I blinked. “Horseback riding? No. Not unless you count watching it on TV.”
“Well, then it’s about time you gave it a try,” she said with a wink. “And I know just the person to take you.”
Before I could even ask, she gave me a look that made my stomach sink. “Holden.”
I almost choked. “Wait, what?”
What I really wanted to say was,Are you smoking something, lady?
“Holden,” she repeated, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “He knows the area better than anyone. Plus, he’s great with the horses. You’ll have fun.”
“I’m not so sure he feels the same way,” I said, trying to keep my tone light, even though the idea of spending any extended time alone with Holden made me more nervous…and excited than I cared to admit. “He doesn’t seem like... the chatty type.”
Sarah waved me off. “Don’t worry about that. He’ll warm up to you.”
I highly doubted that, but there was no arguing with Sarah once she had her mind set on something. She patted my shoulder, already moving toward the door. “I’ll go talk to him, see if he can take you tomorrow.”
“Wait—what if he says no?” I asked, half hoping he would.
From across the kitchen, someone let out a chuckle—probably Greg, a middle-aged guy who always had an opinion and wasn’t shy about sharing it. “Holden say no? Not likely, kid.”
Sarah shot Greg a pointed glare, and he quickly coughed into his hand, pretending to look busy.
She paused at the door, glancing over her shoulder with a smirk. “He won’t.”
She sounded so sure... Well, that made one of us.
And just like that, she was gone, leaving me standing in the kitchen, my mind racing with all the reasons why this was a bad idea. Spending time alone with Holden was the last thing I wanted to do. He barely tolerated me as it was. Hell, I was pretty sure he hated me.
I suddenly felt a prickling sensation, like someone was watching me. I glanced around the kitchen, but everyone was busy. Greg was stirring a pot, Sarah had left, and the rest of the staff were focused on their own tasks. I shook my head, feeling stupid.Paranoid much, Mylo?I needed to get a grip.
Still, a tiny part of me—the part that couldn’t stop thinking about Holden, even when I knew I shouldn’t—wondered what it would be like. Maybe this was my chance to figure him out, to get past whatever wall he had between us. Or maybe I was just setting myself up for more confusion and frustration.
Either way, it looked like I didn’t have much of a choice.
Suck it up, Mylo! This is possibly the best job you’ll ever get.
By the time I finished up and headed out of the kitchen, the sun was already starting to set. The air was cool and crisp, and I took a deep breath, letting it fill my lungs as I made myway back to my little cabin. It was quiet here, peaceful in a way I hadn’t ever experienced. And despite everything—the tension with Holden, the uncertainty of my future—I couldn’t deny that this place had a way of settling my nerves.
I liked it here. More than I expected to.
Maybe Sarah was right. Maybe I just needed to let myself fall in love with the place.
And maybe, just maybe, I’d figure out what the hell was going on with him in the process.
One day at a time,I reminded myself as I unlocked the door to my cabin.One step at a time.
You’re damn lucky to be here, and don’t you forget it. You can get one alpha to like you... or at the very least tolerate you before he ruins everything.
CHAPTER SIX
HOLDEN
I couldn’t believeI let Sarah talk me into this. Then again, she hadn’t exactly had to twist my arm. The completely unhelpful voice in my head mocked me. Just the thought of spending time with him… if I was honest, I didn’t think I could have denied myself.
Avoiding him had been more difficult than I ever imagined. It felt like every time I turned around, he was right there—bright-eyed, eager, and completely unaware of the chaos he stirred up inside me.
He was perfect. My mate was so handsome and kind...and you only know this secondhand because you’re avoiding him like a coward.
