“Now that everyone is ready, you’ll be heading out on that trail with a couple of ranch guides. Along the way, you’ll find two special picnic areas. At these stops, Brad will choose four girls to join him for a short picnic.”
Spencer paused before putting emphasis on his next statement. “I can’t stress enough how important these picnic dates are. Make sure you focus on getting to know Brad and letting him get to know you. He won’t get many chances to learn more about you before the next eliminations. Enough talking. Everyone mount your horses.” Spencer wandered back into the trailer, leaving them to figure out how to actually do that.
One of the guides helped Erica onto her horse. It didn’t look too hard. Evan swung his leg over his horse and seated himself into the saddle, putting his camera up on his shoulder. Another guide walked in front of his horse with the reins in his hand, leaving Evan’s hands free to film.
Doesn’t look too hard. You can do this.
Cassidy pulled her knee up to her chest, slipping her sore foot into the hanging stirrup and bounced a few times trying to gain a little momentum to help propel herself up and onto the horse. She counted to three, then jumped, putting all her weight into the stirrup and using her arms to pull herself toward the saddle. She hit the side of the horse with her chest and fell back to the ground, landing hard on her good foot.
Okay. Not as easy as I thought.
Cassidy bounced again, pulling with her arms a little each time, trying to get a feel for how high she needed to jump to pull herself onto the horse. All at once, she pulled with her arms, jumped and tried to stand in the stirrup. The muscle in her bent leg strained against her body weight. She gripped the saddle harder, struggling to raise her chest above the horse’s back.
How tall is this frickin’ horse?
Finally standing in the stirrup, she swung her leg in the direction of the horse’s rear, cringing when her knee connected with its side. Corona stumbled, nickered, and shook her body as if it was covered in flies. Maybe that’s how she views me. Just another fly on her ass.
The saddle slipped from her hands. She hit the ground with a thud, landing hard enough on her ass that her teeth chattered together. She sat stunned and unmoving for a moment before strong hands pulled her to her feet.
“You okay?” Evan’s eyes twinkled as he bit his lip, a smile tugging the corner of his mouth. Somehow in the time it had taken her to attempt to mount her horse, Evan had already mounted and dismounted his horse. Now he stood near her, waiting for her to make another pathetic attempt.
“Fine, thanks.” She wiped the back of her pants clean as best as she could, blushing at the chorus of giggles echoing around the corral.
“Would you like a hand? Corona’s pretty tall.”
Cassidy eyed Evan cautiously. He seemed genuine. And she did have to get on her horse somehow since she appeared to be the only girl remaining with her feet on the ground. “Sure,” she agreed with reservation.
She assumed the position again with her hands on the saddle and her foot in the stirrup. Evan placed his hands on her hips. His fingers pressed against her flesh as his grip on her tightened.
“You okay, Cassidy?” Brad asked, strolling up beside Evan.
“I’m fine. Just trying to get on my horse.”
“I can give you a boost,” offered Brad, moving toward her.
Evan motioned to Cassidy who was currently in his hands and smiled at Brad. “I’ve already got this covered, but thanks.” Evan turned back to Cassidy, essentially dismissing Brad.
Brad turned and stalked away with heavy steps. He doesn’t look happy about not being needed, but I stopped needing him the day he left.
“Just pull yourself up as much as you can and throw your leg over the saddle when you get to the top. I’ll give you a lift and make sure your horse doesn’t move again.”
She pulled herself up and Evan’s grip tightened as she became weightless in his hands. When she neared the top, his hand left her hip and slid onto her butt, making it easier for her to balance and throw her leg over the horse. The feel of his warm hand through her tight jeans made her flushed like she’d been in the sun all day.
Now this I need. Again.
As quick as it was there, his hand disappeared and she sat into the cold hard saddle. She hooked her other foot into the stirrup while Evan grabbed her reins.
“Thanks,” she managed as he peered up at her.
Cowboys are hot. I need to start watching westerns.
“My pleasure.” He patted Corona on the side of the neck. “You be good for Cassidy, okay?” The horse nickered and closed her eyes while he scratched behind her ear.
I get sneezes, he gets nuzzles. Nice.
Cassidy followed the group down the trail, gawking at the view while the other girls chatted. The mountains were stunning. She’d never realized how beautiful the world outside the city could be. She’d gotten complacent seeing the same cold gray cement buildings and sidewalks and had almost forgotten places where she could be surrounded by nature for miles existed. Unlike Central Park where there were always buildings in background as a lingering reminder of work waiting to be done. She could get used to this.
She saw Evan on his horse, his tight jeans covering what appeared to be a nicely sculpted butt. I could get used to that, too. His hips rocked gently in the saddle with the movement of the horse. The sight of it made her mouth go dryer than if she’d been riding through the Sahara Desert.
They walked up to a small clearing on the side of the trail. A picnic table sat in the middle of the clearing with wine and a small assortment of food laid out.
“This is our first stop. I’d like Zoe, Paige, Holly, and Cassidy to join me,” Brad stated. “If the rest of you wouldn’t mind following the trail a little further, there’s a beautiful spot to stop and see the view. We’ll meet you there in a little bit.”
Brad stopped his horse near Cassidy and threw his leg back over the horse in reverse of how he’d done it earlier, then landed on the ground with both feet. Paige and Zoe followed his lead and were also off their horses and safely on the ground.
This isn’t going to be as easy as it looks, is it?
Brad came up beside Cassidy and stroked her leg. “Do you want help getting down?”
“Sure. You made it seem so easy.”
“Just put your weight into the stirrup and swing your other leg back around.”
Cassidy did as he suggested and ended up slumped over the saddle on her stomach. “Uh, Brad, I’m not so sure this is the right way to get down.”
“Don’t worry, babe. I’ve got you.” Brad put his hands on her waist. “Now slip your foot out of the stirrup and jump down.”
His grip was strong. Not as sturdy as Evan’s had been, but enough to help her off the horse safely. Her foot wiggled out of the stirrup and her arms gave way under her awkward position in the saddle. Brad’s hands tightened on her but gravity took over and she fell. He stumbled trying to guide her to her feet, but she was too off balance and he didn’t have the arm strength to support her coming down off of such a tall horse.
Cassidy yelped as they fell backward and the ground rushed up to meet them. She landed hard, ass first on top of Brad.
Not again. I should sign a stack of those stupid medical treatment forms.
Brad groaned from beneath her before starting to laugh. “I don’t think we did that right after all.”
“Ya think?” Cassidy rolled off Brad and onto her knees beside him. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Brad climbed to his feet then helped her up. “That’s not exactly how you used to sit on my lap, but it was still nice.”
She dusted off her jeans and said a little prayer that it would be the last time she’d have to. She could already feel the bruises blooming on her ass, her muscles yelling at her lack of balance and coordination. You’d think her body would be used to this kind of abuse after twenty-eight years.
Evan peered at Cassidy from behind the camera w
ith that now familiar expression on his face. The one he seemed to get every time she was near Brad. But this time, it seemed like there was more to it, a nervousness or concern she hadn’t seen before. Was he worried about her fall or her time with Brad? Perhaps he worried about both.
“Be careful,” Evan whispered almost too quietly for her to hear.
“I’m fine,” Cassidy said as if telling America instead of Evan. “It was only a tiny fall. No harm done.”
He cocked his head and scowled at her.
Well, if he was worried about her, he could get over it. It was a teeny, tiny fall and she didn’t need him to protect her from the big, bad horse. She’d already had one boyfriend who treated her with kid gloves, she wasn’t signing up for that again. Not that Evan was going to be her boyfriend, but still.
Cassidy became aware of the smirking faces around her, her cheeks growing hot. She hated being laughed at. There was only one way to handle this embarrassment — face it with a smile.
“Thank you.” Cassidy forced a smile to her lips and pretended to curtsey. “I’ll be here all day.”
Brad put his arm around her shoulders. “I forgot how clumsy you are. I miss saving you from disaster.”
“Well, don’t get too nostalgic because I’m really trying to be more careful. I’m hoping to make it a few days at a time without needing to be saved.”
“Come on. Let’s go eat and relax before we have to risk your life getting you back on that horse. You couldn’t have picked a smaller one, huh? Maybe a Shetland pony so you’d be closer to the ground?”
“Very funny.” She laughed and pushed him away, walking off to join the others while pretending to be offended. She’d forgotten how smart-assed he could be. She’d forgotten how much she liked that about him.
He was right — about the horse at least. She should have picked a smaller horse, and maybe one who listened to her. She’d been foolish to pick one based on Susan’s recommendation. Now she was stuck with a monstrosity of a horse who listened about as well as a two-year-old.
Perhaps instead of picking a horse named Corona, I should have drank a Corona. Of course, I probably still would have ended up on my ass at some point. I don’t get along with beer, either. That should have been my first sign of impending doom.
She settled onto the picnic bench beside Paige and gulped a big mouthful of water out of a cold bottle. Cassidy sat quietly, nibbling on a sandwich as the others chatted easily with Brad. She was happy to be invisible for a few minutes since it seemed like there’d been a lot of focus on her already. Focus she wished would be on someone else for a change.
Cassidy glanced across the table and found Zoe glaring at her. She whispered something to Holly, who giggled and tried to hide a smile behind her hand.
Awesome. It’s like high school all over again.
“How’re you feeling?” Brad asked.
“I’m good. Nothing to worry about. Or, um, talk about even.” She tried to put on an easygoing expression, but inside she wanted to crawl under the table and hide.
“Maybe if Cassidy’s not feeling well, one of the guides should take her back to the barn,” offered Zoe, twisting her necklace. “Maybe you should have a doctor examine you. With all those falls, it’s amazing you’re even able to sit here with us on this hard bench. Good thing you had enough padding to cushion the fall.”
Take a deep breath. Don’t fall into her trap.
Cassidy pouted her lips slightly and put her hand on her chest. “That’s so sweet of you to be worried about me. But I’m fine. Really. I wouldn’t want to miss all the fun here.”
“We’d miss you if you weren’t here,” Brad added. “I’m glad you’re well enough to stay with us.”
Anger and hurt flashed across Zoe’s face before she turned to Brad and started asking him questions about being a surfer. Cassidy didn’t need to listen to his answers. She’d heard them all before. “Surfing’s a rush of exhilaration and a feeling of complete freedom … ” Blah, blah, blah. Surfing also made you break hearts.
“Paige,” Cassidy whispered. “What’s with Zoe and that stupid necklace she always wears?”
Paige shrugged. “Apparently it’s her grandmother’s. She inherited it and hasn’t taken it off since.”
Cassidy eyed the tiny cluster of pendants hanging from it. A cross, an anchor, and a heart. Seemed uncharacteristic of Zoe to be so sentimental. Now if it were a two-carat diamond pendant, then it would perfectly fit Zoe’s shining personality.
Cassidy zoned out for the rest of the picnic. She nodded her head and laughed along with everyone else when it was appropriate, but she couldn’t actually recall a single thing they’d talked about. She could have agreed to go live on the moon for all she knew.
The rest of the trail ride passed in a blur. After what felt like only minutes, the second set of girls finished their picnic with Brad. Together, everyone sauntered back to the barn. Cassidy glanced around quickly, nervous to get off the horse again and fall. Her body could only take so much.
“Stay still, Corona,” she pleaded, patting the horse on the shoulder. She swung her leg over the horse, determined to successfully complete one dismount before the challenge ended.
Her arms shook as she lowered herself carefully from the saddle, finally giving up their fight part way down. Gravity took her the last few feet and she hit the ground with both feet, stumbling backward a step before bumping into something solid.
“How, Cassidy? How do you always end up in my arms?” Evan’s voice rumbled in her ear, his warm breath on her earlobe making her girly bits tingle.
She found her footing and turned in his arms. She could see the dust and dirt clinging to his five o’clock shadow, his brow beaded with sweat. He desperately needed a shower and there was nothing she could have fantasized about more than being in one with him. Instead, she pushed herself back from him and swallowed her urge to climb him like a jungle gym.
“What can I say? I guess I just keep falling for you,” she said, before her brain caught up to her mouth and she was able to censor herself.
Crap.
“I, uh — I’m going to go put my horse back before she finds another way to humiliate me today. Bye.” Cassidy turned on her heel and pulled hard on Corona’s reins, not allowing the horse to resist her. She didn’t want to stand out in the corral for another second alone with Evan, or who knows what else she’d decide to blurt out. Nope. Corona was coming with her whether her huge horse ass liked it or not.
Cassidy passed by Susan at the barn entrance. “Thanks for the recommendation. Corona was a real peach.” Cassidy laughed halfheartedly.
“Sorry. I was only trying to help.” Susan smirked. “I can’t help it if you don’t know how to ride.”
Ouch.
Cassidy sucked in a breath. Recommending Corona hadn’t been an accident at all. “Just trying to help. That’s why I ended up with the only horse that wouldn’t listen, huh? What did I do that made you not like me?”
“I like you fine. But maybe some of the other girls are better suited to be here.”
How dare Susan make the assumption that she wasn’t cut out for these challenges? Cassidy could do anything the other girls could — she’d just do it with a few more bruises and a lot less grace.
“Keep your nose out of my business from now on. I don’t need you looking out for me.” Cassidy walked away from Susan before saying anything else she might regret. She’d prove to everyone she deserved to be here. And she wouldn’t need anyone protecting her while she did it.
Not even super sexy Evan.
• • •
Spencer walked into the barn. “Can I have everyone’s attention?”
Cassidy wandered into the main hallway to join the rest of the girls.
“Brad has decided who he wants to put in the bottom three this week, so without making you wait longer, we’re going ahead with that ceremony now. Here.”
Cassidy glanced around. All of the girls looked shaken by this su
dden turn of events. Everyone except Zoe, of course. She always looked confident.
“I’m sorry to do this so quickly but sometimes you have to pull the bandage off all in one go, right?” Brad asked. “So, the first girl in the bottom three is Paige.”
Paige bit her lip, her chin quivering. Cassidy hated seeing her upset, taking everything to heart.
“The second girl in the bottom this week is Nicole. This last one is really difficult, but I have to go with my gut.” Brad looked down at his feet as if he couldn’t bear to look the final girl in the eye. “Zoe, I’m sorry. I’m not sure we click.”
Chapter Eleven
Cassidy eased into the outdoor Jacuzzi beside the pool, letting her body acclimate to the heat. It bordered on too hot, and she felt a little bit like a lobster going into a steaming pot, but she’d tolerate the heat if it meant she’d feel better afterwards. Her muscles ached after the long day on the trails.
She’d mistakenly believed horseback riding would be fun. Everyone on TV was always laughing and smiling while they galloped through fields or on the beach with the wind streaming through their hair all cool and sexy.
That was a total load of bullshit.
It wasn’t fun. It wasn’t exciting, and Cassidy never wanted to do it again.
She rested her head back against the side of the hot tub. As the water lapped over her shoulders, the heat finally penetrated deep into the muscles, dulling the aches she felt everywhere. She ached in places she didn’t even know a person could ache. Not only was her ego badly bruised but it felt like her ass would probably be a brilliant shade of indigo by morning.
“Hey, Cassidy, great riding today,” Zoe snickered. “You should, like, give lessons or something.”
Even with her eyes closed, Cassidy could see the smiles, and there was absolutely no missing the laughter echoing around the tub.
Bitch. Deep breath … count to ten … One, two, bitch, three, four. I hate you. Five …
Falling for You Page 9
