Page 14 of Headstrong Cowboy
He didn’t miss the hint of wistfulness in her voice.The woman was becoming more of a mystery with every passing moment.“It sure didn’t look like it when I saw you yesterday.You looked like you’ve been competing for years.I was really impressed with how you handled the horse.”
Chrissy shrugged his compliment off.“Thanks, but it’s like getting back on a bike.You never truly forget.It helped that Ranger is a great horse.”She moved toward the door.“You want to see what we do, so come on.”
Ryder followed her, but he had a lot of questions in his mind.He didn’t really believe her when she said that barrel racing was like getting back on a bike.It took years of practice to get the right techniques.The relationship between horse and rider was a special one.Midnight always knew when he was upset and needed to a ride to clear his head.Even yesterday the horse had known that, as much as Ryder may have wanted to go fast, Midnight had tempered his gallop, as if he knew he had to make adjustments because of Ryder’s injury.
Whatever was going on with Chrissy, he was determined to find out what it was and see if he could help.
No, that wasn’t why he was there.He was there to look at the land, not develop a relationship or any type of connection with a woman.His focus needed to be on doing something he should’ve done a long time ago and nothing else.
Chapter Seven
The whole timeChrissy walked around the farm, showing Ryder their facilities and what they did, she was aware of his every breath.His every move.Even the slight limp he tried to hide.The sandalwood scent of his cologne teased her senses, and the way his arm seemed to continually brush against hers was doing nothing to temper her reaction to him.
“Here we are, back at the workshop.”She injected a bright tone into her voice when all she really wanted was for him to leave and then she could head to Riley’s.A ride on Ranger was just the thing she wanted.
“Thanks so much for showing me around.I really enjoyed learning how things are done.I can’t believe how much you can grow in greenhouses.”
“With the right environment, flowers will grow anywhere.”All the while they were walking around the farm, Chrissy turned the idea of selling direct to the public over in her mind.It wasn’t something they’d ever considered, but it was something to think about.A way to bring in extra income.If they did go down that route, they’d have to be careful about taking business away from Sweet Pea Florist.The last thing she wanted to do was upset them to the point that they cancelled their standing orders for their flowers.
The farm was off 630 Road, which connected to the main highway out of town.Their father had put a road sign up many years ago, advertising the farm.Funny how no one had ever bothered to turn in and inquire if they could buy flowers.Although the sign didn’t sayPUBLIC WELCOME...it just had an arrow indicating the turnoff.That could be why they didn’t have random strangers turning up at their doorstep—like Ryder.
“Are you finished for the day?”Ryder inquired, his hands in his pockets.The action pulled the material of his jeans tight across his thighs, and she couldn’t help but admire their strength.It wasn’t hard to imagine him on the back of a bull.
After meeting him the previous day, she’d looked Ryder up on the internet and confirmed what Riley had told her—that he was a champion bull rider, but he’d retired due to injury.Not that she didn’t trust her friend.She’d just wanted to check him out herself.Plus, looking at the pictures of him competing were pretty impressive, and his smile in the ones with his prize winnings had her blood warming in pleasure.
The report about the injury that ended his career was graphic, and he was lucky to be alive.For someone who’d been at the top of their sport, not being able to compete had to hurt.No wonder he tried to hide his limp.Like all competitive people, he didn’t want to show any sign of weakness.The limp was a constant reminder of all that he’d lost.
Was he in town for the rodeo as well?Wouldn’t it be hard for him to be watching all the proceedings and not be able to compete?It was one of the reasons why, in all the years she’d lived in New York, she hadn’t sought out any rodeos there.She’d had plenty of opportunities to go watch, and even compete if she wanted to, as Beau had often been away for work.
Why hadn’t she done any of that?
Chrissy didn’t want to examine the question too closely because she was afraid she wouldn’t like the answer.
She firmly pushed those thoughts aside.She was in Marietta and she was going to compete now, so it didn’t matter why she hadn’t in the past.Chrissy thought over his question as her workday was over.There was plenty she could do—like fill out paperwork, etc., but that didn’t appeal to her.She wanted to forget about the farm and the issues with it for a little while.“I’m planning on going to Riley’s again to train some more with Ranger.The rodeo will be here before we know it.Is that why you’re in town?”
The shutters came down on Ryder’s eyes, and his shoulders stiffened.Yep, as she’d thought moments ago, the retirement wounds were still fresh.It was one thing to make the decision to finish up yourself, but another when the decision had been made for you—like it had for Ryder.“Right.Well, have a good practice session.Maybe I’ll see you around.”
He turned and headed for his truck, his spine straight and his limp more noticeable than it had been before.
One thing she did know was that she didn’t want to part with ill feeling between them.She’d enjoyed their walk around the farm.He’d asked some good questions and conversation had flowed easily between them.The past hour reinforced that she wanted to get to know him a little better.
“Wait,” she called out and rushed over to him.
“Yes?”
A rush of nerves filled her and the words she wanted to say lodged in her throat.She’d never asked a man out and she couldn’t believe she was about to do it, but she wanted to see Ryder again.“Can I interest you in dinner at the Main Street Diner?”
Ryder’s hazel eyes widened in surprise, and one corner of his mouth ticked up in a smile.“I think you might be able to do that.”
The breath she’d been holding whooshed out of her and the nerves were replaced with a blast of happiness.“Great, I can meet you there.Say, around six thirty?”
“What?You mean you’re not going to come and pick me up, so you can escort me to the diner?”he said, his hand going to his chest in mock disappointment.
Chrissy laughed at the antics and his teasing, pleased that the sadness that had surrounded him was gone.What was a girl to do but go along with it as well?“Of course, how remiss of me.I’m asking you out, so I should pick you up.”
Ryder laughed, a deep, rich sound that floated around her like a warm blanket.His eyes sparkled with mirth.“I’m staying at the Graff.We can meet there and walk together.How does that sound?”
“Perfect.I’ll see you then, Ryder.”
