Page 18 of Saddle and Bound

When I reopen my eyes, I meet Alex's gaze. He's dancing too, his movements fluid and confident. He smiles at me, a different smile from usual, sweeter, almost admiring.

For a moment, I forget everything. I forget my job in Los Angeles, my worries, my feeling of not belonging. In this moment, I'm just a girl dancing under the stars, surrounded by laughter and music.

The evening flies by quickly with dancing, chatting, and delicious food. I find myself laughing at Chris's jokes, discussing horseback riding with Fran, singing (off-key) along with Lexy.

As the night progresses, I find myself sitting on a hay bale, somewhat apart from the party. I observe the scene in front of me: my father dancing sweetly with Maria, Val and Chris exchanging loving glances, the ranch boys telling stories around the fire.

"Deep in thought, princess?" Alex's voice startles me. He sits next to me, offering me a bottle of beer.

His shirt is unbuttoned more than it was at the start of the barbecue, revealing just enough to set my imagination on fire. His hair is deliciously tousled, as if the breeze—or perhaps his own hands—had a hand in the chaos. He looks wild, effortless, and utterly captivating.

I swallow hard, trying to steady the storm inside me and focus on the question he just asked. But it’s impossible when every inch of him pulls at something deep and uncontrollable within me.

"A bit," I admit, accepting the beer. "It's all so... different."

"Good different or bad different?" he asks, his tone surprisingly serious. I think about it for a moment. "I don't know," I answer honestly. "But maybe... maybe it's not so bad."

Alex smiles, a genuine smile this time, without a trace of sarcasm. "You know, princess, maybe there's hope for you after all."

He doesn’t say it in an irritating way—there’s a teasing lilt to his voice. He’s trying to distract me, to make me laugh, and it’s working.

I look at him, feeling something stir inside me. For the first time, I see beyond the facade of the arrogant cowboy. I see a kind, strong man, with a depth I hadn't noticed before.

"Maybe," I whisper, more to myself than to him.

We sit in silence, looking at the stars and listening to the music in the distance. And for the first time since I arrived at the ranch, I truly feel at home.

Then Alex asks me to dance with him...

Chapter 11

Alex

I lean against the fence, observing the party in full swing. The barbecue smoke rises lazily into the evening sky, and the smell of grilled meat mingles with that of hay and warm earth. It's a perfect evening, one of those I love the most. There's something special about summer evenings at the ranch, something that makes me feel alive and free.

Robert is at the barbecue wearing a relaxed smile I haven't seen in a long time. I barely remember the man he was when we hired him at the ranch... perfect in his work but always a bit distant, sad or empty... or stressed. Something that reminds me of his daughter. Since he met Maria, he's changed. He's happier, more serene. I see them together, and I realize how much he deserves this happiness. Maria is perfect for him: radiant in her floral dress, with blonde hair that shines in the sunset light. I've always admired her: a sunny and positive person... like her daughters. It's no wonder Val captured the heart of the hard-to-please Chris! Maria's passion for cooking is evident, and I see it in Val and Lexy too. They love to cook and have a lot of fun doing it together. It's an art, a way of taking care of the people they love... definitely adorable... I wish I possessed this skill.

The sound of Lexy's guitar fills the air, distracting me from my thoughts, and her melodious voice rises above the murmur of people. She's wearing a black fringed skirt and a beige top, her bare feet tapping the rhythm on the ground. Next to her, Val dances with abandon, her blue dress swaying with every movement. She's barefoot too, and her face is lit up with a contagious smile. Those two make me laugh with their inexhaustible energy. I see Chris looking at Val with loving eyes, and I can't help but smile. Those two are made for each other.

I approach the guys who are laughing and joking. They're all barefoot, because it's wonderful, natural, therapeutic... and simply our way. And I invite them to do what we always do: we challenge each other in a friendly wrestling match made of acrobatics and fights. We love training together, challenging each other, and showing off who's stronger. Our bodies moving with strength and agility. This is our life, simple but full. I take advantage of Chris being obviously distracted by admiring Val... and I take him down. I love playing with them; they're my brothers.

And then I see her. Rosie.

My gaze stops on her as she makes her entrance into the courtyard. She's wearing a flowy green dress and high heels that sink slightly into the soft ground. I see her falter for a moment, and a smile escapes me. She can't help but be elegant, even here at the ranch. I don't even know if she knows what "simple lifestyle" means... I don't know anything about her, to be honest. Except for some fatherly and probably highly biased comments that Robert has let slip... I know absolutely nothing. Even though the girls already seem to adore her and I... I can't stop thinking about her.

But no... I must be delirious; it must surely be that damn Irish beer that Diego has been supplying us with since his three-year stay in Ireland. Red and alcoholic... just the way we all like it! The girls like it too... if Val, Lexy, and Aurora can be called that... I've never seen girls more similar to us in my life... they're definitely fantastic!

Rosie's presence is magnetic, and I can't help but observe her as she looks around, a bit nervous. Her eyes wander over the scene in front of her: her father at the barbecue, Maria helping him, Lexy and Val dancing and singing, and then her eyes meet mine.

I forget everything else. I walk towards her and smile. "Welcome to the party, princess," I say, letting my gaze run along her body. "Nice dress. Although..." I lean towards her, whispering in her ear: "Maybe you should take off those shoes if you don't want to end up face-first in the dirt."

I feel a shiver run down my spine at the sound of my own voice so close to her. She straightens up, trying to maintain her composure. "I'm fine like this, thank you," she responds with a confident tone, but I can see the slight blush on her cheeks.

I raise my hands in surrender, my smile widening. "As you wish, princess. But don't say I didn't warn you." As I walk away to join the other guys, I can't help but cast one last glance in her direction. There's something about Rosie that intrigues me, something that makes me want to know her better. Yet, I also notice a tension in her, something she can't completely hide. I worry. What's troubling her? Why can't she let go?

I think back to when I saw her this afternoon—she looked so lost.

An absurd, irrational urge took hold of me: the need to help her, to take care of her. When I asked if she wanted to lend me a hand, I fully expected one of her fiery glares and a sharpgo to hell. But instead, she looked at me with those big, impossibly expressive eyes, and to my surprise, she agreed.

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