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I smiled before turning to leave, wondering why on earth he’d had a complete personality transplant in the past day or two. I turned back to him, unable to help myself. “I don’t know what’s changed, but I appreciate it. Thank you.”
“Sometimes you just realise things a little too late.”
I frowned, not understanding. I gave him a parting smile before heading back to my room for my swimming gear. As I stepped out into the heat again, I thought better of it, full well knowing the water would just make me burn faster.
“Miss Woods?”
It felt so strange hearing my name come from his lips. “Please, just call me Sophie.”
He smiled, his eyes flickering to the ground for a brief second. “Did you want to come and pick the clothes out yourself?”
My mouth fell open, not sure if I was understanding this right. “You...you mean come to yours?”
He scratched his head and laughed. “Well, yeah. I’m not going to transport the whole wardrobe here.”
I giggled and blushed. “Sorry. I just...yes, that would be lovely. Thank you.”
“We could take the horses if you like?”
“Into town?”
“I can do the town run later. I’ll need the truck for that. My place isn’t that far from here. It’s only an hour on horseback.”
A nervous tingle shot around my body at the thought of being on my own with him in the desert. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. “Are you happy doing that with an injured guest?”
He grinned. “If I knew you better, I think I’d say you hold grudges. I feel happy chaperoning an injured guest on a one to one basis if that makes you feel better.”
Something in the way he said ‘one to one’ made my heart surge. Butterflies fluttered through every inch of me. This guy was irritating the hell out of me two days ago, and now I’m reacting to him like he’s my first crush. The mix of ups and downs had me in a spin.
“Sure. Sounds good.”
“I’m about done if you want to head out now?”
I grinned. “Fine with me, cowboy.”
He smirked before heading into the depths of the barn. He returned a couple of minutes later laden down with Cody’s tack. Walking to his stall, we said nothing. My curious side was winning through where it concerned Brady. I wanted to know what had changed his attitude to such an extent.
“You ok tacking him up?”
I nodded.
“Ok. Mount up outside when you’re ready.”
He winked and disappeared back down the wide aisle. I couldn’t help grinning to myself as I saddled Cody up. He turned to me at one point, snuffling my jean pockets. I smiled, knowing he was after an apple.
“Shhh,” I said, whispering to him. “Don’t tell Brady.”
His ears pricked forwards as if he understood my words. I crept to the apple crate and gave him a treat before I put his bridle on. I’d heard the other wranglers telling the guests apples and carrots weren’t allowed before riding, only after.
Brady was already mounted and waiting by the time I’d finished fussing over Cody’s boots. His mouth was foaming slightly from the apple juice. I looked up at Brady as we broke out into the baking heat.
He narrowed his eyes at me. “I’ll let it go this once.”
I smirked before swinging into the saddle. “We’ll see.”
