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A sharp knock at the door echoed through my peaceful room. I jumped and rubbed at my eyes, realising I’d fallen asleep. Perhaps a power nap would do me some good. I opened the door, my stomach sinking as I saw Brady stood there.
“We’re about to leave for the cookout. Are you coming?”
I frowned. “It’s only two?”
“No. It’s nearly seven.”
My eyes widened in shock. “Oh, my. I thought I’d only had a ten-minute power nap.” I paused as I yawned. “Yeah, I’m coming. Just give me a minute.”
He nodded, staying put as I closed the door.
I fumbled over to the bathroom, soaking my face in cold water in an effort to wake myself up. That had been my first sleep without the aid of sleeping tablets in weeks. I felt good considering.
I made my way outside, dreading the walk up to the barn. We walked in silence for a few seconds before he cleared his throat.
“How’s your wrist?”
“Ok, thanks.”
I continued staring straight ahead, making it clear I wasn’t bothered about small talk.
“Listen, about earlier—”
I shot him a dirty look. “It’s fine. Leave it.”
He pursed his lips before nodding, accepting the rest of our walk would be in an awkward silence.
The two Shire horses they had with the giant hay cart looked fantastic. Their tails had been plaited and tied up, and colourful ribbons braided into their manes. The leather driving harnesses gleamed in the fading sunshine. The cart looked like something from an old Wild West movie with its huge wheels and rustic looks. I couldn’t wait.
I climbed up inside the trailer, taking a seat at the back whilst Brady went to the front. I started to feel a little guilty for cutting him short but told myself it was the least he deserved.
The wooden cart lurched forwards as the horses started moving us into the depths of the desert. As the rays of the blistering sun began to cool, I enjoyed the air flowing over me, cooling my skin and my emotions. The rhythmic beat of their trotting hooves combined with the squeaks and rattles of the tack and cart almost entranced me back to hundreds of years ago. Along with people’s chatter and laughter, it was all just a welcome bubble of tranquillity I needed right now.
About an hour later, we stopped at an area which housed a beautiful creek to the side. Again, the cookout area had been marked with a fence as the perimeter. A few trees provided some shade over a few of the tables. The grill had been carved into the soft pink rock, hugging its home as if nature had created it. I couldn’t help but think of The Flintstones for some reason.
After John’s enviable food, we all relaxed with beers, and people chatted in their small groups. I took a wander down to the creek which was several hundred yards away.
A U shaped jagged formation of rocks encased the shallow water. Numerous trees covered it over, weeping and trailing into the small source of water. In the middle of the trees, at the apex of the U was a huge tree trunk on its side. I picked my way down to it, sitting on its rough surface as I stared into the pool before me. It was such an odd sight in the middle of this dry, bleak landscape. It was almost like finding a diamond in a manure heap.
I heard the scuffling of feet behind me, mentally cursing whoever it was for disturbing my serene moment. My heart sank even further when Brady’s gorgeous form appeared. That man could only be described as a rose bush. Absolutely beautiful to look at, but get too close and it stabs you for all its worth.
He sat down next to me which surprised me, and started throwing small pieces of dirt into the water. I watched the ripples moving out across the still surface, thinking back to my childhood with my dad teaching me and my sister how to stone skip.
Several minutes passed, the quietness between us only deepening. I continued staring straight ahead, trying my best to ignore it.
“How’s your wrist?”
I smirked. “Same as it was an hour ago, thanks.”
I caught his scrutinising look from the corner of my eye but refused to acknowledge it. My heart increased its steady pace, and a small sweat broke out on my palms.
“How did you break it?”
I blinked, holding my eyes closed for a brief second as I chewed on my lip. “Car crash. It was my whole arm.”
“Oh. Bad wreck then.”
I shrugged my shoulders, finding a stray leaf between my feet. I picked it up, slowly shredding it to pieces. “Yeah, I guess so.”
