Taking a beautiful woman out for a ride didn’t have to be anything more than just that. Once she was gone, he could ride alone like he’d originally intended. Adjusting to civilian life was more difficult than he’d believed possible and riding alone was the only thing that cleared his mind.
PTSD was nothing to mess with, and he needed space. Perhaps a little one-on-one time with a total stranger wouldn’t be such a bad thing. With Alexa, there would be no need for him to talk about himself. He didn’t have to put on a front like he often did with his brothers. He could talk up the dude ranch with Alexa, which was a welcome distraction in his life. This family project might be the only thing keeping him from going out of his mind and giving in to the demons that had followed him home.
“I’ll get her ready and we’ll go,” he told Alexa.
Alexa. Such a beautiful name for a woman with such striking features. He’d only heard the name one other time, long ago. His high school buddy had dated and married someone named Alexa. Hayes had to force himself to stop staring because she was the type of woman a man could get lost in.
All that long midnight hair, her dark skin tone and those wide, chocolate eyes. Her curves were damn near hypnotic in those jeans and fitted tank. Yeah, she would turn any man’s head and he was no exception.
Years of military training had enabled him to mask his emotions—something that would come in handy on a trail ride with this beauty. The sooner he could get this ride over with, the better.
Hayes saddled up Jumper and Doc, his brother’s stallion. Nolan had been working overtime at the hospital, so Hayes had offered to get Nolan’s horse out for exercise.
“Right this way, Ma’am.”
If he didn’t refer to her by her name, maybe he could keep this little escapade impersonal...exactly the way he wanted to live his life. Detached.
Hayes took the reins and led the horses from the stable. Alexa fell in step beside him. The subtle aroma of jasmine tickled his senses. His instincts hadn’t failed him in all his years overseas, and he was positive he had Alexa pegged as someone who wasn’t taking time away because she necessarily wanted to. Something about her reserved nature and an underlying hint of fear made him all the more determined to make this ride to be enjoyable and memorable for her.
After all, wasn’t Pebblebrook using Annabelle’s B and B as a way to spread the word for the dude ranch? By the time they were ready to open, they would not only have her guests already talking, they’d also have hired the best PR firm in the country. This dude ranch was a goal of their father’s and Hayes wasn’t about to let that man down.
“You live on the ranch?” she asked as they stepped out into the bright June sunshine.
“I do.” That was the easy answer. The ranch was now in its third generation of Elliotts, and Hayes wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. He owned two other homes: one in the mountains of Montana and a tropical getaway in the secluded part of the main island of Hawaii. He had options, but the ranch was where he’d come to heal, to find that piece of himself that had been damaged...possibly destroyed for good.
“There are several homes on the ranch,” he continued. “My brother Colt and his wife, Annabelle, live in the first house you see as you come up the drive. Nolan and his wife live in the back on the east side, and I live in the original Elliott homestead back on the west corner. It’s set between the river and the brook running through the ranch.”
He loved not only owning that piece of history from his family, but having the privacy he so desperately craved right now. His brothers respected the fact that he needed his space.
“Sounds like quite a family,” she stated. She wrung her hands as she glanced back to Jumper. “Are you sure the horse is safe for me? Does she know I’m nervous?”
Hayes looped Doc’s reins around the post and moved to Jumper’s side, right by Alexa. “You’re not nervous. You’re anxious. There’s a difference.”
Alexa smiled, a simple gesture that packed a punch of lust straight to his gut. Damn it, he didn’t want a punch of any kind. Couldn’t he just enjoy the company of a beautiful woman without lust entering into the picture? He wanted this ride to be simple, but the stirring in his body was anything but.
Someone should’ve notified Annabelle not to send any guests up today because the stable hands had all gone with Colt to the auction for more steers, leaving Hayes in charge. Not a position he’d wanted to be in.
Despite all the pain and anguish and betrayal he’d been through, something about Alexa made him want to get closer. Perhaps it was all those curves packed into such a petite frame, maybe it was those striking eyes that seemed to look deeper than just the surface, or perhaps it was that underlying vulnerability that made his inner protector surge to the forefront. Regardless, he knew this ride wasn’t going to be quick and painless like he’d first intended.
“At any time, we can turn back,” he stated, hoping that would give him the out he desperately wanted.
Alexa nodded. “I’m ready. Just tell me what to do so I don’t hurt or scare her.”
“Grab the pommel and hook your left foot into the stirrup.”
She followed his command and, before he even realized what he was doing, he’d stepped in behind her and circled her waist with his hands. Alexa stilled beneath his touch. Throwing a glance over her shoulder, her eyes met his.
“I’m helping you up.” He left no room for argument because, while he might not have thought about his actions at first, now that he had his hands on her, he was in no hurry to let go. “Relax,” he murmured.
Her eyes darted to his mouth—as if he needed another reason to feel that pull of sexual tension. Those dark lashes framed striking eyes and all of that rich black hair slid over her shoulders, the tips brushing against the backs of his hands. An image of all of that hair sliding over his body came to mind and Hayes knew in that instant he was fighting a losing battle.
He wanted this woman, the first woman he’d wanted since his return. And he planned to have her... To hell with all the reasons this ride was a bad idea. He’d just figured out the reason this was the best idea he’d had in months.
Two
This was not a good idea. Nope, nope, nope. As if the horse agreed with her, each nope in her mind fell in tandem with each stomp of a hoof.
Alexa wished she could just ignore the zing shooting through her, but how could she? This man was the first to strike any type of spark or interest in so long... There was no ignoring the emotions.
She’d done well to mask her feelings for years, but there was no way she could lie to herself right now. Hayes Elliott was one sexy cowboy, and he had the brooding, broad-shoulder thing down to perfection. And those jeans? Yeah, they fit gloriously over lean hips that produced the sexiest swagger she’d ever seen. Even with the minor limp, Hayes was intriguing and every part of her wanted to know more.
Down, girl. Alexa hadn’t come on this little getaway to find some cowboy. Though Hayes Elliott would no doubt fuel her fantasies for a good long time.
Alexa’s horse stayed alongside his. Clearly, this wasn’t the first time they’d been out together. Her hips rocked back and forth in the saddle with the motion of Jumper’s easy gait. Alexa didn’t even want to glance over to see what Hayes’s hips were doing. Her eyes needed to stay straight ahead.
The picturesque ranch was breathtaking. White fencing ran as far as the eye could see. The rolling hills were dotted with cattle in the distance. With the bright sun beating down on the land, Alexa found it hard to believe a storm would be rolling in soon.
She wanted to focus on enjoying the ride, but on occasion Hayes’s thigh would brush against hers and those tingles would start up all over again.
Good grief. She’d met the man only moments ago and already he held such power over her... How was that even possible?
Maybe she’d been too enveloped in her classroom
and her son. Alexa needed to venture out more, as Sadie had said when she’d insisted Alexa take this vacation, but in her normal life...well, where would she go? It wasn’t as if she had guys asking her out or a large group of friends she went out with. She had Sadie, who taught in the class next to hers. They’d met in college and had been friends since. And she had Mason.
Alexa was fine being a single mother with not much of a social life. Her job right now was to be both mother and father to Mason, so anything else would have to wait. And that was more than okay. She had one guy in her life and he was more than enough.
“How long has this land been in your family?” she asked, desperate for a topic that would get her mind off the rugged, moody man and slice through the tension between them.
“My brothers and I are third-generation ranchers at Pebblebrook. My grandfather built the house that I live in.”
So he had mentioned before. “How many acres are there?”
“Over five thousand.”
Alexa had read that in the pamphlet for the B and B, which advertised the upcoming dude ranch. She’d asked because the last thing she wanted was silence. That would only be awkward and cause her daydreaming to start all over again.
Alexa couldn’t even imagine trying to keep up with all this land and the livestock, but of course the Elliotts had the funds to hire people to do all the maintenance and grunt work.
Her world consisted of wrangling four-year-olds all day and coming home to a rambunctious baby boy. Her life was quite different from the Elliotts’ ranch lifestyle. Part of her was proud of herself for taking this break Sadie had insisted and paid for. The other part of her wondered if Mason had enjoyed his morning snack of blueberries and bananas.
Maybe she should stop to call and check in.
“That’s the first barn my grandfather built on this land.”
Hayes cut into her thoughts with the history of the ranch. Up ahead, Alexa spotted a small barn, definitely old in comparison to the massive stone-and-metal structure at the beginning of the property. The Elliotts might be billionaires, but she could see the way they’d grown this estate from something small into something grand.
“You doin’ all right?” Even with the concerned question, Hayes had that low, gruff tone.
“Fine,” she replied.
“Want to explore more?”
Or turn back.
Alexa wasn’t quite ready to head back, but at the same time she knew he didn’t want to be out here with her. He probably preferred privacy.
“I could stay out here forever,” she replied, finding it to be true. “But I don’t want to keep you.”
He grunted, whatever that meant.
“Was that a reply?” she asked as she glanced over to him. It was nearly impossible to see his face in the shadow from his hat’s wide brim.
“I’ve got nothing,” he replied, sounding way too lost, too broken.
Alexa glanced at his hands on the reins. Scars randomly crossed over his taut knuckles. Those large, tanned hands no doubt had done so much. He was a soldier, a rancher. Everything about him screamed alpha and loner. For some insane reason, she found that attractive. She chalked it up to the fact that she always looked out for those in need, not that she found him irresistibly sexy.
Hayes was the exact opposite of her late husband. Before Scott had passed away, they’d been so in love and ready to spend the rest of their lives together. He was safe, made her feel safe. She hadn’t felt that way since he’d died of heart disease. The doctors had tried to comfort her by telling her there was no way they could have known he’d been born with the defect that had ultimately taken his life.
She hadn’t been able to save him. Not that she was a medical professional, but she had survivor’s guilt. There was no way to dodge it. And finding out she was pregnant only a week after she’d lost him had only added to the guilt.
Alexa was familiar with the emotion, even before Scott died. She had been only eight when her sister drowned while they were swimming. On their family vacation to the beach, they’d both gone out too far. A riptide pulled her sister out and it was all her father could do to save Alexa from being swept under as well. Years of remorse and counseling had held her family together.
So Alexa recognized the brokenness Hayes displayed.
Alexa gripped her reins and enjoyed the steady trot. They were going a bit faster than before and she figured Hayes had urged his horse to speed up and hers had followed suit. Someone like Hayes wouldn’t ask permission first, but he kept glancing her way to check on her.
“So you’re the only one around today?” she asked, needing to break up the thoughts swirling around in her head about the sexy man brushing his thigh against hers.
“There are a few workers milling about,” he replied. “I just happened to be the only one in the stables.”
“But you weren’t working.”
He threw her a glance and adjusted his hat. “I’d just gotten done at my house and decided to take a break and ride.”
So he had been planning on going out alone. “You could’ve told me to come back later.”
“I could’ve, but as you said, there’s a storm coming in later. You would’ve thought I was a jerk.”
Alexa couldn’t help but laugh. “You wouldn’t have felt bad for sending me away?”
Hayes shrugged and turned his horse slightly. Alexa followed. “I don’t have feelings anymore, but this is my family’s ranch and I know how hard they’ve worked.”
“So it’s about respect, then.” When he remained silent, she went on. “Whatever it is, I apologize for taking you away from your personal time and I appreciate you showing me the grounds.”
As they continued toward the back of the property, the sky darkened slightly and thick clouds rolled in. Texas weather was crazy; pop up showers and storms were the norm. She didn’t think it was supposed to do much until later this afternoon.
If it was stormy over the next few days, as predicted, she could lounge in that oversize garden tub in her suite back at the B and B. The moment she’d stepped foot in the house she could tell no expense had been spared. The beauty of the house and her bathroom—hello, heated floors—made her want to move in and bring Mason with her.
The first fat raindrop landed on her nose. Then, before they could find shelter, the skies opened up and Hayes cursed. The next thing she knew, he’d plunked his cowboy hat on top of her head. The gesture shouldn’t have touched her, but beneath his gruff exterior and grunting dialogue, he had a big heart. The fact that he was a true gentleman warmed something deep inside her, something that hadn’t warmed in quite a while.
“Storm came sooner than I thought,” he called over the sound of the pouring rain. “Follow me.”
He and Doc took the lead and started trotting faster. Alexa gripped her reins tighter and kept up, her bottom bouncing in the saddle as the rain continued to soak through her clothes. She wasn’t comfortable with the faster speed, but all she could do was hold on for the ride and pray they weren’t going far.
They rode another few minutes and Alexa was starting to wonder where they were heading. Then, up ahead, she saw an old two-story farmhouse. Hayes’s house. She didn’t have to ask—she knew. It was just as she’d imagined an old farmhouse should look.
The white home with black shutters had a first and second-story porch and a pitched gable right in the center of the roofline. So adorable, and much different from the grand home his brother lived in on the other side of the property. This house seemed simpler, tucked in the back of the ranch as if protected.
Is that why Hayes chose to live here? So he could be away from everything and remain safe? The man might scream badass, but even after their short acquaintance she could tell he was on guard at all times. Just how deep did his pain run?
Beneath the brim of the borrowed hat, Alexa took in the bea
uty of the house...even through the raindrops. The brook ran alongside the home and the river flowed behind it. The house and a barn were nestled up on the hilly part of the land.
Hayes rode straight to the small barn at the side of the house. As the showers continued to pummel them, she followed and before she could hop down, he was at her side. His hand landed on her thigh, doing nothing to help with those tremors she’d been experiencing since meeting Mr. Elliott.
That hand slid up to her waist as she swung one leg over and dismounted. The brim of the hat bumped against him and fell off her head to land at her feet. His hands remained on her hips to steady her and Alexa gripped his biceps...and those muscles were just as impressive as she’d thought they’d be.
His eyes darted to her lips and Alexa didn’t care about the rain anymore. She didn’t care if snowflakes started falling from the sky or a tornado ripped through. She wanted to stay just like this—it wasn’t like she could get any more soaked—and have Hayes look at her like he desired her.
Oh, this was lust at its finest, but it had been so long since anyone had looked at her lips, she didn’t care. Lust was a welcome emotion at this point. After two years of nothing, the idea that someone might find her attractive was quite the turn-on. The defined, taut body beneath her fingertips didn’t hurt, either.
The muscle clenched in his jaw beneath that dark stubble. “Get up on the porch.”
The angry tone left her wondering just what, or who, he was upset with. The fact they got caught in the rain or the fact that he clearly wanted to kiss her and opted to have restraint?
“Tell me what to do.” She reached for the horse’s reins. “In the barn?”
He shook his head and swiped his hat off the ground before striding back to his horse. Hayes led them into the barn and secured each horse in their own stall.
“Hopefully the rain will pass soon.” He didn’t even look at her as he closed the stall doors. “The bigger storm wasn’t forecast until much later. You can wait here or go onto the porch.”
Taming the Texan Page 2
