by Rose Verde
Patting her horse, he smiled at her. “Just go easy on the reins, you'll do okay.”
He walked towards the big stallion.
“Boss, we are good to go,” Angel said as he, Daniel, Diaz, and Liam rode toward him.
Nevada gave them instructions and then walked over to his horse. The sound of a car drew his attention to the road. A red sports car came into view, the sound of the exhaust filling the early morning air. Maybe Amy had a visitor.
He tried to ignore the disappointment that clenched his gut.
Of course, she wouldn’t be going on this ride. Worse still she would’ve lost her job for nothing. He was hoping he could make the ride enjoyable for her so that it would make up for everything.
Could it?
The car roared to a stop close to where they stood causing the horses to shy away. The stallion stood his ground. He was better trained than the others to handle sound. His gaze flickered to Amy's and she looked askance. So, she didn't know the car.
The driver’s door opened and he sucked in his breath. “Brooke.”
The word escaped him before he could think. She stepped out and cast a smile in the general direction of everyone.
Her red hair flowed past her shoulders and he remembered that day, just weeks ago, when he had awoken to Amy standing over him her hair down her back like this.
Now, he was sure Amy's was a shade darker. Brooke sashayed towards him and Nevada swallowed hard.
Lovely as ever, he’d once thought beauty equated love.
No, he wasn't going that way. He wouldn't think of what would’ve been because it was all in the past.
She gave Amy one cursory glance and practically dismissed her. Anger surged through him. What was she looking for after six months?
“Oh, darling,” she said coming to drape her hand over his shoulder. She gave him a hard kiss on his cheek. “How are you?”
All eyes were on them. How would Amy feel thinking he’d invited Brooke after making her lose her own job? He took Brooke’s hand off him. “What are you doing here?” he asked through clenched teeth.
She pouted and tried to link her hand through his. “Is that any way to greet your fiancée?”
“Brooke, don't make a scene here. I have guests and....”
“Yeah, I heard about your trail ride. I just invited myself along.”
“This isn't some pleasure ride Brooke, so I'll...”
She snorted. “I don't see how you tell me that and she gets to follow.”
She said pointing to Amy without sparing her a glance. Trust Brooke to being petty when she felt like it. He frowned. Amy wasn’t the only female around, why was Brooke pointing to her?
“Let the young lady come along, the more the merrier,” the middle-aged man named Greg said. “Or what do you think?” he asked others.
There was a general consensus and rather than make a scene, Nevada agreed to allow her to come. But he would be sure to confront her as soon as they were back.
People were easily carried away by her pretty, innocent look but all that was just skin deep.
Outnumbered, he instructed Diaz to get another horse for her.
“Let's get together,” Nevada said and waited for everyone to come close. “Welcome to our first spring round up.” He looked around the small group. “I hope we'll be able to make this a twice a year event—spring and summer. Since this is our maiden ride, we’ll use it as our baseline for other rides. Take note of what we do right and wrong. At the end of the ride, I'll want to hear your feedback, suggestions. I'll always be glad to have you back with subsequent improvement in our services to you.”
He gave them a broad smile, feeling the excitement of this pet project. “This is going to be low key but, not to worry. Sam will whip up every dish imaginable for you.”
The riders rewarded him with smiles.
He’d prayed about this and trusted God to help him make it worthwhile for them. “We will be driving a number of head of cattle to the place where the buyer will pick them up. There are about fifty.”
He continued. “We will be in groups of three except for the Rudolph's group where there will be four of them to afford them a little window for bird watching as they indicated interest. I hope we can accommodate that fully in subsequent rides. But maybe warmer months would be better as even the birds tend to run away from the cold.”
That earned a chuckle.
“Everyone game?”
Heads nodded in agreement. “Either Angel or I will be here in case there's a problem or you need anything. Life on the ride will be like it was in the old west and we're here to make sure you enjoy your stay. We’ll have one camp out in the open, and we’ve made provisions for the cold night or in case of rain. The first camp is about ten miles from here and you also get to sleep in a log house tonight. Does anyone have any questions?”
He looked at everyone. They shook their heads. “Good, let's set out.”
All through the exchange, he hadn't dared to look at Amy. He didn't have to. He felt her presence with every fiber of his being. How did one explain about an ex-fiancée who showed up from nowhere? He hadn’t heard from her since they broke up. How did she know about the ride, anyway?
He dropped back to wait for Amy who had chosen to bring up the rear. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I am.”
He nodded. The early morning sun was just rising, warm and nice for an early ride. They'd get to the lodge before sundown. That should take them at least eight hours, with time in between for a brief rest. “I didn't invite her.”
She shrugged.
He waited. “Amy, say something.”
“Like what? I heard her say she invited herself. No big deal. I was just surprised that you have a fiancée.”
“An ex-girlfriend, Amy. We didn’t get that far before things went south. I've not seen or heard from her in months.”
She nodded again, her lips pursed “But obviously she knew how to find you, what you were up to.”
“Nevada, this is lovely,” Brooke said.
The laughter that used to excite him grated on the nerve that was on its way to getting frayed. She rode back and planted herself between them. His opportunity to explain to Amy was lost.
Maybe their friendship, too.
Thanks to Brooke.
Chapter Twenty-seven
AMY SHOOK HER HEAD. She shouldn't be jealous. She, who was all against being tied down, was feeling envious over a man. Ridiculous.
Not wanting to hear what the young woman had to say, Amy drew further back from them. She had no hold over Nevada whatsoever. And she couldn't complain about anything. If they were married then maybe she could be upset, but Nevada was just a regular guy.
Yet, it hurt and her eyes stung.
Why had she agreed to come? She’d never been an impulsive person but in the last few weeks she'd done a lot of on-the-spur-of-the-moment things to last the world over.
She glanced at them. When Nevada looked at her, she averted her gaze. They looked good together. The knife twisted inside her. Closing her eyes, she turned her face to the early morning sun.
“Are you okay?” Angel’s voice broke into her thoughts.
She wanted to scream at him. Why did they ask? Couldn't they see she wasn't fine?
Was it so painful to be in love?
Schooling her features, she pushed her hair from her face and smiled at him. “I'm fine.”
“Really?” he asked, his head inclined.
Amy wrapped the reins on her hand careful not to shorten the length. Tears tickled the back of her throat. Maybe she should have gone with Sam and she'd not have seen this. A number of emotions crashed through her heart, her job she’d given up, then this young lady with red hair. Brooke's was finer not unruly like Amy’s. She blinked and turned her eyes away. “Maybe I'm not,” she said in a whisper.
“It's not what you think, Amy.”
She’d come to develop a liking and respect for Angel. “She said she's his
fiancée.”
“What did Nevada say?”
“He said she's his ex. I know I don't have any hold on him. It's just ridiculous that I feel...” She shrugged and left the word hanging.
“Amy, trust him. It’s as he says. I've known Nevada for a while and he isn't untrue to you.”
She looked at him then, grateful that he was trying to make her feel better. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Nevada is not going to let her make a scene and I'm sure he'll explain to you in time.” He reached out and squeezed her hand. They continued in silence.
The Rudolphs’ were bird watching. The young wife took snapshots and passed the camera to her husband. They laughed easily, like the others were not there.
Amy’s heart twisted. She’d never allowed herself to consider any relationship and had guarded her heart 'with all diligence.'
When did all that change?
It was that first day she’d set eyes on Nevada. Dressed in faded denims, buttoned up shirt rolled up to the elbow and a cowboy's hat and boots, she’d known she'd have a hard time keeping her heart no matter how diligent.
Was it not better when she had nothing to worry about?
Her back was beginning to ache.
Impulse.
That was what it did to people. She hadn’t ridden for long distances in a long time and she’d decided to do a trail trip.
She tucked strands of hair behind her ear then unwound the strap of the bottle on her saddle horn. Amy took a deep drink, wiped the trickle from her chin and replaced it.
The sun was getting hotter, which was a first in days.
Amy pulled her wide brim hat from her knapsack. It was extra protection anyway with the sunscreen she’d put on. She didn't need any sunburn.
Amy glanced at Nevada and Brooke. She was practically glued to his side like some besotted puppy. She did the talking and Nevada rode straight-back beside her.
Welcome to the club.
By the end of the first few miles, Amy allowed the gentle movement of the horse to sooth her misgivings. She didn't need to have him around to enjoy the trip. The ride would be what she made of it.
The sun warmed her back making her feel languid. She let her gaze roam at the beauty of the terrain God had made. Amy smiled to herself. She was beginning to think about God more.
As she succumbed to the mesmerizing sway of the animal under her, she made up her mind not to let anything mar her enjoyment of the ride.
She had her eyes open when she agreed to this ride. She’d lost her job for good by choice. Nevada had asked, yet, it was her decision to make. Humming Amazing Grace to herself, she gave in to the environment.
“YOU ARE TOO UPTIGHT, Nevada,” Brooke said. Her laughter was like a tinkling bell that bruised his nerves that felt like they had been strummed.
He shook his head. What was she up to? “I don't get it, why did you come? Going by the kind of car you’re driving, I guess your rich boyfriend is still hanging on your arm. Or have you dumped him too?” Nevada didn’t bother to hide his sarcasm.
He spared her a brief glance. She was beautiful and at one time he’d been taken by her. He was glad she didn’t have a hold on him anymore.
She wasn't laughing now. “Maybe I missed you?”
Nevada couldn't help chuckling. “Brooke, feed me another line. Do you know what you’re talking about at all?”
“Nevada, I'm sorry....”
Nevada raised his hand to stop her, “Don't even go there. It's been how many months?” he asked, a slow burn starting in the pit of his stomach. He shouldn't let her set him on the path of anger again.
“Time changes everything.”
“Whoa. Does that mean I’ve stopped being a loser? Has that changed too? I’m glad you realize time changes things.”
“I regret all that I said back then.”
“And it took you so long to realize that, I guess? Do you take me for a fool?”
“No, I didn’t know if you would want to see me.”
“That's rich. I'm flattered.”
“You are not normally cynical.”
“Then, welcome to the new normal.” he said giving her a tight smile.
Why was he having this discussion with her? He glanced at the other riders. Everyone was preoccupied. Amy was by herself.
This wasn't what he had in mind for her. He felt worse more because he’d let her put her job on the line for the ride and now this was what she got from trusting him.
He could ignore Brooke if it was just the three of them but amidst these people, it wouldn't do to start something that’d stir up gossip.
“Do we have another chance? I'll make it up to you.”
“Not in this lifetime and I hope you can lay that dream of yours to rest. And I beg you, please, let this couple of days pass without a scene. I wouldn't want to embarrass you. So, I'm giving you a fair warning.”
“Is it because of her?” She snorted.
Nevada nudged his horse close to Brooke. He needed to set her straight once and for all. “She is the reason I said I wouldn't want to embarrass you. If you can't be civil with her, give her a wide berth. If you push me you won't like what I'll do.”
“You love her that much?”
“I don't think I’m answerable to you as to whom I love or don’t.” He gave her one last glance and turned to see to his guests. “You doing okay?” he asked as he fell in beside the Rudolphs.
“Yeah, right hon?” he asked, turning to his wife.
She rewarded him with a shy giggle. “You can see for yourself. It couldn't be better, even though there are fewer birds to see. I love the opportunity all the same. You should really consider doing a lot more bird watching rides for people like us.”
“Would people want to do that so much?”
“Don't you know bird watching is becoming a favorite pastime for a lot of people?” Mrs. Rudolph raised her binoculars to watch an ibis perched on a tree branch.
“Would you have preferred that this was more bird watching than cattle roundup?” Nevada asked. Inside, he was seething at Brooke for showing up in the first place.
“No, I get to do both side by side so no problems there at all. There's opportunity to see a wide range of species up close.”
Nevada nodded. He’d thought of experimenting with this ride to see what they'd need for a summer one. Anyway, he'd take note of that. He listened to their discussion about birds and was impressed about the woman's intelligence.
Nevada waited to allow Greg to catch up. Talks of politics and the forthcoming election went back and forth for a few minutes. After another mile, they arrived at the pasture where the yearlings waited to be led.
Nevada rode to the chuck wagon and asked Sam to pass him drinks from the ice chest which he loaded into his knapsack. He signaled the riders to come closer. “Do you mind a little rest so that you can view the terrain better? We can herd the cattle when we are ready to leave.”
There was a positive response and they stopped under a large tree. Nevada passed around chilled bottles of soft drinks. “We'll have time for a real meal by the time we reach the log house.”
He looked in Amy's direction and she quickly averted her gaze. He gave Brooke her drink without looking at her then walked over to Amy and handed her a bottle. “Are you okay?” Amy nodded without meeting his gaze. “We’ll talk when we get to the lodge.”
She nodded.
Between him and the ranch hands, they watered the animals at the little waterhole that graced the land during the rainy season. The small waterhole was how the ranch got its name.
Thirty minutes later, Nevada and the ranch hands rounded up the cattle and they set out for the last lap of their ride for the day. The sun had set over the horizon when they penned the cattle and rode into the lodge.
Amy came off the horse stiffly and Nevada wanted to beat himself for asking her to come along. “I'll help you with your horse,” he said taking her reins.
She released it witho
ut protest. “I'm going to find Sam.”
“Go on, I'll find you later.” He would get this talk done tonight, no matter what.
AMY FELT NEVADA’S PRESENCE before he walked into the dining hall. Her heart took up some calisthenics. Dressed in faded jeans and tee-shirt, he’d discarded his cowboy hat. His hair was still damp.
Nevada took his seat at the end of the table, leaving the chair at the head empty. Her father would’ve been there. Amy heaved a sigh. What if Dad didn’t have capable hands? She knew next to nothing about what to do. The thought further endeared her to Nevada.
He gave a smile that included everyone. “I hope no one is exhausted?”
“A little tired but it's worth it, don't you think so sweetheart?” Mrs. Rudolph asked her husband.
“Yeah, it is my dear especially that you are here. I'm seeing everything through your eyes.” He kissed her and Amy caught Nevada's gaze on her.
She stood quickly feeling the heat creep up her neck and making its way into her face. “Let me help Sam.” She beat a hasty exit into the kitchen.
Sam gave her a puzzled look but didn't say anything. “Which one should I carry?”
“The big casserole bowls over there.”
Amy made the trip to the dining room and as soon as she set her foot at the door, Nevada eased out of the chair taking it from her. Amy withdrew and Nevada caught up with her. “Your face betrays you.”
“It's not funny. Why were you looking at me?”
“If you weren't looking at me, how would you know I was looking?”
She snorted and continued on to the kitchen. “I haven't seen your girlfriend. I guess she's primping all she can for you.”
He let out a laugh and she elbowed him. “Are you jealous, Amy?”
“Me, jealous?”
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
She walked past him and entered the kitchen. Amy knew she was jealous so she offered no further comment. When she would’ve taken the next bowl and walked out, Nevada's hand snaked out and held her arm. He gave Sam a quick hug and kiss, “Thanks, Sam.”
