Page 48 of Saddle and Bound

“A tough time?” I manage, my voice quiet. “Why didn’t you talk to me about it?”

Rosie looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Talk to you? Why would I? We’re not exactly best friends, Alex.”

Her words sting, but I know she’s right. What do I really know about her, besides her name and that she’s from Los Angeles? I never gave her the chance to open up. I thought about it—wanted to—but I always messed it up.

“Well, I...” I start, but my words trail off. What can I even say?

Rosie crosses her arms. “I’ve explained the situation with Ethan. I don’t owe you anything else—especially after what you said outside the bar.”

I flinch, shame prickling at the memory of my words. “You’re right. I was an idiot.”

“At least we agree on that,” she says, a faint smile breaking through her frustration.

I attempt a grin. “What do you say we start over? Hi, I’m Alex—the cowboy who can’t keep his mouth shut. Who are you?”

She rolls her eyes but, to my surprise, her expression softens. She studies me for a moment, as if deciding whether to indulge me. Then, with a sigh that’s half exasperation, half amusement, she plays along.

“Alright, cowboy,” she says, a spark of mischief lighting her eyes. “I’m Rosie—the city girl who apparently doesn’t know how to pick her company.”

Chapter 25

Rosie

The day of the camping trip has finally arrived. Over the past few days, I've managed to get Ethan and Alex to talk a bit, although Alex is still a little reluctant to be friendly with him. Despite this, Ethan has integrated surprisingly well with the group of guys, and the girls adore him. His presence has brought new energy to the ranch, and seeing how everyone has welcomed him has made me feel more comfortable here.

Despite the initial tensions and misunderstandings, Alex and I decided to go ahead with the camping plan. But as I pack my bag, I feel anxiety growing inside me. I've never camped before. My childhood was marked by the early loss of my mother and a father always immersed in work. No one ever had time to take me outdoors, to teach me the basics of life in nature.

"Breathe, Rosie," I tell myself, trying to calm my nerves. "It's just camping."

But I know it's not "just" camping. It's a leap into the unknown, into a world completely new to me. And I'm doing it with Alex, which adds a whole new level of complexity to the situation.

As I load my bag into Alex's pickup, I feel a strange mix of excitement and nervousness in my stomach. I don't know what to expect from this trip, but I know it could change everything.

"Ready, princess?" Alex asks, appearing by my side with a crooked smile.

I try to hide my anxiety behind a smile. "Ready as I'll ever be," I reply, hoping to sound more confident than I actually feel.

The journey to the campsite is silent at first, both of us lost in our thoughts. But as we get further from the ranch, the atmosphere lightens. Alex turns on the radio and starts humming a country song, making me smile and helping me relax a bit.

"I didn't know you were a singer," I tease him, grateful for the distraction from my anxious thoughts.

He gives me an amused look. "Oh, you haven't seen anything yet. Wait until you hear me sing around the campfire after a few beers."

I laugh, already feeling more at ease. "I can't wait."

As the landscape rolls by outside the window, I find myself thinking about how I got here. From a hectic life in Los Angeles to camping in the middle of nowhere with a cowboy. It's surreal, but somehow, it feels right. Maybe this is the kind of adventure I've always needed without knowing it. And then there's Alex. I steal a glance in his direction, observing his profile focused on the road. These past few days, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about us. And… even though Alex has an unmatched talent for driving me completely insane, there’s something undeniably sweet about him in his own way. It’s not the grand gestures—it’s the small, quiet things he does when he thinks no one’s watching that steal my breath and make all the difference. It's incredible how he always manages to make me feel better, even in the most difficult moments. He has this innate gift of understanding when I'm not comfortable or when I have too many thoughts troubling me.

What I appreciate most is that he doesn't ask too many questions, doesn't open endless and embarrassing conversations trying to dig into my thoughts. Instead, he simply does something to make me smile and lighten the situation. Like now, as he hums this off-key country song, occasionally throwing me amused glances. He knows I'm nervous about this camping trip, but instead of putting pressure on me, he's creating a light and carefree atmosphere.

It's a perfect balance between being present and giving space, between caring and not smothering. With him, I feel seen and understood, but also free to be myself, with all my insecurities and doubts.

As I watch him drumming his fingers on the steering wheel to the rhythm of the music, I feel a wave of gratitude. Maybe this is why, despite all my fears and uncertainties, I'm here on this pickup, heading towards the unknown. Because with Alex, even the unknown seems a little less scary and a bit more like an adventure.

We arrive at the campsite in the afternoon. It's a beautiful place, surrounded by trees and with a breathtaking view of the mountains in the distance. While Alex starts setting up the tent, I stand there, a bit uncertain about what to do.

"Hey, princess," Alex calls out, noticing my hesitation. "How about you take care of the campfire? I'll show you how it's done."

I nod, grateful for the task. Alex patiently guides me through the process of gathering wood and preparing the fire. His hands brush against mine as he shows me how to arrange the twigs, and I feel a shiver that has nothing to do with the evening breeze.

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