nine
Diamond
Despite starting the day in unseasonal spring warmth, the reality of Alberta is that a change in weather can come swiftly.
Poor Tater was shivering once the clouds rolled in with a cool breeze as its companion. She was already wet from the ice-cold water that only a dog would run through with a smile on its face.
My damn heart nearly exploded when Rhett asked me to stop and unpacked Tater’s carrier. He strapped it to his chest and plopped her into it like you’d wear an infant. It made mounting Wilbur awkward, but Rhett had a system worked out like he’d done it so often, it had become second nature. She popped her head out and licked his cheek before staying still in her little dog pouch, her ears flopping as we rode at a steady gallop.
This man has just as many layers as I do, and while I want him naked in all the ways, I’m actually happy he pressed me into something else first. We still don’t know each other well, but I know that he’s unlike any man I’ve met.
Ouija Pinterest knows what it’s doing.
“We should pick it up a bit and get back to the barn before those storm clouds burst.” Looking behind me, I take in the clouds Rhett’s concerned with and agree. The wind has strengthened, and a dampness I hate weighs in the air.
“It could be anything from rain to hail or snow at this time of year. I agree.”
“You’re good to gallop for a longer distance?” Rhett asks, his voice laced with concern.
I nod. “I can go the distance, cowboy. Barrel racers don’t just finish fast. We have stamina.”
Rhett’s eyes nearly bug out of his head, and I throw my head back with a laugh. He makes it so easy to rile him up, and I love it. I urge Cherry to speed up as requested. When we exit the single path for a wider field, Rhett comes alongside me again. Tater bounces along in her pouch and Rhett steadies her every few strides with a hand pressing her against him. His horse runs beautifully, and he doesn’t pass me when we approach the narrow in the trail again, allowing me and Cherry to take the lead.
It’s been far too long since I’ve been on Cherry, feeling the wind on my face as we dodge the weather. If nothing else comes from today, it’s a reminder that I need to be present more and enjoy these things again. I love my business, but Morgan was right. I pay them for a reason.
Maybe Rhett really is a match made in the universe for me.
As we enter the last field with the barn in sight, the first fat drop of rain smacks my face. Cherry runs faster, and I lean forward with the reins loose, letting her give it all she has. The rain grows heavier, the sky opening and drenching us when we’re so close to shelter. My shirt clings to me as Rhett pulls up alongside me, pointing to the back of the barn.
“This way!” He shouts over the storm. “Straight into the barn!”
I let him lead, and by the time we reach the barn, the rain has morphed to hail. Small ones, but it still hurts when it pings off bare skin.
Rhett dismounts and ties his horse outside his stall before quickly coming over to me.
“Cherry can go here for now.” He points to an empty stall. “I’ll grab us some towels and turn on the heaters.” He pulls Tater out of her carrier and sets her down before jogging down the barn aisle.
“Seems like you had the best seat in the house, Tater girl.” I bend to give her some ear scratches and shiver when the wind rattles the barn doors. I hope the heaters kick in soon.
While I wait for Rhett, I remove Cherry’s saddle and blanket and set them in another empty stall to dry. Hunter has a lot of extra stalls here. Maybe I should finally accept his offer to board Cherry here instead. I’d see her more often if I did.
Maybe even get more rides like this with Rhett.
“I think I got everything.” Rhett drops a bucket with brushes and combs on the cement floor, along with a stack of blankets and towels. “The heat takes a bit to get going. Hunter already had the breaker shut off to the timer. Took me a few minutes to figure that out.”
“I hope it warms up soon,” I say as a shiver runs through me.
“Are you okay?” He steps towards me, a hand out to touch me before he takes it back.
“I’m f-fine. Just cold. Let’s get the horses comfortable first.”
He nods once and turns away from me towards Wilbur.
Together, we work to get our horses combed and dried before leading them into clean, dry stalls. Cherry keeps sticking her head around the corner to see Wilbur, like the socialite she is, and I laugh even as I shiver.
“She likes your horse.”
We both chuckle as Cherry mouths the door mechanism of Wilbur’s stall.
