Page 18 of Make Me Whole
"How did you find your first working day to be?" Mr. Walker asked, once we finished our plates.
I leaned back, trying to think of the best way to answer. "Difficult but satisfying."
A robust laugh sounded from Sawyer. "Satisfying? No offense, Hailey, you looked about ready to collapse when you emerged from the barn yesterday."
As much as I wanted to give him the stink eye, I couldn't. "Hey, I am extremely pleased with myself. For a girl who learned to muck a stall just yesterday, I didn't do too bad."
"Considering who your teacher was," Talia chimed in. "You did outstanding."
More laughter sounded around the table. Hopefully, they didn't notice mine was forced. I could feel my cheeks change color as my body remembered what it had felt like when Bradley had pressed up against me.
I was positive he didn't mean for it to, but something about the way he'd touched me had almost felt…dare I say, intimate. It was also completely possible that my silly hormones were making me see and feel things that weren't there.
"I guess I better go check on the horses." Sawyer pushed to his feet and collected everyone's empty plates.
"I'll join you." My gaze shot to Mr. Walker and Mavis. "Unless, I'm needed elsewhere?"
While Mr. Walker shook his head, Mavis said, "I could use a hand with the lunch preparation later."
After we agreed on a time to meet back in the kitchen, I headed toward the pen alongside Sawyer. Every few steps we took I found him glancing my way. "Something on your mind?" I finally asked.
When he stopped walking, I did too. With his dark eyes trained on me, he dragged his hand along the back of his neck. "You intrigue me, Hailey." He angled his head away from me, his next words delivered into the distance. "I'm curious—I think we all are—why you accepted this job offer so easily." His eyes met mine again. "Don't you have people waiting for you?"
It was foolish to think people wouldn't wonder, wouldn't have questions. The truth I could never tell them, not all of it anyway. I reached behind me and pulled my braid over my shoulder. It was my turn to stare at the land spread out in front of us. "I couldn't keep living in the same town after my parents died; it was too painful." I swallowed down the lump their memory had caused and continued, "I was ready to simply pick a random place on the map and go there when Mavis convinced me to come here instead."
Sawyer regarded me for a long second before a wide grin broke free. "Well, damn. That's a mighty brave thing to do." With an approving nod, he turned and started walking again. As I fell back into step next to him, a small smile tugged on my lips. I didn't have any siblings, but my guess was that Sawyer would make for an excellent big brother.
When we reached the pen, the horses were already out and about. At the sight of Bradley gently stroking one of the horses, the breath whooshed out of my lungs in one fell swoop. The sky streaked with bright yellow and dark orange provided the perfect backdrop for this breath stealing moment. If I had a camera—and it wouldn't have looked odd—I would've captured this image.
"Ah, there's Beckett," Sawyer's words brought me back to the present. "Have you been introduced?"
In answer, I shook my head. I knew I should focus on Sawyer and what he was saying but I couldn't bring myself to tear my eyes away from Bradley and the horse. It was impossible not to see the pair had a strong bond. I saw it in the way he closed his eyes and the gentle way in which his hands glided along the animal's coat.
"Hailey?"
"Hmm?" When I blinked, a waving hand filled my vision. Embarrassed, I chewed on my lip. "Sorry."
Sawyer chuckled softly. "No apology necessary. Let me introduce you to Beckett." I trailed behind him as he approached a man standing by the fence. Even with his arms hanging over the top railing and one foot on the bottom, he looked imposing.
"Hey, Beck, I want you to meet someone."
At the mention of his name, Beckett straightened. I think my eyes bulged a little as I had to crane my neck to look at him. No doubt, both Bradley and Sawyer were well over six foot. This guy, though, he was bigger and broader.
After Sawyer introduced me, I stuck my hand out for him to shake, hoping he didn't crush it with his big paw. "Mr. Walker told me we had a new face on the ranch. Welcome." For a man with big hands, his grip was very gentle.
Just then two boys came rushing past us. Jumping onto the fence, they spoke in unison. "We're ready for today's lesson." Excitement was clear as day in their voices.
Movement in my peripheral vision caught my attention. When I turned my head to look, my gaze collided with Bradley's. I had no idea how such a big man could move so silently. His eyes dropped to my hand—still tucked inside Beckett's—before darting up to meet mine again.
My heart began to jackhammer against my ribs as those blue depths sucked me deeper and deeper.
"I'm gonna go," Beckett's voice was so sudden, my body jerked. He let go of my hand when I started to pull out of his grasp. "Lovely meeting you, Hailey." Over my head, he nodded in Sawyer's direction. "Sawyer." He greeted Bradley in the same manner before he pivoted and ambled away.
I turned to look at Bradley again, but he was already helping the two boys into the pen. My racing heart picked up its pace when he threw his head back and laughed at something one of the boys had said.
The sound of it shouldn't have sent delicious shivers down my spine, and yet, that's exactly what it did. Unable to tear my gaze away, I watched as he and the kids moved to pen directly next to the one we were standing at. There were two horses already there; saddled and ready. I nibbled on the inside of my cheek when I saw him gently help the boys get on their horses before leading them around the pen.
"Have you ever ridden?" Watching me out of the corner of his eye, Sawyer rested his forearms on the top railing.
With a tilt of my head, I tried to focus on him, but the sun was blinding. Squinting, I shielded my eyes with my hand before I explained, "No. I'd love to learn, though."
His gaze flitted between me and Bradley before settling on me again. "That can be arranged. Meet me here at about eleven tomorrow."
"Really? You'll teach me?"
Sawyer shoulder-bumped me. "We can't have you working on a ranch and not know how to ride, now can we?"
Right then, I completely understood the boys' excitement because I felt it too. As long as it was Sawyer showing me the ropes and not a certain dark-haired cowboy, it was going to be fantastic.
