by Jill Sanders
Chapter Seven
Lauren was off to an early start on Friday. She lived for weekends where she could take Tanner and Dingo up in the hills and disappear for a while. She had a few stops around the fields first, but by ten, they were on their way up the hills. Dingo jogged along for a while, then started whining. Lauren stopped Tanner and Dingo jumped up into her lap, using her boot as a step. It was a trick she'd taught the dog when she was younger, and it had paid off.
Her property was rich in grassy hills. The farther she went into them, the thicker the pines and brush got. There were about five hundred acres that lay between the house and the next development. If you chose the right pathways, you could go weeks without crossing roads or coming upon another ranch house. Lauren knew all the pathways to take for her weekend trip. Her saddlebag was packed with everything she’d need. Her cell phone was turned off and tucked into a pocket on her bag, just in case. She had her shotgun and her pistol, and a box of bullets for each within easy reach, something her Dad had taught her to do. You never knew when a wild boar would jump out at you or a snake would cross your path.
Thinking of snakes, she remembered the morning at the pump house with Chase, which got her thinking about water and seeing him near naked with water glistening off his chest and arms.
She shook her head clear of images of Chase. This was her time away from him, away from everything. There was no way she was going to think of Chase or what he did to her any more this weekend. This weekend she wanted to be selfish. She turned down the path that would lead her up to an old cabin her dad had built before she was born. She liked to stay at it during her weekend trips. She had to duck for a large branch that Tanner had walked under, and was surprised to hear a horse and rider behind her. Thinking it was one of her sisters, she looked over her shoulder and pulled Tanner to a stop to wait. Sometimes Haley liked to ride the trails. Hopefully, whoever it was wasn't coming along for the weekend.
When she saw Buster's head pop around a tree branch, she smiled and called out to her sister Alex.
“Alex, are you just...” Her words fell away as the rider came into view. Chase smiled at her from Buster’s back. His long legs hung over the horse’s large girth. His boots sat in the stirrups and he looked very comfortable in the saddle. He wore a light tan jacket and a Stetson that matched.
“Oh.” She tried to think of something to say. Just then, Dingo let out a happy bark. The dog always seemed to be late in warning her when it came to Chase.
“I hope you don't mind. We were just out for a ride. Alex said it would be okay if I took the old guy out for a while.” He sat forward and patted Buster's head.
Tanner gave a snort of welcome to his old friend who returned the greeting. Then the two horses quieted down again and Lauren was left not knowing what to say. She saw that his saddle was packed with a large bag, most likely full of items for a longer trip.
“Are you camping?” She squinted her eyes and looked at him cautiously as Dingo tried to jump into Chase's arms.
He patted his bag and smiled bigger, then caught Dingo as she landed softly in his lap. “I was thinking about it. I haven't taken any time to myself since I returned to town. If it's alright, I'll just tag along with you.”
“Did Alexis put you up to this? I know they don't like me going out by myself, but to ask you along...”
He held up his hand. “Whoa, no one forced me to come along. Honest, I just needed to get away for a while. I saw you back at the base of the trail and thought I'd follow you, since you know the area a lot better than I do. That is if you think you can stand my company.”
She knew he was just pushing her buttons, but she straightened her back and threw her chin up a little, taking the challenge. “Of course I can. If you can keep up with me, you're welcome to tag along.” She turned Tanner around and started back up the trail, trying not to let his laughter get on her nerves too much.
They rode in silence for almost an hour, enjoying the cool breeze blowing between the trees. Lauren always loved this part of the year. Even though she had to keep a can of bug spray on her, she didn't mind the heat and humidity. Of course, it meant that she had to stop and water the horse more often. When she made it to a clearing that had a small stream flowing through a green field, she stopped Tanner and looked behind to see Buster and Chase right behind her. Dingo lay comfortably in his lap, like she belonged there. She'd hoped that he'd fallen behind a little, or had decided to turn down a different path, but there he was, looking like he was enjoying the ride.
“We'll stop and water the horses and grab some lunch. Did you bring food? Because I only brought enough for one.”
He smiled and nodded. “I'm all set.”
She felt a little deflated, hoping he would have a reason to turn back. She watched as he smoothly tossed his leg over the horse and slid off in one quick motion. He set Dingo down and she quickly raced to the water's edge and start lapping up a drink. Then Chase walked over and took her hips and pulled her off Tanner.
“I can get off my...” Before she could finish, he was kissing her. His mouth was hot on hers, taking what he wanted. Her back was up against Tanner's side and Chase's hands were gripping her hips, pulling her closer to him until she felt all the wind knocked out of her. Then as quickly as he’d started, he pulled away, leaving her leaning on her horse and trying to catch her breath as he turned to grab Buster's reins.
It took almost a minute for her mind to click into gear again. Then she grabbed up Tanner's reins and walked over to where Chase had tied the other horse to a low branch so he could drink from the small brook. She threw Tanner's reins over the branch and watched as her horse started enjoying the cool water, then she turned on Chase.
“What the hell was that? Do you think you can just come up here and manhandle me?” She pointed her finger into his chest and glared at him. “I've got news for you buddy, I'm not...”
Again, he stopped her by pulling her close. She saw the smile on his face before his lips claimed hers again. This time she was prepared. Her booted foot came up and connected with his shin. His boots protected him from most of the impact, but he still grunted and pulled away.
“Damn it, Lauren.” She watched as he jumped up and down on one leg. His hat had fallen off and had landed in the dirt. He looked so funny jumping around like that, she couldn't help it, she started to laugh. When he looked over at her, a frown on his face, she laughed harder. The horses even stopped drinking water and looked over at her.
It might have been all the stress finally getting to her, but she just couldn't stop herself from laughing. Finally, she sat down on the bank of the brook next to where she'd dropped her bag and held her sides. Chase hobbled over and grabbed his bag off Buster's saddle, then sat down next to her in the short grass, rubbing his shin. Dingo ran around in the field behind them, enjoying the freedom.
“Feel better?” His smile was a little crooked. His eyes were scanning her, like he was trying to gauge her emotions.
Smiling over at him, she nodded. “I guess I needed that. Thanks.”
“Anytime.” He rubbed his shin while keeping his eyes on her. Then he chuckled and she felt warmth spread throughout her body.
Taking her eyes off his, she opened her bag and pulled out a sandwich and a bottled water and focused on her lunch. After a few bites, she started talking about everything and anything. She hadn't felt nervous around him since...well…ever, but now for some reason she couldn't stop herself from talking.
“I was heading to my dad's cabin.” She waited for his approval. He nodded and she continued. “If you want to tag along, we should be there around nightfall. I always love staying there in the summer. The place just feels right when I need some time away. Living with my two sisters has its ups and downs.” She smiled over at him. “You’re lucky that you never had any siblings.” Then her smile fell away when she remembered that his mother had died while giving birth to his stillborn sister. “I'm sorry.” She took another bit
e of her sandwich to shut herself up.
“It's okay.” He took a drink of his own water. “I would have loved having a younger sister. I can only vaguely remember my mother. I remember laying my head on her large belly, listening to Jessie's heartbeat. That's what they were going to name my sister. Actually, they didn't know it was a girl at that point.” He chuckled a little. “My father told my mother it was a girl and he wouldn't hear anything else, so my mother said Jessie could be a boy’s name, too.” He sighed and looked off across the small creek and field. “I envy you your family. I know we both lost our mother's around the same time, different circumstances, but you have your sisters. Being raised alone has its moments, but I always dreamed of having siblings like you do.” He looked over at her, his eyes searching hers.
“I guess I've never thought about not having my sisters around. They do make life...interesting.” She smiled as she looked off to the far side of the field. She was surprised to see a medium-sized doe nibbling on the grass near the edge of the trees. Nodding her head, she smiled. “Look.” She pointed towards the deer and watched as he looked, then smiled as he spotted it. “In a few more months she'll be hiding from the hunters. But for now, she's enjoying the sun and the tall grass.” Lauren took a deep breath and lay back in the grass, folding her arms behind her head as she watched the clouds slowly drift by in the blue sky.
Chase finished his sandwich and then lay down next to her. “Why is it so important for you to do everything on your own?” She turned her head a little and looked at him. He turned onto his side, his left arm supporting his head as he propped up on his elbow and looked down at her.
“I don't like to be dependent on others. My father was and he worked himself to death trying to pay back the loan he took.” She looked off to the sky again. “I don't want to be like that. I want to answer to no one. If something at the ranch needs fixing, I want to be able to have the money to do it. I just need another year and I'll be at that place. The ranch pays for itself. Actually, with the sale of the cattle this fall, I'll be able to pay you off completely. Then I can do whatever I want.” She smiled and closed her eyes for just a moment.
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