Ryder is wearing broken-in Levi’s and a blue bandana that matches his eyes. Barn boots. Stetson. His plaid button-up draws taut over his shoulder blades and back as he moves. When he turns his head, I glimpse his handsome profile.
Heaven above, the man is so gorgeous ithurts.It’s the chiseled edge of his jawline. The perfect slope of his nose. The way the October sunlight turns his thick scruff red and gold.
My pulse hiccups, though, when I see the purple smudges underneath his eyes. Did he not sleep? I hope our conversationthe other week didn’t upset him. Surely he wouldn’t have reached out if he were annoyed or angry with me, right?
Or does he somehow know I can’t stop thinking about how much fun we’re having together? How being with him feels like a breath of fresh air I didn’t know I needed? I can just be myself when we’re together. No pretending to be sweet or easy or uncomplicated. He laughs at my raunchy sense of humor. Doesn’t balk at my honesty.
That kind of acceptance is rare.
The little boy laughs shyly. “Yeah, sure. Her nose is so soft.”
I nearly jump at the nudge at my side. Ava stands there, holding out an apple slice. “Wanna get involved?”
“For as long as I’ve been alive,” I murmur, taking the apple. I’m still wearing my sling, so the motion is a little awkward. “Hi.”
“Hey.” She carefully wraps me in a side hug. “Ryder said you might make an appearance.”
“He randomly invited me.”
“Is it random? Rumor has it y’all rode each other. I mean, rodewitheach other. In a tractor or something?”
I laugh, lifting the shoulder of my good arm. The soreness in my bad elbow comes and goes. Today it’s more sore than usual. “I was bored. I miss racing. So I decided to take a drive after dinner and bring Ryder some dessert.”
“I know you miss racing. Are you scared?” Ava’s eyes are kind. “To get back in the saddle?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I can’t wait. Honestly. The thrill, the flow of it all…There’s nothing like it.”
Ava nudges me again. “Makes life worth living, right?”
“Totally. But my parents really want me to, you know, quit putting life and limb at stake in competitions that are essentially meaningless, so I can build a respectable, God-fearing life.”
Ava frowns. “Aw, sweetie, it’s not meaningless. Not to you, and that’s what counts.”
Ryder’s standing now, so I excuse myself and head his way, squatting beside the little guy on his right.
“I hear this sweetheart here might want a treat.” I hold out the apple slice to the boy. “What’s your name, little man?”
“George.” He’s blushing, and it’s so damn cute I can’t help but smile.
“Hello, George. I’m Billie. I’m glad you were able to come today. You’re a natural with the animals.”
“I like being around the horses,” George replies, hooking his thumbs in his belt loops. “It makes me happy. Can you help me give her the treat please?”
I grin, handing over the apple. “Such good manners.”
“That makes one of you who acts right.” Ryder is wiping his hands as he looks down at me. His blue eyes are piercing in the morning light. “Hi, Billie.”
My face flushes with heat. Looking away, I watch George feed the apple to the foal. “Hey, Ry.”
“Is she your girlfriend?” George looks up at Ryder. “She’s real pretty.”
Ryder chuckles. “Everyone keeps asking me that. And she is pretty, isn’t she?”
My heart gallops. I bite back a big, goofy grin.
“We’re friends. Do you have friends?” I ask George.
He nods. “My best friend is my brother. But he has very big feelings and gets very afraid sometimes. He’s over there with my mom.” George points to a woman holding the hand of a boy inToy Storycowboy boots. The boy smiles as he carefully pets a goat who is busy munching on some clover.
