Page 29 of Untamed Heart
‘You snore?’ I asked, receiving a resolute head shake in return.
‘Course not,’ she replied, mock insulted as she swung up and onto her horse.
I did the same, noting with a jolt that Cole had now joined the party down by the trailers, seemingly orchestrating the whole thing. He led a tall, broad-backed horse with a grey coat and dappled black spots, mounting in seconds.
‘Is that an Appaloosa?’ I asked Bailey, trying to focus on the horse and failing. I saw Cole’s face light up as someone made him smile, his powerful thighs gripping the horse as he urged her forward.
‘Sure is – she’s a beauty, ain’t she?’
Something clicked.
‘Wait – is that Domino? Jesse mentioned her before. Jasper doesn’t like her much.’
Bailey laughed. ‘Something like that. She’s a little full of herself and Jasper’s got no time for it. Dunkin gets on with everyone though, don’t ya, sugar?’
She patted her neck, then swung around towards the field.
‘I need to ask you about how you name horses,’ I said, following.
‘Hold that thought, honey – we’re up front. Come on, Dunkin,git!’ she yelled and before I could answer, added, ‘Keep up, cowpoke!’
Jasper didn’t need telling twice. In seconds we were flying, the field ahead long, flat and seemingly endless. His gait was as smooth as ever, but as I kept in line with Bailey’s streaming red hair in front, I realized he was slower than he used to be, not able to extend himself in quite the same way.
Eventually, mixing slower and faster periods of riding, the other cowboys joining us along the way, we approached the elbow of the river. The cows were spread out across the two vast pastures beyond, their calves romping around as steam rose from two pools in the gathering twilight. The pools came from the natural hot springs underground, dotted all over the state around Yellowstone. These particular pools had always been well used by our family, one of them big enough to fit six people at a push, while the other was much smaller, perfect for one or two.
We made camp, and I studiously ignored Cole, focusing on Bailey’s instructions to get the tent up and ready. As night flooded the sky, I caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye, looking over at us both before someone called him away.
‘Got something for you,’ Lil said a little later, emerging from the darkness between the trees. ‘Meant to give it to you earlier, but Bailey had you racing off so quick I thought it best to wait.’ Her tent was set back a little, next to Cole and Jesse’s. They sat out the front, deep in conversation. Beyond that, uphill a few feet were a couple of campfires where the rest of the cowboys gathered, the flickering light spitting sparks into the inky blackness beyond. In Lil’s outstretched hand was a cowboy hat, a pale camel colour, with a deeper brown leather band around the crown.
‘Really?’ I breathed, loving it instantly. ‘Are you sure?’
She just smiled and gestured for me to put it on. I let my hair down, dark curls spilling out, and placed the hat over them. It fitted perfectly, just snugly enough to stay put and keep my hair still.
‘Damn, Lottie girl, you’re too pretty, you know that?’
I nudged her away, feeling the soft felt brim between my fingers.
‘I love it – thanks, Lil.’
She tipped her own hat to me and started walking back up towards the campfire. ‘You eaten?’ she tossed back over her shoulder. ‘Come get something, we’ll be bunking down soon. Crazy early start.’
‘I’ll be there in a minute,’ I called out, taking my hat off and putting it back on again, twirling round once to see if it would come off.
‘She’s right, you sure do pass for a fine cowgirl.’ Startled, I glanced to the left. Jesse and Cole were both watching me, Jesse smiling wide. ‘Just be careful no one else takes it and puts it on, y’hear?’
I risked a few steps towards them, Cole’s face unmoving, his features shadowed. My heart sped up.
‘I’m sure you’re going to tell me why?’ I asked, watching as Cole shifted, finally looking up, his lips curving.
‘Wear the hat, ride the cowboy – or cowgirl, Princess.’
He held my eyes as though willing a response. The darkness covered the redness I knew was spreading across my cheeks. Jesse grinned.
‘Best be careful then,’ I answered, slowly turning towards the campfire.
Eventually, after the camp had settled down, I discovered that Bailey was a liar. Despite me poking her to roll over at least three or four times, her snoring all but lifted the canvas off the ground.
I lay still, looking up into the darkness, thoughts drifting to Kyle, to his response. Would he be sorry? Promise to change? I’d have to face him eventually, when I went home. Sighing, I pushed deeper into the sleeping bag to find more warmth, adjusting the rolled-up towel I’d put under my head as a pillow. My legs and back were still sore from my fall, today’s riding adding to it. Tomorrow was going to hurt.
