Page 62 of The Wedding Ranch
“The Wedding Ranch, this event,” he continued. “It’s a big deal for them.”
“I’m sure it is.”
He bent over and picked up the feather she’d tossed. “No, I mean, really big. My niece and nephew run that place. They’dbe so upset if anything went wrong. And if I had anything to do with even so much as a hiccup this week… well, I’d never want to let them down like that.”
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of telling a single person. I’m always good to my word.” She cocked her head. “You’re bragging on them a little. A proud uncle?”
“Definitely.” He tucked the feather into his pocket. “I can’t believe they’ve made such a big success out of hosting events. Who knew you could take a falling-apart barn and a couple of tobacco barns and breathe new life into them like that? People are coming from across the nation to have their events there. I don’t really understand it, but I’m very happy for them, and hope it lasts.”
“Country is very cool right now. Even if it’s a passing fad, they will be learning valuable entrepreneurial skills,” she said. “Venue weddings have been trending for a long while now, but the country stuff, it just keeps getting more and more popular. Country music. Country homes. Country cooking. Country weddings.”
“Don’t have to sell me on it,” he said. “I grew up this way.”
“I’m a city girl through and through, but I’m totally sold too.” She lifted her arms out to the side. “I love all of this.”
Well-toned and tan, she was as graceful as a ballerina. She closed her eyes, lifting her chin to the sun.
“I bet heaven is like this,” she said, “but the deer will walk up and eat from my hands, and birds will rest on my shoulders.” She twirled. “It’s so peaceful.”
“It is.” He squatted, plucking a wildflower, twirling it between his fingers as he watched her thoroughly enjoy nothingbut nature. Her lips slightly parted, embracing the moment she seemed to be in no hurry at all. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her.
He realized he’d kind of hoped today would be like this. But now that it was real… as much as he was enjoying the day, it scared him too.
What if he found that feeling again? Could he bear the possibility of losing it?
Chapter Seventeen
Riding the horses back through the creek was twice as fun as the slow trail ride down to the mill. Lorri had gotten brazen and taken off, but Ryder had way more experience, splashing her and leaving her soaking wet.
“Hey! No fair! I don’t know how to do that yet.” Not that she really minded. It was warm enough that the cool water was refreshing against her skin.
They unsaddled the horses back at the Rest Stop.
“If you’re not in a hurry we can brush these guys down.” He propped his saddle up against the trailer.
“I’d love that. I’ve got nowhere to be.” Lorri was glad she had nothing else pressing to do today. Anything on her work calendar she could catch up on tonight.
He showed her how to hold the brush, and how much pressure to use starting at the top and working her way down the sweaty horse.
It was amazing how wet the horse was underneath where the saddle had been. She’d never thought of them building up a sweat as they ran. It wasn’t easy work, although it had sure seemed like it. She enjoyed feeling close to the horse that had just served her so well.
“I wasn’t scared for one moment.” She brushed Dottie like he’d shown her, in long sweeping movements. “Dottie seems to really like this. Can I brush her mane?”
“Sure.”
The thick, coarse hair was so shiny she was tempted to pull it into braids to keep it from getting all tangled again.
She glanced over at Ryder as he cared for Thunder, mimicking his movements. She could see how girls fell in love with horses. There was something so personal about being on horseback. She placed her hand flat against the warm smooth side of the paint horse where the black spot faded to gray against the lighter pigment. She saved that memory, hoping to translate it to canvas, imagining her brush fading and blending the colors almost too pretty to look realistic.
Lorri watched Ryder. He seemed like a good guy. Not just handsome, but genuinely kind. He’d even opened doors for her. That never went out of style. It was cute that he had to admit that he’d been showing off for her by telling her the secret about the wedding. Embarrassed by it too.
It had to have been a humbling moment. She was relieved he had though, because it had bothered her that he’d told her that secret. Maybe more than it would have since it was about Cody, but then Ryder didn’t know that she and Cody were friends.Not being good to your word was a character flaw. A serious one. Daddy had always said, if a man isn’t good to his word, then he’s good for nothing.
They finished tending to the horses, then Ryder took her home. The sun was beginning to set when they pulled into her driveway. She wished the day didn’t have to end.
He walked her to the door, not hesitating a single moment as he dropped an innocent kiss to her cheek just in front of her ear, then stepped back. “I’d like to do this again.”
The sweet gesture practically melted her. “Me too. Soon.”Please stay.
