When I’m done, I stroke his face again, and Titus stomps the ground, taking a step forward, so I’m almost hugging him.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
“What?” I ask as I run my hand over his side.
“He likes you. I’ve been trying to get him to trust me, but I’ve had no luck. And here you are, a city slicker, and he likes you. More importantly, he trusts you.”
“Maybe he realizes I could have easily screwed this up, and he’s grateful I didn’t tie it around his balls.”
Beth laughs. “Guide him out to the arena, and I’ll grab some ropes for the other two.”
Titus follows me, and I unclip the long rope when we get into the arena. Titus rears up, it takes me by surprise, but he lands near me, shakes his head, and runs after the other horses.
“You okay?” yells Beth.
“I thought for a moment he was going to stomp me.”
“Nah, that was him letting you know he likes you. His ears weren’t back, so he was only playing.”
I feel Beth stand next to me, but my eyes never leave the horse. “He’s a beautiful animal.”
“Yeah, he is. Dad found him but couldn’t catch him. I did a couple of weeks ago. To be honest, after yesterday, I didn’t think I’d be able to break him, and maybe I can’t. I think he’s picked you.”
“Break him?”
“Yeah, so he can be ridden.”
My mind goes back to my first few weeks as a Marine. They break you down and build you back up. I later wanted to be in the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command or MARSOC, and it was six months of hell, but I came out stronger for it. Thomas Trent was a great commander. I hated him to start with, but as time wore on and I proved myself to him, I eventually understood the only person I needed to impress was me.
Titus prances around with the other horses, and I turn and head back for the barn.
“Sean?”
I hold up my hand and wave but keep walking. There’s still work to do. I make it back into the barn and have the pitchfork in my hand when Beth comes stomping in.
“Sean?”
“Yeah?” I ask as I put a pile of manure into the wheelbarrow.
“You okay?”
“Yep.”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Maybe he doesn’t need to be broken.”
“Titus?”
“Yeah, maybe he’s fine the way he is. Not everyone needs to be stripped down only to build them back up. Maybe Titus wants to be free.”
Beth stands there, not saying anything, but watching me work. I finish mucking out the stall and put new straw and water into it when I finally look at her—she’s frowning with her arms folded across her chest.
“What?”
“We should go into town. I’ll buy you dinner.”
“Did you fix the fences? Don’t you need me to do… I don’t know, ranch stuff?”
“Ranch stuff?” asks Beth with a grin and small shake of her head. “Yeah, we have more ranch stuff to do, but I’m calling it. We’re leaving early. I’m going to show you the sights and buy you dinner.”
“Why?”
“‘Cause I have a feeling you weren’t talking about the horse.” Beth heads for the doors. “When you’re done here, come up to the house.”
I watch her walk away, but Beth doesn’t look back. No, I wasn’t talking about the horse. I loved being in the Marines, but I also appreciate the freedom I now have as a citizen. My bike and the road are sometimes all the things I need.
To ride without thought or fear, to be free.
I guess I think that’s what it’s like for Titus.
Two hours later, I’m freshly showered, dressed, and waiting for Beth on the porch. I’ve changed into another pair of jeans, a black T-shirt, and my cut. The view from the porch is spectacular. I can see why Thomas wanted to stay here.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
With my arms braced on the railing, I look over my shoulder. Beth has changed into dark denim jeans, a red spaghetti-strap top, and a pair of high-heel black boots. She looks perfect. Slowly, I turn and give her the once-over, and when I get to her face, it’s a lovely shade of pink.
“Not sure you’d want to know my thoughts right now, Beth.”
To my surprise, Beth bursts out laughing. “Does that work on girls where you’re from?”
“Sometimes,” I reply with a grin.
“City girls sure are stupid.” With a shake of her head, she walks down the porch stairs, and when she reaches the bottom, Beth looks up at me. “You coming or what?”
“Yeah, I’m coming.”
Beth walks toward an old pickup truck, and I jog down the stairs to catch up to her.
“We could go on my bike?”
Beth stops and gives me a sideways glance. “You a good rider?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Okay.”
“Are country girls always this easy?” I tease.
“Only when we know what we want.”
Beth brushes past me, her perfume filling my senses and leaving me wondering how she managed to get one up on me, again. Walking quickly to beat her to my bike, I throw a leg over and hold out my hand.
Beth scoffs, places her hand in mine, and climbs on. “Let’s go, city boy.”
I grin over my shoulder at her, start my bike, and head into town.
Beth
Sean smells like musk, spice, and something familiar I can’t quite put my finger on. The feel of him and the bike under me, I swear it’s as close to heaven as I’ll ever get. He handles the bike easily, much the same as he does the horses and figuring out what to do around the ranch. I was so preoccupied with myself and my inner demons this morning, I gave him no direction in the barn, but he figured it out. You have to admire a man who doesn’t need to be told.
To direct him into town, I tap his leg, left or right, and he turns. Sean’s motorbike is loud, and as we pull up and park in the middle of Main Street, people stare, and some even stop. It’s not a big town, and I’m sure the gossip will spread like wildfire. As soon as he turns his bike off, I dismount and wait on the sidewalk.
Sean takes his time before he joins me, lips pursed, he looks at me with those big blue eyes from under long dark lashes, lashes which are far too long for a man like him.
“You didn’t like it?”
I frown and watch his eyes as they focus on his feet. “Didn’t like what?”
His gaze comes back to me. His hands are in the pockets of his jeans, and Sean looks almost child-like, but a man as big as him could never be mistaken for a child. “The bike.”
I laugh and shake my head. “No.” I reach up and touch him on his upper arm. “It was fun.”
Glancing around the town, most people try to look busy, but some are still openly staring, so I lower my voice. “It’s a small town is all, and they’ll be talking about you long after you’ve left. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong impression.”
It could be a trick of the light, but I swear his eyes turn a shade of green.
“Ahh, I see.” Sean holds his arms out wide. “Don’t want to be seen with the biker.” He’s nodding and has his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.