Curves and the Russian Wrangler (BBW Romance - Coldwater Springs 6)

by Jenn Roseton

  Spying a gate with Green Pines emblazoned on the gnarled wood, she turned into the gravel driveway and drove slowly until she reached the house.

  Amber parked near the brown painted barn and turned off the ignition. She sat there for a second, trying to breathe evenly. What would she say to him? She gazed through the windscreen but couldn’t see anybody around. Taking a deep breath, she got out of the car and looked about.

  There was nobody in sight.

  A horse corral was on one side of the barn. Pasture filled with green grass was on the opposite side.

  The freshly painted white house was a small distance from the barn. A small porch with an inviting two-seater swing beckoned her to sit down and relax while gazing at the cows and horses in the distance.

  It was quiet - too quiet - except for the rapid beating of her heart.

  Barney whinnied from the trailer, the sudden sound startling, reminding her why she was here.

  She pushed the car keys into the pocket of her cargo pants and started walking towards the barn.

  “Hello? Is anybody here?” She called out, glad that her voice sounded confident. “Hello?”

  Mikhail strode out of the barn.

  Her breath caught. His dark hair glinted in the sunshine. His eyes crinkled at the corners against the sunlight. He was magnificent in worn blue jeans and a black t-shirt.

  “Hi.” She waved, forcing herself to put one foot in front of the other. Her mouth suddenly felt as dry as sandpaper. She hoped she wouldn’t make a fool of herself and stammer.

  One thing was for sure - it had been far too long since she’d had a date.

  He lifted a hand in greeting, a smile tugging up the corners of his mouth. “Hello, Amber.”

  “Hi,” she repeated, her mind going blank. She stared up at him, her gaze tracing his sexy, Slavic features. He looked even better than she’d remembered.

  “Did you get my message?”

  “What … what message?”

  “I called to see if you would like to go horse-back riding. Emma gave me your phone number before she left for Hawaii.” His eyes tracked her features.

  She pulled her phone out of her pocket and turned it on. Or tried to. Nothing happened. “The battery must be flat.” Amber bit her lip, annoyed with herself, trying to think back to the last time she‘d checked her phone for messages. A couple of days at least.

  “It is no matter. You are here now. But if you did not receive my voicemail, how can I help you?” His eyebrow quirked in enquiry.

  She blinked, willing her brain to kick into gear. “Barney,” she said with a whoosh of relief. “He bit me. Betty at the diner recommended you. For training horses,” she added hastily.

  Why would he have thought Betty would have recommended him for anything else?

  “Let me see.” His Russian accent made her pulse skitter.

  She held out her hand, the bite mark still evident on her pale skin. He gently took her hand in his, and brushed his thumb near the injured flesh.

  She inhaled swiftly, hoping he hadn’t heard.

  “Did I hurt you?” He looked concerned.

  “No.” She tried to pass off her reaction with a little laugh, but was unsure she succeeded. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

  “Good.” His thumb brushed her hand again, this time further away from her injury.

  Her knees wobbled.

  Don’t be silly. You’ve had guys holding your hand before.

  But her few and far between boyfriends hadn’t affected her like this.

  What would it be like if he kissed you?

  Made love to you?

  She had to stop her thoughts from spinning out of control.

  “I would have asked Cade to help me with Barney, but he and Emma have gone on vacation.” He still held her hand.

  “Cade is a good trainer.” He seemed to realize her hand was captured in his and relinquished it. Reluctantly, she thought. Then told herself she was imagining things.

  “Let me see your horse.”

  “I’ve had Barney for five years,” she told him as they walked to her car. “He’s never done anything like this before. He’s always been gentle.”

  “Why do you think he bit you?” he asked, matching his stride to her shorter one.

  “I’m afraid I’ve neglected him lately and I haven’t been riding him much.”

  “Emma told me you had a big promotion at work.”

  She tried not to blush. Had Emma been telling Mikhail about her? It would only be because despite Amber’s denials, her friend could tell she was attracted to the man, and was trying to help.

  “It’s only a small store.” She tried to downplay her new job. Although she was pleased about her new promotion, it wasn’t as if she were manager of a large department store. Just a cute boutique in Coldwater Springs.

  “But your employer must have a lot of trust in you to put you in charge.” A warm flush stole through her at his compliment.

  They reached the horse trailer. Barney whinnied, interrupting the moment.

  “Ah, yes, Barney.” Mikhail chuckled, then helped her ease the ramp down. “Do you need help guiding him out?”

  “He should be fine.” She prayed her horse would behave himself while she led him out of the trailer. Barney had never played up before when it was time to enter or exit a horse trailer, but then, he’d never bitten her before, either. Hoping she wasn’t about to make a fool of herself, she entered the trailer, grasped the lead rope and backed him out of the trailer without incident.

  “Hello, Barney.” Mikhail slowly approached the gold colored horse. “Good boy,” he murmured, holding out his fist for the horse to sniff.

  The palomino sniffed Mikhail’s outstretched hand, then relaxed, dipping his head.

  Mikhail stroked the horse’s nose, murmuring soothingly to him. Shivers tickled her spine at his soft voice, and she wondered what it would be like for Mikhail to speak to her like that. Delicious.

  Her gaze drifted to the Russian’s hand, still petting Barney. She sighed inwardly, wishing Mikhail’s long, tanned fingers stroked her, not her horse.

  Stop it.

  Telling herself to concentrate on her horse’s well-being, she watched Mikhail as a potential client, not a potential boyfriend. Or at least tried to. He seemed to know what he was doing, and so far, in her opinion, was just as skilled with horses as Cade. Barney stood quietly before him, giving a soft whicker and accepting Mikhail’s petting as his due.

  “He is a nice horse.” Mikhail ran his eye over Barney in an assessing manner. “Good lines. Beautiful color.”

  “Thanks.” Pleasure rushed through her. She’d bought Barney five years ago through an ad in the newspaper. As soon as she saw him, she’d fallen in love with him. At fifteen hands, his sturdy body was strong enough to carry her comfortably. She’d saved up for quite a while before buying him, and had never regretted her decision.

  “If he is good-natured, then he might have been bored and wanted to play. Come. I shall lunge him.” He turned to look at her. “Is that okay with you?”

  She nodded, unable to get a word out. His decisiveness made her insides quiver, yet he had also checked with her before doing anything with Barney. Thoughtful and considerate too. Just like her imaginary dream guy.

  But, she thought with a wistful sigh, admiring his firm butt in his faded blue jeans as he led Barney over to the corral, how could he be interested in a curvy girl like her? She wore cargo pants with an elastic waist for goodness’ sake, and tried to hide her rounded tummy with tops that draped or skimmed over her stomach and hips. Right now she wore a turquoise t-shirt tucked into her pants underneath a matching blouse, that was not tucked in, hoping to disguise her plump hips and stomach.

  Surely her lack of boyfriends was a clue that she just didn’t have much or any sex appeal? Why would Mikhail be different? He was gorgeous, had a sexy Russian accent, owned his own ranch, and seemed to be skilled with horses. Any girl would be lucky to have him in her li
fe.

  It just wouldn’t be her.

  She watched Mikhail grab a lunging rope from the barn, then lead Barney into the enclosure. The palomino’s hooves kicked up a little dust as the Russian walked him around the arena, standing in the middle of the enclosure holding the lunging rope. Then he urged Barney into a trot, and eventually a lope.

  Amber gripped the wooden railing, watching her horse enjoy the exercise. His blond mane and tail flowed out and his ears were pricked forward as he cantered around the corral.

  Guilt jabbed her once more. Now she had a handle on her new responsibilities at the boutique, she was determined to spend just as much time with her horse as she used to.

  “He is going well,” Mikhail called out, gesturing to the palomino.

  She nodded, a smile on her face, glad that she’d brought Barney here.

  After another ten minutes, Mikhail concluded the session. “I think he’s had enough.” He stroked the horse’s nose.

  “Thank you.” She reached out to pet Barney over the wooden fence. “He looks a lot happier.”

  “If you give him as much attention as you did before, I don’t think you will have any more problems.”

  Amber nodded, noticing his attention had drifted to her hand patting her horse. “How much do I owe you?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head. “It was my pleasure to help you. But perhaps he would like it if you took him for a ride. I have a spare saddle in the barn and I would go with you. There are some horse trails nearby.” He gestured to a narrow dirt track leading to the right of the farmhouse.

  Amber caught her breath, her hand stilling on the velvet smoothness of Barney’s coat. She opened her mouth to say yes, when she remembered she’d invited her girlfriends for dinner, and hadn’t had time to prepare anything yet.

  “I’d like to, but I can’t today.“ Disappointment clouded her features. However much she wanted to accept his invitation, she couldn’t cancel on her friends, especially when meeting up tonight had been her idea. It had been far too long since she’d spent time with them.

  He nodded. “What about tomorrow?”

  She smiled up at him, her pulse quickening. “Yes. I’d love to.”

  “Eleven o’clock?” A smile edged his features, lightening his face.

  Amber nodded. “I’ll be here.”

  “And I will be waiting.”

  Her heart skipped a beat at his deep, accented tone.

  He led the palomino out of the corral. “Good boy,” Mikhail praised. He handed her the lead rope. “I’ll walk back with you to the trailer.”

  She took the rope from his outstretched hand, careful not to let her fingers brush against his. Just a tiny slip of her thumb would be enough to graze the tanned flesh of his hand. What effect would touching his hand have on her? She suspected it might be like playing with fire. And right now, she definitely didn’t want to get burned.

  Conscious of his gaze on her as she led her horse back to the SUV, she straightened her shoulders, surreptitiously sucking in her stomach. Although he’d invited her to go horseback riding with him tomorrow, she must be careful not to read anything else in it. He was taking an interest in Barney because he was a horse trainer. That was all. She’d be setting herself up for disappointment if she read anything more into his invitation.

  Mikhail helped her load Barney into the trailer and fasten the ramp behind the horse’s hindquarters.

  “I shall see you tomorrow, Amber.” Satisfaction glinted in his dark brown eyes.

  “Yes.” She cursed her breathless tone. It was all very well telling herself he wasn’t interested in her, but unfortunately she found it hard to control her attraction to him.

  “Until then.” He held open the driver’s door of the SUV, waiting until she buckled her seatbelt before he shut it gently.

  She started up the car, her fingers trembling when she turned the key in the ignition. When was the last time a man had opened her car door for her, and waited to make sure she’d buckled up?

  She tried to dredge up a memory from the dim, distant past but failed miserably.

  Mikhail lifted a hand in farewell as she drove slowly down the drive. If watching him lunge her horse had her this hot and bothered, how on earth would she cope going horseback riding with him tomorrow?

  ***

  The next morning, Amber drove to Mikhail’s ranch, towing her horse in the trailer, and thinking about the previous evening.

  Dinner with her girlfriends had been fun. By the time she’d arrived home late yesterday afternoon, groomed and fed Barney, gave him some extra attention as well, charged her phone and listened to Mikhail’s voicemail message, which sent shivers down her spine, it was almost time for her friends to turn up.

  She’d barely had enough time to tidy the house before Sarah McCord arrived, closely followed by Libby Morgan, Cassie Jackson and Kate Richmond. It was a shame Emma was on her trip, but Amber looked forward to having a special catch-up with her when she returned from her vacation.

  Amber had planned on cooking dinner for everyone, but when she realized it was almost six o’clock, she’d yielded to temptation and ordered pizzas. When the food arrived, everyone dug in, talking and laughing between mouthfuls. Instead of watching a movie afterward, they had a good gossip session. All her friends were happily married apart from Kate, who was engaged to Flynn Winters, a cousin of Emma’s husband Cade, and although Amber enjoyed the evening, she couldn’t help wondering if meeting Mr. Right would ever happen to her.

  You’ve met Mikhail.

  She’d hastily shoved that thought aside, and concentrated on catching up with her friends. Toward the end of the evening, Sarah mentioned the sexy Russian. Amber gripped the steering wheel as she remembered the casual way she’d admitted to having met Mikhail. Although she’d tried to downplay the fact that she was attracted to him, she couldn’t help wondering if she’d fooled her friends. Luckily, they hadn’t teased her about it, and the talk had soon turned to Sarah’s six-month-old baby, being babysat for the evening by her husband Chase.

  Amber turned into Mikhail’s gravel driveway, her stomach suddenly churning. She was looking forward to spending time with him, but was also nervous. Hoping she could hide her attraction to him, she drew in a deep breath and concentrated on steering her vehicle along the driveway.

  She parked and got out, looking around the yard, enjoying the warmth of the late April sun. Just as she was about to head to the barn, Mikhail emerged from the house.

  Her mouth went dry. He looked gorgeous in a long-sleeved navy shirt and dark denim jeans, neatly pressed, with polished black riding boots.

  “Amber.” His voice caressed her nerve endings.

  “Hi.” She tried for a confident smile, telling herself not to turn to jelly, hoping that her outfit of easy fit jeans and figure skimming t-shirt looked okay. “I’ll just unload Barney.”

  “I will help.” He strode to the trailer and started to unlatch the back.

  She joined him and together they made quick work of opening the trailer. Amber backed the palomino out of the trailer, stroking him when he stood quietly. Barney whuffled hello to Mikhail, his brown equine eyes alert.

  “How was he last night?” Mikhail asked, stroking Barney on the side of his neck.

  “He was very good.” She petted the horse, whispering in his ear, “Weren’t you?”

  “Excellent.” His gaze seemed to heat up as he watched her make a fuss of the horse. “Ready to go riding?”

  “Yes.” She couldn’t help a tinge of pink warming her cheeks as he continued to scrutinize her. Telling herself he was mainly interested in Barney wasn’t working. At all. “I brought my saddle and bridle.”

  “Good.”

  Once she tied Barney to a railing post, Mikhail carried her equipment from the car. Under Mikhail’s assessing gaze, she saddled and bridled the palomino, willing her fingers not to tremble with nervousness.

  “You know what you are doing.” A smile edged the corner of his
mouth. “I’ll bring Hugo out.”

  A few minutes later, he led out a large silvery-gray horse, taller than Barney, out of the barn.

  “Are you okay to mount?” he enquired.

  “Yes.” She nodded. Placing her left foot into the stirrup, she swung herself up onto Barney, her right foot finding purchase in the other stirrup. Pleased she’d mounted so nicely, she turned the palomino in Mikhail’s direction, just in time to see him expertly mount his horse.

  “I brought lunch.” He patted the saddlebags on either side of his saddle and smiled. “Let’s go.”

  Amber walked Barney past the barn, following Mikhail along a dirt track. He opened a gate into a wildflower meadow, not visible from the farmyard.

  “It’s beautiful!” She gazed at the orange, white, and pink wildflowers dotting the green grass. A fat black and yellow bumblebee flew drunkenly from flower to flower, seeking sweet nectar.

  He grinned, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “This is one of the reasons I bought the place.”

  She clenched her fingers on the leather reins, excitement fluttering through her. He looked so vibrant, so sexy, that more than anything she wished he was attracted to her just as much as she was to him. At least she would have this perfect day with him, before her life returned to normal. Humdrum normal. She suddenly realized what she’d been missing out on. Although she was sure he wasn’t interested in her, just spending time in his company, especially on a such a gorgeous day, made her feel alive.

  They rode through the meadow into woodland, tall, green pine trees guarding each side of the narrow track. She followed Mikhail, breathing in the crisp, clean air laced with a hint of pine.

  “Here.” He halted his horse, gesturing to a small clearing surrounded by pine trees and white flowering bushes. “I think this would be perfect for lunch.”

  Amber nodded and dismounted, allowing Barney to graze at the edge of the clearing.

  Mikhail grabbed the saddlebags and shook out a thin plastic cloth to use as their picnic blanket.

  “Sit,” he urged.

  She kneeled down on the red and white checked plastic, watching him pull out small plastic bags full of interesting food items from the leather pouches.