by Sarah Smith
“Would you please excuse me?” she asked, interrupting their conversation. “I need to use the restroom.”
“Would you like me to get your bag? I can put it up in your room,” Brock offered. “After that, I’d love to take you for a ride.”
“I’d like that. A lot.” Mia smiled, though she needed some privacy before they spent time alone. She had to gather herself.
“I’ll show you your room, then.” Brock took her hand and led her to the front door, where he held out his hand for her keys. He hurried out and grabbed her bags, then took her upstairs. “You’ll stay here, if this is good.”
The room was beautifully decorated in red, white, and blue. The comforter on the bed was a US flag, and the curtains were in red and blue stripes. She smiled and wrinkled her nose in appreciation. “What a great room! So patriotic!”
“Are you being sarcastic?” Brock asked, nudging her shoulder.
“No!” Her eyes were wide. “I really do like it! And if the child is yours and a boy, this is a great boy’s room,” she teased.
“Ha ha. You and Brenda are hilarious. So, meet you downstairs in ten minutes?”
“Perfect,” she replied. She turned to step into the room, smiling at him as he watched her shut the door.
CHAPTER TEN
Mia slumped against the door to her bedroom, her thoughts scrambling around in her brain. None of her feelings made sense to her. She had come out here to interview the wealthiest rancher in the country, a story she hadn’t wanted in the first place because of the rumors she’d heard about him. She’d heard he was reticent and didn’t care for reporters and would sometimes jerk them around for fun. She hadn’t wanted to be made a fool of.
What in the world was she doing? She was staying at his house, going on horse rides with him, making friends with his aunt, eavesdropping on conversations, and worst of all, she was falling for him. The way he looked at her, touched her when he didn’t need to, and said her name, all indicated to Mia that he liked her, too.
He’s going to ask me out, she thought as she pushed herself off the door and walked to the attached bathroom to check her face. Of course, she was already staying in his house, so the asking out part seemed kind of moot. She would be with him for three days, or as she was beginning to think of it, the longest date in history. She chuckled to herself as she found a washcloth to clean her face.
He didn’t just want a date, Mia could tell. His behavior indicated more than just a passing interest. He wanted to date her, to develop a relationship with her. What if you’re wrong? You’ll make a fool of yourself. But she knew she wasn’t wrong. She could feel it. Something about him called to her and made her want to be around him. Yes, he was good-looking, and yes, he had a ton of money, but he was also kind and family-oriented. He would do for a child that wasn’t his own! Most men wouldn’t.
So how do I feel about this situation? She looked at her reflection in the mirror, hoping an answer was in her eyes. She pointed at herself in the mirror, and with a smile, said, “You like him, and you know it.”
Decision made, she put her hair up in a ponytail and cleaned the sink where she’d splashed water. If he asked her out, she’d say yes. She would see where this would go.
However, a doubt still wiggled in her mind, as doubts tend to do. A long distance relationship? I’m not sure how I feel about that. She waved away the concern as useless. Even if they went on a date, nothing might come of it. He might decide he didn’t like the fact that she had no family, or she might not like the way he chewed his food. Smaller things ended perfectly good dates.
So, go with the flow, enjoy, and see what happens, Mia told herself. She smiled at her reflection, tightened her ponytail vigorously and with precision, and left the bedroom to find Brock.
***
As Mia walked down the stairs, Brock was waiting at the bottom, watching her. The jeans, boots, and button-up shirt suited her, and she looked like she fit in here, even if she had no idea about ranching or animals. He liked her, a lot, and he was a true believer in instinct. His instinct told him to keep this woman close. There was just something about her.
She was a knockout—all that black hair, those eyes that pierced his soul, and the curves of a swimsuit model. He could look at her all day. More than that, she was also intelligent and funny, and, though she might have been raised in Dallas, he would bet she had a little bit of country girl in her. He wanted to find that girl and nurture her in the hopes that Mia would stay for longer than the three days they discussed. He wanted to get to know her better, and he wanted her to know him, and not just for a story.
“You fill out a pair of jeans well, Ms. Mellis,” Brock complimented when she reached the bottom step. He held out a hand for hers, and she placed it in his.
“Why thank you, Mr. Maclancy. Same to you,” Mia replied with a wink.
“So you’re ready then? We’ll probably ride for a couple of hours,” Brock warned her. He hadn’t released her hand.
“A couple of hours?” Mia asked, a little surprised. “I’ll need a long, hot bath to soothe some aching muscles after that,” she joked.
Brock chuckled. “Well, we won’t be in the saddle the whole time. I have some beautiful sights to show you.”
Mia nodded. “Let’s go! I’m eager to see your land and eager to get you alone.” She realized her sentence sounded a little dirty if someone wanted to take it that way, which he did.
“Alone time, huh?” he asked with an eyebrow wiggle. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
She playfully slapped his bicep, noting the rock hardness of his arm. “You know what I meant! I’m ready to ask you questions!”
“No iPad?”
Mia tapped her temple. “Mind like a steel trap. I’ll remember every word. And if I don’t, I’ll ask for clarification.”
Brock pulled her off the top step and held her hand as they walked to the front door. He opened it and allowed her to exit first, but when he’d closed it, he took her hand again and held it as they walked across the yard and to the stables. Mia didn’t mind. It was a sweet gesture, like they were two teenagers.
He doesn’t have to ask me out, she mused. We’re on our first date.
When they reached the stables, the lovely mare Brock had fed yesterday while still pretending to be a ranch hand met them at the fence. Mia rubbed her nose and looked askance at Brock.
“So why did you pretend to be a ranch hand?”
“Because it was funny,” Brock answered as he rubbed the mare’s neck. “Want to ride her?”
Mia looked at the mare, who bumped her with her nose as if she wanted to be ridden. “What’s her name?”
“Sky,” Brock answered. “Some cousin or other named her. Her dad bought Sky for her, but she lost interest. I decided to keep her because she’s so sweet. No one really rides her.”
“Why not?”
“Because we have our own horses. She can be yours,” Brock suggested with a smile.
“Mine? I don’t live here,” Mia answered.
“No, but when you come to visit, you can ride her. She’ll love it.”
Mia looked at him, her head tilted. “You want me to visit?”
He stopped petting the horse and cupped Mia’s cheek as he had earlier. She leaned into his work-roughened hand and smiled. “Mia, I’d like you to visit often.” His voice was soft, his tone loving, and when he leaned in to kiss her, Mia tilted her head so their mouths fit perfectly together.
The kiss was like an explosion of sensations going off in her brain all at once. Kisses were supposed to feel like this one. She’d read about this kind of kiss but had never experienced it. Their mouths had been made to kiss.
Mia parted her lips slightly, and Brock slipped his tongue in, gently running it over her bottom lip as if he were tasting sugar on the rim of a coffee cup. She made a little humming noise in the back of her throat, and Brock deepened the kiss. His hand moved from her cheek to the back of her head, holding her close, whi
le his other found her waist and held her there. Mia’s hands rested at his hips, hooked into the pockets. She didn’t want the kiss to stop. He pulled her closer so that their bodies touched, and she circled his waist with her arms, holding him so he wouldn’t back away.
They would have kissed forever, but Sky grew impatient with their affection and nudged them, whinnying loudly for attention. Mia, who had taken the brunt of the nudge, nearly lost her balance, but Brock caught her. They laughed together.
“She’s pushy!” Mia exclaimed, her eyes never leaving his.
“Just like a woman,” Brock replied, a glint in his eyes.
“You better watch it, or you won’t get another kiss like that,” Mia warned playfully.
“How cruel,” Brock pouted just as Sky bumped them again. He stepped back but didn’t release Mia; he took her hand again and led her to the barn, calling to the horse, “All right, all right, we’re going. Meet us at the stable.”
As if the horse knew what his words meant, she cantered to the stable doors and waited to be let in. Brock made quick work of saddling his horse while Mia led Sky into the barn. She brushed her down quickly and checked her feet while Brock supervised.
“You are full of surprises,” Brock told her as he walked toward her, carrying Sky’s saddle and blanket. “You didn’t tell me you were an experienced rider.”
“You only asked if I could ride, not how often,” Mia pointed out as she took the blanket from him and adjusted it on Sky’s back, murmuring to her as she did so.
Brock shook his head. Every moment he spent with this woman, he found another reason to like her. He lifted the saddle onto Sky’s back and tightened all the straps. “I’m betting you can do all this, but let me be a gentleman.”
Mia laughed. “Of course. I usually have someone check it when I do it just to make sure. My hands aren’t always strong enough to secure the saddle.”
He helped her into the saddle after it was tightened, then climbed into his own. Mia saw a bag attached to his saddle and asked, “What’s that?”
“I packed a picnic. I know the best spot,” Brock told her as he clicked at his horse and left the stables.
Mia followed him on Sky. Yep, this is our first date. I don’t remember saying yes. He’s good, she mused, a little smile on her face.
“Slow walk, canter, or gallop?” Brock asked once they reached the open fields.
“Let’s start with a slow walk so we can talk,” Mia told him. “You’ve not really given me much for my article, you know.”
“Ah, but as the day progresses, you’ll learn more and more,” Brock said.
“I bet. Are you going to answer any questions if I ask?”
He winked at her. “Depends on the question.”
Mia rolled her eyes. “How much time do you spend working the ranch versus in your office dealing with the business of running a ranch this size?”
“An excellent question,” Brock answered. “Too much time in the office, I’ll tell you that. I prefer to be outside, working the cattle, repairing fences, training a horse. But paperwork has to be done. I’ve often considered hiring someone to do it for me, but I don’t like the idea of someone in my business.”
“Control freak? Okay, I get it.”
Brock mulled over her response. “Yeah, I guess I am a bit of a control freak. I never really thought about it. That’s just how I do business.”
“But you have a lawyer. Do you have an accountant?”
“Have to. The ranch is a multi-billion dollar enterprise. I have a trusted accountant my father used, and when he retires, his daughter is taking over for him. I pay them well to take care of everything so I don’t have to worry about the IRS.”
Mia nodded. “Excuse me for bringing this up, but you knew the laws concerning custody and child support, so I assume you are also familiar with tax laws. How did that happen?”
Brock laughed. “Eavesdropping paid off.”
“Yeah, sorry. Brenda forced me, I swear,” Mia told him with a sly smile.
“I have a college degree in ranch management with a minor in business. But I took several pre-law classes and read regularly when statutes change. It pays to be well-informed.”
“I’m impressed, Brock. You’re really an amazing person. So why have you refused interviews for so long?”
“Waiting for the right reporter, I guess,” he told her. “Let’s talk business later. I want to show you the river that runs through my land. There’s a small waterfall where we can have our picnic, if you’re hungry.”
Mia smiled. “I’d like that.” She looked around her, taking in the expansive land. “Your ranch is beautiful, Brock.”
“Thank you.”
Neither spoke for the next few minutes, allowing the sounds of nature and their horses’ hooves to fill the silence. Nature was in charge here; there were no paths or roads, just grass, bushes, the occasional tree, and animals, although they could see none of the small creatures who inhabited this part of Texas.
As they rode, Brock maneuvered his horse closer to Mia’s. He took her hand in his and kissed it. They rode holding hands for a few more minutes, enjoying each other’s silent company.
After about two miles, a sound captured their attention, a lowing, fearful sound Mia had never heard before. She looked at Brock, wide-eyed. “What is that?”
Brock’s head cocked to the side as he listened, prepared for anything. He waited for the noise to sound again, and he pinpointed the direction and what it was. “A cow. She must be injured.”
“Oh no,” Mia murmured as Brock released her hand and turned his horse in the direction of the injured cow. Mia turned Sky as well, allowing the horse to break into a canter to keep up with Carl, Brock’s horse.
In a ditch about fifty yards from where they’d been riding, a cow lay in the bottom, struggling. A calf was half out, and the cow was exhausted. She’d obviously become trapped in the ditch and couldn’t get out. She had exhausted herself trying, and at the same time, she was giving birth.
Brock cursed under his breath. He’d seen this before and hoped he had reached the cow in time to save both her and her calf. He climbed off Carl and scrambled down the side of the ditch, assuming Mia would remain on her horse to watch, but he heard her sliding down behind him just as he reached the suffering creature.
He glanced at her as he evaluated the cow. “You didn’t have to come down here.”
“I can help you,” Mia assured him.
Brock looked into her eyes and saw the strength there. “Okay. If you’ll grab the calf’s legs, we need to get the poor thing out before it suffocates.”
Mia glanced at the legs, which were flailing about. The calf wanted to be born, but the mother’s strength had run out. With every bit of resolve she possessed, Mia grabbed the baby’s legs and pulled with all her might. The baby slipped out more easily than she expected, and she fell back with the slimy, adorable creature in her lap. Her clothes were ruined, but she didn’t care. Tears fell down her cheeks as she cleaned the baby’s face, and it took its first breath. The sweet baby let out a bawling sound, and Mia cheered, clapping her hands together. With her hands, she began to clean the rest of the calf as it tried to stand on its own legs.
Mesmerized by the calf, Mia had lost interest in the mother. She watched as the little thing learned to walk, smiling. Brock, meanwhile, had watched her but his attention had been arrested by the mother, who had sighed with relief with the calf was out. However, she had stopped moving much and her breath was coming in heaves now. Frowning, he checked her. After a few minutes, he’d decided she’d lost too much blood. He looked at Mia, who was smiling and happy, watching the calf.
“Mia,” he said softly to gain her attention. She glanced at him, and her smile faltered when she looked at the mother. She looked into his eyes again, understanding in them. “I have to shoot the mother. She’s suffering, and I can’t get her the help she needs in time.”
Mia blinked back tears of sadness and nod
ded her head. “Let me take the calf up to the horses. I know she doesn’t know any better, but she shouldn’t have to see this.”
Brock watched as Mia hefted the calf in her arms and slowly but steadily climbed up the side of the ditch. In that instant, he fell in love with her.
Mia reached the top of the ditch and set the calf down. She talked to it like she would a baby, getting it to follow her away from the ditch. The calf did follow her, mooing quietly. We’ll have to get her back to the barn. She’ll need to eat, Mia thought. She was trying everything possible to think of anything but the mother when the report of a pistol echoed across the fields. She stared at the ground, silently hoping that cows went to heaven, until the calf bumped her and lowed quietly.
Mia knelt and told the baby, “We’ll get you back soon. You can ride with me. Sky won’t mind, will you girl? Now, what should we name you?” She nuzzled the baby, giggling when it nudged her back. “I think we’ll call you Spirit.”
Brock watched her with the baby calf, his eyes filled with love for a woman who had fallen in love with a calf. He moved closer and knelt next to her. “You can keep her if you want.”
Mia chuckled sadly as she rubbed the little head that had laid down in her lap to rest. “I live in a tiny apartment. No pets allowed.”
“She’ll stay here, and you’ll come visit.” She looked up at Brock. “And maybe, one day, you’ll decide you like me enough to stay around.”
Mia stared at him, shocked. “Brock, we met yesterday.”
“Actually, we met two days ago. You just didn’t know who I was,” Brock reminded her with a grin.
Mia shook her head. “You’re goofy. And crazy.”
“I’m not crazy. Well, I am crazy for you.” Brock took her hands after wiping his on his pants. He looked at her ruined clothes and the calf in her lap. “Mia, I know you think this is insane. It’s fast, and we don’t know much about each other. But there’s something between us, Mia.”
