Chapter Fifteen

James admired the swaying thrust of Reese’s hips as they shifted with the movement of the horse. She sat a saddle well and bringing her on this ride was a good idea. Having her along kept him from brooding over the troubles with the land developer. Both of his natural springs were still flowing at their normal capacity, and that eased some of his anxiety, but there were still questions. With that worry set aside for the moment, he rode for the small cave he’d checked out with Grandpa.

“My internet research gave me a few ideas,” she said. “There are some endangered species I want to search for while we’re in the cave. I have the photos on my phone and will show you when we get there. I should probably look into endangered plants as well.”

“I think you missed your calling as an investigator. Goldilocks’ Detective Agency.”

“Maybe I’ll start one.”

Once they dismounted, he turned Reese to face a wall of limestone covered with scrubby bushes. Native trees clustered along its base and swayed in the hot afternoon breeze. The scent of another coming rain hung in the air, and he wished for a sudden storm to blow in, forcing them to return home. If he embarrassed himself with a sissy reaction in this cave, he’d never forgive himself.

Sweat trickled down his neck. “Do you see the cave entrance?”

“No.”

“Keep walking forward until you think you’ll face-plant into the rocks.”

Her hands snapped to her hips, and she looked at him sideways. “Seriously? Are you fooling with me and trying to get me to do something you can laugh about?”

“Would I do that?” He chuckled and motioned her forward. He’d focus on her, not the cave. He could do this. No problem. They were so close he could reach out and touch the rocks before he stopped and pointed to the opening behind the branches of a mountain laurel. “See it now?”

“Oh, wow. That’s so cool. It’s like an optical illusion hides it. Let’s go in.” She bounced on the balls of her feet and pulled her camera from its case.

Do not embarrass yourself, dude. You are way overthinking this.

Creases appeared around her eyes, and she grabbed his hand. “Is something wrong?”

“Nope.” His Goldilocks got that adorable cock to her hip, and her lips pursed, making him want to kiss her until she forgot what she wanted to say.

“I don’t believe you.”

He scuffed the toe of one boot across the dirt and a small rock shot forward and pinged off a tree, disturbing a lizard soaking up the sun. “It’s nothing. I’m just not a fan of small spaces.”

She pulled a clenched fist to her mouth. “You’re claustrophobic? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s not a big deal. Really. I went in this cave just the other day with Grandpa.” He opened his arms and drew her close, swaying in their instinctive dance.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s not the sort of thing you lead with when you want to impress a woman.”

She trailed her hands up and down his back like he’d shown her he did with nervous horses. “So you wanted to impress me?”

“Did it work?”

“What impresses me is how you treat your animals and run this ranch. The way you talk about your grandparents with such affection and want to help special needs kids. You’re a good man, James MacLachlan.”

The warmth of her smile made his heart happy. “Glad you think so.” He tucked a loose curl into her ponytail and then slid his hand into hers. “Let’s get in there and see if we can find any of your rare creepy-crawlies. Are you going to jump on me if we see a spider?”

“Only if it jumps on me first.”

James swung his light around the entrance and tapped the wall with a stick. When nothing hissed or rattled, they stepped into the dark space and explored the areas they could get to. He breathed easier with each step. Her excitement gave him something to focus on and brought flashes of those first-crush sensations he hadn’t understood. He’d been a curious kid, drawn to the girl with blond pigtails.

“I’m sorry we didn’t find anything to stop development, but at least I got some great photos.” She caught him staring and smiled. “What?”

“Just remembering when you threw mud at me. Hit me square in the chest.”

“Did you deserve it?”

“Highly likely.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s head home. I’m starving.”

“What a shock.” She soothed her dig with a kiss on his cheek.

The horses grazed in the distance but trotted down the hill when he whistled.

“When we go into town tomorrow to see Grams and Grandpa, you can get your pictures of the old buildings around the town square. My dad will be at the Cypress Creek office, and I want to stop by and talk to him.”

“Good plan.”

Reese wiped a smudge of dirt from James’s chin before she swung into Lady J’s saddle, happy he was taking steps to protect the ranch. “I never really knew your dad.”

“He’s not the easiest guy to get to know. After my mother died, he closed himself off and threw himself into his real estate business.”

She held the reins tighter, her heart aching for the pain he’d endured at such a young age. “I remember when he came out to get a look at my grandparents’ farm after Grandmother’s funeral. I wasn’t in a good mood at the time. I wanted to stay in Cypress Creek. I assumed your dad was the real estate agent handling the sale. Didn’t occur to me he was buying the place.”

He moved his horse closer and squeezed her thigh. “As you’ve no doubt figured out, my family is known for acquiring land. I can only imagine how hard it was for you when your parents sold Turner Farm.”

“Being a real estate agent, your dad sells property all the time.”

“True, but not our own.”

I sure hope that’s the case.

The rainstorm hit before they could get to the barn, and they were soaked. After food and a hot shower, they had the whole evening to relax.

The slide of bare skin, the warmth of breath, the steady drive of rain on the roof, and rumbles of thunder all lent a dreamlike quality to the night. Reese let herself go, surrendering fully and trusting James to catch her.

He rolled them until he held himself above her, sculpted arms and chest taut with power and desire.

Never had she looked into her partner’s eyes while making love. Never had she heard her name spoken with such passion and wonder. Never had she experienced such magnificent sensations across her skin.

Beneath him, above him, surrounded by him.

Her body tightened as a tingly swell of pleasure surged and swept her into an abyss so deep, she never wanted out. With their breath in rhythm, they floated from their tempest and back into the reality of the thunderstorm raging outside the window.

They lay entangled in blue sheets and a colorful quilt, savoring the closeness. Lamp light reflected off the mahogany wood headboard and cast shadows across his bare skin, making the few dark hairs glow. She traced the planes of his chest and shoulders while he read aloud from The One for Her, his smooth, steady voice adding to the bliss of the night.

“‘She loved that he’d noticed and commented on her new dress.’” He paused and lowered the book. “Do women appreciate the little things we do and say, or is it only in stories?”

“We definitely appreciate it.” She slid her leg across his and shifted to straddle his waist. “Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.”

“I don’t know what you’re calling little, but you’re about to make something big again.” He dropped the book and ran his hands up her thighs, to her hips, farther still until he cupped her breasts.

She shivered and arched into his skillful touch, her hair trailing behind her to brush his legs.

“I love your long hair, always have.” He sat up, tangled his hands in her blond waves, and pulled her close for a searing kiss.

And his phone dinged with a text.

“Who could that be at this hour?” he grumbled.

She glanced over his shoulder at the lit-up screen. “It’s Ana. Looks like your prediction about her horse was right. Good thing you asked me to stay here tonight instead of the cottage.”

He lay back, pulled her with him, and grabbed his phone. “Of course she goes into labor in the middle of the night, during a rainstorm, when I’m warm and naked in bed with my girl.” He squeezed her bottom and nipped at her shoulder.

His girl? She liked the sound of that way too much. “We can always pick up where we left off.”

“I like the way you think.” He rolled from the bed, excitement about the birth of a new horse evident in every movement of his powerful body. He hopped up and down on one foot trying to get his other foot through a tangled pant leg before coming back to her, shirtless and mussed, tempting her to pull him back into bed.

“Are you coming out to the barn?”

“Yes. Just enjoying the show first. I like watching you, cowboy.” She climbed to her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Can I bring my camera?”

“Of course.” He kissed her again and then grabbed his shirt and boots.

Once she was dressed and had her camera equipment safely tucked under a raincoat and umbrella, she made a dash to the barn. Lightning illuminated the night, and the fine hairs on her body stood with the power of the storm.

James and Ana were hard at work tending the mother-to-be when she arrived. Through the lens of her camera a love story unfolded. One between a girl and her horse. Ana spoke soothing words and stroked the trembling, muscled body. The mare’s eyes kept seeking Ana, confirming the bond and trust between them.

James assured both girl and horse everything was going as it should. During a loud crack of thunder, the gangly little foal slid into the world, guided by the gentle strength of a man who stole Reese’s heart piece by piece. Her view through the lens blurred with a sheen of tears.

Ana laughed as the mother nuzzled her newborn. “I’m going to name him Lightning.”

A bark from the corner pulled Reese’s attention away. Sampson had joined them in the barn about halfway through the birth but stayed out of the way. She’d seen him go straight to a corner, root around, and then settle in like a silent guard. He howled and nosed at something behind him. She went to investigate while James tended to the new family.

Something moved in the shadows and she jumped back, fearing he’d cornered a rodent. Then she heard the soft mewling. “Sampson, what do you have?”

He gently pawed hay away from the small, wet creature and barked softly. A tiny gray kitten huddled wet and scared in the corner.

She scooped it up and cuddled it against her warmth. “Poor little wet baby. Where’s your momma?”

“Reese, what do you have?”

She walked back to the others and Sampson followed closely, still guarding his find. “It’s a kitten. I didn’t know you had any cats.”

“We don’t. I wonder where in the world it came from. Are there more?”

“I didn’t see any.” She went back to search the area with the help of a paternal hound dog.

“I think if there had been more, Sampson would’ve saved all of them,” Ana said.

“You’re right,” James agreed. “Good find, old boy. Let’s go inside, feed and dry this little one, and let the new mom and babe rest.”

“I’m staying with them.” Ana settled crisscross on the hay beside the horses. “Thanks for everything. This was amazing.”

“It always is. Night, kiddo. Call if you need me.”

Sampson didn’t let the kitten out of his sight, and James had to keep him from tripping Reese as they walked back to the house.

She admired the sweet face staring up at her. “Since the foal is named Lightning, I think you should be Stormy.”

The kitten answered with a fluttering purr, much larger than seemed possible from such a tiny beast.

Great. Now I’m naming his animals like I live here?