His Outback Cowgirl(7)
She stroked Captain’s nose. “Thanks.”
She didn’t need to look at him for Ethan to perceive the grim hold grief continued to hold on her. Sadness thickened her voice. She lowered her arm and turned to look at the mountains. The breeze whipped her long hair across her cheek hiding her expression but all Ethan needed to see was the rigid line of her shoulders angled toward the peaks.
He’d been right. Something else besides taking photographs lured Bridie to the wilderness. After he’d lost his mother he’d headed into the Colorado Rocky Mountains to deal with his anguish. Bridie too must yearn to be amongst the mountains where the stars seemed an arm’s reach away and heaven even closer.
“It wasn’t so long ago that I worried about my own father.” Her words were so soft the wind reduced them to a whisper. “We don’t have to leave Friday if you’re concerned about Henry.”
“Friday will be fine. We both know Henry will drive the truck come hell or high water.” He hesitated. Bridie’s pride wouldn’t appreciate him being privy to the real reason behind her mountain trip but he could ease her pain where possible. It was solitude she needed, not company. “You mentioned being away for a week, maybe we could cut that down to two nights. That way I can be back to keep an eye on Henry and then you’ll be free to make a second trip alone sooner.”
She didn’t glance at him as her restless fingers braided Captain’s mane. “Good idea. Two nights it is, and then I’ll head off on my own for a week.”
The wind toyed with the wide brim of his Stetson. He scanned the sky. While still a clear blue above them, ominous clouds clustered around the peaks to their right. If Bridie was going to take a ride, she’d have to do so now.
“Let’s introduce you to Molly and Socks and see which horse might suit? Henry mentioned the mustang, Molly, but she’s young and spirited; you might find Socks a better mount for riding where there are no trails.”
Bridie nodded and without a look across to the gun-metal grey clouds, she strode toward a corral where three horses stood. Milo and Rocket bounded in front of her, Milo nipping at Rocket’s neck. Ethan remained still. Captain blew a warm breath on his cheek but he didn’t move.
The rhinestones on Bridie’s cowgirl belt shimmered and danced. Ethan’s gaze focused on the neat curves filling out her tight denim below the leather but his thoughts remained on the sparkle of light.
He was a plain and conservative belt guy. A steady and boring guy who’d scan the sky every ten minutes to make sure they avoided the approaching storm. Bridie was as beautiful and as unpredictable as the light that flashed from her belt. Impulsive and spontaneous, she’d leap before she looked. It was no surprise she wasn’t content taking photographs of safe ranch animals. As for the incoming rain, not once had she checked the weather to decide whether or not to saddle up. She’d ride even if the sky was about to rip apart over their heads.
He settled his Stetson more firmly on his brow. Henry’s matchmaking plan was doomed to fail. He and Bridie were as compatible as oil and water. He should have suggested a one night trip, because even after just two days together he had no doubt they’d need to agree to disagree. He’d be the one taking the safe path and she’d be the one taking the trail less travelled.
Bridie blinked away forbidden tears. Please don’t let Ethan have seen her relief when he’d suggested they cut their trip short. When her father had fallen ill she’d vowed to stay strong – for him and for her mother. And she had. No one was now allowed to see her collapse in a spineless heap. She could only hope Ethan had offered to cut short their trip so he could return to Henry sooner, not because he knew of her desperation to be by herself.
Ethan had a way of looking at her with a quiet and serious intensity that made her fear he could see into her soul. His intelligent blue gaze would miss nothing, least of all the mask she wore. Beneath all her confidence and bravado, she was just a lost child missing the father she adored and trying to make sense of a changed world.
She blinked again and the three vague shapes in the corral resembled horses. She didn’t need to glance at the sky to know the storm drew near. The smell of rain had intensified and the temperature of the wind had dropped. A pair of magpies flew by, intent on out-flying the storm, but the sun remained warm on her shoulders. There was time to take a ride and to decide on a horse. By doing so, it meant they’d get to the mountains sooner on Friday. She’d also see how her mount acted in windy conditions. At the higher altitudes, she could expect four seasons in one day.