If the Boot Fits

by Rebekah Weatherspoon

  “Lilah, you work at the ranch?” she asked, changing the subject.

  “Yeah. I work for Zach. Have you met him?”

  “Just for a second last weekend.”

  “I mean I sort of work for him and Jesse—”

  “Not for much longer,” Jesse said as he walked back into the room. He flopped his massive weight down into a recliner in the corner that seemed to have been custom-made for his size. The black Lab wandered over and settled under the footrest.

  Lilah shrugged, rolling her eyes. “I got promoted.”

  “You did?” Sam said, surprised.

  “Yeah.” Another shrug.

  “You don’t seem so excited,” Amanda said.

  “Well, I’m getting my own office and everything, but now I have to work downstairs with Delfi. I’m going to miss working upstairs.”

  “I’ll show you the office blueprints later,” Sam said, throwing Amanda a lifeline. She had no clue what Lilah was talking about.

  “We ready?” Jesse asked.

  “Yeah, let’s do this shit.” Corie settled farther into the love seat, her hands still draped over Vega’s legs. Jesse held up the remote and pressed play. Amanda tried to focus on the most eighties movie opening she’d seen in a long time, but as the ridiculous movie and Corie’s hilarious commentary went on she realized the tension she’d spent the whole drive trying to chase away had settled back on her shoulders. She was tight all over and all she could think about was Dru and what mood of hers would be waiting for her when she got home to LA.

  “You okay?” Sam asked quietly.

  “Yeah, just thinking about work stuff.”

  “Listen, you’re in Charming now, baby. You can leave that all behind.”

  Amanda couldn’t help but laugh. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Uh, I’ve never seen this before. When do they get to Manhattan?”

  “You got an hour at least!” Corie yelled across the room.

  “Are you serious?” Lilah replied.

  “Will you please,” Jesse groaned, his tone somehow dry. “I’m trying to watch the best movie ever.” Amanda chuckled to herself, but her leg accidentally brushing against Sam’s shifted her attention again. A tingle rushed down her thigh and again she was fighting the memory of what it felt like to have Sam’s fingers brushing over her bare skin.

  “Sorry.” She shifted closer to Lilah, putting a little distance between herself and Sam’s muscular legs. Those jeans should have been illegal. He didn’t say anything, but she heard the small rush of breath leaving his nose as he scooted to the other end of the couch. Same, bro, she wanted to joke. The frustration had been building inside her from the moment she saw him in the lobby of the lodge. Normally Amanda was confident in her decisions, but as Lilah offered her a throw blanket from the back of the couch, another twinge of regret hit her. She could think of much better sources of warmth.

  It was a little after one a.m. when Jason Voorhees finally met his way overdue end in the sewers under Manhattan. Lilah and Vega passed out halfway into the ridiculous slasher flick. Amanda envied them. Corie and Jesse had jokes for days, but the weight of the week and the long drive had finally caught up with her somewhere around the hour mark where Jason was terrorizing teens on a boat miles away from New York City. All she wanted was to hop a train to Snoozeville. The warm and restless energy emanating from Sam’s end of the couch was the only thing keeping her awake. She could sense his every breath, every small shift of his body. Focusing on Jason’s rampage was the only thing keeping her from thinking of how differently the night would have gone if she hadn’t cut him off so unceremoniously.

  Jesse hit stop as the credits rolled and the familiar groans and stretches started around the room. Amanda looked away as Corie leaned over and kissed Vega awake.

  Sam eased to the edge of the couch, toying with his cowboy hat perched on his knee before he turned to her. “Ready to head back?” Amanda almost twitched at the raw edge to his voice. Sleepy looked good on him.

  “Yeah sure.” She stood and shrugged on her coat. “Thanks for having me over,” she whispered to Jesse.

  “Anytime. Corie, take Lilah with you. She’s gonna wake up at four a.m. all confused.”

  “Copy that. Babe, come on,” she said, helping a sleepwalking Vega off the love seat. They all made their way back to the foyer and said their goodnights as they found their shoes. The girls headed in the direction of one of the other houses as Amanda followed Sam back to his Tesla. They were quiet on the way back to the ranch. Amanda attributed it to the quiet beauty of the night. The sky was so clear and the stars so bright she didn’t want to interrupt them. Sam didn’t seem to mind. He didn’t say a word until they pulled to a stop in front of the lodge’s front doors. No bellhops at this hour.

  Amanda’s pulse quickened when Sam turned to her, a gentle, kind smile touching his lips. “I’ll walk you in.”

  “Okay,” she managed to squeak out. It was quiet between them again as they made their way through the lobby and the winding hallways back to her room. She dug out her keycard when they finally reached the door, then dug a little deeper for the nerve she needed to say the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

  “Hey, Sam?”

  “Hey, Amanda.”

  “Uh, hypothetically, how do you feel about second chances?”

  “Well, I would need a hypothetical scenario. What kind of second chances are we hypothetically talking about?”

  “Like say a girl, a cute girl much like myself, was a little overwhelmed, by a lot of things, and she thought it would be better to spend time with a cute boy as friends, but then they spent time together as friends and she realized how badly she wanted him to kiss her goodnight. Second chances like that. Hypothetically.”

  “Hmm, that’s tough. If it was a devastatingly handsome man like myself and a woman, one like you, for example.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’d remind her that I’m a man with feelings too, so while I’d be down for second chances, I don’t think I could swing third or fourth.”

  “Oh no yeah. No, that’s totally fair. Hypothetically.”

  “Come on, Cha-Cha. What’s on your mind?”

  Amanda felt her cheeks warm at the sound of the silly nickname. “I do like you. I just—just I need to go slow. And yes, I know how that sounds considering we fucked before you knew my name.”

  “I’m telling you, it’s a great story for the grandkids.”

  “Anyway.”

  “Listen—”

  “Who was your last relationship with?” She instantly regretted it. “Sorry. That was—I don’t know what the hell that was.”

  “It’s okay. I was with Natalie Burke and we ended it because things were moving a little too fast for me.”

  “I’ve been single for a while and I wasn’t expecting to meet anyone, but here we are. And I do like you—”

  “We can take it slow.”

  “Good.”

  “Do you have any Valentine’s Day plans?”

  “I really want to meet your horse.” She laughed. “I never thought I’d say that.”

  “I’m going for a ride at seven a.m. if you want to join me.”

  “I do not,” Amanda laughed again.

  “How about I text you when we get back and we can meet up for breakfast?”

  “That sounds perfect,” Amanda said as a yawn broke up the mood. “Sorry.”

  “Go to sleep.” Sam stepped closer, pulling her in tighter with an arm around her waist. There was no elaborate updo and no sparkly jumpsuit, no tux. But there was another quiet hotel hallway and the shadow of a sexy-as-fuck cowboy hat that covered both their faces as he leaned down to kiss her. In the back of her mind, Amanda knew all she had to do was keep Sam Pleasant close to her chest and away from Dru’s life-ruining clutches. As he groaned into her mouth she had a feeling that wouldn’t be a problem.

  Chapter 12

  Sam checked the dozen or so photos he’d just taken during their slow morning
ride before he glanced over at Evie. She handed Bam Bam’s reins to Chris, one of the stable hands, then pulled off her riding helmet. He couldn’t ignore the way she lightly touched the well-healed scar on the side of her head. He watched as his brother stepped closer and gently wrapped an arm around her waist.

  “You good, Buck?” Zach said before he pressed a light kiss to her neck. His brother had looked at Evie with that same love in his eyes since they were kids. Sam was happy for them, so glad they’d finally come back together and worked things out, even though Evie would always bear the gnarly scar that forced them to confront their drama. Not that they were even officially dating, but he was glad the drama between him and Amanda had been more of a low-key, cautious misunderstanding and nothing that involved a traumatic brain injury.

  “Oh yeah. I’m fine.” Evie leaned into Zach and kissed him on the mouth.

  “Okay if I post some of these?” Sam handed Evie his phone and waited while she scrolled through the recent images in his camera roll.

  “Yeah. Those are great. I’d love to take pictures while we ride, but Bam Bam and I aren’t quite there yet,” Evie said.

  “Yeah. It’s a good idea for you to keep your eyes on the trail and both hands on the reigns for now,” Zach added. Evie was a more than competent rider, but Zach always put her safety first. Sam didn’t blame him.

  He took his phone back and just as he went to open Instagram, his phone vibrated in his hand with a text from Amanda.

  I can see the barn from here.

  A picture popped up and from the looks of things she was about fifty yards away. What kind of gentleman would he be if he didn’t go around to meet her?

  “Hey. Be right back. Amanda’s here.”

  “Awwww shit,” Zach drawled out until Evie slapped his arm.

  “Leave him alone. We got Majesty. Go ahead.”

  “Thanks.” He gave his mare a soft pat, then headed around to the front of the stables. Their ride down the trails the whole morning had been exactly what he needed. Peace, relaxation. Some quality time and good laughs with his brother and sister-in-law-to-be, and his horse. He was able to clear his head and just enjoy himself. None of that, the levity or the joy, changed the fact that he’d secretly been waiting for a text from Amanda.

  She’d been the last thing on his mind before he’d finally nodded off and the first thing on his mind when he woke up that morning. He’d heard her loud and clear. She needed to take things slow. He wanted to take things slow too. They already knew they were more than capable of burning it up between the sheets, but there was something about her. This warmth and this light that somehow came with this biting humor that Sam couldn’t seem to get enough of. Sam wanted to know her and he wanted to introduce her to Majesty.

  He came around the side of the stable and there she was, walking down the dirt path. Euca, their Aussie shepherd mix, was trotting beside her.

  “’Sup, Tex,” Amanda called out.

  Sam felt a smile stretching his cheeks out like a fool. He didn’t think he’d be this happy to see her, but there he was. Giddy as a motherfucker. “Morning there, young lady!” he called back. “Wasn’t sure you’d be up before lunch.” Sam walked up the path to meet her. Amanda came closer until just inches were separating them. Sam wanted to kiss her. Just pull her into his arms and kiss the hell out of her, but he wanted the next move to be her call. He knew what he was feeling. The last thing he wanted to do was come on too strong too soon and send her running back to LA before she got a chance to see one of the only horses he knew with a full-on attitude problem.

  Her smile matched his for just a moment, before her expression dropped. Her intense gaze ran over his face and for a moment he thought she was about to relay the prophecy of his death. Then suddenly she reached up and lightly drew her finger along the side of his head. His skin instantly heated at her touch.

  “You look beautiful in this light, Tex,” she said with wistful lilt to her voice. A smile broke out across her face again. “I had a dream I slept all day and then when I finally showed up you said I was too late to see the horses ’cause they’d been shipped overseas for the night.”

  “I have no idea what that means, but I’m flattered that you were dreaming about me.”

  “I was dreaming about the horses, Sam. Please,” she teased. “I forgot to set an alarm and I think my subconscious was worried I would sleep all day. I woke up. I set an alarm, and here I am.” Then all casual and shit, she slid her hand against his. Sam didn’t hesitate to lace his fingers with hers. He looked down at their clasped hands and instead of saying something stupid about how well their hands fit together, he focused on Euca. She was patiently waiting for the two of them to follow her on her next adventure.

  “These dogs are pretty into you,” he said.

  Amanda reached down with her other hand and gave Euca a rough scratch behind her floral collar. “She was sitting in the lobby and then followed me out here. I tried to take her back, but the woman at the desk said it was okay if she tagged along.”

  “It is. You a good trail guide, Euca? Huh?” His dog’s response was a sloppy lick to his forearm. “Thanks, girl.”

  “So you have a horse for me to meet?”

  “Bet your boots.” Sam turned and started to lead her back to the stables. Euca took point and trotted on ahead. “Her name is Majesty and she’s the love of my life.”

  “How long have you had her?”

  “About eight years. My dad actually bought her for my mom, but Majesty and I just clicked.”

  “So your mom was just shit out of a horse?” Amanda laughed. “What kind of raw deal is that?”

  “They moved to Europe so he could film a movie and she’s been shopping her face off all around London and Paris ever since. That former beauty queen is living her very best life. She don’t give a fuck about no horse.”

  “Oh, okay. Well, that doesn’t sound so bad. I have a confession to make.”

  “Spill it, girl.”

  “I’ve never ridden a horse before.”

  He blinked. “You wanna change that?”

  Amanda hesitated before she replied, “Not today, but maybe soon.”

  Sam laughed at the adorable smile on her face. The way her dimples popped was cute as hell. She nudged him back, shoulder to shoulder. “What? So I’m a bit of a coward.”

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  “I love horses, but I just fear and respect their size and literal horsepower. Also one of my worst fears is getting kicked in the head.”

  Another burst of laughter erupted from Sam. “I will not let you get kicked in the head.”

  “Thank you. I’m too pretty to take a horseshoe indent to the face. Plus I love all of my teeth.”

  “I’ll keep you safe. I promise. I do have to warn you though. My horse hates everyone.”

  Amanda shook her head. “She won’t hate me.”

  “Oh? Feeling confident all of a sudden. I thought you were afraid of horses.”

  “I’m not afraid of them. I love horses. Like I’m a low-key weirdo horse girl. But there’s a difference between dreaming of having your own horse one day and naming her Buttercup and braiding her mane during another horse girl sleepover, and knowing that horses are massive animals that I’m just not sure I would like to climb atop.”

  “She lets the guests ride her, but she’s just not in the mood for no bullshit. Now, Zach’s horse, Steve. That’s a horse you bring to a slumber party.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  “And his name is Steve?”

  “Yes,” Sam said, chuckling a bit.

  “Steve’s gonna love me too.”

  “He will, but don’t get too full of yourself. Zach literally trained him to kiss people on the cheek. Steve’s a damn flirt.”

  “Oh well, then I’ll focus on making friends with him.”

  They came around to the pasture just as Chris was bringing Bam Bam out to join Majesty and Steve during their tu
rnout. He led her over to the fence.

  “So the midnight beauty right there is Majesty, the speckled gray fella there is Steve, and black spots there is Bam Bam.”

  “They are all so beautiful,” she said, her voice near a gasp. Sam almost went on telling her about how Bam Bam was their newest addition, but when he looked down he recognized that look of awe on her face. He’d seen it on many a guest’s face and felt that special thrill run through him the day his dad handed Majesty over to him. He stood beside her quietly and let her enjoy the moment.

  “I wonder what they’re thinking,” she said quietly.

  “Usual horsey thoughts, I’m guessing.”

  “What exactly is a horsey thought?”

  Sam shrugged and played it off like he hadn’t wondered about the inner workings of a horse’s mind since he was five years old. As if he didn’t ask Majesty what she was thinking about at least three times a day.

  “I imagine they have great concerns about political matters, both locally and abroad.”

  “Hmm, yes.” He leaned his arms over the railing and continued to watch her as she watched the horses. A few moments later Zach and Evie came out to join them.

  “This is my brother Zach and my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Evie Buchanan.”

  Amanda let out a nervous laugh as she reached forward to shake their hands. “Oh. You’re Evie, Evie.”

  “Yes. I am. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise. I am a huge fan. Like, I’m working really hard not to embarrass myself right now. I didn’t really put two and two together when Sam mentioned you two getting married. I didn’t realize you were you.”

  “That’s actually comforting. I wouldn’t want the Pleasant name to eclipse my amazing brand,” she said, winking at Zach.

  “Not possible, babe. You’re too big of a star.”

  “Okay, okay,” Sam cut in before they started making out. Ever since they got back together they’d been attached at the mouth and didn’t care what poor fool had to suffer and witness it. “Evie, do you have any tips for a novice rider for getting back in the saddle? Amanda wants to ride but is worried that she’ll be decapitated by a renegade hoof to the head,” he said.