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“Yeah, the one who was rude to Remi,” Lily agreed.
“Shh!” I commanded in the twin’s direction with a stern look. “Christy, what are you doing here?” I asked astonished, still astride Maverick.
What the fuck was she doing here?My mind argued. Now my plans to try and talk Remi into coming were ruined.Shit!
She walked sultrily toward my horse gazing up at me with lazy eyes, her hand lifting to rest on the calf of my leg. She was dressed in super short jean shorts and a crop top. More than half of her skin was showing, including a good bit of cleavage. “I came to find you. You haven’t returned my calls and I wanted to see you. You mentioned you were coming this year.”
I climbed down from Maverick. I knew that my face mirrored my displeasure. “How’d you get a cabin? They’re always sold out in advance.”
“I’ve been planning this since you told me over Christmas you wanted to come here before you went pro. Remember?”
She tried to slide her arms around me, taking me by surprise. I hugged her back loosely, but then moved out of her embrace.
“You know, you’re gonna get saddle burn in that get-up,” Lila admonished.
“Yeah. Between your legs,” Lily nodded her agreement. “And sunburn. This ain’t no fashion show, ya know.”
If I weren’t so mad, the twin’s comments would have made me laugh. I glanced up at them from under the brim of my hat. “Girls, can you give us a minute?”
“Sure, but… she can’t go riding with us like that.”
“Girls! Please?”
Lila rolled her eyes. “Come on, Lily. Let’s go over by the cookhouse and get the horses some carrots. Cookie said she was making stew for tonight’s grub, and she’ll have scraps.”
When they, on their horses, sauntered off, I turned back to Christy. “Are you here alone?”
“No, silly! I brought Brianna and Billy!” She laid a suggestive hand on my shirt. I figured they can have the cabin I paid for, and I can share yours.” She leaned in and spoke softly. “It’s not a smelly old horse that I want between my legs.”
Obviously, she hadn’t gotten the message when I’d broken up with her.
I moved to lift her hand off my chest and reiterate that it was over between us, but Brianna and Billy came out of the barn pulling on the reins and their horses resisted in protest, pulling back hard.
“Stop yanking on their reins! These horses are trained. They will just walk beside you. Hold the reins loosely. They may rear and may kick if you don’t stop yanking them!” I looked from the couple back to Christy. “Jesus,” I said under my breath. “We broke up.” I looked pointedly at Christy.
She reached for my hand. “No, you broke up, I didn’t agree to it. I know if you have time to think about it, you’ll realize we belong together.”
“I won’t, Christy,” I shook my head. I thought she’d understood the last time we talked, my mind reeling to find the words to get my point across. “I want to concentrate on my career.”
The cattle hands came out of the barn with the last of the riders and started to give a short lesson on horse etiquette. How to get astride and guide the horse with the reins, and then went over the safety rules.
I had to stand in silence during the presentation. It would be bad for business to have an argument in front of the other guests. Christy stood close to me and kept one hand around my bicep until the cowboy I recognized as another volunteer firefighter who was my uncle’s friend named Mark, finished. It was all I could do not to shrug her off. After my time with Remi, I didn’t want another woman’s hands on my body.Anywhereon my body.
When they were finished the rest of the group began to get up on the horses. Some struggled, but most followed Mark’s instructions and made an easy job of it.
“Why can’t we just talk about it?” Christy pleaded. “I’ve come all this way, just for you.”
“I didn’t ask you to.”
Mark nodded at me. “Good to see you, buddy. Are you coming with us on this ride?”
“Yes! He’s coming.” Lila announced.
“Miss, if you want to get a horse; this is your last chance,” Mark said. “The rest of the group is ready to go.”
“No, I’ll ride with Dylan,” she said. “I’m afraid to ride alone.”
Every eye was on me; all the guests, my two little cousins and Mark were all waiting on their horses. Marked looked at me for confirmation and I felt cornered. I should just leave her here but that would make me look like a major asshole in front of the group and my cousins.
