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The next few days were quiet and laid-back. I spent hours sunbathing, reading and taking walks around the ranch. I needed a couple of chilled days as the nightmares had returned the night after Savannah and I rode to the river. I was exhausted. I had woken up screaming, the same nightmare invading my sleep. Savannah and Aunt Claire had come rushing into my room to check if I was okay. I was embarrassed that they had seen me like that but appreciated the hugs and support both of them gave me. Fortunately, I hadn’t woken Brody or Uncle Ryan so I hadn’t had to face them.
I’d spoken to my parents on the phone yesterday, excitedly telling them all about what I’d seen and done since I’d been here, and how much I was looking forward to the rodeo this weekend. They already knew that Jack was flying out at the end of the week, and were glad that we would be able to spend some time together. I’d decided not to tell them about the nightmares, and I’d made Aunt Claire promise she wouldn’t tell them either. I didn’t want them to worry when I was so far away from them. I must have sounded so enthusiastic on the phone that they never asked me about them anyway, I certainly wasn’t going to bring it up.
It was late morning on Thursday, and I was curled up on the porch swing trying to read. Savannah was at university, and Aunt Claire had gone to the shops in Marble Falls, she had asked me if I’d wanted to go, but I’d decided to stay at the ranch. I was wishing now that I had gone with her. I couldn’t concentrate on my book. I was reading one of the few paperbacks I’d brought with me, but I’d read the same page about five times! My stomach was fluttering with nervous butterflies. It was Mason’s day off, and I didn’t know if he would turn up like he’d said he might. Part of me was terrified that he would while the other part was terrified that he wouldn’t.
“Hey Lib.” I heard a voice shout from just outside the barn.
I looked up to see Mason making his way over to me. My heart began racing, and the butterflies were well and truly taking flight in my stomach. As usual, he looked gorgeous, he was only wearing jeans and a simple t-shirt, but he couldn’t have looked better.
“Hi.” I squeaked out as he climbed the stairs and sat down next to me on the swing.
“Good book?” He asked gesturing to the book in my hand.
Flustered I looked down. “Erm, I can’t really get into it at the moment.” I looked up to see him smiling at me.
“So, I’m not interrupting you then?”
“No…” I said slowly.
“Come on then.” He jumped up, the swing flying back. I grabbed onto the sides to stop myself from falling off. He stood in front of me, his hand stretched out for me to take. I looked at his hand, frowning. “Take a chance Libby, come with me.”
I dropped my head, my eyes on my lap. “Come where?” I whispered nervously.
He reached forward with the hand he’d wanted me to take and used his forefinger to lift my chin so that I was looking into his beautiful eyes. “It’s a surprise.” He paused. “A good one, I promise. Please?”
His eyes were pleading with me, and although I was nervous about being alone with him, I couldn’t deny that I wanted to go. I took a deep breath. It was decision time. I could do what both he and Savannah had said to me and take a chance, or tell him no and most likely regret it later. “Okay,” I told him making my decision. The smile spread across his face, and he grabbed my hand pulling me down the steps. “Mason! Wait I’ve got no shoes on.” I said laughing, pulling back on his hand.
“Oh, well put your cowboy boots on we’re taking the horses. I’ll wait here for you.”
I went back inside the house closing the door behind me. I slumped back against it and closed my eyes needing a minute to calm down.Take a deep breath,I told myself,nothing’s going to happen you’re just hanging outasfriends.I must have been there freaking out longer than I thought as I heard a knock at the door and Mason shout. “You’re not standing me up are you, Libby?”
“No…I’ll be right out.” I quickly ran upstairs and pulled my boots on. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, my hair was a mess. I grabbed my hairbrush and threw my hair up in a ponytail. I wondered if I was dressed okay in my shorts and t-shirt, I had no idea where we were going. There wasn’t time to worry about it now. I went downstairs and left a note for Aunt Claire telling her that I had taken one of the horses for a ride. I left out that I was with Mason as I knew she thought he was too old for me.
I opened the door, and Mason was sat on the porch swing reading my book. I paused to look at him, there was nothing sexier than seeing a man reading. He looked up and caught me watching him. “This book is filthy!” He told me with a smirk.
“What! No, it isn’t!” I reached over and plucked the book from his hands feeling my face flush. “It’s just a romance book.”
“Why are you blushing if it’s just a romance book Libby.” He teased. “I’ve only flicked through it for a few minutes, and there is sex on every other page.”
I felt my face flush, even more, when he started talking about the steamy scenes. Yes, there was sex in the book, but it was just part of the story. I didn’t read it because of those scenes. I read it for the romance. “Whatever Mason, you seemed to be enjoying it when I came out anyway. Maybe you want to borrow it when I’m done?” It was my turn to give him a cocky smile.
Laughing, he said to me. “I might just take you up on that offer sweetheart. Come on let’s go.”
I followed him down the path and over to the barn. I was going to be riding Cookie again, and Mason was on a bigger horse named Titan. The name suited him, he was huge with a glossy midnight black coat. He was absolutely stunning. Mason helped me mount Cookie, his hands gripping my waist. He let his hands linger on my waist a fraction longer than needed and I shivered under his touch.
“You cold Lib?” He asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement knowing full well that I wasn’t cold.
“I’m fine.” I brushed him off. “Where are we going anyway?” I asked changing the subject.
“I’ve told you it’s a surprise. Let’s go, it’s about a fifteen-minute ride.”
I pouted at him. “Fine.” I watched his eyes focus on my pouting lips. He shook his head.
“You might want to stop poking those lips at me darlin’, unless you want me to come on over there and poke them back.”
My eyes widened in surprise, and he laughed at my reaction. We headed away from the barn and over the fields in the opposite direction to the way Savannah and I had ridden a few days ago. “It’s so beautiful here, I can’t get over just how stunning it is,” I commented.
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I’m having the same problem.” I heard him mutter. I turned to look at him only to find him staring at me. He couldn’t possibly be talking about me, could he? “How long are you staying at the ranch for Lib?” He asked me, changing the subject as we rode side by side.
