We continue our tour, taking a look at the honest-to-God movie theater he mentioned. There are rows of seats and a big screen stretching along the length of the far wall, even a curtain hanging in front.
“Does this work?” I ask, going over to the old-fashioned popcorn machine.
“Sure. You’re free to use it. You’re free to use anything in the house whenever you want. I can show you how to set up a movie also. I’m sure there will be times this week when I’m busy with work, so you can do whatever you wish while I’m not here.”
“It’s tempting. I don’t know what my editor would think about it though.”
“You can’t work nonstop.”
“Says you.” I poke him in the ribs with a smile. “Right after you got done telling me there’s work you have to do this week.”
He rolls his eyes with a good-natured chuckle. “Okay, I see what you mean. It’s sort of different for me though. I was already away from the ranch and horses all last week, so there are a lot of things I need to catch myself up on. I like to be on top of everything as much as possible.”
“The hands-on kind of boss, in other words.”
He flashes a wicked grin before pulling me close. “I would rather have my hands on other things. And you’re being very generous, describing me that way. Some would say I’m a micromanager, you know.”
“If it’s your business and your name is on it, why would you not want to be involved?”
“For a city slicker, you understand a lot of things.” He kisses my forehead before leading me from the theater room.
A city slicker. Yeah, this party is going to go just great. I know he didn’t mean that in any derogatory way, but I’m sure that’s the way the people around us are going to see me. The city slicker from New York, who has never so much as ridden a horse before this week, thinking she can fit into the life of some of the wealthiest people in the entire state of Texas.
I have a feeling I might need to call my grandmother for moral support by the time this is over.
“Come on. We’ll ride in my pickup. I wanna show you the horses.”
I can’t help but smile at the pride in his voice, the excitement. Like a little boy who can’t wait to show off his favorite toy.
Only a horse is not a toy. And he is most certainly not a little boy.
Peppermint rides between us, leaning against me and soaking up the attention I give her.
“She’s such a sweetheart,” I murmur before kissing the top of her head.
“She loves you, for sure. A good judge of character.” He scratches her behind the ears. “Do dogs always take to you?”
I have to force my smile to stay put. “Sometimes. There’s a dog in my building who I love.”
“Oh, of course. The one you were sitting with this weekend.” He leaves it there, and I’m happy to do the same.
I first notice a man on horseback inside a ring, watching another man trot a horse around in a circle.
Paxton comes to a stop beside the barn and hops out of the truck. “Come on! Come see.”
“Okay, girl,” I whisper to Peppermint. “Here we go.”
We walk to the edge of the ring, and Paxton introduces me to the man on the horse.
“Sam, this is Kitty. Kitty, this is Sam. He trains our horses.”
“Hi, Sam. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, little lady,” Sam says, tipping his hat. He returns his attention back to the ring.
“How’s she doing?” Paxton asks.
“Ben has her trotting nicely.”
“He sure does. Good progress. I’m going to leave you two to it and show Kitty the rest of the ranch.”
“Bye, Sam,” I say as Paxton leads me back to his truck.
He drives me around the open land until we come upon a winding river that shines like silver under the cloudless sky. It’s breathtaking and so peaceful out here.
“Wow, it’s so quiet.”
“Yeah, I don’t know how you sleep with all that noise in the city.”
“Most of the time, I don’t even hear it anymore.”
“That river separates our land from the next ranch over. I can’t wait to take you out on my horse and really show you the land.”
Uh, wait, what?
“I believe I mentioned to you that I’ve never ridden a horse.”
“Kitty, trust me, I won’t let anything happen to you. Seeing the land on horseback is a whole other experience. Just think how authentic your story will be once you experience it for yourself.”
“You really love being out here.”
“I do, and between you, me, and Peppermint, I’d rather be out here on the ranch, working with the horses, than sitting in a meeting. And now that you’re here, I can think of a few other things I’d rather be doing.”
“Maybe it’s time you showed me to my room, Mr. Cleary.”
“It would be my pleasure, darlin’.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“The first thing you need to remember is this: if you’re afraid, the animal will pick up on it right away. You have to show them you’re the boss. You’re the one in charge.”
I’m the one in charge? I’ve never felt less in charge in all my life. Staring up at this gray mare with kind eyes and a gentle demeanor doesn’t help me feel better even if the horse seems like a real sweetheart.
“Sadie is the gentlest horse you’ll ever meet. I specifically chose her for you because she’s so easy to get along with.” Paxton pats my shoulder. “You’ll be just fine.”
“I really wish I had the sort of confidence you do.” I manage a shaky smile. “She is a beautiful horse.”
“That she is.” He looks down at me, tipping my chin upward so our eyes meet. “You know, you don’t have to do this. It was just something I thought you would enjoy, but if you’re afraid, it would be better for us not to do it at all. You can always ride behind me, if you want. So long as you promise not to squeeze me too tight and break my ribs.”
I cast a glance toward Sadie, who clearly couldn’t care less either way. “No, I want to do this. I want to say I was able to do this without chickening out.”
“Okay, you’re the boss.”
He shows me how to mount from the horse’s left side and then gives me a rundown of how to signal, using my legs and heels. I’m doing my best to keep up with him, but it’s not easy. Not when my heart is pounding and my hands are shaking.
But this is fun, right? It’s a new experience, one I wouldn’t be able to enjoy at home.
That’s a bunch of bull. If I really wanted to go horseback riding, I could easily do it in Central Park. There are ways to schedule riding sessions. It’s just that riding a horse has never been a priority.
I do want to see his land, however, even though I know I’ll never be able to see all of it even if we ride out every day this week.
If I’m being honest with myself, I can admit there’s one reason overriding all the others, one singular motivation. Looking confident in front of him. Showing him I’m game for just about anything, that I can handle the things that are important to him.