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“Nice to meet you.” I hold my hand out, and Elijah takes it, smiling as he shakes my hand.
“You too, Aria.”
“Aria is our horse trainer, and she helps out when we need her. Isn’t that right, Aria?”
“It is. Always happy to help. Talking of helping, I need to get started on the mucking out. See you around, Elijah. If you need anything, come find me.” I’m just about to leave when Ryan stops me.
“Actually, Aria, I was hoping you’d be able to lead the riding tour this morning? Mason normally does it and I thought you could take Elijah. Show him the route, I know you’ve done it once or twice before.”
“Sure. What time?”
“Ten thirty.”
I nod. “I’ll get the horses ready.” He passes me some paperwork.
“There’s only six, so a small group.” He turns to Elijah. “I think I’ve told you everything I need to. I’ll leave you in Aria’s capable hands.” He raises his hand in a wave as he leaves the tack room.
“Let’s grab some saddles.” I reach up and pull two down, passing them back to Elijah. Grabbing another two, I lead us through the stalls and out into the exercise area. “If you start with Titan.” I point across the exercise area to where Titan is grazing by the fence. “I’ll get Marley ready.” He nods and saddles up Titan. He seems to know what he’s doing. I’m not surprised. Ryan wouldn’t hire someone who didn’t.
“How long have you been a ranch hand?” I ask as I turn and concentrate on Marley.
“Since always, I guess. My grandfather owned a small cattle ranch in Fredericksburg, which my parents inherited when he died. They had to sell it a few years ago, but I loved it. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’d have bought it from them if I’d been able to.”
“The new buyers didn’t keep you on?” I turn from Marley to look at him.
“A large corporate company bought it and expanded. They weren’t interested in keeping on any staff. My parents had other offers, and I begged them to sell to someone else, but they went with the higher offer.” I can hear the hurt in his voice.
“I’m sorry.”
He shrugs half-heartedly. “It was a few years ago. I had to get away once the sale went through, so I moved to Marble Falls and got a job on the Baker ranch on the other side of town. Been there ever since.”
“How come you’ve ended up here?” I reach for another saddle and walk toward one of the other horses.
“Ryan’s a good friend of Tom Baker, my boss. When Ryan asked for some help, I volunteered. It’s good to get a change of scenery once in a while.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Erm, Aria, there’s a guy waving at you.” I look to where he’s gesturing and laugh. Raising my hand, I wave back.
“That’s Jack, Ryan’s nephew.” My phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out, smiling when I see a message from Jack.
Jack: Hey, baby. Who’s the guy?
I can’t help smiling as I read the message and wonder if he’s jealous. I look sideways at Elijah, only now noticing how good looking he is. Tall, dirty blond hair, well-built. There’s not much to dislike, but he’s not Jack. My fingers fly over the screen as I type out a reply.
Me: Elijah. Ryan’s brought him in to help out while Mason is off. I’m taking him on the riding tour this morning to show him the ropes. Come and say hi?
His reply is almost instant.
Jack: We’re just heading into Marble Falls to get a gift for Lib. I’ll come and find you when we’re back. Have fun, baby.
I look over to the ranch house, and he waves again. Smiling, I wave back.
By 10:30, all the guests booked on the riding tour have arrived. Thankfully, all have ridden a horse before, and after a quick safety briefing, we set off. There are a couple of different routes I know Mason takes, and I choose the one that takes the guests through the pasture where he and Lib got married. I know that’s his favorite. I chat to Elijah and the other guests as we ride, and despite not normally having much to do with the guests, I find I’m enjoying myself.
The tour lasts just over an hour, and as we ride back toward the stables, a cab pulls up outside the ranch house.
“Are there guests arriving today?” Elijah asks from the side of me.
