Wild (Wolf Ranch 2)

The pale pink and white flowers daintily circled the base of each layer, then spread like a garland up one side. At the top, two larger flowers were the centerpiece. It did look nice. A tad rustic without the smooth fondant often seen on some wedding cakes, but Audrey’s wedding was in a barn. I thought it matched well, and so did Colton.

I shrugged, but I felt my cheeks heat from his praise. My girlfriends always raved about the cakes I made for their birthdays, but this was the first wedding cake I’d done. Somehow, Colton’s words meant more to me than anyone else’s. Besides Audrey’s, since this cake was for her and Boyd.

“Nope. I’m self-taught. I’ve always loved to bake.”

He studied it for another moment, rotating it in a circle, so he could see it from all sides. “It really is a talent. Let’s get it in the fridge before it melts or slides off the plate or something.”

He carried the cake with as much or more care and reverence as I would out of the house and down the drive. I walked beside him, opening doors, so he didn’t have to do anything but carry the cake. God, if it dropped now...

Once we’d safely stowed the cake in the bunkhouse refrigerator—and told Johnny and the other guys not to touch it or deal with Audrey—Colton took me out to the stables and introduced me to a pretty pinto mare. “This is Lucy. She’s a doll. She’ll be perfect for you.”

I knew nothing about stables, but I guessed this one held twenty or so horses based on the number of stall doors. The space was long with open doors on both ends to let in the natural light and fresh air. While the pungent scent of horses was unmistakable, the space was clean and clearly well-maintained.

I came up to the animal’s nose, and I had no idea how I was going to get on top of her. “Oh, she’s beautiful. May I pet her?” I looked to Colton who was watching me. He nodded and gave me a smile. He set his hand on her flank first, stroked her soft coat.

“Sure.” Colton took my hand and placed it on her neck. “Nice and easy, like this. Are you nervous?”

“No,” I lied. I was, but I didn’t want to be. “Horses are so big. And she’s watching me.”

“She knows a pretty girl when she sees one.”

The mare shifted and chuffed, and I tried to tug my hand away, but Colton held it in place.

“She won’t hurt you, but she can pick up on your nerves. The truth is, horses are telepathic. She hasn’t seen me in years, but she’s comfortable because I’m letting her know I’m in charge here. I’m in control, and she doesn’t have to be afraid. I don’t hide my energy from her, or who I am.”

I looked up at Colton. “Like with me,” I murmured.

His dark gaze held mine, dropped to my lips. “That’s right. I’m in charge.”

A ripple of energy ran between us, but the sexual charge was laced with pain for me because he’d backed off. We weren’t having sex any more, apparently. I wanted to dare him, to say, show me, Sergeant Major. Maybe tease him into using one of those riding crops on me or something kinky, but I’d lost my nerve with him.

Instead, I returned to his earlier statement. “Do you think I’m hiding?”

“It’s hard to explain. You have to sort of let Lucy feel your energy. Try this. Tell her telepathically that you’re going to ride her, and you love her.”

It surprised me to hear Mr. Military Cowboy talking about energy, but I loved it. I followed his guidance and closed my eyes to project my thoughts to the horse. She whinnied, and when I opened my eyes, she nuzzled me. “It worked!” I exclaimed.

Colton grinned at me as he opened the stall door and fit a muzzle on Lucy. “See? You’re a natural.”

“But I’m not in charge of her. I think she might be in charge of me,” I said.

“Nah, she knows what’s up. Don’t worry, little girl. I’ll be here. We’ll make a cowgirl out of you yet.”

A cowgirl. I liked that. I pictured myself riding on a horse in braids and a cowgirl hat like Leigh from last night, and it made me smile. I looked down at my sneakers. “I think I need to start with some boots.”

“Sure, sweetness. You ride Lucy and show me how you can be a good cowgirl, I’ll get you the boots.”

Okay, maybe he was still into me. I couldn't be misinterpreting his attention, could I? Or the way he looked at my body? With heat smoldering behind those dark brown eyes.

He was probably into me but didn’t want to get too deep in this thing, since we were both leaving at the end of the week. I understood. I’d worried about the same thing.