Page 29 of Live, Ranch, Love

So, if this is the only way I get to stay on this ranch and keep it going, then I’ll run with it. Beggars can’t be choosers, right?

Besides, Aurora literally handed over control of the ranch to me, which is more than I could’ve asked for. Not legally, of course—she still owns Sunset Ranch and can overrule any decisions I make—but I’m in charge of everything ranching related. As long as I keep the ranch running, and help get the retreat going, Aurora’s happy. It’s almost back to how it was when Grace was here—except, unfortunately, now I might have to interact with a few more people. But I think I can let that slide if it means Sunset Ranch gets to stay. Along with me.

I know it’s only early days, and honestly, there’s no saying the retreat will work at all. Though, I can’t deny how thought out and detailed Aurora’s plans were when I properly went through them the other night, which does give me a little confidence. Hats off to the girl, because she’d planned it all down to the tiniest details, and the passion radiating off her when she explained it all was inspiring. It was also kind of nice to hear that our talk motivated her.

And that she’d planned for me to stay.

The retreat could technically work without me and the other ranchers. She doesn’t need the actual ranch aspect of Sunset Ranch to keep it going. Yet, she wants it to. She wants me—and the other guys, of course—to stay.

Still, it all feels too good to be true. Like I’m missing something. Somewhere in all those bright, colour-coded plans is a problem that hasn’t been pre-empted.

Because that’s how life works.

Just like when I was given the opportunity to run this ranch in the first place—to do a job that I enjoyed. There’s always something waiting around the corner. Your girlfriend leaving you for someone more successful. Your dad being disappointed in you. Your ranch being handed over to some annoying British girl to sell.

Whatever it is that’s waiting to remind me I can’t always have everything I want, I just hope I get a little bit longer here before it arrives. Even another month will be more than I expected.

“Okay, okay!” Aurora holds up her hands to ease me back, before she turns to Scout, determination hardening her features. Taking in a deep breath and blowing it out slowly as she steps onto the stool I grabbed to help her get up, Aurora then whispers to herself, “My fear does not know my strength. I can do this.”

“Jesus.” I smother my laugh with my hand, but she still shoots me a scowl.

Shoulders suddenly straightened out, Aurora grabs the reins and the pommel, then pushes her foot into the stirrup and swings herself up. Realisation that she’s done it so naturally dawns on her face as she shuffles in the saddle, and she squeals, strawberry lips breaking into a glowing grin. The midday sun reflects off her copper hair, casting a golden halo around it.

So high up, she almost looks angelic.

I rub Scout on the neck for being so calm with her and nod at Aurora. “Well done. Now, hold on.”

She’s still gleaming with pride when I step up onto the stool and reach out for the saddle—

“Um,” Aurora’s voice halts me. Her brows have pinched in. “What are you doing?”

“Getting on the horse. What does it look like I’m doing?”

Aurora swallows, my eyes drawn to the column of her throat. “Yes, but why?”

“Ain’t no way I’m letting you ride on your own right away. I don’t wanna be chasing after you because you’ve suddenly got the horse flying off.”

That’s why I chose Scout for her to learn on—he’s the strongest and calmest horse on the ranch, so I know he’ll manage with us both for a short time. Just until I’m confident Aurora has a hang of things. I’d rather not be spending my day in incredibly close proximity to someone who manages to get on my nerves so easily, but I also don’t want to be responsible for Aurora being thrown from a horse. Taking her to the hospital would eat up far too much of my time.

Before Aurora can stall any more, I hoist myself up onto Scout, settling on the pad behind the saddle. Aurora’s body tenses, and I immediately regret my decision because my senses are currently going wild. The strong citrus scent from what must be her shampoo fills my lungs as her wild waves tumble about. Heat also radiates off her body where her back almost touches me.

I’m trying not to press myself up against her too much out of respect, but my body is still getting more excited than it should. I honestly can’t remember the last time I was this close to a woman…

Nope. Not going there.

“Right.” I clear my throat and quickly reach around Aurora to place my hands on the reins, over hers. “Keep your feet in the stirrups, hands tight on the reins.” I wait for her to do so, feeling her hands stiffen beneath mine, making me realise how small they are. “Okay, to get him going, give him a gentle squeeze with your legs.”

“Woah!” Aurora goes even more rigid when Scout starts moving gently around the corral, and I can hear her breathing suddenly quicken.

Being up on a horse is so natural to me—calming actually—that the idea Aurora could be scared baffles me. But I’ve got years of riding under my belt, and I know that she needs to relax into the movements, otherwise she’s not going to experience the bliss of being in the saddle. I can’t let fear get the best of her now.

Taking one hand off the reins, I stroke her arm, trying to ease her back, and her skin prickles. “Hey, let yourself relax. It will feel more comfortable. I’m behind you, so I ain’t gonna let you fall.”

Briefly, Aurora glances back at me, hazel eyes searching mine. But she struggles to not keep her eyes ahead, and snaps back. Her hair flicks about as she nods, then she takes another deep breath, leaning back into me, shimmying slightly to get comfortable. Copper waves tickle my jaw, making it tighten, and her warmth diffuses into me now her back is flush to my chest. I ignore the gooseflesh on my arms as they brush against Aurora’s.

I also ignore the way my stomach tumbles when she lets out a sweet sigh, tension visibly releasing as she softens in my hold. That undeniable shot of dopamine rushes through me again too. Just like it did when I made her smile after she was crying, and when I helped ease her pain with the foot rub the other day.

When did I get so motivated by caring for people?

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