Page 16 of Tough Love

There’s no turning back now. . .

Maybe Icando this.

Chapter Five

HUDSON

Aweek has gone by since Addy was here, and it may as well have been a month. Not sure why I’m fucking counting. And when her Cherokee pulls into the driveway, Charlie flies from the barn to her door. Apparently, I’m not the only one who is glad she’s back. Before she gets out of the car, I remind myself that she is here because of her job. And my father. Things have to stay professional between us. It’s better for her that way.

Her door opens and she jumps out, dropping to her knees to fuss over Charlie. He’s going to get used to that, and it’s going to break his little heart when she eventually leaves. They always do. For now, she rubs his belly and laughs at his overzealous enthusiasm for her affection. She is wearing a light blue t-shirt and dark jeans with riding boots, and her hair is up, but wisps of curly hair have already escaped.

She looks to where I stand, now leaning on the rake. And she stands, brushing herself off. Charlie prances at her feet expectantly. She walks to the barn and my little buddy follows. The moment she is inside, her eyes find mine. “Chores again, I suppose?”

I try to flatten the smile that plays over my mouth and shift on my feet, breaking eye contact. Anything to stop the heat that grows with every second she looks at me. “That all depends, Dr. Howard.”

“On what, the look on my face? And can youpleasecall me Addy?”

With a grunt, I shift my focus back to her face. Her features are so soft in the muted light, her lips pink, the angles of her cheeks blush. Her brown eyes burn into mine, and I realize she is waiting for an answer. “Let’s go for a drive.”

Her eyes narrow a little. “Where are we going?”

I lean the rake against the wall and make for the truck parked at the side. When neither she nor Charlie follows, I poke my head back inside. “Come on.”

She gives me a quizzical stare but starts walking for the truck. I hold the door open, and she climbs in. Charlie whimpers on the ground by her door. “Sorry, bud, not this time.”

I climb into the driver’s seat and start the truck. As I reverse away from the barn, Reed comes trotting around the corner on Magnet, his steel grey gelding. But he claims to have called him Magnet because the ladies can’t resist a man on a horse. Still remember shaking my head at him when he came up with that name. He tips his hat at Addy, and she waves back. “Hi, Reed.”

Her eyes light up watching my brother ride past, on his way to the heifers in the southern paddock, if he knows what’s good for him. Pa gives out a list of work for us each morning; that one was on his list. The last thing we need right now is to lose cattle to the wolves. Addy glances back at me. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going, Hudson?”

My name on her lips never gets old.

“Nowhere particular. I have chores to finish before we start your lesson.”

But I am hoping that taking her into the mountains will help her open up and tell me what happened, why she doesn’t ride anymore. If I am going to help her into the saddle, it would be real helpful if I knew what got her out to start with.

“Oh, okay. Can I help?”

Absofuckinglutely.

“If you feel up to it, sure.”

“Okay . . .”

I shove the truck in drive, and we head to the northern fence line that Reed and I were working on last week. It’s started, and by no means finished. She looks out the window as we drive out. The higher we ascend, the more excited she becomes. “Oh wow, this is magnificent.”

When we finally reach the hilltop with the old fence line, I park and turn off the engine. Addy climbs out before I do, wandering to the front of the truck, turning in circles to take in the epic mountain view. I thought she’d like it. But the wonder on her face takes my fucking breath away. And like that, I’m hard.

Jesus.

In all honesty, we could have done her lesson first up. But selfishly, I wanted more time than an hour with her. Even if this can never amount to anything, I made her smile. It was worth it. Something hits the door, and I startle and turn. Addy is standing at the door, hands gripping the frame where the window is rolled down, smile permanently etched on her lit-up face. “You getting out of the truck?”

“Yup.”

She backs off the door and spins back to wonder at the mountains. I rearrange myself in my pants and push past the door, shutting it behind me. I come to stand beside her. She turns and looks up at me, those dark lashes fluttering upward.“You really are so lucky to live here. It’s so peaceful. Just stunning.”

I watch her mouth as she speaks. And every last ounce of blood rushes from my brain south. I run a hand over my face and think about taxes. When I don’t respond, she frowns. “So, did you need me to help you with something?”

I shake my head, as if clearing my thoughts. “Right, how are your fencing skills?”

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