Chapter 5
Colt
Ican’t believe I said that out loud to Ethan.
He must think I’m pathetic, preferring the peace of a mountain over the lights and glamor of the city. The city holds no appeal to me for several reasons, but I won’t get into those with Ethan now. Probably never will because that’s something I keep locked up and try not to think about much.
I meant it when I said I wouldn’t let him fall. Nobody falls or gets hurt on my rides. Not once in all the time I’ve been guiding, and I’d like to keep it that way.
Thankfully, he’s ignored the comment. Perhaps he knows it’s not something I want to talk about. Ethan seems like the kind of guy who can peer into your brain without your knowing and has social instincts I can only dream about.
But he’s offered something to distract me, and I should address his fears, even if they’re fabricated to make me more comfortable.
“I know it seems high, but I’m sure you’ve been on a plane or up a tall building before. A horse is much closer to the ground than that.”
Glancing over at Ethan, his eyes widen as he stares at me.
“Dude…literally never thought of that, and I don’t think that makes it any better.” Ethan throws his head back with a laugh before stilling and gripping the reins. His horse stops at his sudden tug.
“Oh my god, why did it stall?”
Now I laugh as I nudge my horse to stop and step backward a few paces, so I’m alongside Ethan.
“Horses don’t stall. You jerked and pulled the reins. To these horses, that’s a stop.” His throat bobs with a swallow, and I reach a hand over to touch his arm. “Do you need a break? It’s okay if the distance from the ground is scary.”
Ethan shakes his head, and his lips tilt into a crooked grin. “No, I’m okay. I was just…” He laughs again. It’s joyous and so…carefree. “You got me thinking about how high I am when I’m in hotels and planes, and now I’m wondering if I’ll ever get over it.”
“Oh. I didn’t mean —”
“It’s okay, Colt. You just gave me information I’d never considered before.”
I like how he admits that. I wish I could offer him something else, but admitting my city dislike is enough.
“Good. We can stop at a great lookout that’s not much further, and you can have a rest. It’s hard the first time.”
He snickers, and I try to shoot him a glance that’s annoyed, but I roll my eyes and allow a smile to form. Ethan’s openness and unashamed flirting might be new to me, but I can’t say I hate how much he makes me smile.
We continue on the path, and every time I glance back to see if Ethan is doing okay, he’s taking photos with his phone. He’s stiff in the saddle and looks very much a tourist. Right down to the new boots, barely scuffed. He’s not someone who might stay here.
With a sigh, I tell myself to make a choice. I can beprofessional and stay unattached, like I am with any visitor—polite and friendly, nothing more—or I can try to make a friend for the next six months. Maybe someone to talk about the deeper things in life with. Or, if I’m honest, someone to slot into an intimate space in my life that I’ve mostly given up on if he’s interested.
It’s been a long time since I’ve actually had someone in my life like that. Ethan is only here for the season, but it could be cool to have a traveling friend send me postcards when he leaves, if he were into that kind of thing.
Maybe even share his photos while he travels. That might be nice.
Someone to hold close would be nicer, though. I could enjoy it while he’s here and let him go when he leaves. Couldn’t I?
Once we’ve crested a small hill, I urge my horse to a stop and wait for Ethan to do the same next to me. His grin is pure joy this time when his horse stops next to mine.
“I did it! On purpose this time!”
“You did.” I don’t have the heart to tell him that a trail horse will stop whenever the lead horse does. “Do you think you can get down by yourself?”
“Same way I got on, right? Just reverse?”
“Yep.”
Ethan slides his phone into his pocket, stands in the stirrups, and swings his leg over. “Uh, Colt? How far from the ground am I if I let go?”
