One week and a wine-fuelled night of app-swiping later, Lex has set me up with my first date.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I ask Lex over the phone as I step out from my Uber onto the dusty parking lot facing a giant red stable. I blink in the sunshine and admire the gorgeous rolling green fields, the mountains in the distance, and the breeze tousling the wide leaves of maple trees.
“This guy is a safe bet,” Lex says, her voice slightly staticky from her hands-free device as she drives. “Based on our criteria, he scored ‘average’ across the board—from attractiveness, to your interest in him, and his perceived interest in you—so he’ll be a good baseline.”
“Ooh, I love it when you talk nerdy to me,” I say, putting a rasp in my voice. “Tell me more about statistics and pie charts.”
Lex snorts a laugh.
“But seriously, a group trail ride? With real, live horses?” I’m second-guessing everything about this. The thought of beingatop a huge animal with a mind of its own and a curse looking for any excuse to make my life miserable has me on edge. Where animals are concerned there are so many things that can go wrong.
“Being in a group makes it less weird if I’m close by.”
“True.” I squint in the light and shield my eyes from the sun as I look across the parking lot to see a man in a cowboy hat approaching. “Oh, shit. I think that’s him.”
“Okay, I’m five minutes away.” Lex hangs up before I can argue.
I tuck my phone into my crossover bag just as Cowboy Guy approaches—damn it, I totally forgot this guy’s name!I should have had Lex remind me. He’s moderately attractive with an average build, blond hair, blue eyes, and a light beard. Just as Lex said, he’s a baseline. Even so, I can’t help but be a little excited; I’m sure everyone has a cowboy fantasy. There’s something about muscles built by the hard work of tilling fields and tossing hay bales and... whatever else cowboys do.
“Aubrey?” he asks as he holds out a hand for me to shake.
“That’s me!” I say, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze. I thought he’d introduce himself, but nope, the curse would never let anything be too easy. Instead, silence hangs in the air as I search for something, anything, to say. So I just keep smiling and shaking his hand like a broken automaton.
Finally, he releases his grip with a chuckle. “Come on in. Most everyone is here already.”
Cowboy Guy offers his arm, which I take, and he leads me toward the barn where the rest of the group has gathered.
“So, when’s the last time you’ve been on a horse?” he asks. To my utter disappointment, he doesn’t have a Southern accent. I don’t know what I expected; we’re in Fort Langley, not Wyoming.
“Honestly? Never.”
“Nervous?”
“A little.” That’s a lie. I’m nervous as fuck.
“Don’t worry, I do this all the time. Most people who come here have never ridden, so we’re used to newbies like you.” He offers me an encouraging smile, but I don’t think anything will ease my anxiety. I’m sure horses can smell fear.
I blink as we step into the barn. It’s large and airy, smelling of straw and manure, with horses already saddled and tied down the length of it ready for adventure. Cowboy Guy addresses the group as we enter, introducing himself as well as another guy who works here and will be helping us all get going. After telling everyone about the history of the property and the trail we’re about to go through, he gets into his spiel about the horses, how to get on them, steer them, yada yada. I’m not paying attention. I probably should be, and I feel a little guilty about it, but Lex isn’t here yet.Where the hell is she? I can’t do this without her!With my luck something awkward will happen and she’ll miss it.
I turn around just as Lex walks through the entrance of the barn. She blinks several times as her eyes adjust to the dim lighting, then her gaze lands upon me and she fits me with her beautiful, dimpled smile. I’m so happy to see her that my heart rises in my throat, and it takes all my willpower to remain still and not wave at her, giving away our secret pact. She looks amazing with jeans hugging her wide hips and a plaid button-up shirt left open to reveal a tight tank top. She’s pulled her dark brown hair into twin French braids, the little tails ending just above her clavicles and accenting the line of her jaw. She should wear her hair up more often. Why is she trying to hide her beauty behind a shield of baggy clothes and a curtain of flat hair when she has allthisgoing on?!
I mouthdamn, girl!to Lex, who replies with a frown and a subtle head nod to my date, reminding me to pay attention.
Cowboy Guy finishes talking, evidently having relayed allthe vital information that we need and I paid attention to exactly none of. The other trail riders approach him and are each given the name and location of their horse. I join the queue, Lex behind me, and I’m absolutely itching to turn around and talk to her. Somehow I manage enough self-restraint to keep my eyes ahead and on Cowboy Guy, who, comparatively, is quite boring to look at.
“Are you ready?” Cowboy Guy asks, placing his hand on the middle of my back and guiding me toward a short brown horse.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I say, even more nervous now that I’m face to face with the animal.
“This is Missy,” he introduces. “She’s the gentlest of all our horses. We use her for children’s lessons.”
I’m not sure whether to be thankful or offended. “Hi, Missy!”
“Hold your hand out for her to smell,” he instructs.
I do as I’m told. Missy’s whiskers tickle my palm as she snuffles for a moment, then she turns away dismissively. “Does that mean she likes me?”
He shrugs. “She’s accepted you, for sure.”
