He sipped from the other, then tucked the bottle back in the bag.
She looked over and then did the same thing.
“Ready to head down to the creek?” Adam asked. “These guys are probably thirsty too.”
“Sure.”
He gave his horse a kick and turned to head down the path on the other side. “You good?”
“I think so.”
He looked over his shoulder to check on her. Chips was already making the turn to catch up.
They rode leisurely down the winding path. Adam slowed to a stop and pointed out a deer to the far right.
Merry Anna’s mouth dropped open, and her hands clenched. “Breathtaking,” she whispered.
They stood still long enough that finally the buck turned and ran, disappearing into the woods.
She gave Chips a little kick and he stepped up next to Ricochet. “That was so amazing.”
“Never know what you’re going to see out here.” He moved his horse forward. “It’s just a little farther to the creek.” They rounded the next corner, and both horses walked straight down into the rocky creek bed and began slurping water.
When the horses finally quit drinking, Adam led the way through the creek bed to the other side, right in front of his horse trailer.
He got down from his saddle and threw his reins over Ricochet’s neck, then helped Merry Anna down from Chips.
“Your horse isn’t tied,” she said.
“As long as he has those reins over his neck, he’ll behave.”
“You better tie mine up. I don’t think I could chase him down right now.” She leaned side to side, stretching her legs. “That’s a workout. I haven’t used some of those muscles in a very long time. Maybe never.”
He walked both horses over to the trailer, untacked them, and then tied them out on the picket line.
“I’m going to feed these guys some hay. There’s a bathroom inside. Make yourself at home. I’ll be up in a few.”
“Thanks. I’ll be fine.”
From the hay shelter, he watched her walk inside. By the time he got back over to the trailer, she’d returned and settled into one of the chairs.
She was relaxing with her eyes closed when he walked up. He grabbed a couple of ice-cold waters and snuck up behind her. He couldn’t resist pressing one of the bottles against her neck.
She shrieked and jumped up. “You!” She stabbed a finger in the air.
“Oops. Here. It’s cold.” He handed her the bottle.
“I’m well aware of how cold it is.” She took the bottle and twisted it open. “You cannot be trusted.”
“Oh, come on. It was all in good fun.” He tried to make an innocent face. “Do you forgive me?”
“I don’t know.” She took a big sip of water. “Maybe, but only because it felt pretty good. You almost got a punch in the gut. You better not do that again. You’re still on the mend, and I know your weak spot.”
“I’lldecide what I can and can’t do. I have to be back in the arena a week from Friday, so I’d better be in good enough shape to ride a trail horse and take a wild punch from a girl.”
“You’re going to be on a bull again so soon? Those stitches aren’t going to be healed over in a week.”
“We’ll wrap it real good. That’s the way rodeo works. My sponsors count on me to represent them at these rides. If I don’t ride, I don’t get paid.”
