It was just my luck that I would see him again the next day, bright and early. Lucy had wanted to go on a morning trail ride, and, being the nice daughter that I was, I let my parents sleep in and went with her. There were about fifteen of us riding up a mountain trail, and Lucy rode beside me on her white and brown pinto. Now although I had lived for almost twenty years, the closest thing I had ever ridden to a horse was a little pony at the petting zoo when I was six. To say I was inexperienced is an understatement. My horse was more jittery than I would have desired, but luckily we all stuck pretty close together and were going at a slow pace. I didn't have to do much, as the horses followed the trail guide -- a perky woman with red hair, probably in her mid-thirties.
I was actually enjoying the scenery when suddenly I heard a horse galloping quickly up the mountain. Actually, the closer the sound got, the more it sounded like a few horses running toward us. The tour guide stopped as Tripp and another man who was wearing a red shirt emerged and rode up to her. Both men looked slightly worried. Tripp was wearing a grey cowboy hat, which hid his eyes pretty effectively. As soon as I saw who it was my heart stopped, and I prayed that he wouldn't see me. I sat on top of a horse, and if he looked at me the way he had last night, I'd probably fall off.
The man who rode with him was talking to the trail guide. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I got the feeling they were looking for someone when I heard the guide say, "I don't know where he is," exasperatedly. I remembered that Tripp had said he was moving cattle today. Perhaps there was some sort of mishap.
As the man with the red shirt spoke some more to the guide, my horse decided to have somewhat of a fit. Quickly jolted from my train of thought, I gave a yelp in surprise as the thing rose slightly on its hind legs and began to furiously toss its head. The small scream caught everyone's attention. Now, not only did Tripp notice me, but the entire rest of the trail party was looking my way, including the guide and the man she was talking to.
My first instinct was to drop the reins, grab the saddle horn and hold on for dear life. The next thing I knew though Tripp was beside me with my horse's reins in his hand. He gave them a quick little pull and let out a short whistle. Instantly, my horse stopped throwing itself around and calmly stood there, as if just a second ago it wasn't trying to kill me. It took a couple moments for me to realize that I was all right. Completely mortified, I slowly turned to the left where Tripp was sitting on his mount, holding my hat that he had caught as it fell off my head while the horse was bucking. He wasn't smiling exactly, but he had an amused gleam in his eyes.
"Don't drop the reins next time, California," he said as he handed me my hat, the corner of his mouth edging upward. I couldn't say anything while I sat there looking at him stupidly, bathing in embarrassment as I took my hat and the reins. For a second I thought I saw that look again, the one he gave me last night where I felt like I was sitting there naked. But then he was off, riding back along with the other man who had finished talking with the guide.
"You know him?" my sister asked incredulously as we watched them ride away down the mountain. People were still looking at me, but I didn't really notice. It took me awhile to even register that Lucy was talking, I was in such a daze. Snapping back to reality, I placed my hat on my head and turned to my sister.
"Uh, well...we met briefly last night. June Waterman introduced him to Mom and Luke and I," ...Oh and I also hid by the barn like a creepy stalker and watched him frolicking on a horse with his shirt off for a good twenty minutes.
"Well he's really,
really
handsome!" Lucy whispered, giggling.
"Yeah, I suppose he's pretty decent looking," I said nonchalantly, laughing inside my head as it came out. To say the man was decent looking was like saying fire was a little warm.
I was thrilled at the way he called me, "California," signifying that he had at least taken enough notice last night to remember where we were from... though perhaps it just meant that he didn't remember my name. I wondered how old he was. He was younger, definitely no older than his late-twenties, but still I knew my parents would consider him too old for me, not that they had any jurisdiction over who I dated anymore.
Why did I think of dating? We were only going to be here for two weeks, and if something developed with Tripp, it could be no more than a summer fling. It was only the morning of our first full day there, but already this little family vacation was proving to completely undo me. He scared me because of the way he made me feel when I was around him. I didn't have control over myself, something I never experienced before. I always prided myself on being a very collected, intelligent person. Hell, I could be downright witty at times... but all that flew out the window with a simple thought of that fierce, gorgeous cowboy.
The rest of the trail ride was uneventful. After my encounter with Tripp, it went by pretty quickly, probably because I was daydreaming through it. Before I knew it, we were back down the mountain and dismounting from our horses so the ranch hands could lead them back into the corral.
I spent a good part of that afternoon in the Lodge playing pool with Lucy and Luke in a smaller rec room above the main floor, trying to relax and enjoy myself. It was difficult because my mind kept wandering back to Tripp and how completely mortified I was at almost falling off my horse earlier. Later, I decided to go back to the cabin where I lay reading until I fell asleep. My parents woke me up around six when it was time to go to dinner. We all walked over to the picnic area outside one of the barns where tables were set up and people were eating barbeque. The Lodge was also full of people heading in to eat and start dancing.
"Are we going back to the Lodge tonight for more dancing and stuff?" I asked my parents as we sat there, stuffing our faces with what I found were some of the best ribs I'd ever eaten.
My mom looked up at me with surprise. I was supposed to be the one who was reluctant to join in any of the festivities of our vacation. "Sure we are. We can go right after dinner if you want," she said smiling.
In truth, the idea of spending time in the noisy, crowded hall held no appeal for me whatsoever... unless a certain cowboy was there for me to feast my eyes upon.
* * * * *
"C'mon Kira, I want a dance!" My brother gave me one of his impish grins.
I laughed. "Luke, you know I've never been much of a dancer."
"Suit yourself," he shrugged as he turned and grabbed Lucy to spin her onto the floor. I watched as couples twirled around to the beat of the music that was being played through mounted speakers. Unlike last night, there was no live band in the corner.
"So you don't dance, you don't ride horses...what is it that you do, California?"
Startled, I jumped as the voice spoke right behind me. I recognized the sexy southern drawl immediately and my heart started racing. He must have been near... how hadn't I noticed him? I had been on the lookout ever since we first walked in. As he came to stand beside me, I turned to look at him, trying to calm myself. He was wearing a navy blue dress shirt tucked into his jeans, and a black Stetson that matched his dark hair. It was happening again, his nearness was turning my brains into mush.
"You scared me..." I stammered out, averting my eyes to the dance floor and trying not to stare, as he was doing. Perhaps I might be able to talk to him if I didn't look, although that might be rude.
"I'm sorry," he said softly in an amused voice, almost whispering. His eyes weren't leaving me, and I swear I could physically feel his gaze.
I turned to look at him again, not knowing what to say. He was unbelievably sexy, standing there with one hand in the pocket of his jeans and the other holding a beer. I had to cock my head upward to look at him, as he was so tall. It was difficult to utter sound, let alone form words. This had the potential to turn into the most awkward conversation of my life.
