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What the hell was his problem with her? On the camping trip they had a nice conversation, but now, he was acting as if they never spoke, or he hadn’t rescued her.Men.
Chapter Three
Ian grinned as he followed her out into the rain. He liked aggravating her. She gave as good as she got… for a city girl. The rain pelted the top and brim of his hat. He noticed that Eden wore her hat too. Most of the guests just pulled the hood up on the poncho but it wasn’t much coverage for their faces. The wind was blowing the rain, and although it was warm out, the rain made it seem cooler.
When they got to the cattle, Chip and a few of the ranch hands rounded them up, and then got them moving. A few Blue Heelers ran after the cattle, nipping at their heels to keep them going.
Ian kept an eye on the guests. This was new to them, and they were only along for the ride. If one of the cattle bolted, the guests were to stop their horse while one of the ranch hands, Chip, or he, went after it. The Bur Oak didn’t want anyone to get hurt, so guests were not allowed to participate in rounding up the cattle. Cattle were unpredictable, so no chances were taken.
After an hour, they reached the pasture where they were leaving the cattle, Chip held his hand up to stop everyone. He turned in his saddle and addressed the group.
“We will stop for lunch and then head back.”
“Sandwiches are going to be a little soggy, don’t you think?” a man asked.
Ian chuckled as he looked at Chip to see him rolling his eyes.
“There’s a pavilion over by the trees,” Chip said as he pointed at the picnic tables under aroof.
Ian saw Eden turn to look at him and smiled.
“Smart.”
“We try to think of everything. Thunderstorms can pop up any time.”
She nodded, nudged her horse, and rode toward the pavilion. Ian followed her and made sure everyone else made it there.
“What about the horses?” another woman asked.
“Just tie them at the rails,” Chip said as he nodded toward the rails.
“They’ll get wet,” she said.
Ian grinned. “They’re already wet. A little rain never hurt them.”
“Nothing like sitting in a wet saddle on the way back,” Eden said.
Ian looked at her. “God knows, a city girl wouldn’t want to sit on a wet saddle. Maybe we should dry it for you.”
Eden’s lips flattened as she looked at him, then she glanced around, and when no one was looking, she gave him the finger, making him laugh. He shook his head.
As everyone sat under the pavilion eating, the storm raged on. Eden sat next to her friend, talking and laughing. Lightning lit up the sky followed closely by a loud clap of thunder, making everyone jump.
“Damn, that was close,” a man said.
“We’ll stay here for a while to see if it lets up,” Ian said.
“We could be here all night,” someone else said.
Ian shook his head. It always amazed him howpeople wanted to join in the activities or work on the ranch, until they were actually doing it. It was harder than people realized. Ian finished his sandwich, crumpled up the paper, and put it in a trash bag. He sat at a table to wait for the rain to let up a little.
Once it did, he told everyone to mount up and they could head back. Everyone seemed more than ready to go as they quickly made their way to their horses and mounted up. Chip signaled for them to form a line and he started to lead them back to the ranch.
Eden sat on her horse, but Ian saw her peer out into the rain then looked back at the group riding away. Her eyes met his and she waved him over.
Ian sighed, rode his horse to her and stopped beside her.
“Something wrong?”
