by Laura Ann
Levi’s coughing got worse, and Betsy started slapping him on the back...hard. She looked up at Noah and Scarlett with a wide grin. “I think you two better put out that fire for the moment or poor Levi here won’t survive the night.”
Scarlett’s face dropped the provocative look from a moment before and began to be truly concerned. “Maybe we need to get him some water?”
Noah leaned back and folded his arms over his chest. “He’ll be fine,” he said, shaking his head at Levi’s glare.
“Tell us more about these books,” Betsy said with a grin.
Scarlett waved her hand in the air. “I don’t think the men are too keen on hearing any more about that.” She smiled as Levi finally caught his breath and Noah felt an unwanted slither of jealousy. Scarlett then turned to him, washing away all his crazy emotions. “Tell me more about what we’ll be doing this week,” she prodded.
Noah cleared his throat. “Well, tomorrow we start with the horses.”
Scarlett’s smile grew impossibly wider. “Wow. I figured I’d have to wait on that one for a while. It’s one of the biggest reasons I came.”
Betsy reached over to pat Scarlett’s hand. “There’s nothing like sitting on the back of one of those majestic animals.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Pure freedom.”
“How long has it been since you rode?” Scarlett asked the older woman.
Noah picked up his fork and began eating as he listened to the chatter. His word battles with Scarlett took all his concentration, but left him feeling exhilarated. In spite of his plans to leave, he found himself eager to spend more time with her during the next couple of weeks.
“I was on my first horse before I could walk,” Betsy said with a grin. “I was a really good rider too. Could outrun my husband any day of the week.” She sighed. “I did barrel racing for a few years, but never accomplished much. I just loved being on the animal.”
Levi patted her shoulder. “I wouldn’t recommend taking on any barrels, but you’ll definitely get a chance to feel the saddle again. Tomorrow is learning day, then later in the week, we go for a trail ride.”
“Trail ride?” Scarlett took another bite of dinner before continuing. “That sounds awesome. Very...estern-y.”
Noah snorted. “Is that even a word?”
Scarlett shrugged. “Probably not. I’ll have to copyright it.”
“How far is this ride?” Besty asked.
“It depends,” Levi explained. “We have a longer route and a shorter one. If we have a lot of inexperienced riders, we take the short route, so it’s only about five miles. If we have a group that can handle more, we do the longer one. It’s closer to twelve miles.”
“And how long does it take to do the longer one?” Scarlett asked.
“About three hours, give or take.” Noah shrugged. “Again, it depends on the group.”
“What can we expect to see on a trail ride?” Scarlett pressed. “On this side of the state, you guys don’t have as much greenery as I do.”
“Where are you from?” Betsy asked.
“Vancouver,” Scarlett explained. “Just across the Columbia from Portland, so I’m on the Washington side.”
Betsy nodded. “I’ve been to Portland. It’s beautiful over there.”
“It is. This side of the state doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo about how it’s supposed to look.” Scarlett smirked. “Sagebrush isn’t nearly the same as flowers and trees.”
“I’ll have you know that sagebrush is a hot commodity,” Noah stated. “There are people who have paid good money to own one.”
“Little did they know all they had to do was come to Washington.” Scarlett tsked her tongue.
Levi glanced at his cell. “I’m about ready to hit the sack.” He looked up. “Early mornings mean early bedtimes.”
Betsy nodded. “Sounds good to me.” She looked at Scarlett. “Are you in Cabin A?”
“Yep.” Scarlett swallowed her last bit of lemonade and smiled. “Are we roommates?”
“We are,” Betsy said with an answering smile.
“Then we’ll leave you to it,” Noah said, standing and gathering all their plates. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’ll be ready with bells on,” Scarlett said with a smug grin.
“No bells,” Noah said, standing up to take their plates. Before he could stop himself, he winked. “They scare the animals.” When she laughed, Noah walked away with a wide smile. For the first time in a long time, he found himself looking forward to the next day’s work.
CHAPTER 5
Scarlett climbed out of bed the next morning feeling full of energy. This is it. The day I start making my mom’s dreams come true. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. For you, Mom. I miss you.
She grabbed her supplies and stepped into the bathroom. Having showered the night before, Scarlett was grateful that her routine would be short today. “Just gonna get dirty all day anyway,” she mused as she began brushing her teeth.
“Don’t tell me you’re a morning person,” Betsy moaned from across the room. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. “I haven’t gotten up this early in ages.”
Scarlett grinned with a mouthful of toothpaste, then leaned down to spit. “Sort of, I guess. I’m not a late sleeper, but this is a little early, even for me.”
“I’ll bet the thought of spending time with your handsome cowboy helped you get up, huh?” Betsy grinned.
Scarlett snorted and felt her cheeks turn bright red. “Uh...no. While I have to admit that Noah is extremely handsome, he’s definitely not my cowboy, and half the time I can’t tell if I drive him crazy or if he’s enjoying our bickering.” Scarlett scrunched up her nose. “I’m not sure what I think of it either, to be honest.”
Betsy shook her head. “I wouldn’t get too upset about it,” she said dryly. “I might not know him very well, but it’s clear that you’re muddying up his thinking.” She grinned. “That’s the best way for any relationship to start.”
Scarlett laughed uncomfortably. “I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
Betsy clucked her tongue as she got dressed. “Sparks fly when you two so much as look at each other. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that kind of chemistry.”
Scarlett pursed her lips as she thought of the electricity she felt every time she got near Noah. Betsy’s words were hitting a little too close to home. The moment in the barn and the teasing over dinner had awoken something in Scarlett she wasn’t sure how to handle. While she and Jaz had joked about kissing a cowboy or staying at the ranch, Scarlett hadn’t really believed it. She was mostly there to fulfill her mother’s lifelong dream, not catch herself a boyfriend.
But Scarlett couldn’t deny something was definitely there between her and Noah. She felt completely alive when they were bantering, and it was an amazing feeling. “I think he may want to strangle me more than anything,” Scarlett hedged, still not ready to admit her own thoughts.
Betsy threw her head back and laughed. “He doesn’t know whether to kiss you or yell at you. The line between love and hate is small, honey. Trust me.” Betsy finished putting her things away, having gotten ready while Scarlett mused on possibilities.
Scarlett rolled her eyes. “I can see that you’re going to be impossible while we’re here.”
Betsy cackled with glee as they headed out of their shared cabin. “I haven’t had this much fun in years,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to play matchmaker.”
“Noooo way,” Scarlett said, waving a hand in the air. “No playing matchmaker. No matching at all!” She suddenly grew very afraid of what this old lady could accomplish in a few short days.
Betsy tsked her tongue and shook her head. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it,” she said, waving her hand dismissively. “I’ll be subtle.” She winked. “It’s my middle name.”
Scarlett raised both eyebrows. “Why do I doubt that?”
Betsy tilted her head from side to si
de. “Probably because it’s Sue, but still” —she turned and widened her eyes innocently— “you wouldn’t stop an old widow woman from doing something that made her happy, would you?”
Scarlett stopped walking and cocked her hip. “That’s a dirty, dirty trick. No one can say no to widows and orphans, and you know it.”
Betsy laughed again and wrapped an arm through Scarlett’s, tugging her toward the barn. “I promise to be good...mostly.”
Scarlett couldn’t help but laugh. “I guess I’ll take it. Who knows if the next offer will be as generous.”
“Smart girl,” Betsy said quietly as they walked up to the waiting group.
“Good morning!” Mr. MacMillan called out heartily as the rest of the guests and workers lined up next to the barn. “It’s good to see you all. I hope you slept well.” His wide smile was so kind and friendly that Scarlett couldn’t help but feel at ease in his presence. He was a large man. He’d obviously been just as broad as his son when he was younger, and even now he had a commanding presence.
“If you’ll find your assigned employee, they know your work for the morning. Breakfast is gonna be a good one, so be sure to not be late!” He held a steaming mug up in the air. “Have at it!”
Scarlett immediately looked around for Noah’s brown head. He should be easy to spot, she thought to herself, but it still took her a few moments to find him. Putting a smile on her face, she began to walk through the group.
“You sure you’re up for this?” a voice whispered in her ear.
Scarlett jerked back and turned. “Oh. Good morning, Trent.”
He smirked, folding his arms over his chest. “I suppose it is. You certainly look ready to take on the day.” His eyes wandered from her T-shirt and jeans, down to her boots.
Scarlett frowned and stepped back, his perusal once again making her uncomfortable. “I’ve been looking forward to my turn here for a long time,” she explained. “So if you’ll excuse me—”
“They’ve got quite a racket here, don’t you think?”
Scarlett paused again. “What?”
“Getting people to pay them for doing their chores?” Trent shook his head. “Pretty sneaky, if you ask me.”
Scarlett had had enough. “No one forced you to come,” she said coolly. “If you have a problem with how things are run, then I’d suggest you take it up with the management. Now if you’ll excuse me.” Spinning on her booted heel, she took off before he could speak again. Scarlett had enough things on her mind without a creepy writer making things harder.
I’m here for Mom and myself. To have fun and experience something other than the city. Nothing else needs to matter right now. Not hot cowboys or narcissistic jerks.
NOAH HAD SPOTTED SCARLETT immediately when she’d walked up to the group that morning. Her arm was threaded through Betsy’s and Scarlett had a wide smile on her face. Noah found himself grudgingly entranced with her perpetual happiness.
Noah shook his head and scowled. What is it about this woman that’s so different? And why now? Why are these feelings coming to the surface when I’m finally in a position to leave? The timing couldn’t be more wrong. He turned his attention to his father’s short welcome speech and then waited for Scarlett to find him.
He watched her stop to talk to Trent and Noah’s muscles tensed up. The guy was a jerk and Noah was ready to have him off the ranch, but unless Trent broke the rules in some way, Noah had no power. He did let out a sigh of relief when Scarlett scowled and hurried away from the writer.
Noah tipped his chin as she walked up. “Morning,” he said gruffly.
Scarlett’s smile faltered slightly at his greeting, but it widened a split second later. “Good morning. I’m reporting for duty.”
Noah grimaced. “This isn’t the army.”
Scarlett put her hands on her hips. “Then maybe you should learn to lighten up. Everything is beautiful this morning. Why so grumpy?”
Noah folded his arms over his chest. “Maybe I’ve seen it too many times.”
“Weak,” Scarlett said with a grin that softened her insult. “It’s much better than waking up to hot concrete and honking cars.”
Noah tilted his head back and forth in a considering manner. “That’s probably true. But a break now and then never hurt anybody, and I haven’t had one in a long time.”
Scarlett’s smile faded as she gazed toward the hills. “At least you’ve had one,” she said softly as if lost in thought. “Some people never get a break or a change of scenery. I suppose we should both be grateful.”
Noah’s frown deepened. He had no idea what she meant by those words, but he sensed it was deeply personal. That fact was even more evident when she turned to him with a tight smile.
“Ready to do some chores? I’m so ready.” She began marching away from him. “In fact, I was born ready.”
Noah couldn’t help but smile softly and admire her gumption. Everyone has secrets, I suppose, he mused. I’m not ready to spill mine either. Before she could get very far, he grabbed her arm. “You’re going the wrong way,” he said with a smile.
“Right.” Scarlett turned a one-eighty and began walking again.
Noah grabbed her again. “Still the wrong way.”
Scarlett threw her head back and moaned. “How many ways are there?”
Noah hitched a thumb over his shoulder toward the horse barn. She was going to help him feed the horses and clean stalls this morning. “That way.”
“Right.” Scarlett pointed toward the barn. “Got it. Barn. That one.” She marched around Noah with her head held high and he followed, biting his cheek to hold in his laughter, their serious moment from before a forgotten memory.
He followed Scarlett into the barn and was immediately hit with the smell of horses and manure. He wrinkled his nose, then glanced down to see what his charge thought. A soft smile played on her lips and her eyes were soft, and slightly teary. “Um...are you okay?” Noah asked, not sure what was going on.
Scarlett sucked in a breath, blinking rapidly. She turned to him with a wide, easy smile, causing Noah to sigh in relief. “I’m great. Thanks.” She looked around. “Other than when we glanced at things during our tour, I’ve never been in a horse barn.” She looked up at the ceiling, then glanced slyly at Noah. “And you’re right. No loft in sight. I guess you cowboys are safe for now.”
Noah wiped at his forehead. “Whew. Here I’ve been worried I’d be attacked for a little snuggling.” Scarlett laughed and Noah felt that flicker of chemistry heat up in his chest.
“What do we do first?” she asked, walking forward and glancing into stalls. “Ooh...” She walked up to the stall where Chief hung his head eagerly over the side. “Aren’t you a beauty?” Scarlett breathed. She slowly put her hands up Chief’s neck and slid her fingers along his hair. “What’s its name?” she asked, glancing over at Noah.
It took Noah a moment to respond, since his brain had taken a hiatus at the picture she made next to the horse. There was such a raw sense of beauty and emotion as two stunning creatures came together. He shook his head and cleared his throat. “Chief.”
“You definitely seem like someone who would be in charge,” Scarlett cooed.
Chief snorted and bounced his head in the air, as if in agreement.
Scarlett laughed and the sound further warmed Noah’s chest. His wanderlust and desire for change were quickly disappearing the longer he spent with Scarlett, but he wasn’t sure if he liked that fact or if this chemistry between them was worth testing out. She’s only here for two weeks. How can that work? No matter what kind of chemistry we have, our time is short. It doesn’t seem worth the heartache to get attached.
As his mind continued to whirl with thoughts and possibilities, the barn door opened behind him and Levi stepped inside, followed by his charge, Betsy.
“Ahh...the memories,” Betsy said, taking a deep breath. She glanced up at Levi. “You know the best part about working in a barn?”
Noah stepped
to the side as he watched Levi react to the spritely older woman. Noah wasn’t small by any means, but Levi had several inches and pounds on him. Noah was about six-foot, but built wide like a wrestler, where Levi was six-four and built like a football player. In fact, it was comical to watch him on a horse, since he was so large, but that had never stopped Levi from riding with the best of them.
Levi looked down with wariness and a hint of amusement. “What?”
Betsy smiled and Noah stepped back farther. There were all sorts of mischief in that grin. “Seeing the muscles work on you big, strong men while you heft around shovels of manure.”
Noah groaned and shook his head as Scarlett laughed from her place farther in.
“Maybe they should make a calendar like that,” Scarlett called out. “You know, like they do with the firemen? Only this time with shirtless cowboys and shovels.”
Betsy pointed a finger at Scarlett while the men protested loudly. “Now that, I’d buy!” She cackled. “In fact, I’d probably buy a couple dozen and drop them off at the nursing homes. Those women could use a good pick me up.”
“Or heart attack,” Scarlett shot back.
“Eh...but what a way to go!” Betsy said with her arms wide.
CHAPTER 6
Scarlett found herself pacing with excess energy. She had loved her time in the barn that morning. Betsy had kept them all cracking up with her jokes and stories, and the time had passed far too quickly. Even Noah had been smiley and laughing as they fed animals and swept out stalls.
Seeing the horses up close had been a dream come true for Scarlett. During their time together reading, Scarlett’s mother, Louise, had always loved the horse parts best. She had horse figurines all over the house and had spent years telling Scarlett that one day they would ride a real one, not the plastic pony ride in front of the grocery store.