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For years, I’d fallen in line.
It was easier than swimming against the undertow of my mother’s machinations. Find a husband, secure a suitably impressive name, keep my societal contacts and acquire more.
It was exhausting, cold, and uninspiring.
I wanted to believe in something like Beckett did. Even like Rachel did. She’d gone from being miserable handling billionaire entertainment event contracts to starting her own smaller business with hot chocolate, for goodness sakes. And from what I could tell, she’d never been happier.
I had no clue what inspired me.
Beckett’s hand firmed at my midriff as he dragged me tighter against his chest. “Path is going to get a little rough.”
I grabbed onto the horn of the saddle as Storm picked his way around the rocks and boulders then the path widened, and I finally got a good look at the springs.
“Wow.”
“It’s pretty spectacular isn’t it?”
To say the least. I was expecting a tiny place to take a dip, but in actuality it was bigger than most pools I’d seen over the years. The rocks made a natural basin and the waterfall was soothing more than a rush of dangerous water. “I didn’t realize something like this was hiding out here.”
“We like to keep our secrets. I’m hoping it will be an attraction for our rentals we’re working on.”
“No doubts there, it’s beautiful.”
“Rachel helps out with our marketing. She and Willow are going to spiff up our website with photos after Rachel and Clay get back from their honeymoon.” Beckett groaned. “I’m sorry, I keep mentioning that shit. I’m a thoughtless jackass.”
I covered his hand. “It’s fine. I’m truly happy for them or I wouldn’t have filled in for Rachel’s friend.”
“It’s still shitty.” He led Storm over to a shady spot, then shifted to swing his leg over and drop down to the ground. He reached up for me and I let him curl his arms around me to lower me slowly to the ground, our bodies brushing from chest to thigh.
He grinned down at me as he reached around me to unbuckle the blanket from the back of the saddle.
“Will Storm be okay over here?”
“I’m going to bring him over to drink then let him chill out in the shade for awhile. His favorite grass is over there.”
I had a feeling that was by design, more than happenstance. I had a feeling Beckett was a thoughtful sort, not that he wanted people to know that. “Okay. Can I set up the blanket somewhere?” I craned my neck.
“There’s a grassy area just over there.” He pointed and then unfastened the cooler to loop it over his shoulder.
“I can carry it.”
“I got it.” He dropped Storm’s reins then urged me forward, tucking the blanket under his other arm.
We climbed over a few smaller boulders and the grassy spot made my chest tighten. It was lovely and lushly green with new spring grass. A few wild daisies and Black-Eyed Susans sprouted around the rocks with happy white and gold petals. A massive oak gave just enough shade that we wouldn’t burn to a crisp.
He handed me the cooler then snapped out the blanket. “I’ll be right back.”
I watched him go, enjoying the wide lines of his shoulders and his narrow waist. When he disappeared from view, I kicked off my borrowed boots. No need to track dirt into where our food would be.
I started unloading the food. I found berries and cheese and grinned at the hot dogs at the bottom of the bag.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a hot dog.
I looked around and saw the small covered grill at the edge of the grassy area. It was set on a flat stone with a lockbox hidden under some nearby stones. I wondered if the Manning boys had been Boy Scouts in another life, or it was just part of rural living to think ahead.
By the time Beckett returned, I’d arranged the fruit and cheese. A bottle of sweating wine at the bottom of the cooler bag along with the familiar Red Solo cups of my youth made me laugh. It didn’t matter where, when, or what friend group you had, a red cup was universal.
“Sorry it’s not very fancy.” Beckett had left his cowboy hat with Storm. His dark blond hair was a mess of curls that made me itch to see if they were as soft as they looked. He wore aviator sunglasses against the glaring sun, and I wished for my purse for the first time all day.
