"What's the name of the company?" Brett asked as Amber lifted it off.
"Noggin Wear. As I said, they primarily cater to children. I'll leave it for you at the front counter."
"I'm checkin' into that company," Brett remarked, guiding Amber to the riding jeans. "You were right. That helmet looked way better than the others. Once word gets out—"
"You think their sales will go up?"
"You bet. I might see about investin'."
"So you're not just a dumb-ass cowboy after all."
She'd held a pokerface as she made the comment, and Brett couldn't suppress a laugh.
"Sassy Lassy, I can't wait to get you home."
"And why would that be?"
"You just asked for something, and I'm lookin' forward to givin' it to you!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she said airily, lifting a pair of jeans labeled her size from the rack. "What's so special about these?"
"You'll understand when you put them on. Try them."
"They look too small."
"Trust me. The fittin' room is right there."
"How do you know so much?"
"I'm not some dumb ass cowboy!"
"Or you've done this before?"
"Both."
"Ah. I see," she muttered, but as she turned to walk away, he grabbed her arm.
"Don't go jumpin' to conclusions," he said softly. "I bring my niece here when she visits."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to react that way. I'm sure you haven't been a monk."
"Amber," he said, lowering his voice even further "I've never brought a woman to the ranch."
"You're kidding?"
"Nope. Now go try those on. This isn't the place to be havin' a D and M."
"What's a D and M?"
"Deep and meanin'ful. Go on. I'm dyin' to see how they look."
As she entered the fitting room, he dropped into the nearby leather love seat. Years had passed, but the fun, exciting, sexy times of their youth felt like yesterday. He'd often reached for the phone to call, yet changed his mind. Initially he'd decided to wait until after his first album, but when it skyrocketed to the top of the charts and catapulted him to overnight stardom, he barely had time to think. Embarking on a whirlwind of tours, interviews, and personal appearances, every spare second had been spent writing new material for the second album. Any rare moments of downtime he'd kicked back with Heath at Dream Horse Ranch. Even in those quiet moments, he'd never felt the time was right to reach out to the girl who had broken his heart. The girl he still loved.
"They're like a second skin," she exclaimed, stepping from the dressing room and snapping him from his thoughts.
Darting his eyes across to her, he chuckled.
"Turn around. Yeah, you could say that."
Blushing, she shot him a look over her shoulder and started back into the small cubicle.
"Don't take 'em off," he called after her.
Pausing, she turned around.
"Because?"
Rising to his feet and moving up to her, he dropped his voice to a whisper.
"Because you look sexy as hell."
"Thanks, BD."
Tilting his head to the side, his dimples deepened as his grin widened.
"Those fit you great," the sale's clerk said, walking up to join them.
"Could you please take a couple more pairs up to the counter," Brett asked. "Pale blue and black."
"Sure, Mr. Preston," she replied, then turning to Amber, she added, "You should leave them on."
"I was just tellin' her the same thing," Brett declared. "She should be wearin' them to be fitted for the chaps."
"Exactly. Our tailor is ready whenever you are."
"See?" Brett quipped. "I know what I'm talkin' about."
"And I could have sworn you asked me to leave them on because you think they're sexy as hell."
Wordlessly the sales girl walked quickly away, but not before they saw her grin.
"Amber," Brett said softly, crossing his arms and raising one devilish eyebrow, "do you think tryin' to embarrass me is a good idea?"
"Seemed like it at the time," she said with a giggle.
"When your butt is stingin', you might change your mind about that," he whispered, "but I'm also gonna return the favor."
"What does that mean?"
"You'll find out. Now go get your stuff. The tailor's waitin'."
Grabbing her bag and the jeans she'd been wearing, they walked to the back of the store. Though the locals were used to seeing the famous country star in the small town, their eyes still followed him, and a group of teenagers couldn't stop gossiping and giggling in a corner. She assumed he was accustomed to the covert attention, but she found his oblivion impressive. The seamstress, a kindly grey-haired woman with a tape measure hanging around her neck, asked Amber to stand on a riser. Leaning against a wall, Brett's wicked expression never left his face, and Amber began to feel a little uneasy. With the measurements taken, the color and style selected, Brett thanked the seamstress and guided Amber back into the store.
"Where are we going?" she asked, following him as he veered away from the checkout counter. "Do we need something else?"
"Yep. Let's see now," he mumbled, guiding her to a selection of crops.
"I don't want a crop. I'd never hit a horse."
"I wouldn't either. I'm buyin' these for you, Sassy Lassy. I like this one," he declared, picking up a short fat whip with a large leather heart-shaped tongue. "Where are those long thin ones with those little ends? Ah. Here we go. I'm gonna have fun with this."
Not knowing what to say, Amber said nothing, but with a thousand butterflies dancing in her belly, speech would have been difficult, if not impossible. Carrying the two crops in one hand, he wrapped his fingers around hers in the other and headed up to the counter.
"Did you find everything you need, Mr. Preston?" the woman behind the counter asked cheerily.
"We sure did, Tara, includin' these," he said, placing the whips on the counter. "But don't worry. I'd never use them on my horse. It's Amber here who needs keepin' in line. You still have my details in your system, right?"
"We do. Once I've entered these items your card will be charged and your receipt will print out. I'm almost done. How's Steve?"
"Good. The same. He never changes."
"Johnny and Cash?"
"Fine and dandy. How are your two boys?"
"Growing like weeds. They were supposed to be here helping today, but they didn't show up. They'll be so disappointed they missed you, but it serves them right."
Standing silently by his side, her face burning, Amber couldn't duck away. His strong grip around her hand made sure she couldn't go anywhere.
"Amber, we have a thirty-day return policy, so if you find the boots pinch your feet or you have any other issues just come on back. Mr. Preston, here's your receipt and your packages," Tara declared, placing the plastic bags on the counter.
"Amber, will you please take the crops out to the car while I sign this," Brett said casually, handing them to her. "I'll only be a minute."
Taking the crops she hurried to the door, and as she closed it behind her, the woman behind the counter laughed out loud.
"You are so bad, Brett. That poor girl died a thousand deaths."
"Yeah, I know, but she had it comin', and thanks for playin' along and callin' me Mr. Preston."
"I was prepared. Kelly mentioned Amber's comment. I figured you'd do something like that."
"You know me too well, Tara."
"After all these years I should hope so. Tell Steve and Jasmine I send my best."
"Sure will. See you next time."
Picking up the packages, he ambled out the door, and found Amber leaning against his shiny aqua truck.
"You didn't give me the keys."
"Yep. I know."
Placing the bags inside a container in the bed of the pickup, he fished the keys from his pocket, opened the door for her, then walked aroun
d and climbed in behind the wheel.
"Did you have to do that?" she demanded, punching his arm.
"Stop your complainin'. You're the one who wanted to play."
"I've never been so embarrassed," she retorted. "Dammit. How can I ever go in there again?"
"I told you I'd return the favor," he said with a chuckle. "You really haven't changed. I remember beatin' you at your own game when we were kids. You'd get all riled up back then too. Hey. What's wrong?"
Her face had suddenly crinkled, and he could see the threat of tears.
"I just hate myself for being such an idiot. We could've been together all this time."
"Hey, hon, you've gotta stop this," he said gently. "I doubt any relationship would've survived all the crap I went through. I was on the road months at a time, and I spent endless hours at the studio. Our time has come. Don't let the past get in the way of our future."
Impulsively leaning across the bench seat, she threw her arms around his neck.
"You may look totally different, and I'd be lying if I said it's not weird, but you're still the same. You always knew what to say to make me feel better, and you still do."
"You wanna go have lunch, or would you rather go back to the ranch?"
"I bet you know what I'm going to say."
"The ranch. A bite to eat, then you wanna get on Millie."
"Yes, please. I can't wait."
"We'll use the indoor arena. Fasten your seat belt, Sassy Lassy. Betsy is cleared for take off."
She buckled up, and as he drove from the parking lot, she wound down her window.
"The day is warming up. Don't you miss air-conditioning in this truck?"
"I have a Range Rover. Drivin' this old thing in extreme temperatures isn't a good idea for her or for me."
The trip up the curving mountain road reminded Amber of Twists and Turns. Pondering how she could write the never-to-be-published book without him finding out, the germ of an idea began to take hold. The journey passed quickly, and they were soon turning off the canyon road, down the unmarked road and through the gates.
"Before we go inside I want to let Steve know I need Millie brought in and tacked up."
"Can't you just text him?"
"I could, and I do in an emergency or if I need something last minute," he said, heading down to the barn, "but generally that's not how we do things. I'll only be a minute. You can just wait in the truck."
Pulling to a stop, he jumped out and marched into the barn aisle expecting Loki to run up to greet him, but there was no sign of the big Malamute.
"I just saw Steve on a horse."
Amber's voice carried through the empty barn, and turning around he saw her at the entrance.
"Where?"
"Heading towards that rocky area."
"There's a gate at the back of the garden," Brett remarked as he walked up to her. "He's probably goin' on a trail ride. I'll drive up and catch him."
"Do you need to? Can't you bring Millie in from the paddock and tack her up yourself?"
"I can, but he doesn't usually take off without lettin' me know," Brett replied, a vague uneasiness moving through his gut. "I just wanna make sure everything's okay."
"You look worried."
"I am."
"Why?"
"Can't say. I get these feelin's inside me. Don't know how else to explain it."
"You don't have to. I know what you mean."
They'd reached the truck, but with no room for vehicles to drive through the rocky area, Brett headed to the house so he could approach the sacred garden from the opposite direction. The driveway curved up to the home, then descended down a gentle slope.
The garden came into view.
Amber caught her breath.
Near the wall at the back, gazing over the canyon, Steve was standing on the rump of a black and white pinto. The horse had no saddle or bridle, just a rope around its neck. Nearby, the large, furry Malamute sat quietly.
"Brett! What the hell?"
"Shit!"
"How can he do that?"
"He can do a lotta things."
"But, uh, why is he doing it?"
"I dunno, but I'm gonna find out," he replied solemnly, climbing from the truck.
"Can I come?"
He paused.
"Probably best if you wait here for the moment."
Softly closing the door, Brett walked across the garden. The black and white horse turned his head, but Steve remained unmoving. A few feet away, Brett stopped, and heart pumping, he waited.
Surreal.
The only word that came to Amber's mind.
With a magnificent totem pole in the foreground, a muscled, wide-shouldered cowboy stared up at a man standing atop a beautiful black and white horse, his dog nearby, and the mountains in the distance looming over them.
Regardless of what her future held, the sight would live forever in her heart.
It was one she had to capture.
Pulling her phone from her bag, she framed the shot and clicked.
Quickly looking down at the photograph, a ripple sent goosebumps to her skin.
A magic moment frozen in time.
CHAPTER TEN
Anxiety moving through him, Brett readied himself for the news as Steve effortlessly jumped off his horse.
"Brett, I'm sorry to tell you this," Steve began solemnly. "The winds are coming."
"I thought as much. When do you think they'll start?"
"Overnight, but the news isn't all bad. It will blow through quickly, though the weathermen will offer their usual doom and gloom. I'll ride Catori through the forest to be sure."
"So we don't need to move the horses?"
"An angry wind is on the way and the heat will rise, but like a child's tantrum the rage will quickly pass. I'll be about an hour," Steve said, artfully throwing himself on his horse's back. "Amber will be riding?"
"Uh, yeah. I'm givin' her a lesson on Millie."
"Then I'll tell you what I find when you come back to the barn."
"I'll get the gate for you."
"No need."
"What's happening?" Amber asked, walking up behind Brett as Steve rode off. "Where's he going?"
"Off to ride through the forest. Not the trail, but the actual forest. He'll go as far as the fire break. He needs to be close to the wildlife to pick up their energy."
"Holy crap. Really?"
"Really," Brett replied, taking her hand and moving to stand in front of the totem pole. "I've learned to listen to him. He's able to read the weather. That's what he was doin' standin' on his horse and lookin' over the wall. We're about to have a wind event. At this elevation they can be severe."
"That's not good."
"Not the best news."
"Does he know when?"
"Tonight, but he said they'll blow through fast. He'll make sure everything is tightened down, any outdoor furniture is moved inside, things like that, but the danger isn't just the howlin' gales."
"You mean what we talked about earlier. The chance of a fire."
"A lunatic with a match, dry lightnin', downed power lines. We live under a triple threat when the winds come."
"What will you do?"
"If they were gonna stick around a while I'd move the horses over to Heath's Ranch. It's not far and they enjoy the change of scenery, but the look in Steve's eye when he talked about what was comin'…" Brett said thoughtfully. "He's not worried."
"The name Steve doesn't really suit him. It seems too—I don't know—normal."
"His Native American name is Bidzill. It means strong, but he asked to be called Steve. He doesn't do things just for the sake of doin' 'em, so I knew he'd chosen that name for a reason. When I asked him, he said the name meant wealth, and he felt wealthy to be here with me. Damn near brought a tear to my eye."
"Did he help carve this?" she asked, gazing up at the mighty pole. "What do all the figures mean?"
"The entire piece was carved by one man. We chose th
e birds and animals together, except for the owl at the base. I already knew I wanted that."
"Because…?"
"The owl and I have a lot in common. I'm a creature of the night, though there's more to it than that. After my accident I had an experience that inspired me to explore metaphysics."
"What kind of experience?"
"Ever hear of near death experiences?"
"Sort of. Did your life flash before your eyes?"
"Nothin' like that. I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell you. I was in surgery and I left my body."
"Seriously?"
"Yep. I was floatin' over myself. The doctors were tryin' to bring me back to life. I looked up and saw this dazzlin' light. It was shimmerin', Amber, like nothin' I'd ever seen before, and I felt completely at peace. Next thing I knew, I woke up in my hospital bed. The surgeon told me he'd had to fight to bring me back."
"I don't know what to say."
"The Native Americans have a proverb. There is no death, only a change of worlds."
"Oh, I just got chills."
"Enough of this for now. We should have a quick bite to eat then get you on Millie, and you and I have some unfinished business."
"What might that be?" she murmured as her butterflies suddenly fluttered.
"Cute," he quipped, taking her hand and starting back to the truck.
"I'm confused. Don't you have to start preparing for the winds?"
"Steve and I will work together when he gets back. One thing I'm certain of, you never know what tomorrow will bring, and life is too short to waste it worryin'. So, Sassy Lassy, I'm gonna be testin' out my brand new spankin' toys. One of 'em anyway."
"Good grief," she muttered, climbing into the truck.
"Don't act like you're surprised. We both know you purposely provoked me. When we get to the house you're gonna carry those crops and I'll bring in everything else."
Amber remained quiet during the short drive, but as they walked through the front door with Johnny and Cash running around them, rather than head down the hall to her room, Brett carried her shopping bags up the stairs. She grinned, believing it was a sign he wanted her to stay in his bedroom.
"There's an empty closet off the bathroom," he announced, placing the shopping bags on the coffee table in the seating area. "You can bring your things up whenever you want, or you can keep them where they are. Either way is fine by me."
To Con A Cowboy (Hunks and Horses Book 3) Page 8