“How was I supposed to know there was a bull in there?”
“Steer,” he corrected. “In this area, if it’s fenced, stay the hell out! Why did you ignore the sign? Did you think it was there for the hell of it?” he barked, his words slicing through the air like a cold, biting wind.
“You don’t have to be so rude,” she shouted back, her temper flaring like a wildfire consuming dry brush.
“Woman, that animal would have stomped you to death. You’re damn lucky I was out here. Not many people can get close to him, especially a stranger. Holy shit,” he muttered, removing his hat to rake his fingers through his hair before settling it back on his head.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, the gravity of the situation pressing down on her like a heavy weight, realizing she could have been killed if not for him. “Thank you for rescuing me.”
He sighed, a deep, drawn-out sound that spoke volumes. “Come on, I’ll take you to my house and get my truck. Then I’ll take a look at your car.” He mounted the horse and extended his hand toward her.
Aftyn took his hand, astonished at how effortlessly he lifted her and placed her on the horse behind him. He nudged the horse, and they rode through the field, the landscape a blur around them. She noticed him shaking his head, and she knew it was because of her. She was certain she didn’t want to hear the thoughts swirling through his mind.
****
Cole sighed. She could have been killed. You don’t climb an unknown fence and decide to stroll through a pasture. What the hell was she thinking?
“How far is your house?” she asked over his shoulder.
“Over the next rise. Few minutes.”
“Could I use your bathroom when we get there?”
“Yes.”
“I know you’re still angry. I am sorry. I just didn’t think about there being a bull in there.”
“It’s fine.”
“You should have just said ‘whatever.’”
He couldn’t help it. He chuckled. “What’s your name?”
“Aftyn Hutchins. You?”
“Cole Harrison.” He paused. “Aftyn’s a pretty name.”
“Thank you. Nice to meet you too. Really,” she added with a laugh.
He shook his head. “That steer could have trampledyou to death.”
“Please don’t remind me.”
She was something, he’d give her that. Red hair, blue eyes, genuinely beautiful. But she should have had more sense than to climb into an unknown pasture. Anything could have been in there. He’d been out mending fence and heard her scream, and if he hadn’t been in that exact spot she’d be dead.
“I still don’t understand why you ignored the sign. Those are posted all over this property.”
“I needed help,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. It’s done.”
He felt her shift behind him, looking ahead. “Is that your house?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my God. It’s gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” He nudged Odin into a run. Her arms tightened around his waist. He rode up to the porch steps, took her arm and set her on the ground, then dismounted and dropped the reins. He nodded for her to follow and took the steps behind her, doing his best to keep his eyes off her in those jeans. He didn’t entirely succeed.
