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After managing to scavengethe last of the burgers off the barbeque, I crept back to my chalet without having to socialise. I took a full dose of my sleeping tablets instead of the usual half, and slept like a log. No nightmares haunted me which was welcomed with open arms.
When I finally awoke to the annoying screech of my phone alarm, I was amazed to see it had been blaring at me for nearly ten minutes. Usually, I’m awake before it even goes off.
With the dreaded foggy head from the tablets, I wrapped my dressing gown around me and shuffled towards the shower. I’d just stepped inside the bathroom when a sharp knock sounded through the door.
Who on earth is that at seven am?
I grumbled to myself as I trundled over to the early morning disturbance with the beginnings of a headache knocking on my skull. Pulling the door open, I couldn’t help my surprise at seeing Brady leaning against the wall. One leg crossed in front of the other, hat on, arms over his chest—he was a pleasant sight first thing.
“Morning, Miss Woods. Just checking you were up.”
I frowned. “I have an alarm for that job, thank you.”
One of his dark eyebrows raised and he quirked his lips into a playful smile. “We have quite an itinerary today, Miss. I didn’t want you to be late.”
I raised my eyebrows back at him and folded my arms in front of me. “I’m never late, but thanks for your concern.”
“Just trying to help.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I know you city girls aren’t too fond of the way we work out here.”
“I’m not a ‘city girl’ as you put it, but thanks for the label,cowboy.”
He grinned and pushed himself away from the wall. “Every woman loves a cowboy, Miss.”
“I prefer men, thank you. See you later.”
Feeling triumphant considering my hazy head, I pushed the door shut. I tried to calm my rising anger as I showered. I wasn’t going to let him get under my skin. How dare he think he had me all figured out?
I pushed him to the back of my mind as I made my way up to the main house for breakfast. Thankfully, he was nowhere to be seen. I munched my way through a stack of Belgian waffles before downing a glass of orange juice.
“Morning, Sophie. Sleep well?”
I looked up to see John striding into the kitchen. “Yes, thank you.”
He grabbed a plate of pancakes before settling opposite me. “I’ve put you on the itinerary for today and tomorrow. I know you can ride, but it has been a while, and for legal reasons, we still need to assess your riding skill ourselves.”
I smiled and nodded. “I know. It’s fine, honestly. I didn’t expect you to give me a horse and leave me to wander off into the desert.”
Devouring two pancakes in one mouthful, he said, “Some of the people you’re with are...tourists shall we say, so just be patient.”
“No worries.” I grabbed another waffle and then decided to drop a subtle hint about Brady. “Oh, would you mind calling off the early morning alarm tomorrow, please?”
“What alarm?”
“Brady. He was knocking on my door at seven this morning. Apparently, he didn’t want me to be late.”
He chuckled. “Just ignore him. He hates tardiness. He usually does that to new guests, so don’t take it personally. Says it helps create a proper ranch life feeling.”
I snorted. “People come here for a holiday, not to get up at a normal work time.”
“I know, but, people love him. We have several people who come back year after year because of him. He brings me a lot of business.”
I struggled not to grimace. “Fair enough.” I checked the time. “I’m due on horseback in five minutes. Best not be late, eh?”
He laughed and nodded, wishing me a good day.
I paced over the dusty ground towards the sprawling barns and fenced corrals a few hundred yards away. A dozen or so horses were all saddled up, tied to a fence rail. A group of people milled around near them, Brady at the front like a teacher readying his class.
