Page 40 of Spurred On

“This is my favorite trail to ride when it finally gets warm enough. It gets even better a little bit ahead.” My eye catches what looks like a cabin. I saw another one but figured it was some sort of outhouse.

“What are all the half-crumpled cabins for?” Curiosity gets the better of me, and I have to ask.

“Those used to be occupied by those who owned the land before Jack and Mabel. They’ve kind of just slowly deteriorated over the years.”

The view expands when we pass the trees, showcasing the valleys, pine, and aspen trees covering the mountainside. “Holy cow.”

“You haven’t even seen the best part yet.” We keep trotting down the road, and a little stream comes into view. With the bright blooming flowers coming up, contrasting the wild grass beneath it and the flowing water, it could pass as a postcard. My eyes close as I take a deep breath in, feeling a sense of home like I’ve never felt before. I get why Maverick is so obsessed with this land. It’s like nothing I've seen before. I’ve been into the mountains, yes, but getting into the brush and diving deep into the ranch is different. It’s a whole other world, where life isn’t crushing down on you.

“You were right. Windy Peaks isn’t what I expected.” It’s a town so small, you’re likely to be related to someone in a ten-mile radius. But the freedom up here is worth being an hour away from a fully stocked grocery store.

“Hold on, let me get my phone out so I can record you saying that.” His chest shakes with laughter behind me.

“I might have been wrong about the town, but I was right about you. You’re an asshole.”

“Hey now, I can leave you here.” As beautiful as this place is, I don’t think I am built to bear the elements without electricity. That is my limit. So I change my tone real quick.

“But you’re my asshole,” I reassure him.

He grabs at my waist, tickling my ribs.

“Damn right I am.” He leans his head into my neck, planting a kiss on my bare skin as his forearm wraps around me. My body curls into the touch. The feeling leaves goosebumps across my skin. “How do you feel about learning how to ride by yourself?”

“The horse?”

“Unless you’re scared?” The taunt is obvious but still does its intended job.

“No, I want to learn.” He wastes no time, I feel his body slip off the horse, and my eyes go wide, realizing I'm on top of this giant beast without him.

“Alright, you’re going to take those reins. If you pull back, she’ll stop, but if you pull too hard, she will walk backward. If you pull right, she’ll go right. Same with left.” He looks to me to make sure I am absorbing it all. So far, it seems pretty straightforward. “Alright, to get her moving, you will use your heel and give her a little kick. It doesn’t have to be hard, just enough for her to feel. Want to walk her in a circle?”

I nod. Gripping the reins like my life depends on it, I kick my heel lightly, and sure enough, she takes off. Not fast, but a good little trot. I pull my reins to the right, trot a little, and then take us back to Maverick.

I couldn’t stop the smile that stretched across my face if I tried. Pulling on the reins, I bring her to a stop as elation runs through me.

“Way to show off, sweetheart. You’re looking like a real cowgirl.”

“Before you know it, I’ll be out-riding you on a bull.” I raise my eyebrows in challenge, and a crisp bit of laughter shoots out of him.

“I’d love to see you try.” He crosses his arms with far too much confidence.

“You do it. How hard can it be?” I wink at him, and he shakes his head at me, tongue in cheek.

“Well, do you want to put your money where your mouth is and ride us home?”

“The whole trail?”

He quirks a brow up at me, “I thought you were a professional?”

And now he’s made me a woman with a point to prove. A dangerous position he’s put himself in. “Get on the damn horse, Mav.”

With far too much ease, he hops back up on the horse. Thank God we didn’t have a full lesson on that, because he had to hike my little ass up on this horse.

His hands land on my thighs, and I turn the horse around, keenly aware of all the places his body is touching mine. “Alright, show me what ya got.”

Turning the horse around, I direct us back on the trail and back toward the ranch.

When we get back to the barn, Mav hops off to open up the stables, and I guide Lucy in.

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