Riding the River (The Westerners, Book One)

by Jeanne Harrell

  * * *

  Seeing the ranch at last was a welcome sight. It had been quite an eventful horse drive. Sarah knew it had been life changing for her and an extraordinary experience – One she’d never, ever forget.

  That first day back was easy with no expectations. She helped Dale out at lunch. They laughed easily about the snakebite – scary though it had been– and discussed recipes for the longest time. They also discussed what her new job would entail. Dale raised his eyebrows when he asked where she was going to live. Sarah just shrugged her shoulders.

  She decided to take off for a ride before dinner. She hadn’t seen much of Matt as he had lots to do in his job since he’d come back. In the barn, she found her faithful horse, Thunder, got Frank to help get him saddled, and took off for that pretty meadow that she loved so much, not far from the ranch house.

  Once she and Thunder got to that same stream, she dismounted to let him drink and graze a bit. Sarah shielded her eyes to look up in the sky. A hawk was gliding easily through the currents, looking here and there for his prey. She thought she recognized the hoot of an owl and listened to the water float lazily down the stream. The hills in the far landscape collided with the mountain range behind them to stretch up into that blue, blue sky. It was a sight she could get used to.

  Sarah yawned, took out her horseshoe from her saddlebag and lay down in the wildflowers by Thunder. She’d have to thank Dan again for that horseshoe because it had definitely brought her luck. Taking off her hat and placing it over her eyes, Sarah felt the downward pull of her eyelids. It was just too delicious…

  And she was out, faster than she could say Gregory Peck.

  Matt had been looking for her and Frank told him she’d taken off on Thunder. He knew just where she was going. He saddled up and rode off toward the meadow. Finding her in the exact spot where he knew she’d be, he rode up, dismounted and let his horse drink by Thunder. Matt quietly sat down by Sarah and just gazed admiringly at her.

  When he’d found her asleep in the meadow the first time, he knew she belonged here. Maybe she hadn’t known it yet, but he had. So much had happened since then… And he was thrilled with how far they’d come.

  Sarah reached inside the cowboy hat to scratch her nose. It fell off her lovely face. Matt picked a blade of grass to tickle her nose. She scratched at it again. He tickled her once more. Her eyes blinked open and she saw him there.

  Sarah’s smile spread wide across her face. “Haven’t we been here before?”

  “Yes, ma’am, but you were mad at me then.”

  “What makes you think I’m not mad at you now?”

  “Because,” he leaned down close with those sexy, dark eyes, “you know I’m going to kiss you.”

  She pouted. “Maybe I don’t want you to.”

  Matt ran a hand through her pretty, blonde hair and stopped to caress her cheek. “You don’t want me to kiss you?”

  She sighed. “I do… I really do.” She reached over to bring his face closer and then they were kissing. It was more familiar this time as he wrapped his arms around her. They lay on the soft ground with white and blue wildflowers around them, and it was comfortable, easy. It was where they both wanted to be. He took another step and let his tongue tease hers. She sighed again and pulses began to race. But he pulled back before the next step was a step too far.

  She protested when he broke off their kiss. It had been a mind-blowing one, sending her senses into orbit.

  “Matt?” She looked up him curiously while tenderly touching his face. His breath was as uneven as hers. He grabbed her hand and brought it up to his lips for a kiss. “Why did we stop?”

  “… Honey, this isn’t the place for what we have in mind. How about tonight? Will you stay with me in my cabin out back?”

  “Yes,” she smiled.

  “I love it when you say my name.”

  “Yes, Matt.”

  He kissed her longingly again. When she opened her eyes, he was gazing adoringly at her.

  “What did you mean before about being it?”

  “When you said my name?”

  “Yes. You said ‘when I say your name, that’ll be it’.”

  He looked into her beautiful blue eyes. Matt was holding the girl he loved and he hadn’t even told her yet.

  “I think you know, don’t you?”

  She blushed. “Maybe we can discuss it tonight, in your cabin.”

  “Okay, although I hadn’t planned on a lot of conversation. I’ll probably be tired and want to go to bed early.”

  “Really? That so?”

  “Uh-huh…”

  “I’ll probably be tired too. Would it be all right if I slept over?”

  “Yes, please. I might even let you borrow my toothbrush again.”

  Matt kissed her eyes, her nose, cheeks and along her jaw. When he started kissing down her throat, she was breathing unevenly again and pushed him away.

  “Listen, cowboy. If this is going nowhere, we’d best pack it in for now.”

  He laughed. “You’re right.” Matt helped her to her feet. “Later?”

  “…Absolutely.”

  It was too good to pass up. He pulled her into his arms while they were standing there. He held her tight, while she listened to his heartbeat – It seemed rapid, so she guessed he was excited. She smelled that subtle aftershave again and he inhaled the fresh scent of her hair.

  “Damn. This is as wonderful as I dreamed it was going to be.”

  She twisted around to look up into his handsome face. “You dreamed about me?”

  “Yes, honey. And often. I got lots of kidding from Richie.”

  “Richie?”

  “I said your name in my sleep one time when he was around and he wouldn’t let me forget it.”

  She beamed. He bent down to pick up her hat.

  “Here. You’ll need this.” Matt glanced down again and saw the horseshoe. He picked it up too and handed it to her. She stuffed it into her saddlebag.

  “It did bring me luck, you know.”

  “I know it did, for both of us.”

  They stood there staring at each other. ‘I love you’ right there at the tip of their tongues.

  “We have a lot to discuss.”

  He kissed her again. “I know…”

  She stood there in his welcome arms wondering how life would get any better. He stood there happily holding on tight to the girl of his dreams. Matt didn’t want to let her go.

  “I probably need to get back… To help Dale.”

  “Okay.” Matt kissed the top of her head, but when she pulled back, he couldn’t resist tilting up her chin for a last, sexy kiss.

  “Another one of those and we’ll never get out of this meadow.”

  Matt laughed. “You’re right. Let’s go.”

  This time he helped her up on her horse and she didn’t mind. What was important to Sarah now was Matt’s touch. It made her feel happy, playful, calm. She wanted him around her – She knew he felt the same.

  They rode back to the barn to leave the horses and then walked over to the ranch house and into the kitchen to hear Dale complain.

  “Well, you two certainly took your time. Did you get lost in the meadow?”

  Dale looked at Sarah with mock scolding eyes.

  She blushed and glanced at Matt who was blushing too.

  “Go along with you, Matt. Sarah and I have work to do.”

  “See you later.” He gave her a long look and let go of her hand.

  She smiled at him. “You will, cowboy.”

  After Matt had left, Dale let out a big laugh. “You must have had a great horse drive. You two are getting along splendidly.”

  “Thanks. We did have a great drive. But the way back was a bit hairy with the sudden storm and getting caught in the river.”

  “I bet you made the most out of being caught on the other side for the night though. Hmmm?”

  Sarah rolled her eyes at him.
“Can we start getting dinner going or aren’t you done interrogating me?”

  Dale laughed. “I’m done – for now”

  * * *

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE