“You have no idea! I’ve blushed so many times I’ve lost track. Thankfully, the men seem to be oblivious to the innuendos.” Her palm covered her heart, absorbing the last few chuckles. “Canter is a controlled three-beat gait and galloping is even faster at a four-beat variation. Or as I like to call it, holding on for dear life.”
“So basically, he’s teaching you how to ride faster?”
“I guess their language is growing on me,” Ember snickered, waving back at Chloe as she passed by making another circle. “He thinks he’s going to attempt to teach me how to lasso next week.”
“This ought to be good. Make sure someone takes videos.”
Ember sliced her a look. “Not on your life.”
JC cleared her throat before dropping the bombshell question, “You mentioned earlier that Nash and Travis have a history. How is Nash handling all of this?”
Ember rested her forearms on the top rung of the bullpen dropping her gaze to the ground. Earthy scents of the oncoming dusk blended with the aroma of cattle, infiltrating her nostrils as she inhaled a dose of reassurance through her nose.
“Nash doesn’t get a say in it. Travis works for the ranch. As long as he does his job, that’s all that matters.” Ember hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip as she sifted through her thoughts. “Truthfully, the situation is awkward and tricky, but my father respected Travis’s work ethic and so do I. He’s incredible with the horses and has done nothing but have my back since I arrived. It’s comforting.”
JC turned to face her, nonchalantly taking assessment, reading Ember’s body language. A sisterly habit she’d gotten good at over the years. “That sounds easy enough. It also sounds as if you’ve rehearsed it a hundred times.”
Ember blew out the huff of air she’d been holding. “For my own sanity, I made a decision early on not to discuss either of them with the other.”
JC nodded. “So, I take it that you and Nash are still avoiding conversations about the ranch?”
“For the most part. It’s kind of crazy. We both act like we’re keeping things on the surface, but our relationship is anything but superficial. We have this…this feeling of connectedness that I’ve never experienced. It’s addictive. The more I see him, the more conversations and interactions I want to have with him. The more physical interactions we have, the more my desire to really know him grows. Even the smallest exchange leaves me salivating for more Nash! I just want more. It’s intense.”
“Umm hmm.”
The knowing hum in JC’s voice sent a flash of warmth straight to her chest. Heat fanned outward to her limbs and the beat of her pulse thumped wildly at the pressure points near her wrist and neck. In the past, navigating the blueprint of a new relationship had always been a daunting task, but with Nash, it felt as if the colors of their connection were in full bloom from the moment they laid eyes on each other.
Daring to meet her best friend’s gaze, sentiments she’d been holding back rose to the surface, painting the bridge of her nose and cheeks a delicate shade of red.
Ember confided in a soft voice, “He’s intense.”
“Hate to break it to you, but so are you. You’re just not admitting it.”
Unable to disagree, Ember shifted from one foot to the other. “Our communication skills are on point, we talk about everything, but we seem to have silently agreed not to discuss business. And we never cross that line. Any discussions involving the topics of selling, staying, purchasing, or even oil for that matter, are all on the back burner.”
“Those topics may be on the back burner, but from what I witnessed at the barbeque, your chemistry is on the front burner. Your connection is off the charts. Tangible.” Kicking a foot up on the lower row of fencing, JC extended her pointer finger lowering her sunglasses to give Ember a look. “The two of you are all sizzle and no fizzle. You’d have to be blind not to see it.”
“There’s a lot more to him than what meets the eye. The man is gorgeous, but he’s also a deep thinker blended with a spoonful of high-octane fun.” Ember turned to face her friend, wiggling her brows. “His subdued personality is merely a shell.”
“The perfect package,” JC snickered. “It sounds like he’s got just enough scoundrel to keep him interesting.”
“Most definitely.” She nodded hotly. “And he’s also very protective. I met his sister today, who was a total bitch by the way, and I thought he was going to come undone.”
Green eyes bulging, JC threw her hands up, palms facing Ember. “I’ve had the distinct unpleasant privilege of meeting their sister once. And once was enough! That woman makes a Hollywood drama queen look like a sparkling unicorn.”
Both women laughed out loud until their giggles faded into the quiet of the night.
Ember’s humor sobered staring out into the distance. Lingering concerns regarding the ranch clashed with questions surrounding their relationship status, drowning out the indistinct chatter in the background.
“You’re going to do it aren’t you?”
“Do what?”
“You’re going to trade your leggings in for chaps, aren’t you?”
An uncomfortable edge clung to Ember’s awkward laughter as it echoed through the air. “I never thought I’d say this, but Walker Ranch might be growing on me. Half the time I feel like I’m in over my head, completely disillusioned—”
“And the other half?”
“The other half is filled with a sense of purpose and triumph I’ve never experienced,” she admitted.
“Life is a continuous process of change and growth.” JC glided a hand down Ember’s arm before capturing her shoulder and drawing her in for a reassuring side hug. “What’s that saying your mom always uses?”
“Intuition doesn’t lie?”
“No, not that one. The one about questioning yourself.”
A joyful sigh tipped her tone, repeating her mother’s advice. “The answer to every question is within yourself. That’s where the wisdom manifests. All you have to do is ask?”
“That’s the one.”
Chapter 19
Ember
Setbacks are momentary problems, not proof that you’re inadequate.
Hearing the toggle flip on the electric tea kettle, Ember plodded back into the kitchen. It was only 6pm but exhaustion weighed down her eyelids as if it were midnight. Leaning a hip against the granite counter, she released a lion-sized yawn, repeatedly dunking the chamomile tea bag into the steamy mug of boiling water.
Mug in hand, she made her way to the sofa. Ember untied her damp, dark waves from the messy bun atop her head, before tucking a pillow beneath her ear, readying herself for a mind-numbing movie she hoped would put her to sleep.
A soft rap at the front door prompted an exasperated sigh. “No. Go away, I’m too tired.”
Tugging the pillow from under her head, she held it over her other ear, praying whoever was on the other side of the door would leave.
Knock, knock, knock.
A frown laced across her forehead, and she crinkled her nose in irritation. Blanket in tow, she pushed herself from the sofa and ambled toward the door. Huffily, she peered through the peep hole, but instantly thawed seeing a set of gorgeous blue eyes.