Page 130 of Bucked Hard

There was a massive earthquake off the coast of Thailand.

The assignment has been postponed indefinitely.

I’m on my way to the airport going nowhere.

Some days, it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed.

That thought springs new tears to my eyes, remembering where I was and what I was feeling in bed this morning.

It feels like a world and a lifetime away.

I called Benjamin one more time after I couldn’t reach Garrett and had to decide before I knew the assignment was canceled.

The band that’s been tightening around my chest has me fighting for breath, and as we drive by the last pasture leaving the ranch, I look up to see ten cows staring at the van as we pass, a sign on the side of the road reading, “You are now leaving Big Sky Ranch. Thanks for coming.”

There’s a sharp pain in my chest as I think of the pun that the wording of the sign creates.

I bite the inside of my cheek but fail to hold back the flood that’s forcing its way out of my eyes.

Turning toward the other window, the tears begin to flow, blinding me. Blood rushes through my ears, and I stare down at the floor of the van, gripping my knees with my hands.

How could I be this girl after three days? A sobbing mess over a situation I should have realized was not what it seemed.

I look up, the stone pillars and gateway marking the end of the ranch property is just ahead. I press my fingertips into my eyes and try not to feel the throb between my legs that still reminds me of what I’ve done.

And who I’ve done it with.

I don’t know how much time passes; I am pushing my fingers into my eye sockets until I see stars when I hear Jessie’s voice.

“Um, ma’am?”

“Yeah.” I answer, not moving my hands from my face.

“Thinkin’ you may want to look behind us.”

I feel the van slow slightly and spin around in my seat, but it takes me a second to make sense of what I see.

There’s Garrett, on Dorian, galloping up alongside of the van like a madman. As he passes us, Jessie slows, then comes to a stop when he angles in front of us and goes no further, Dorian rearing up on his hind legs and letting out a whinny as Garrett brings him under control. The horse clops back to the dirt, dust flying up around his front hooves, and there’s Garrett, staring at me through the windshield.

“What the hell?” I grunt. “I can’t take this.” Tears spring new to my eyes as he dismounts. He leads Dorian over to the gate into the pasture, leads him in and closes it behind then grabs a leather satchel off the back of his saddle. He hops the fence and comes to the side of the van, sliding open the door. “Whatareyou doing?”

“I’m going with you.” He tosses the bag onto the floor of the van. “Wherever that is.” He turns quickly to nod at Jessie then adds, “Call up and have Buck come get Dorian. Tell him where he is and to take him back to the barn. I’ll be gone indefinitely.”

I look at Jessie who sits up straighter in the driver’s seat with a look of amused surprise. “Yes, Sir.” She glances my way then giggles.

“Are you insane?” I shake my head at Garrett. “You’re not coming with me.”

“Well, unless you are staying here I am.”

I turn to Jessie, who looks back at me and shrugs. Garrett is standing outside the open door with one foot up on the opening.

“I don’t think so. You have your life here, your buffet of girls and I’m not a side dish for anyone.”

“We’ve got some tangled rope to straighten out, and no matter if I’m going with you or you’re staying here, that needs to happen. What you thought you saw wasnotwhat you saw earlier today. That other guest went and took one of our horses out of the barn without permission. I saw her riding in the pasture where she had no business. I rode up there and dealt with that, that’s all.”

“Really. Does dealing with it include her hands all over you?”

“How long did you stick around and watch? Because if you had kept your eyes on us, you would have seen me remove her hands and point her in the direction of the stable. I then proceeded to escort her back, give her a very clear understanding of the rules of the ranch, and sent her sulking back to her cabin.”

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