Page 23 of Falling for the Maverick

Tristan gave her sidelong glance. “Too much crawl last night?”

“No. I wasn’t there long. Did you go?”

“Nah. I had something else to do.”

Michelle didn’t want to ask if that something else was really someone. She didn’t need him interrogating her like Aaron about where she’d been or who she’d been with. “Are you planning to go to the Halloween party?”

“I’m seriously thinking about it. I missed it last year.”

“It’s amazing how so many things have changed since last October.”

“Changed how?” Tristan asked her.

“Remi Hawkins came to Tenacity to take care of her cousin Amy who just had a baby. The moment Shane saw her, he was down for the count.”

“That’s because she’s perfect for him. Shane was in a deep funk when he came back from Helena, and everyone went out of their way to avoid him. Meanwhile Remi was the medicine for what ailed him. And that was a broken heart.”

“I can’t believe they’re actually married now,” Michelle said.

“Don’t leave out Ellis. It didn’t take him long to put a ring on Tiffany’s finger.”

Michelle smiled. “Two down and two to go.”

“What are you talking about?” Tristan asked as he used his foot to release the lock on the corral, then opened the gate.

“You and Aaron. Y’all are next to walk down the aisle.”

“Why not you, Michelle?”

“I’m the baby of the family, and I have time before I decide to become a rancher’s wife.”

“Is that really what you want, sis? To marry a rancher?”

Michelle gave Tristan an incredulous look. “And why not? Gram and Mom married ranchers, so why should it be any different for me? I’ll be a teacher who just happens to be married to a rancher.”

Tristan smiled. “I suppose it’s in the blood.”

“Wrong, brother. It’s in the DNA.”

Her family hadn’t known how homesick she’d been when she lived in Missoula. It was different in college because she came home between semester breaks, but once she secured the teaching position, she had to wait for holiday recesses to come back to the Circle C. It was worse during the summer break because she had to psych herself up to get into her car and drive back to the one-bedroom apartment she’d rented within walking distance to the school. After more than a year of living back at the Circle C, Michelle realized that enduring the shame of her unfaithful ex was worthwhile because it allowed her to come home.

She waited for Tristan to saddle Betty Boop, then he lifted her effortlessly for her to sit sidesaddle. All of her brothers teased her because she preferred the En­glish saddle to the Western one. Leaning over, she patted the mare’s neck. “Sorry about neglecting you, girl. But today we ride!”

“Be careful, Michelle!” Tristan called out as the horse took off like a shot out of the corral.

Michelle only discovered her thrill-seeking side when she rode a horse. It was as if everything around her disappeared, and there was just her and the power of the animal under her. She gave the mare the lead, and the rhythmic sound of hooves pounding the earth was like music to her ears.

After a while, she pulled up on the reins to slow the horse so she didn’t become overheated. Slowing to a canter, Michelle headed toward an outcropping of trees near a stream fed by the runoff from mountain snow. She got down and led the horse to the stream to drink, then tied the reins to a branch.

Michelle went still as Betty Boop snorted and pawed the ground. The sound of hoofbeats came closer, and she shielded her eyes with her hand to block the rays of the sun.

A rider on a magnificent black horse come closer. She recognized the rider and instantly smiled. It appeared as if she and Lucas had the same idea.

* * *

Lucas stopped his horse and slid off in one smooth motion, dropping the reins and sweeping Michelle up his arms. He spun her around until she pleaded with him to stop. He slowly lowered his head and gave her a gentle kiss. “Good morning.”

Michelle rested her forehead on his shoulder. “That it is.” Leaning back, she met his eyes. “Do you realize you’re on Corey property?”