One to Leave (One to Hold 5)

Rubbing my chin, I glanced up. “I was serious about helping out.” I hadn’t planned to stay indefinitely, but while I was here, I’d carry my own weight.

He just laughed. “Don’t worry. It’s a horse ranch. You come here to experience the lifestyle, not to have a holiday.”

“Sounds great.” I patted his arm, and he continued on to his bedroom.

That was it: hard work, recovery, back to the desert. I could resist the pull of temptation. I’d already left one casualty behind. I wasn’t leaving another.

Chapter 6: Chinook

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Mariska

That clock was wrapped in a thick blanket and hidden in the bottom of the trunk at the foot of the queen-sized bed where I slept. I was curled up in a warm ball beneath the covers when my new bestie jumped in beside me.

“It happened!” Excitement bubbled in Elaine’s voice. “The Chinook blew in last night. It’s like heaven outside!”

I squinted out of my burrow at her. When Patrick explained it last night, I didn’t say I’d heard of such a thing. “What’s the temperature?”

“A nice sixty-eight and breezy. Total shorts weather.”

“Except we’re going to ride horses, right?” I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes and pushing a lock of brown hair behind my shoulder.

“Hmm...” Elaine looked around the room. “You’re right. We’ll have to figure that one out. Nothing sexy about chafed thighs.”

She hopped off the bed and went to my closet and pulled out a cream, crocheted shrug that hung to my knees. “This is so cute. You have to wear it.” She tossed it on the bed before going to my drawers. “And these! You were really thinking ahead.” A beige crop-top and high-waisted denim shorts joined my long sweater on the bed.

“Now for the shoes.” She dragged out a pair of tan-leather, open-toed platforms.

“Lainey.” I cocked my head to the side. “What about the trail ride?”

“You know what they say,” she winked. “Save a horse, ride a cowboy.”

“Oh my god!” I fell back laughing. “You did not just say that!”

“Here’s your hat.” She tossed a royal blue Stetson at me. “Hurry up, now! The guys are already in the barn. Meet you in the kitchen.”

“What time is it?” I tossed the quilts back and jumped out of bed.

“Time to get your man!”

She was out the door and shouting down the hall. Shit! I cringed, hoping the whole house hadn’t heard her. Picking up the pieces of the outfit she’d chosen, I figured what the hell. It was why I was here, wasn’t it?

* * *

Elaine wore a short black top, denim cutoffs and Miranda Lambert boots. Her Stetson was brown, and she let it hang on her back while her long, blonde hair was in a messy braid tossed over one shoulder. Patrick took one look at us and pushed his straw cowboy hat up.

“You can’t ride in that.” The dimple in his cheek was visible from the front porch. “We’d better figure out something else to do.”

Elaine hopped down the steps and into his arms. “I’ve got a few ideas.”

The air outside was noticeably warmer, and I hung back to scan the yard as they walked over to the truck. The wind pushed through in hard gusts, and nobody else was around.

“Hey, Mare?” Patrick called, and I wrinkled my nose at him using my nickname. “Bill has something for you to do in the barn, I think.”

“Okay—thanks!” It was nice that he wanted me to help with the chores. Made me feel less like a party crasher.

When I entered, I was confused. The barn seemed empty, other than five stalls with horses peeking over the doors. Two were dark brown with black manes, one was brown and white, and another was a Palomino. At the far end was a gray mare with white spots. I decided she was my favorite and headed in her direction.