She narrows her eyes, but falls into step beside me as we head back to get more of the horses tacked up.
A couple of black cars travel up the long drive as we’re bringing out our last pair of horses. They look about as conspicuous here as my dusty old pickup would in Hollywood, I imagine. I’d think if they really want to keep their stars’ lives private, they’d use a more subtle form of transportation, but I guess that’s not the way.
I’ll have to pop in and check on Eden and Cooper at Chicory soon. I imagine their lives are about to take a bit of a turn as well with the celebrities in residence.
Aura is hanging near the back of the group as they make their way toward us, all wearing clothes that are varying degrees of inappropriate for a real trail ride. I glance around the small group of faces I recognize from TV and movies, trying to remind myself that they’re just real people with cool jobs. Spending time with Aura before the rest of them arrived definitely helped prevent me from making a huge fool of myself in front of the stars.
Delaney Gauthier is standing on my property in tan breeches, a white polo shirt, and tall black boots as if she’s ready for a show jumping competition rather than a casual trail ride in a Western saddle. She’s short, blonde, and even more gorgeous than she looks on film, but she’s got a mischievous smile on her face and a dimple in her cheek. The rest of them are wearing jeans, but not the worn-in Levi’s you see around here on a daily basis. And none of their footwear looks broken-in enough to prevent blisters.
Aura is the only exception. She’s wearing the dusty brown boots and soft denim she switched over to for our lessons, instead of her fancy red cowboy boots. But her eyes are darting around and she’s twirling one of her long black braids over her shoulder.
“Aura!” I call out, striding up to her.
I bend down to give her a quick kiss, and her eyes widen. Her mouth falls open as if she’s about to protest,so I give her a long look. A reminder of what the world—including the other actors—thinks we are.
“Quint,” she hisses.
I may have thrown her off balance, but I also think the surprise chased away the nerves that were riding her before. Now she looks more irritated than concerned.
“Is this your cowboy, Aurelia? He’s cute. Where do I find one of them?” Savannah Maxwell eyes me up like she wants a taste, and I edge a little closer to Aura. For once, I’m feeling like the fake dating thing might be for my protection rather than hers.
Aura rolls her eyes. “He’s a person, Sav, as are all the other men around here. You don’t just find one and pick him up off the street.”
The redhead laughs. She’s all shiny teeth and bouncy hair, but her laugh is throaty and warm. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t usually have too much trouble with that.”
“Well, then, forget I said anything, and have fun. But this one is mine.” There’s an edge of something in her normally even tone. I’d like to think it’s possessiveness, but it’s probably just for show. She is an actor, after all.
A loud whistle has all the celebrities snapping to attention. It’s actually pretty funny to see their heads swivel toward my sister in unison.
“Now listen up! We have to go over the rules before we get this ride going. No fooling around, no trying to show off and take your horses for a run.”
Delaney and Savannah start whispering to each other, and I don’t think they realize what my sister is capable of.
I know what’s coming, so I cover my ears before she lets loose another piercing whistle.
The two women immediately shut up, looking over at Shayla with irritation.
“I mean it. Listen up or you won’t be coming on this ride, and I know your show runner said it was mandatory. Don’t get in shit with her on my behalf.” Her expression tells me she’d actually be delighted if they got themselves in trouble. Shayla might have been fawning over Aura and Paisley Creek a bit, but she’s all business when it comes to the horses.
Everyone manages to keep their mouths shut long enough for Shayla to go over the rules and then I walk over to confer with her on which horse we think would be best for each rider.
“Maggie was telling me about her own ranch, so she’ll probably be fine with Layla. She’s a bit skittish and we don’t want to lose anyone. Hayden over there.” She nods at the actor. “He can take Flash. Seems like he might be all bluster.”
“No, I want Aura on Flash. She’s most familiar with her.”
Shayla gives me a long, suspicious look. “You know she’s going to have to ride different horses for the show, right? You can’t keep protecting her once filming starts.”
A knot of worry forms in my chest at the thought, and I drop my voice even lower. “I know, but she hasn’t been on the trail yet. I think she’d be better off for this one with Flash.”
She shakes her head. “Fine. But I can see what’s going on here, Quint, and I don’t like it.”
“Well, Shay-Shay, it’s a good thing I’m a grown-ass adult and I can handle my own business.”
I leave Aura until the end, and of course, Shayla walks over to help, but I step up my pace to beat her there.
“I got this. Why don’t you get mounted up, so you can lead the way.”
She looks from me to Aura and back through narrowed green eyes, then nods.
