Page 24 of Saddle and Bound

It's better this way, I tell myself. For both of us.

But as I head towards the stables, I can't help but glance towards the window of her room. And for a moment, just for a moment, I think I see her big brown eyes looking back at me.

?

I shake my head, trying to free myself of thoughts about Rosie and focus on work. But it's easier said than done.

After finishing the first work shift, I enter the kitchen to grab a coffee. And there I see her. Rosie is sitting at the table with her father and Maria.

She looks... uneasy. And that makes me uneasy too. I don't like seeing her like this.

"Hey, princess. Ready for another day of hard work?" I ask, trying to maintain my usual teasing tone.

She looks up when I enter, and for a moment, I expect to see... what? A smile? A glimmer in her eyes? Instead, her gaze is almost... guarded.

I see her start slightly, then quickly compose herself. She raises an eyebrow and responds, "Always ready, cowboy. Don't underestimate me."

Her tone is defiant, but there's something in her eyes... a kind of distance that wasn't there last night. Did what happened at the bonfire mean something to her? And should I care?

"Don't always feel attacked, princess," I reply with a smile, but inside I feel a strange unease.

I see her stand up, passing by me. "Well," she says. "I'd better get to work then."

As she walks away, I can't help but catch her scent, notice how her body moves with grace even in this rustic environment. This brief exchange has reignited in me the desire to provoke her, to push her beyond that composed facade she seems to have rebuilt. But at the same time, I realize how little I really know her. I don't know what she thinks about what happened between us, I don't know if she's happy here or if she can't wait to get back to her life in Los Angeles.

And suddenly, I find myself wanting to know. To truly know her, beyond this stupid rivalry we've built.

But instead of asking questions, of trying to understand, I find myself staring at the door she left through, torn between the desire to follow her and the desire to keep my distance.

Why do I care so much? And what am I supposed to do with these feelings I can't control?

Chapter 14

Alex

With my head still full of thoughts about Rosie, I head to the ranch gym. It’s well-equipped and has everything we might need. We all enjoy working out, so building it seemed like a good investment. The gym is simple, nothing fancy, but a bit more modern than the classic style of the rest of the ranch. The walls are painted in a soft gray, with a few wooden accents to tie in the rustic theme. One of the main walls is lined with large mirrors, while another features shelves holding weights, resistance bands, and other workout tools. In one corner, there’s a cardio area with treadmills, stationary bikes, and an elliptical machine. On the opposite side, there are strength-training machines and a bench for weightlifting. At the center, there’s an open space with mats for bodyweight exercises or stretching.There’s also a dedicated dance space for Rory. She’s an extraordinary dancer, and when she’s home from college, she uses the gym to refine her routines. Her movements are so graceful, it’s impossible not to be in awe of her talent. I’m incredibly proud of her—not just for her dancing but for the person she is. Rory is also an exceptional student, my brilliant adopted little sister. She’s achieved so much already, including earning a scholarship to Halton University, one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious institutions. She’s truly made us all proud.

Val and Lexy, on the other hand, are full of energy and always up for adventure. They love trying out every sport—those two are unstoppable. If there’s a challenge to take on, you can count on them to dive right in without hesitation.

There are also locker rooms and showers, divided for men and women, since the girls enjoy using the space to work out too.

When I enter, I see the guys are already there. Chris is lifting weights, muscles tense under the strain. Diego is on the pull-up bar, while Fran is jumping rope.

"Hey, Romeo!" Diego greets me, coming down from the bar. "We thought you'd got lost in your love story."

I roll my eyes. "Very funny. Are you ready to be humiliated or what?"

Chris grins, putting down the weights. "Oh, someone's in a fighting mood today. Trouble in paradise with the princess?"

"Shut that mouth before I shut it for you," I retort, but without real malice. This constant joking between us is comforting, familiar.

"Ooh, someone's touchy," Fran laughs. "Come on, champ, let's see what you've got."

We start with pull-ups. It's a silent but intense competition, each of us trying to outdo the others. I feel my muscles burn, but I push beyond the pain.

"Fifteen... sixteen... seventeen..." Diego counts. "Come on, Alex, I think Rosie could beat this record!"

The mention of Rosie makes me lose concentration for a second, and I almost lose my grip. I recover quickly, but not fast enough for the guys not to notice.

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