“We all work at the same marketing and public relations firm, but in different departments. Alexis works in client services, I work in legal, and Jo Jo in finance.” Nicole yelled this information over the loud music.
“What exactly does your company do?” He smiled at Nicole.
Alexis stared, mesmerized. She wanted him to turn that smile on her.
“It depends on what the client needs. Sometimes it’s to fix their image, or in other cases to put together a marketing or brand campaign.” Nicole shrugged. “All depends.”
“Sounds interesting,” he said.
“Working here must be interesting too,” Jo Jo said. “I loved the cattle drive, even after my little incident at the river.”