Rough Stock(36)

Rowan’s own horse was tossing her head, making her glossy brown mane wave in the breeze. It was clear the feeling was mutual between the two animals. “And she’s his favorite?”

Seth nodded. “He’s always looking for her when we get back from spending time with the herd.”

Rowan was buoyed by the idea of two horses in love. It seemed so innocent, so uncomplicated. She was almost jealous. “Will you…will you breed them?”

She felt ridiculous asking, dancing around any real conversation but Seth looked at her so intensely that it was like a punch to the belly. Rowan nearly lost her breath. “Probably,” he said quietly. “When she’s ready. He’s getting older. Gotta think about the future. Anyway, there’s time enough. And that mare, she’ll be perfect for you.”

Without thinking, Rowan tugged gently on the reins, bringing the horse to a halt. “Seth,” she replied, head spinning. “You…you can’t…I mean, the pony is enough, you can’t give me—”

Seth brought Choctaw to a halt and turned to look at her. “Now, I told you. The pony’s on loan. I didn’t buy it. I would never do that without asking you first. And I’m not paying for her,” he said, nodding at the mare. “Not unless you counting mucking out stalls from here to eternity to get Dakota to hand her over, which I’m more than willing to do.”

Rowan stared at him. “That’s why you won’t tell me her name,” she said, finally putting it all together.

Seth nodded. “Because she’s yours. You name her.”

It was an extravagant gift, and one that Rowan couldn’t deny was incredibly tempting. But she couldn’t accept it. “Seth—”

His look stopped her cold. “Why are you arguing what’s already been decided? It’s a hard life out here, Rowan. I know you grew up here, but you’ve been away for a long time. The wolves, the work, it’ll be difficult. You’re going to need some good things in your life.”

Rowan swallowed hard as she looked at him. “Like you?” she asked quietly.

“Like me.” Seth nudged his horse to circle around her and came up alongside. He reached out and tugged on Rowan’s fleece collar and pulled her in for a light kiss that quickly became so heated, her thighs twitched.

She finally pulled away, struggling to catch her breath. As she looked up at and saw the warm golden layers of light in the sky, she sighed, half in disappointment and half in relief. She didn’t want to leave his arms now, but she’d force herself to…for the promise of being in them later. “We should get back,” she told him.

He fingered the collar of the jacket, lips still at her jaw, breath warming her skin. “In a hurry, Rowan?” he whispered. “Can’t imagine why.”

She heard the grin in his voice rather than saw it and smiled herself. “The sun’s going down,” she whispered back.

Seth dipped his tongue in her ear, an intimate reminder of the night before. “What a coincidence,” he replied.

She shivered.

Finally they broke apart, turning their horses back to the homestead. Ahead of her, Seth gave Rowan a sly look over his shoulder before spurring his horse. The seasoned ranch horse exploded off the trail, taking just a few strides before getting up to a full gallop.

Rowan tightened her grip on the reins, barely needing to even nudge her horse, anxious as the mare was to catch up to her beau. They practically flew over the hills and valleys, gaining ground with every stride. Rowan wasn’t certain if Seth was holding Choctaw back. Most of her didn’t care.

The breeze blew her hair back, and the wind in her face, far from stinging, felt as though it was breathing new life into her. The air was still chilly, but Rowan barely felt it. The rode on, racing the sun as much as Seth and Choctaw.

And winning.

The mare had great footing, never slipping or losing speed on the dirt. Most of the snow on the open plain had melted at this point, and so Rowan kicked her horse on, pouring on the speed. She leaned forward, twisted her fingers in the mane, and raced along the sloping hills back toward Snake River Ranch.

It was exhilarating, like barrel racing. But better. Here there were no clocks, no spectators, no trophies to win, only a sunset to beat. The thunder of her mare’s hooves filled her ears as they caught up with Seth and Choctaw, shoulder to shoulder, pounding the earth as they galloped toward home.

It felt so good, so familiar, that Rowan laughed, the sound of her own voice lost on the wind. This—this—was the life she wanted, the one she thought she’d never have again. With Seth by her side and the powerful horse beneath her, she finally felt like anything was possible. She finally felt like she was home.

The sun finally sank below the horizon just as they crested the last hill overlooking the Barlow spread. They slowed the horses to a lope, then a trot, and finally to a walk, so as not to barn sour them, though somehow Rowan suspected it might not be a problem for her mare—her mare! The horse loved to run, it seemed. Or maybe just run with Choctaw, which was fine.

Rowan couldn’t imagine being out here without Seth by her side anyway.

Out of breath and feeling more wild and free than she could ever remember, she beamed at him, unable to contain her joy. She whooped into the air, and Seth laughed. “Oh my God!” she exclaimed. “That was incredible!”

Beneath her, the mare pawed at the ground, itching for more. There was no time for it, but Rowan was pleased to see her horse was as excited as she was.

“We can keep her for you,” Seth told her. “If that’s easier. Or you can take her home, if you’d pre—”

“No,” she said breathlessly. “No. I want to ride with you. Here.” She lifted her hand and extended it behind them. “You have more land.”

“We can ride as often as you want, when I’m not with the herd, then. And you can come by yourself when I’m on the range. You’re family now. I mean, you were before, but…” He took her hand and kissed it. “But you’re a Barlow,” he finished. “Even if you don’t have my name.”

Yet was unspoken but entirely understood, judging by the look in his eyes. How Rowan’s life had seen her run with her tail between her legs from one Barlow straight into the arms of another was anyone’s guess. But it had happened, she was here, and Seth wanted her to stay.

Back in the driveway, Rowan swung down from the saddle, legs shaky after having been away from riding for so long. She gave her mare a grateful pat on the cheek, though, for such an amazing afternoon. She and Seth led their horses back into the barn, and Rowan slid the saddle off her mare to place it on the rack. He was faster at untacking, since she was so out of practice. He finished first and found his way to her stall as she loosened her horse’s bridle.

She grinned at him. “I’m not going to be able to walk tomorrow,” she declared.

Seth’s strong arm wrapped around her waist. He spun her and pressed her up against the wall. “True,” he growled into her ear as he pinned her there. “But not from that ride.”

As he kissed her, his fingers plucked at the buttons of her shirt again, and this time Rowan let him slip his hand inside. He cupped her breast gently, squeezing it for a moment before thumbing the fabric of her bra. Her nipple hardened and he gripped it between his thumb and forefinger, pinching it lightly.

A moan escaped from her throat before she could stop herself. “You’re coming tonight, right?” she whispered.

“After you.”

Rowan thought it might happen sooner than they thought. Her whole body was on fire, aching with need. Seth’s calloused hand rasped against her skin as he dipped into the cup of her bra.

“Seth,” Rowan gasped. “I—”

“You’re back! Oh…Oh God.”

Seth tore himself away from Rowan and from behind him, Rowan caught a glimpse of Dakota standing in the doorway to the stall.

“Oh, geez,” the girl fumbled. “I’m…I’m so sorry.”

“Where’s Willow?” Rowan demanded, frantically plucking at the buttons on her shirt.

“She’s…with my mom,” Dakota replied. “Up at the Big House. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to barge in on you.”

“Barge in on them?”

Rowan’s stomach lurched as she recognized the voice that was still several feet away. Court rounded the corner and came into view. His eyes narrowed sharply as he took in the scene. Rowan partially undressed; Seth unable to look him in the eye.

“What in the hell is this?” he demanded.

“We need to talk,” Seth replied quietly.

“We need to talk? Oh, we need to talk? Looks like you’re way beyond talking. And with my woman!”

Rowan saw Seth’s jaw twitch just as her own muscles flexed in anger. “I’m not your woman, Court!”

Court ignored her entirely, glaring at Seth instead, like she’d never even spoken. “Is this your idea of help?” he asked Seth.

Rowan blinked at both of them. “Help?” she repeated dumbly. “Help…what?”

Again Court pretended she hadn’t said a word, had no part to play in a conversation about herself.

Seth shook his head. “We need to talk, Court,” he repeated evenly. “And not here. You need to calm down, and I’ve got some things to say.”