His Outback Cowgirl(28)

He expected her to smile or laugh but expression serious, she stared at him. “We’re not that different, you know?”

“Aren’t we?”

This time a smile shaped her lips. “Oh, I know we’re not. No one sensible and conservative laughs or kisses the way you do. And as for my risk taking,” her voice lowered, “if I was such a risk taker I’d be over in that bedroll with you.”

Ethan chuckled and rolled onto his bare back. It was either break eye contact or override his self-preservation’s decree to keep his hands off her.

“Go to sleep. Any more talk like that and I’ll be the one over in your bedroll.”

She laughed and from the rustle of canvas he knew she too now lay on her back.

“Ethan?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks. I’ve had a really nice time. I also feel a little ... better. Almost like I’m a different person to the one I’ve become since Dad ... died.”

“That’s great. And you’re very welcome.”

He too was a different person. A person who had to get them down off the mountain as quickly as possible tomorrow. Every hour he spent with Bridie only increased the risk he’d break their ‘no kissing’ agreement.

Wide awake, chest tight, Ethan stared at the stars. A different person who would no longer be content with a predictable, safe and solitary life. A person who had to hide that he’d finally found the only woman he’d ever want.





Chapter Seven




“Hang on, Diablo. Give me another second. I just want to take a photo of the wild duck and her ducklings.”

Bridie ignored the impatient palomino quarter horse to her right who pawed the ground beneath a cottonwood tree. Ethan thought she couldn’t sit still. He’d obviously not met her brother’s high-maintenance stallion. They’d only just stopped for a break at the creek that ran through Hollyhock Creek Ranch.

Ever since she’d returned from the mountains five days ago she had an obsessive need to go riding and to feel the wind in her hair. The fact that she then spent her ride thinking about Ethan was just a coincidence. Even if kissing him had scrambled her brain and weakened her knees, she shouldn’t be so preoccupied. She was acting like a love struck teenager who’d been kissed for the first time.

The stallion pawed the ground again.

“Almost done, Diablo. We’ve got plenty of time. Mom’s birthday lunch doesn’t start until noon.”

She’d spent the morning helping Trinity and Zane prepare for Clara’s birthday. She’d polished wine glasses, arranged cheese and fruit platters and eaten chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven with Finn and Bug. While the others had showers and changed out of their ranch clothes, she’d snuck off for some time alone.

Bridie glanced at her watch and stiffened. Where had the hour gone? She snapped a quick photo of the shy mother duck and retraced her steps to Diablo.

“I know.” She stroked his golden nose as he nudged her. “I should have listened to you.” She swung into the saddle and gathered her reins. “But the upside is we can go home ... fast.”

She leaned low over his neck and gave the stallion his head. His hooves pounded on the meadow as they followed the creek to the ranch house. The rhythm within her chest wasn’t much different. The thought that Ethan would be at lunch had started off as a sedate whisper but now pulsed through her like a drum beat. She’d soon see him and when she did she had to hide how much she’d missed him. She couldn’t explain what she felt for him to herself, let alone to others. Just as well she’d had a chance to edit her photographs before she’d shown them to her mother and Zane, for there were almost as many photos of Ethan as there were of wildlife.

When the pitched roof of the stone and wooden stables came into view, Bridie slowed Diablo. The quarter horse was smart and would be quick to learn such bad habits as galloping home. He remained a perfect gentleman until almost at the stables. Then he let her know with some sidestepping that he wasn’t pleased for their ride to end.

Bridie sat relaxed in the saddle. She’d ridden far more spirited horses than pretty-boy Diablo. “Settle. Don’t let Zane see you do that or he’ll never let me take you out again.”

“And I won’t either.”

Bridie blinked. She hadn’t seen Ethan leaning against the stable door. He grinned, unfolded his arms and walked over. “Mind you, not that you’d listen to either of us.”

She returned his smile and hoped it didn’t appear as giddy as she felt. It shouldn’t feel this good to see him again.

“True. But there’s no need for either of you to worry. Diablo and I have an ‘understanding’, so despite him looking like he’s forgotten his manners, he’s a pleasure to ride.”