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“Isn’t this place incredible?” Faye asks, exhaling as she rubs a hand down her belly.
Breakfast was out of this world good. Eggs, bacon, fruit, cereals —you name it, it was there. We all ate way too much, and suddenly swimming doesn’t seem so appealing, but knowing we’ve got all day makes it a little more exciting.
I’m feeling a lot better, my headache has eased, and my body feels a little less sore. Perhaps this isn’t going to be so bad after all. I can’t remember the last time I just enjoyed myself, truly just let myself unwind and relax.
“It is nice,” I admit.
“I can’t wait to do all these activities,” Alice, the other woman who was speaking to me this morning, says.
I glance down at our list of activities for the week. It’s action packed, but that’s how I like things to be. We’ve got hikes, kayaking, water sports, raft building, camping, and of course some down time.
“How did you all enjoy your breakfast?” Lei asks, standing from her spot at the end of the table with all the guys.
Everyone sings their praises, and she proceeds to tell us that we can go back to our rooms and get changed, then spend the day by the lake if we wish. A lunch will be served here at midday. We’re also welcome to go and help out on the ranch, ride some horses and go with the guys.
“Lake or horses, what a choice?” Faye claps happily. “I can’t decide.”
“Feel free to do both,” Lei tells her. “They’re taking the horses out now for the morning jobs, you can come back and swim later.”
“Come with me,” Faye pleads, turning toward me.
Horses. Hmmm. I mean, I’ve ridden a few in my time but I’m not certain my stomach or head will handle being bounced around on a horse right now.
“I don’t think I have it in me to ride a horse today,” I tell her.
“You can ride with me in the buggy,” Enzo pipes up from his spot.
I look to him. A buggy does sound fun, and at least I can kick back.
I am interested to see what it is they do here.
I also wouldn’t mind having that eye candy for a few hours.
“I’m in.”
We gather up our things, and I follow Enzo back to the main house and into the barn. He comes out with a buggy that looks incredibly fun. It is a two-seater, has a roof and roll bars, and it looks like it is made for ripping through dirt. This is my kind of fun, no doubt about it. I grin and climb in, taking the helmet he hands me.
“How hard are you going to ride this thing?” I say, pulling the helmet on.
He glances at me. “Fuckin’ hard.”
My fanny just did a little happy dance.
Oh yes, I’m getting a piece of Enzo while I’m here.
No doubt about it.
He climbs in beside me and then gives me a sly grin before slamming his foot down. The buggy launches forward, and a delighted scream leaves my lips as he flies down the paddocks. Joy fills me as we zip around, chasing cows and going down dirt roads to check fences. This is the kind of life I could have forever. No doubt in my mind. I would love to live on a ranch.
I’m a country girl at heart.
I always have been.
Enzo pulls the buggy to a stop at a beautiful little river running through some thick woods. I pull the helmet off, heart racing, and turn to him. “That was awesome.”
“You can ride it home.”
“I can?”
He nods.
I happily cheer as I launch out of the buggy and rush down to the water, throwing my shoes off as I go. When I reach it, I dive in without thought. It’s only when I hit the water that I realize how damned cold it is. Any ounce of pain my head was enduring is now gone because my brain is frozen and I’m going into some sort of shock. I come up squealing and hear Enzo’s booming laugh filling the trees.
I get out, shuddering, and he reaches into the buggy and hands me a shirt. I don’t know who the shirt belongs to, and I don’t really care. I rip my tank off and throw it on the ground before pulling the shirt on. It’s dirty. I could be horrified, but I’m too cold to care.
“You don’t think much through, do you?”
I glare at him, lips clamoring together.
“We’re coming into winter soon, it gets cold. Or don’t you know that?”
“I’m going to kick you right in the balls soon,” I stammer.
He grins. “Come here, for Christ's sake.”
He reaches for me, grabbing me and pulling me against him. For a minute, I freeze. Not because it doesn’t feel nice, because oh, it does. The man has muscles for days and he’s strong and warm. It’s mostly because I realize I haven’t been held by a man in quite some time.
I take a moment to enjoy it, the smell of him, the feeling of him.
All of it.
Then, I say, “You better let me go, cowman. Or I’m going to do something wicked.”
He lets me go, his face blank. “What did I say about callin’ me that?”
“Yeah yeah, I changed it up. Deal with it.”
He sits down on a rock, and I sit beside him, the shivering slowly subsiding.
“Tell me about your son,” he asks.
I smile, because I always smile thinking about my son. He’s the light of my life, the absolute best thing that could have ever happened to me. I haven’t always had it good in relationships —in fact, I’ve had it pretty hard —but Hudson sure as hell made it all worth it.
“His name is Hudson. He’d love it here. My god, he’d go crazy. He’s the best kid anyone could ask for. What about you, do you have kids?”
“No.”
“Do you want kids?”
He nods. “Someday. Are you and Hudson’s dad close?”
I grin at him. “Are you asking because you want to take me right here by the river?”
He grunts. “In your wildest dreams, sweetheart.”
I chuckle. “We’re not together anymore, but he’s still very active in Hudson’s life. I’m lucky, I guess, having someone to take care of my son.”
If only he knew just how lucky I really am.
“Why did you come on this retreat?”
I purse my lips. “Well, to be honest, it wasn’t my idea. I was basically forced. I suppose you could say life was getting a bit overwhelming.”
“Overwhelming how? You work a lot?”
“I do, but I quit my job recently which is why I could take the time to come here.”
“What did you do?”
“I was an accountant, but the hours were long and, honestly, my heart isn’t in it. I suppose you could say I’m trying to discover who I am, this retreat is supposed to help, but so far all I know is I’m horny, I’m single, and I don’t really like people.”
His lips twitch. “A woman like you would have no problem finding a man.”
“Have you been with children in your life, Enzo? I don’t have time to go out finding some dick. I was hoping you’d offer, but since you’re not, I guess I’ll have to go rope one of those other cowboys to do the job.”
He studies me. “It’s your first day here. You’re not shy, are you?”
I stand. “Life is too short to be shy, come on, I want my turn on that buggy.”
We get into the buggy.
And I let rip.
It’s the best fun I’ve had in quite some time.
Maybe they were right, maybe this is exactly what I need.
~*~*~*~
“I MISS YOU TOO, BABY,” I say into the screen as I watch my gorgeous son hand the phone over to his father, Ronnie.
Ronnie and I get along well and always have. He was my best friend long before he was ever Hudson’s dad and to this day, the two of us are still as close as ever. He’s the best thing to ever happen to us, and he has saved our lives more than once. In ways only he’ll understand. He’s my rock, and I don’t know where I’d be without him. We might not have a romantic connection, but he’s my best friend. I’d change nothing.
“How is he doing?” I ask when I see Ronnie’s face come onto the screen.
“He’s good, school is keeping him tired enough that he’s not missing you too much yet. I’m taking him to my parents’ lake house this weekend, so he’ll have plenty of kids to play with.”
“You’re a godsend, Ronnie.”
He chuckles, his brown eyes growing warm. “You say that to me every day, June.”
“Because it’s true. You know you’re the only person I like in this world.”
He rolls his eyes. “Tell me about the ranch; is it as good as the papers claim?”
“Better,” I admit. “It’s beautiful, but man, I’m missing Hudson.”
“Of course you are, but he’s okay here. You deserve this, June. Get out there and relax, you need it. You’ve had a rough few years.”
Don’t I know it.
He knows it, too.
“How are things on your end?” I ask, quietly. “No big dramas?”
His eyes darken a little. “No more drama as yet, everything seems quiet.”
I really hope to God it stays that way.
“And Hudson is sleeping well?”
He smiles. “He’s fine, June. Go, enjoy yourself. You’re safe out there. Relish in your surroundings.”
Safe.
A word I wish I was a little more comfortable with.
I chat with Ronnie for a few more minutes and then blow Hudson a kiss before hanging up the phone. I make a cup of tea and go and sit on the front porch, watching the sun go down. A moment later I’m joined by Alice and Faye —the two of them have already created a friendship. The other ladies came in groups together, so they mostly keep to themselves. We’re the only ones who knew nobody when we decided to take this trip.
“Hi, June,” Alice waves. “How was your first day?”
I have to admit, they really are nice girls.
I can people long enough to talk to them, I suppose.
“I had fun; the buggy was great. What about you two?”
“We just chilled, swimming mostly,” Faye says, flopping down beside me. “It was so fun. I swear, I could stay here forever.”
“The men aren’t too bad to look at either.” Alice grins, leaning against the railing on the patio.
“You can say that again.” I grin.
“Are you married, June?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Gosh, no. I’m a single mom, and I’m pretty happy with that choice. What about you two?”
“I’m married,” Alice tells me. “My husband is great; he booked this trip for me so I could have a break. Having three kids is tough.”
“Three?” I squeak. “One is time consuming.”
“I’ve got five.” Faye smiles. “I’d have more if I could, but my husband passed away four years ago, and I just haven’t met anyone else.”
I blink, staring at her. “Ummm, wait a damn second. You have five kids?”
She nods.
“Five?” I go on, eyes wide. “You’re so tiny, where did you fit them?”
She laughs. “I carry well, I guess.”
Yeesh, the girl is a legend.
“I’m sorry about your husband,” Alice says. “That must have been tough.”
Faye smiles. “It was, but I’ve done a lot of healing, and I’m ready to move on.”
“Well, it’s a good thing there are so many to choose from here.” I wink at her.
She blushes. “Gosh, I could only dream.”
“Give it a shot, you never know what might happen.”
Alice laughs. “I must admit, I’m a bit envious of you ladies. If I had the chance, I’d be climbing those cowboys like trees. Damn.”
“So things are going well with your husband then?” I smile.
Alice grins. “He’s great, but you know ... time slowly fades the wild sex. You should get out there, honey, get into those men and enjoy your time here.”
“Trust me, I’m trying. It’s certainly not for a lack of it.”
Faye grins. “Do share. I have seen you and Enzo getting along, and after your grand entrance I’m quite certain he’s fascinated with you.”
I snort. “Or horrified, I’m not quite certain which it is yet, but I’ll win him over. He can’t run forever.”
They both laugh.
And I can’t help it, I laugh a little too.
Dammit, are they growing on me?