“Scoot forward,” he said, nodding toward the horn of the saddle.
Christine moved.
“I’m going to need you to move forward even farther.” He patted Jersey’s neck right above where the saddle ended.
After a bit of shifting, Christine slipped over the horn and onto Jersey. She teetered a bit, gripping onto the poor horse’s mane.
Not wasting any time, Sean lifted her bags, hung them from the sides of the saddle, and heaved himself up. Once he was situated, he wrapped his arm around Christine’s waist.
“Hey—what—?” She whipped around to stare at him.
“If you don’t want to fall off Jersey, you’re going to have to let me hold onto you,” he said.
She stared at him. He could see flecks of gold in her eyes. Hoping she didn’t noticed how being this close to her was sending his senses haywire, he shot her a grin.
“You could always walk,” he said, hoping that reminding her of her situation would help take the focus off of him.
She narrowed her eyes and turned around. “It’s fine.”
With that, he grabbed the reins with his hands while still keeping an arm wrapped around her waist, and nudged Jersey forward. The horse complied and began walking down the road. Sean tried to ignore how Christine felt, pressed against his chest, or how her hair smelled when the wind picked it up.
He needed to focus on something else. “So, how long have you been an auditor for?”
She peeked behind her to meet his gaze. “Did you just ask me a personal question? I’m surprised you want to learn anything about the dragon.”
Sean chuckled. “Hey, in my defense, when I first called you that, I thought you were a dude.”
He felt Christine tense from that statement. “Why? Because only men can find success in the IRS?”
Sean stared at her. He loved women and knew how capable they were. The most influential people in his life were women. “That’s not what I meant at all. I have nothing but respect for women,” he said.
“You have a funny way of showing it,” she whispered, so low that he almost didn’t hear her.
“You have to see this situation from my standpoint. Two ranches around here went bankrupt because of back taxes they owed the IRS. Hard-working, family-oriented farms had to sell everything they owned and move because they can’t keep up with the all the expenses that ranchers incur just to do what they love.” He swallowed as pride rose up in his chest. He loved his job. He loved his ranch. “What they were meant to do.”
He felt Christine’s shoulders relax as she nodded. “I get that. It has to be hard.”
Sean snorted. What did a woman who’s only had a cushy job in Washington, DC know about hard work? “How much does it cost to become an auditor?”
Christine played with the hair of Jersey’s mane. “Just the cost of my degree.”
“So, fifty thousand once everything was said and done?”
She nodded.
“Fifty thousand covers about one used tractor. Do you know how many tractors it takes to run a ranch? Material it takes to run a ranch?” He tapped on Jersey’s reins to urge her into a trot. At the pace they were going, it was going to take them an hour to get to the motel.
“I didn’t realize—”
“I’m not trying to make you feel bad. I’m trying to help you understand. It’s not easy with all the regulations.”
Christine nodded. “I get that. And I’m going to try to help you in any way I can. But this is the government we’re talking about. I can’t change the rules.”
Frustration boiled up inside of Sean. This was not what he wanted to hear. Why had he even brought it up? He should have just kept quiet. Of course, she was going to make sure the government’s rules were followed. That’s all she was. He was stupid to think that he could convince her to look outside of the law and think for herself.
The conversation grew silent as they continued down the road. He wasn’t sure what to say to her, or if she’d even listen.
“I want you to know that I’m going to be as objective as I can,” she said. Her voice was low, and Sean had to lean forward to hear her.
He swallowed. He hadn’t meant to assume that she was going to judge his ranch harshly and do everything in her power to close them down. He barely knew her, and yet he’d made a rash judgement. Just as he was convinced she’d done to him.
“I’m sorry. I’m sure you will be.”
Silence fell around them once more. She shifted a little, causing him to tighten his grip on her so she didn’t slide off.
“You okay?” he asked. It couldn’t be too comfortable, riding a horse this way. Especially if she’d never done it before.
“I think I’ll survive. Besides, it beats walking in those heels in my blistered feet.”
Sean eyed her. “Yeah, you really didn’t plan for your trip to Montana. Jeans and cowboy boots aren’t just fashionable—they’re essential.”
Christine nodded, causing her hair to swish and brush his cheek. “I’ll have to do some shopping while I’m here then.”
“I can recommend some good places. Well, actually one place. And it’s also the local grocery store, pharmacy, and nursery.” Sean smiled. He loved his small town. There was no way he’d leave it for any high paying job in Great Falls. Besides, his grandfather needed him. Apparently more than he was letting on. Especially with the IRS knocking at the door.
Christine laughed. “I’ll have to check it out. At least, once my car is fixed.”
Before he could stop himself, Sean blurted out, “I can give you rides.”
He felt Christine tense.
Backpedal, Sean.
“What I meant to say was, I can point you in the direction of Pete’s Utility Store.”
“Actually, a ride might be for the best. Who knows how long it will be until they fix my rental. And I’m guessing a place like Moose Falls doesn’t have a car rental store.”
Sean hesitated. What was he getting himself into? Why was he helping out the dragon? If he was smart, he’d leave her stranded on the side of the road to fend for herself. But, there was something about her. Seeing her standing on the side of the road with her heels half buried in the dirt, sweating like a pig had made her seem just a tad more human. And vulnerable. Like a lady in destress. And he couldn’t just abandon her.
So, he took a deep breath and spoke the word he hoped he wouldn’t regret. “Sure.”
Chapter Four
Christine
By the time Sean’s horse wandered into town, Christine’s butt was completely numb and the rest of her ached. The fact that she’d ever thought she was in shape was laughable. Her legs hurt. Her abs hurt. Her arms hurt. She couldn’t imagine, if she ached this bad, how she was going to feel after she had a night’s sleep.
Right now, all she wanted to do was get off the horse, take a hot shower, and climb into bed. Plus, getting away from Sean seemed like the best idea. Her mind was racing from being this close to him, feeling his arms wrapped around her and his sculpted chest against her back.
Plus, she would be lying to herself if she said that him being so dedicated to his ranch wasn’t intriguing. She had never felt that passionate about anything in her life. Becoming an auditor was just a means to an end. Her college counselor had advised her that it was the best route for her to take. An accounting degree wasn’t glamorous, but it paid the bills.
She swallowed as she felt her emotions rise in her throat. What was happening to her? Perhaps it was the emotional rollercoaster she’d been on since Parker had threatened her job. She either needed to get serious or find somewhere else to go.
She was going to have to call Tylinn tonight and ask her if every field assignment was this emotionally taxing. Maybe it was just this one. Parker had given it to her because he knew that it would break her. Better to have her quit than for him to fire her. It would look better for her uncle.
Sean slowed the horse as they approached the row of buildings that ran th
e length of the road in front of them. The sign that said Susan’s Diner shone against the encroaching evening light. Food sounded amazing, along with getting off this blasted horse.
Once the horse had stopped, Sean jumped down and held out his hand for her. She reached for it gratefully and shifted so that her body could slide of the horse.
“Wait—” But Sean’s protest was lost as he tipped back. He clung onto her and the two of them crashed to the ground. Christine could feel the impact of him landing on his back through his chest. Her hands splayed out against his shirt. Red hot heat permeated her skin.
“I’m sorry,” she said. Was it wrong that she was impressed that he’d kept his arms wrapped around her? That he’d given himself as a sacrifice to keep her safe?
Thanking him seemed prudent. But she needed to make sure he was alright first. “Are you okay?” she asked, peering up into his face.
His eyes were pinched shut, and his face was contorted in a look of pain.
“Did I hurt you?” she asked, glancing down to make sure his arms and legs weren’t twisted in an unnatural way. He didn’t look like he’d broken a bone. Relieved that she hadn’t seriously maimed him, she peeked back up at him. He still hadn’t opened his eyes.
“Sean? Can you speak?”
He groaned. “Dragon? Is that you?”
Christine rolled her eyes as she moved to get off of him. But her legs were numb from the horse ride and before she knew what she was doing, she kneed him between the legs.
Sean let out a yelp and lifted his head off the ground. “You kneed me,” he said. His voice dropped to barely a whisper.
“I’m so sorry,” she said as she knelt next to him. She reached out but wasn’t quite sure what to do, so she just left her hands hanging in the air. “What can I do?”
Sean curled to his side. “Just don’t touch me,” he said.
Christine dropped her hands and nodded. “Got it.” She rocked back onto her butt and sat cross-legged next to him. Not sure what to say, she opened her lips and said the first thing that came to her mind. “That was very Mr. Darcy of you.”
He groaned a response.
She realized that he might not know who Mr. Darcy was. “Mr. Darcy? From Pride and Prejudice? It’s my all-time favorite movie. The way you saved me? It was totally something he would do.”
He whispered something that sounded like “crazy lady” but she wasn’t sure. So, she decided to sit back and wait for his pain to go away.
After a few minutes, he peeked up at her. His face was no longer contorted in a look of pain.
“You okay now?” she asked.
He nodded with his head still lying on the gravel. “I’ll be fine. Just, stay over there. It’s dangerous for you to touch me.”
Christine held up her hands. “Well, yes. I have been known to inflict pain on unsuspecting cowboys. Why do you think they call me the dragon?” She shot him a look, and he scoffed.
“I had a sense,” he said as he pressed his hands down on the ground and sat up. Once he was standing, Christine joined him. He swept his gaze over her. “Are you okay?”
Christine studied him. Was he really asking her if she was okay? Sean Petty was challenging everything she’d thought she knew about him, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Auditing a man she disliked was much easier than auditing a confusing one.
“I should be asking you that. You selflessly sacrificed yourself for me. Are you okay?”
“Selflessly? Hmm, I like that. If reporters reach out to you and ask you about this incident, those are the exact words I want you to say.” He peered over at her and gave her a small smile. “That and compare me to Mr. Darcy. It’ll drive the ladies crazy.”
She laughed, for the first time in a long time. And it felt good. “I’ll make sure to do that.”
Sean straightened and started to move toward the doors of Susan’s Diner. His gait was slow—it seemed he was trying to shake off what had just happened.
Christine moved to follow him, but as she took her first step, her left leg gave out, causing her to stumble. Thankfully, she didn’t go down, but Sean noticed, and the concerned look in his eye caused heat to race across her body again. She felt like a woman going through menopause.
“You okay?” he asked, reaching out and brushing his fingers against her skin. Zaps of electricity jolted up her arm from the feather-light touch.
“I think so,” she breathed out. When she could finally process her thoughts through her clouded brain, she realized that he was staring at her with a puzzled expression. Desperate to redeem herself, she said, “Well, as good as I can be. I did just ride a horse in a position that no one should ever ride a horse in. I really don’t think my legs will go back to normal after today.”
Sean’s gaze moved down to her legs. “Well, that would be a pity.” When he glanced back up at her, she saw that his cheeks hinted pink. He parted his lips and shook his head. “I didn’t mean it to come out that way.”
Christine raised her brows. “What did you mean?” Had he just complimented her legs? What was happening?
He growled and nodded toward the diner. “Let’s get some food. It must be the low blood sugar that’s getting to my head.” He grabbed Jersey’s reins and clicked his tongue. She began to walk behind him. Once they were at a post, he tied her up.
Christine followed him, wincing with each step. “Sure. That’s what you meant.”
He shot her a look but then moved toward the front doors of the diner and pulled it open. He waved her in. When she stepped inside, her eyes widened. It was a quaint diner with checkerboard tiles and red leather booths.
A woman with her hair pulled back in a messy bun was standing next to a table with a pad of paper in one hand and pen in another. When Sean cleared his throat, she looked over at him.
“Sean!” she said, waving to the couple she was talking to and making her way over. Her gaze ran over him the closer she got. “What happened to you? You look like you were run over and hung out to dry.” She motioned toward Christine who suddenly realized just what she must look like. “So do you, sweetie.” Desperate to redeem herself, she ran her fingers through her snarled hair.
Sean waved away her comment. “We need some food, Susan.”
Susan smiled and took two menus from the stack next to her. “Well, you’ve come to the right place.” She nodded in the direction of a far table and Sean followed. Christine winced as she kept pace with him.
Sean slipped into the booth, and Christine moved to sit, but then paused. There was no way she was going to be able to relax until she saw the damage that had been done by the Montana wind and heat. She smiled at the woman who was waiting for her to sit. “Bathroom?”
The woman dug around in her apron and pulled out a key. “The one inside is out of order. You can use the spare out back,” she said, motioning toward the front door.
Christine took the key and nodded, heading back outside. Once she was inside the bathroom and had locked the door, she turned and gasped. Her hair was windblown and knotted. Her mascara seemed to have melted in the Montana heat, and she had black rings under her eyes.
She turned on the water and let her hands fill up. It took a few good scrubbings until her face was clean. When her hands were dried, she pulled her hair from her ponytail and raked her fingers through it. When she finally looked presentable, she headed back out of the bathroom and around the building. Just as she neared the door, her phone rang.
She stopped and pulled it from her back pocket.
Tylinn.
Smiling, she swiped the screen and brought the phone up to her ear. “Hello?”
“Chris? That you?”
“Tylinn?”
“I can’t hear you. Your reception must be bad. Can you hear me?” Tylinn’s voice was scratchy and cut out every few seconds.
“Tylinn? I can sort of hear you. Can you hear me?”
“I can’t hear you, so I’ll make this short. Hope things are good in Montana. P
arker’s on a hunt for your blood. If you don’t do well, it’s gonna be the end of you.”
Before Christine could answer, the call cut off.
She pulled her phone from her ear and stared down at it, her stomach sinking. What was happening to her? Just because she’d misplaced some files for a big case, suddenly, she couldn’t handle anything. The longer she was here, the more she realized that Parker really was setting her up to fail.
She gritted her teeth as she pulled open the front door. She wasn’t going to let that happen. She’d succeed if it was the last thing she did. There was no way she’d let Parker get the better of her. She’d rock this audit and then march into his office Monday morning and quit. She was done being intimidated by that small, bald man.
When she got to the booth, she sat down with more confidence than she’d felt earlier. Suddenly, the distraction that Sean was causing wasn’t as bad anymore. Whatever she’d been feeling from their previous encounter was just stress induced. She needed to get her head on straight and accomplish what she’d come here to do.
Sean was studying her as she set the key down on the table and picked up the menu. “You look. . . better,” he said, running his gaze over her.
“I do clean up well.” She let his compliment wash over her. Despite her better judgement, heat raced to her cheeks.
“I meant, you look pretty pleased with yourself. Was your trip successful?”
In a matter of seconds, the heat on her skin changed to the heat of embarrassment. What exactly had he thought she was doing? “I wasn’t—I mean, that’s not why I went in there.”
He held up his hands. “I get it. Everyone does it. I mean, they wrote a children’s book about it.”
Christine stared at him. What was happening? How had this conversation changed so quickly?
Sean smiled and leaned forward. “I was just kidding,” he said, laughing.
Christine rolled her eyes. “Seriously? How old are you?” She read her menu, grateful for the distraction it gave her.
Fighting Love for the Cowboy (A Moose Falls Romance Book 1) Page 3