“Hey!” She batted my hand away, a smile lighting up her face. My heart fluttered again. I liked seeing her smile. Liked even more when I was the reason for it. It was like a sun on the horizon, warming everything in its path.
I stole another kiss from her. Just a whisper of one.
She smirked a moment before sobering, a sigh escaping her. “Well, now that that’s settled…I should probably go buy some clothes. Ishouldgo work Country Road…we have a rodeo this weekend, after all.”
I nodded, pointing a thumb toward my chest.
“You too?” she asked, then went on to answer herself. “Of course you do.” Worry stirred in her gaze as she bit her lip. She couldn’t do things like that. It did something to me. “Do you think it would be too much to ask if you trailered her up there for me? We’d have to go get her Thursday or Friday morning to get out for the first night of events.”
Why wouldn’t she just bring the horse here? I frowned and cocked my head to the side. Pursing my lips, I tried to figure out a way to convey what I wanted. In the end, I settled on pointing at the barn.
Her brow furrowed as she looked between the barn and me. “What are you suggestin’?”
I sighed. Damn, I didn’t remember this being’ so difficult when I was eleven. Grabbing her hand in mine, I led her toward the back door and out to the barn. Cash eyed us, a hint of his usual smile on his lips. Not as wide and shit-eating as usual, but mischief glimmered in his eyes. I’d take that as a win.
I hated seeing him unhappy at my expense.
“Make sure to use some protection, y’all,” he called with a chuckle, not pausing in roping.
He needed to fucking cool it if he wanted to be able to compete this weekend. I didn’t want to hear him bitching when we didn’t win because he’d gone and been a dumbass and fucked up his hand.
“Cash!” Cheyenne hissed, even though laughter fell from her lips.
The shade of the barn was a welcome reprieve from the hot summer sun. It wasn’t even nine and the temperature was already climbing. Dear Lord, Texas summers were a bitch. I led her down the breezeway and to one of the empty stalls. Stopping before it, I nodded.
She frowned a moment. “Are you sayin’ I can board her here?”
I nodded.
Her mouth gaped open, a little gasp escaping her. “But—but that’s too much. I’m already crashin’ at your place. I can’t possibly ask to board her here too.”
I rolled my eyes, giving her my most are-you-kidding look. I wouldn’t have her driving an hour and a half one way up to San Antone just to ride her damn horse. There was more than enough space here. We could buy a couple barrels and she could practice as much as she needed.
She worried with her bottom lip again, sending a shot of desire through me. “Are you sure?”
Another nod. I gestured between the two of us, and pointed westward. Toward San Antone.
“You wanna go now?”
I shrugged. Why not? Might as well bring her here, give her time to adjust to the new setting, especially with the rodeo this weekend.
Cheyenne seemed to share the same thoughts, repeating them aloud. “It makes sense to bring her now.” She sighed. “You sure you’re okay with this? I can pay for her board. And rent. I ain’t a freeloader.”
Absolutely not. I didn’t need her money. Didn’t want it. Her being here with her dog and horse wouldn’t affect me financially. I shook my head and waved away her offer.
She loosed a breath and met my gaze, unshed tears hanging in those gemstone eyes. “Maverick…this is too much. I can’t.” She dropped her head, her shoulders shaking.
No. I didn’t want to see her crying. Not because of this. Not because of anything, really, but especially not this. I tilted her chin up once more, wiping away the twin tears rolling down her cheeks with my thumbs.
She sniffled. “I can help with chores. And the cookin’ and cleanin’. I don’t got a lotta experience, but I’ve worked babies before. I’ll earn my keep.”
I didn’t need her to do those things, but the desperation in her voice, in her gaze had me nodding. She couldn’t be worse with the babies than Cash, who had little to no patience, and hopefully she was a better cook than Charlie—bless her heart.
Cheyenne’s lips drew up into a weak smile. “Okay. Let me see if I can get my clothes from last night and I’ll be ready.”
Chapter seventeen
Fearless
