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The pain in my arm simmered to a dull ache by the time John returned with the group. My mood was back on a high after a morning of comedy films.
After lunch, we were told to collect our horses before heading out on another trail ride. I was almost skipping as I made my way to Cody. Riding him this afternoon would only help me further. I tightened his cinch and jumped in the saddle.
“Err, what do you think you’re doing?”
I looked down to see Brady stood at the side of me, his dark eyes glaring at me as if I’d stolen something. “Um, riding?”
“I don’t think so. Get off.”
“I beg your pardon?”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “You heard me. Get off.”
My stewing anger decided to bring itself to boil. “Who the hell do you think you are? You’ve done nothing but speak to me like I’m a piece of shit on the bottom of your shoe since I arrived. Well I’ve got news for you, buddy. I’m a human being, just like you. Well, that’s debateable to be quite frank, but regardless. Treat others how you expect to be treated. Back the hell off and leave me alone.”
The hum of chatter around us fell into an awkward silence as we stared each other out.
“What’s the problem?”
I turned to see John striding towards us, a deep frown creasing his face.
“Him.” I pointed at Brady. “He’s done nothing but be an ass to me since I arrived. He’s now telling me I can’t ride.”
His eyes passed over to Brady. “Is that true?”
“I haven’t been an ass at all. But yes, I am telling her she can’t ride now. I’ve asked her to get off the horse and she won’t.”
My mouth fell open as I glowered at him. “You haven’t even given me a justification for it!”
He looked back at me, his lips pulling into a sly smile. “You never asked.”
“You absolute—”
“Alright, Sophie. Just calm down. Brady, why can’t she ride?”
“She fell over earlier and hurt her arm. I’m not prepared to trek into the desert with an injured guest.”
John glanced at me, running his tongue over his lips. “I’m sorry, Sophie, but he is making the right call here. Have you had it looked at?”
I shook my head. “No. It’s fine. Honestly.”
He gave me a look of ‘don’t be daft’. “Come on, I’ll run you down to the hospital.” He nodded at Brady as he walked to his truck.
I gave Brady my best ‘if looks could kill’ stare before jumping off Cody and following John. If I was ever capable of murder, it was right now.
***
MY ARM WAS OK BUT MY wrist had a bad sprain. With a support bandage, orders of ice packs and rest for a couple of days, I came back to the ranch. I begged John to let me ride. He eventually caved in on the provision I only rode in the arena until the weekend. I had to also ride one handed which would be an interesting new skill for me to learn.
He stopped me just as I jumped out of the truck. “Listen. I know Brady can be a bit direct, but everything he does has a good reason behind it. I trust that man with my life.”
I nodded. “I think it’s just a clash of personalities. I’ll try to calm my temper.”
He grinned. “Might not be a bad idea. We’re heading out for a cookout again this evening but we’re taking the hay cart and the draft horses.”
I nodded before heading back to my room. I don’t think I’ve ever been so grateful to collapse on a bed. What a day. I closed my eyes and tried my hardest to focus on the positives of my life, rather than the negatives.
A sharp knock at the door echoed through my peaceful room. I jumped and rubbed at my eyes, realising I’d fallen asleep. Perhaps a power nap would do me some good. I opened the door, my stomach sinking as I saw Brady stood there.
“We’re about to leave for the cookout. Are you coming?”
I frowned. “It’s only two?”
“No. It’s nearly seven.”
My eyes widened in shock. “Oh, my. I thought I’d only had a ten-minute power nap.” I paused as I yawned. “Yeah, I’m coming. Just give me a minute.”
He nodded, staying put as I closed the door.
I fumbled over to the bathroom, soaking my face in cold water in an effort to wake myself up. That had been my first sleep without the aid of sleeping tablets in weeks. I felt good considering.
I made my way outside, dreading the walk up to the barn. We walked in silence for a few seconds before he cleared his throat.
“How’s your wrist?”
“Ok, thanks.”
I continued staring straight ahead, making it clear I wasn’t bothered about small talk.
“Listen, about earlier—”
I shot him a dirty look. “It’s fine. Leave it.”
He pursed his lips before nodding, accepting the rest of our walk would be in an awkward silence.
The two Shire horses they had with the giant hay cart looked fantastic. Their tails had been plaited and tied up, and colourful ribbons braided into their manes. The leather driving harnesses gleamed in the fading sunshine. The cart looked like something from an old Wild West movie with its huge wheels and rustic looks. I couldn’t wait.
I climbed up inside the trailer, taking a seat at the back whilst Brady went to the front. I started to feel a little guilty for cutting him short but told myself it was the least he deserved.
The wooden cart lurched forwards as the horses started moving us into the depths of the desert. As the rays of the blistering sun began to cool, I enjoyed the air flowing over me, cooling my skin and my emotions. The rhythmic beat of their trotting hooves combined with the squeaks and rattles of the tack and cart almost entranced me back to hundreds of years ago. Along with people’s chatter and laughter, it was all just a welcome bubble of tranquillity I needed right now.
About an hour later, we stopped at an area which housed a beautiful creek to the side. Again, the cookout area had been marked with a fence as the perimeter. A few trees provided some shade over a few of the tables. The grill had been carved into the soft pink rock, hugging its home as if nature had created it. I couldn’t help but think of The Flintstones for some reason.
After John’s enviable food, we all relaxed with beers, and people chatted in their small groups. I took a wander down to the creek which was several hundred yards away.
A U shaped jagged formation of rocks encased the shallow water. Numerous trees covered it over, weeping and trailing into the small source of water. In the middle of the trees, at the apex of the U was a huge tree trunk on its side. I picked my way down to it, sitting on its rough surface as I stared into the pool before me. It was such an odd sight in the middle of this dry, bleak landscape. It was almost like finding a diamond in a manure heap.
I heard the scuffling of feet behind me, mentally cursing whoever it was for disturbing my serene moment. My heart sank even further when Brady’s gorgeous form appeared. That man could only be described as a rose bush. Absolutely beautiful to look at, but get too close and it stabs you for all its worth.
He sat down next to me which surprised me, and started throwing small pieces of dirt into the water. I watched the ripples moving out across the still surface, thinking back to my childhood with my dad teaching me and my sister how to stone skip.
Several minutes passed, the quietness between us only deepening. I continued staring straight ahead, trying my best to ignore it.
“How’s your wrist?”
I smirked. “Same as it was an hour ago, thanks.”
I caught his scrutinising look from the corner of my eye but refused to acknowledge it. My heart increased its steady pace, and a small sweat broke out on my palms.
“How did you break it?”
I blinked, holding my eyes closed for a brief second as I chewed on my lip. “Car crash. It was my whole arm.”
“Oh. Bad wreck then.”
I shrugged my shoulders, finding a stray leaf between my feet. I picked it up, slowly shredding it to pieces. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“Sorry to hear that. Did someone you hit you?”
“No.” I paused and smiled. “I was speeding.”
He said nothing for a few minutes as he carried on disturbing the peaceful scene in front of us.
“Was it just your arm you broke?”
“No. I broke my left leg, three ribs, and fractured my skull. I was in a coma for six days.”
He remained quiet for a minute or so, fiddling with something in his hands. “At least you’re better now.”
I bit my lip as I felt tears springing up from nowhere. I was not going to cry in front of this man. Managing to mutter a thanks, I started drawing patterns in the dust with my boots.
He coughed, wringing his hands together. “Well, I guess that was a lesson learned on speeding.”
His words cut right through me. What a pompous asshole. “As if I haven’t heard that enough already.”
“Sorry, it was just an automatic response. I was trying to lighten the atmosphere a little.”
Anger was simmering away in my gut once more. He didn’t know the first thing about my life, or the circumstances that led me to that awful car crash.
“Yeah, well don’t. I don’t need anyone’s pity, especially yours.”
He glanced across, surprise flickering through his dark eyes. “Ok, I’m sorry if I offended you.”
I snorted and stood up. “Whatever.”
“I am.”
“You lot wouldn’t know the meaning of sorry if it jumped up and bit you. Just leave me alone. I’ve got enough going on without you giving me a hard time just for the sake of it.”
With heat flooding my cheeks, I stepped over the log, and started to walk away. My emotions were running high once again and all I wanted to do was sit and cry it out. I’d come to this secluded little spot for some time out and yet again, that damn fine cowboy had ruined it.
“You know what,” I said, turning back around. “I’m not leaving. I was here first. I’m sick of men making me run away. That’s what got me in this mess in the first place.”
I plonked myself back down on the log and folded my arms over my chest. Glaring into the distance, I said nothing.
“Wow,” he said, scratching his head. “I can see you have some stuff to work through. I’ll give you some space.”
As he stood up, I breathed a sigh of relief. Just the pressure I felt under when he was around was an added strain I didn’t need. Yes, he was hot, but he was just as cruel to go with it from what I’d experienced so far.
“You know, sometimes it helps to talk to someone on the outside of the situation. Get a different perspective and all that.”
I looked up at him with raised eyebrows. “Are you suggesting I’m going to get that from you?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just saying I have a pair of ears, and I’m willing to listen.”
I dropped my eye contact and went back to staring into the small well of water. The fact he was being nice was irritating me—I was finding it hard to stay angry. So overwhelmed by everything, it didn’t take much at all for me to spill the dreadful truth.
“I was speeding the day I crashed because I came home to find my fiancé in bed with my sister.”