“I discovered it when I first arrived. It’s peaceful here.” Helping her onto the stone slab, he jumped up and untied the knot to find two sandwiches, homemade chips, and some of Nan’s cookies.
“I noticed you didn’t eat lunch today,” she said, grabbing a chip and stuffing it in her mouth. “Buddy dropped horseshit on my food earlier. Nan said she’ll make him regret it tonight when she gives him some of her special cookies. He’s gonna have the shits for days,” she giggled.
Garrett chuckled along, imagining Buddy bowled over. It served him right. Twisting the lid of one of the beers, he handed it to her.
Their eyes met, and Snow leaned forward, kissing him. His hand wrapped around her neck as he pulled her close. Brushing the remaining food from the rock, Snow unbuttoned his shirt and yanked it from his shoulders. Her grin grew wider as he tossed the beer to the ground below and grabbed the edges of her tank top, pulling it over her head. His mouth watered as he cupped her beautiful breasts and bent down to suck the tiny buds into peaks. He always considered her pretty, but she seemed like a vision. When he straightened, she tugged his mouth to hers as her hands explored his chest. They lowered to the button of his jeans. His gaze never left hers as he stood on the rock, shucking the rest of his clothes to the ground. Following his lead, Snow stood and removed her clothes, giggling.
He kissed her again before lowering her down and making love to her as the sun set. When they finished, she intertwined her hands with his, holding them up in the air.
“You’re special, Garrett,” she whispered. “You’re not like the men here on the ranch.”
“You mean I’m not a complete asshole?” he asked as she sat up, searching for her shirt.
“No. You’re the kind of man women want. Someone who’ll protect them and love them with every fiber of their being,” she explained as she slipped into her clothes. He rolled over, grabbing his jeans.
“I haven’t found a woman who wants that,” he denied.
“I want it,” she said sweetly. “I want a person who’ll love me as fiercely as I love him. Someone I can depend on, not like the cowboys you bunk with.”
“Then you’ll be the first one I’ve encountered,” he said as he slid his arm through his sleeve. “What are you saying, Snow? Do you want to give this a try?”
She smiled as she moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Do you mind if we take things as they go? I don’t expect any promises, but I didn’t plan on this.”
“Me either,” he grunted as he cupped her cheek. “We’ll play it by ear.”
“See, I told you, you’re not like the rest,” she said, smiling. His world turned from black to grey as he watched her get dressed. The sunset behind her made her look like a painting, with her raven-black hair against the oranges and reds.
Garrett’s attention snapped back to the present as he walked into the barn to her first hiding spot. When he didn’t find her, he smiled, knowing where she’d go. He headed out the back and down the trail. He cleared the trees to find Snow sitting on the boulder where they made love. Her naked body shivered as she rested her head on her knees. When she heard Garrett approach, she raised her head, jumped off the rock, and ran to him. He held her close for a minute before he took off his shirt and wrapped her in it. Afraid of what might’ve happened to her, Garrett gently brought the subject up, vowing to kill the man if he harmed her in any way.
“What happened?” he whispered. “Do you want to talk about it?”
She shook her head adamantly. “I don’t know.”
Snow refused to meet his gaze, and he guessed what might’ve happened. His jaw tensed, and he recalled how they vowed to make no promises to one another.
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
Her lips pursed as she struggled to say something and decided against it.
Garrett felt the rage of disappointment fill him. He thought she might be the one if they slowed things down and let it happen naturally. Now, he knew he was the only one who felt that way.
“I’m leaving, Snow. If you don’t want to tell me what happened last night, fine. You say you don’t know the man, yet your reaction to him feels otherwise,” Garrett insisted.
“How many times must I repeat myself? I don’t know him at all. As for last night, I have no idea what happened. How can I explain it to you when I don’t even know myself?” Snow whispered furiously.
“Then tell me why I found you naked on the rock over there,” Garrett demanded, taking off his hat and wiping his brow. “I searched for you all night. Then, I discover you shaking like a leaf, sitting in the dark, and dazed out of your mind. Did he hurt you?” he asked, his voice sounding possessive. “I want you to come with me.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, Garrett. I know how this must appear, especially after we agreed to give us a chance. I don’t want to hurt you. The night we spent together means a lot to me, but I don’t think I’m the one for you,” she said softly.
Garrett hung his head and moved toward her, cupping her face. “I don’t think I’m meant for anyone. I’m worried about leaving you alone with the Houser knuckleheads and this supposed stranger. Promise me, you’ll stay close to Nan,” he demanded, gazing into her eyes.
Snow saw the raw pain in his eyes as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. “You’re wrong, Garrett. There’ssomeone special waiting for you.” She stepped back as if she heard something in the woods.
“I heard that, might as well come out of the dark,” Snow yelled, as the wind picked up, blowing her hair around her.
A second later, the stranger stepped out of the trees and stood, waiting to see or hear what she would do next.
Garrett pulled Snow behind him, protectively. “How did you find us?” he demanded. “Did you follow me?” Garrett turned to Snow, desperate for her to listen to him. “Why don’t you come with me? I don’t want to leave you here with him skulking around.”
