Champagne & Chaps

by Cheyenne McCray

  When they got to the barn, Wyatt called out, “Trent.”

  A boy of about thirteen came jogging toward them from the shadows inside the barn. “Yes, boss?”

  “Trent, this is Miss Sabrina.” Wyatt looked at her. “Sabrina, this is my youngest ranch hand, Trent.”

  The boy grinned with pride. “Nice to meet you, Miss Sabrina.”

  She smiled back at him. “A pleasure to meet you, too, Trent.”

  “Take Senorita for me while I show Miss Sabrina around.” Wyatt let Trent take the horse by its bridle. “Give her some sweet oats, too.”

  “Yes, sir,” Trent said. The boy gave Sabrina a nod and headed into the barn with the horse.

  She smiled and said to Wyatt, “Wow, cowboys learn to be gentlemen young around here. I’m impressed”

  “He’s a good kid.” They stood outside the barn as Wyatt spoke and he kept his voice down. “He’s been hanging around here since he was nine.” He looked at Sabrina, his jaw tight as he spoke. “His dad was a mean drunk and Trent needed a place to come to when his dad was feeling mean or passed out cold. So I let the kid help around here and gave him money and food. His dad used whatever he earned on booze. Trent was stick thin when he started coming here.”

  Sabrina’s eyes widened. “Did his father beat him?”

  “Thankfully, no.” Wyatt looked grim. “I might have ended up in jail for killing the sonofabitch for touching the boy if he had. I did have a real good talk with the man a couple of times. He’d be nicer to Trent for a while then slip back into what he was.”

  “Couldn’t anything be done about it?” she asked.

  “We sure as hell tried,” Wyatt said. “But there was never any proof of physical violence or other abuse that left physical marks, so there was nothing the state could do about it.”

  Imagining Trent going through that made her heart hurt. “Does he still live with his father?”

  Wyatt shook his head. “The old man accidentally burned their house down and himself along with it. We were real fortunate that Trent was here and not in the house with his dad. He was adopted by Mrs. Jacobson, a great lady who lives a couple of miles away. She lets him come over here and help out after school and on weekends. The boy loves it.”

  Sabrina had watched the fierceness in Wyatt’s expression when he talked about Trent and what his father had done to him, and she saw the gentleness in the way Wyatt talked about the boy himself. She found herself admiring and appreciating him even more.

  Wyatt touched her elbow and guided her into the barn. “The horses are out in the pasture behind the barn or out working with the men.”

  The aisle they walked down was strewn with hay but the place looked clean. “Does Trent take care of the barn?” she asked.

  Wyatt nodded. “He mucks the stalls and feeds and waters the horses along with anything else that needs to be done.”

  “Like brushing down the horses,” she said and he nodded. She looked up to see a hay loft and then around her at the stalls and fifty gallon drums.

  “We keep the grain, sweet oats, and pellets in these.” Wyatt leaned down and opened a smaller drum and she smelled the unfamiliar scent as he took a handful of pellets and pocketed them. “Why don’t I take you out to the pasture where the horses are?”

  She smiled. “I’d like that.”

  They walked out behind the barn to a set of corrals where five gorgeous horses grazed in a fenced pasture.

  “They’re wonderful.” She looked at them in awe, the way their coats shone in the sunlight and the natural beauty of the big animals. She saw a sixth horse, a much smaller one, come into view from the other side of one of the larger horses. “That must be a baby.”

  Wyatt smiled. “That foal is nine months old now and a handful, so we call her Mayhem. She’s going to grow up to be as beautiful as her dam, Missy.” He dug into his pocket. “Let me see your hand.” Sabrina did as he told her and he placed a couple of pellets on her palm. “Come on.” He opened a gate and they slipped in and walked toward the foal and her mother.

  Sabrina’s breath caught in her chest as they approached Missy and Mayhem. The foal trotted up to them, her head high, a mischievous light in her big brown eyes. Missy bumped her nose against Mayhem’s neck as if telling her to behave. Sabrina looked up at Wyatt and saw his amusement.

  Wyatt gestured to the dam. “Hold out the treats for Missy.” Sabrina obeyed, automatically taking a step back when the big animal approached her. “It’s okay, she won’t hurt you and she won’t bite.”

  Sabrina stayed still, holding her breath as the horse lowered her head and made snuffling sounds over Sabrina’s palm, Missy’s hot breath warming Sabrina’s hand. Then she felt the velvety softness of the horse’s nose as she took the treats.

  A thrill went through Sabrina and she laughed as she looked at Wyatt. “That was so cool.”

  He grinned and she held out her hand for more pellets. This time he had her offer the treat to Mayhem who took them and then started prancing around her mother.

  The four other horses came up and Sabrina fed each one of them the rest of the pellets. While they fed the horses, Sabrina petted them and talked to them and told them how beautiful they were. They seemed to like her talking to them and she smiled up at Wyatt.

  “I think I’m in love,” she said.

  He grinned. “I’ll take you riding sometime.”

  “Thank you.” A sense of excitement raced through her at the thought. “I’d like that very much.”

  When the pellets were gone, Sabrina reluctantly left the horses. “I adore them,” she said. “I can see why so many people are fascinated with horses. They’re amazing.”

  Wyatt opened the gate to the pasture and let Sabrina out before closing it behind them. “Now I know the way to your heart,” he said and she laughed.

  They walked to the corrals and climbed up on the wooden railings. “I’ll take you riding out there sometime.” He gestured toward the distance. “The cattle are grazing in the northeast pasture now.”

  “I’m amazed at how beautiful it is out here.” Sabrina used the height of the railing she was standing on to get a better look around. “I’ve heard about it, but I just never imagined how incredible it is.”

  She looked back at Wyatt who was standing on the ground now and he was smiling at her. He took her hand and helped her down.

  “Now what?” she asked as she fell into step beside him.

  “How about some sun tea?” He took off his hat and mopped his brow with a red handkerchief that he stuffed into his back pocket. “I could use something nice and cool to drink right about now.”

  “Sounds great.” She fanned her face. “It is getting a little warm.”

  He took her by the hand and she suddenly felt even warmer as his heat traveled straight through her from her head to her toes. He met her gaze and she had a feeling he was just as hot as she was.

  Chapter 6

  Before they went into the house for a drink, Wyatt went into the barn to talk with Trent for a moment then returned. When Wyatt had returned, the chaps were gone and she was vaguely disappointed. She had loved watching the way his chaps had framed his sexy cowboy butt as he’d walked away from her.

  When they reached Wyatt’s house, she found it was spacious and beautiful with acres of tile, western furnishings, and décor.

  When they were in the kitchen, Wyatt asked Sabrina if she would be hungry for lunch soon.

  “In a little while,” she said.

  “Got an idea that you might like.” He ducked into the fridge then started pulling ingredients out for sandwiches.

  She watched him put mayo, mustard, and lunchmeats on the counter. “Can I help?”

  He winked at her. “I’ve got it.”

  She liked watching him as he worked. His movements were easy and natural as he threw together the sandwiches and put them into what looked like a large lunch bag with a drawstring. He tossed in a couple of small bags of Doritos and pulled a package of Oreo
s out of the cabinet and put it into the bag, too. Lastly, he filled a thermos with ice and sun tea then twisted the top shut.

  “I take it we’re going to eat outside or we’re going on a picnic,” she said.

  “You’re such a smart girl.” He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. “I guess that’s why I like you.”

  She laughed and walked through the house to the front door. He was so much fun to be with.

  When they stepped outside, she saw Trent between two saddled horses, holding their bridles. One looked like Senorita, Wyatt’s horse that she had met when she first got there. The other was the one with big white spots on brown and white legs that Wyatt had called a paint, that had been in the corral with the other horses. Her name was Sally and she had taken pellets from Sabrina’s hand, too.

  She looked up at Wyatt and he grinned down at her and pointed to the horses. “Your carriage, ma’am.”

  Sabrina wanted to squeal with delight and clap her hands together, but she didn’t want to sound or look like a teenage girl. “Thank you,” she said with a big smile as she walked up to the two horses.

  He gestured to the paint. “Sally is perfect for new riders. Gentle but loaded with personality. You won’t feel like you’re on a pony ride at the circus but you also won’t feel like she’s going to toss you.”

  In response, Sally bobbed her head and snorted. Sabrina smiled.

  Wyatt went to each horse and checked the saddles, ensuring they were on snug, she guessed. Then he adjusted the stirrups on Sally, making them a little shorter, probably for her height.

  “Good job, Trent.” Wyatt said then turned to Sabrina. “Trent is first class when it comes to horses.”

  The boy beamed. “Anything else, boss?”

  Wyatt shook his head as he slipped the bag with their lunch into one of the saddlebags on his horse. “It’s about lunchtime. Why don’t you take a break and eat?”

  “I’m super hungry.” Trent nodded. “Thanks, boss.” He tipped his hat to Sabrina then headed off toward the barn.

  As Wyatt guided her to the right side of the horse, she started to feel a little nervous. “What if I don’t do it right?”

  “Don’t worry. Sally and I will take care of you.”

  Sabrina was so petite in height that the stirrup looked too high, but Wyatt boosted her up with his hands so that her foot slid into the stirrup and then he helped her into the saddle.

  She clenched the pommel, afraid she would fall off. “I don’t suppose this thing has a seatbelt.”

  Wyatt laughed. “You’ll be fine.

  At first she felt uneasy sitting so high and feeling such a big animal beneath her and butterflies fluttered in her belly. She was grateful that Sally stayed so still.

  “Let’s give you a little spin around the driveway before we head off anywhere.”

  Wyatt took Sally’s reins and started to walk in a circle in the big clear area between the house, the barn, and the corrals.

  Her knuckles ached from hanging onto the pommel so tight as she felt the horse sway beneath her and felt the restrained power in the big animal’s movements.

  “Relax, sweetheart.” Wyatt smiled at her. “Nothing’s going to happen.”

  She nodded and eased up on her grip on the pommel. After they’d made a couple of trips around the driveway, he brought them to a halt beside Senorita.

  “You’re going to hold the reins now.” He handed them to her. “I’ll tell you what to do each step of the way.”

  She nodded and took the reins, suddenly feeling a little more out of control. But she gripped the reins and waited for him to mount his own horse.

  He showed her how to gently tell the horse with the reins where she wanted to go and he instructed her on how to make Sally go and stop. He kept them at a sedate pace, letting her get used to the horse as they headed out of the driveway, through a gate, and into a back pasture.

  As they went, Sabrina started to feel comfortable with the easy rhythm of Sally’s gait and she found herself thoroughly enjoying the experience.

  They talked and laughed as they went over flat grasslands and then up over a hill. It was a low hill but she had a feeling like the saddle was going to slide right off the horse’s rump. But the saddle stayed put and the horse continued with a nice, steady gait that eased Sabrina’s fears.

  After a while, they reached a copse of trees and huddled amongst them was a small building, sort of like a cabin. It looked quaint with a chimney and windows shaded with curtains. When they halted their horses in front of it, Wyatt dismounted and took the reins of both horses and looped them around the railing along a brief porch that had two old wood rocking chairs on it.

  “What’s this place?” she asked as he helped her down from Sally.

  “Years ago, a foreman offered to build this place because he wanted his own space.” Wyatt said as they walked up onto the porch. “The folks who owned this parcel of land gave him the materials and he built it. I bought this parcel a few years ago and the abandoned house came along with it.”

  The door handle turned easily and the hinges were surprisingly silent as he pushed open the door. Sabrina stepped inside and saw that it was a simple one-room place with a bed in one corner and a small kitchen area. There were a couple of recliners in front of a wood stove, and a gas lamp on a table between them. There were skylights but she noticed an electric light, too.

  “It doesn’t look abandoned,” she said as he closed the door behind them.

  “I keep it as a guest house.” He looked down at her. “It was in good repair and it seemed a shame to just let it go. The man who built it put in a generator that still works fine so there’s electric light and a fan for when it gets warm.” He gestured to a tall fan she hadn’t noticed which was close to the bed that was covered by a patchwork quilt.

  “It’s adorable,” she said.

  “Trent used to sneak up here when his dad was on a bender. His dad never missed him and I made sure we kept an eye on the place. Trent never knew that. He always kept it neat and clean and it never looked like someone had been here. Well,” he added with a little smile, “Except for the fact that when he’d clean up, he’d clean up all the dust, too.”

  “Does he come out here now?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “He’s happy in his new home, so no running away anymore for him.”

  “That’s great.”

  Wyatt went to a large window between the kitchenette area and the chairs and wood stoves. The window had pretty gingham drapes. She went with him, and when he pulled the drapes aside she caught her breath.

  “The view is amazing.” She looked out over rolling hills with miles of green grass dotted with pockets of oaks. “It’s so beautiful in this part of the country.”

  “I had this window put in for the view,” he said. “And it makes the room a lot brighter.”

  He let the curtains fall back in place and then they went back out onto the porch and had their lunch while they sat in the rocking chairs. She loved being with Wyatt. He made her feel so comfortable, so…happy.

  That thought gave her pause, but she pushed it aside.

  When they finished eating, Wyatt stuffed the lunch bag with the garbage in it back into his saddlebag. Then he took Sabrina’s hand and led her back into the little house and closed the door behind him. He took off his hat and set it aside on the small table.

  “Getting stuffy in here.” He switched on the fan. “Getting close to noon.”

  The way he held her hand caused her heart to pound a bit faster and then he took her in his arms. “I need to kiss you in the worst way.”

  Her eyes widened and a thrill went through her belly. He brought his mouth down on hers in a gentle kiss that sent her pulse rocketing and her mind spinning. Without thinking she slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him in return.

  Slowly she came back to her senses and she braced her hands on his chest and pushed away.

  “Hey.” He brushed hair out of her face. “I
didn’t bring you here to take advantage of you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  She lowered her gaze. “That’s not it at all.” As matter of fact she wanted him to take advantage of the time alone. But she couldn’t without telling him. And then what would he do?

  He hooked one finger under her chin. “Then what is it?”

  “I have something to tell you.” She met his gaze, wondering what his reaction would be.

  “Okay.” He studied her face. “Don’t tell me you have a boyfriend or husband somewhere waiting for you.”

  She shook her head. “No, definitely not.”

  “Good.” He gave her a gentle smile. “Then what is it you have to tell me that’s holding you back from kissing me?”

  “I—” She took a deep breath then let it out. “I had a double mastectomy six months ago.” Her stomach twisted as she said the words, not knowing what to expect from him.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He guided her to the bed and they sat down on the edge of it. “Did they get it all?”

  “They say the cancer is completely gone.” She nodded. “That doesn’t mean it can’t come back. You never know with this disease if it will show up in the future. But right now the prognosis is good.”

  He put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”

  “I had to have radiation treatments so I haven’t been able to have reconstructive surgery yet,” she said. “Next summer, when school is out, I’ll have the procedure done. By then I’ll have enough money saved.”

  He stroked her hair. “You didn’t lose your hair from the radiation treatments?”

  “Not really.” She shook her head. “It was a lot thicker than it is now, but I was lucky because I didn’t lose much of it.”

  “Even if you did lose it all, you’d still be sexy to me,” he said with a little smile. “So, backing up a little. As far as kissing me, that’s a problem, because…?”

  Her lips parted. “I don’t have my breasts anymore.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “I don’t care what you do or don’t have. All I know is that I have gotten to know you and what I care about is you, whether you think you have all you need to have or not.” He gave a teasing smile. “Unless you have male parts. Then we might have a problem.”