AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I breathed the mountain air in deeply, trying not to think about him. The air was filled with the smells of campfires and Frankie’s special barbecue sauce. One of the Ranch’s perks was a full dinner served every night in either the large pavilion if the weather was amenable, or in the indoor dining hall that was also used like a community center. Guests could go there during the day and do crafts, or sometimes speakers would come in and teach participants about the history of Carrington Cove. They even had instructors teach about fly fishing or wildlife and plants. Very soon, guests could take an exercise class there from yours truly. According to Mr. Carrington and Emma, several people had already signed up for my first class, which would be held on Tuesday night.
I shoved my hands in the pockets of my favorite white shorts, thankful for the warm evening air. I didn’t see anyone while I walked down the well-worn path to the lake. Most people were probably eating, and the lake was still too cold this time of year to swim in it unless you were adventurous. It did make for a beautiful walk, though, any time of year. However, I preferred this time of year when I didn’t have to dress in layers. In my opinion, the lake was prettier unfrozen. I loved watching the ripples reflect the sun and the way the lapping water hit the rocky shoreline. The water was so blue and clear here. The lakes back home were murkier due to the red clay, albeit warmer.
There were a few couples and a family enjoying the scenery once I arrived. A dad was teaching his daughter and son how to skip rocks across the lake while the mom hunted for the smooth flat stones that were ideal for skipping. Emma had tried to show me how to last year, but I could only get two skips. She and Sawyer could make them skip for days. The little boy had the same problem as me and settled for just throwing in large rocks to see if he could splash his family.
I smiled at the scene as I walked past, trying not to be envious. I wanted my own little mischievous creatures to splash me unexpectedly with water cold enough to make you squeal like the mother of the two just did, to the little boy’s delight. Oh, did he have a rascally laugh. It reminded me of someone’s. Someone I was trying not to think about.
The cute couples holding hands and giving each other longing glances didn’t help. Maybe a walk around the lake wasn’t the best idea. It was then I remembered there was a foal to be seen. I headed toward the stables, my favorite part of the ranch. It was not a secret that Mr. Carrington was a passionate horseman. The stable he had built for the dozen or so horses he owned was one of the finest I had seen. My parents went to the Kentucky Derby every year and were acquainted with several of the breeders and owners, so I had seen my fair share of horse stables and silly hats. I’d even owned a few—hats, that is. The British had nothing on Kentucky Derby hats.
The Ranch’s stable had more of a western flair to it, with a stone foundation and pine logs to finish it out. Not only that, it was the largest structure on the property. The upper level was where Mr. Carrington’s office was. I believed it was his sanctuary. He had a large picture window in his office where he could look out into the corral and pasture to see his beloved horses. It also gave him a pristine view of the nearby mountain range. The stalls themselves were roomy and well equipped to handle any kind of weather Colorado was known for.
The large sliding barn doors to the stable were open when I arrived, allowing me to peek in before I entered. Most of the horses, it looked like, were out on trail rides or in the pasture. The only human in sight was Mr. Orton, Mr. Carrington’s right-hand man and head wrangler. He was at the far end near the birthing stall where I assumed Dolly and her foal were.
I tiptoed in. “Hello, Mr. Orton.”
The old wrangler in dusty boots and a large cowboy hat looked up from the bucket of water he was filling and laughed. “Honey, I’m a ranch hand, not a city slicker. You should call me Ray.”
I bit my lip. “I’ll think about it.”
He grinned before setting down the bucket of water and stretching his back. “I’m guessing you came to see our new little one.”
I nodded, eager.
“Come on over,” he waved.
I practically skipped like a schoolgirl I was so giddy.
