Page 13 of A Rainfall Promise
Jose
Iran my hand over the horse’s neck; glad he was close enough to Vicky to come find her. Yesterday scared the crap out ofme, seeing her fall from her horse like that. I’m sure it wasn’t the first time, but I know very well what a rattle snake bite can do to someone. So yeah, it scared me half to death, and it shouldn’t have.
I mean, it was a person, so yeah, but the fact that every muscle in my body tensed up over seeing that scared me even more.
When the hell had she gotten under my skin that much? I was supposed to be a grump. Supposed to want to do life alone. Supposed to not want someone more than a decade younger than me.
But here I was, worried about her and thinking of her far too much. I wasn’t dumb. I knew what the signs were.
I wanted this woman, this annoyingly bright sunshine in my life, and all I could think about was the fact that I might ruin her and I didn’t want that.
I was too set in my ways, though, to change, and I didn’t want to want to change her.
“You’re thinking awfully hard,” she said, making me turn around. Her mouth dropped open as she saw me. I glanced down, staring at my chest before slowly looking up at her. “Damn, that’s a beautiful sight,” she muttered, walking over to me. “Don’t you know that sexy cowboys should not be working half naked? It does things to others that aren’t healthy.”
I leaned against the stall, my arms crossed, my muscles even more on display and I laughed as she actually wiped her mouth.
“Don’t do that,” she hissed, walking over and slapping my arm. “You don’t get to play with me like that when I’m in pain.”
“Well, don’t be ogling me like that and we won’t have a problem.” I wrapped my arms around her, letting her sink into my chest and she sighed, as if it was the perfect place for her to be. And I guess it was, but it sure made me feel better too.
“This is nice.” She wrapped her around arms around my waist and I could feel her close her eyes.
“Did you grow up around horses?” I asked.
“In Texas? Yes. It’s almost as natural as breathing. But I didn’t do a lot of riding. Was a tour guide out there, which is why I know how to handle horses in group settings. There’s a difference in walking a trail rather than riding a trail. And the view, for whatever reason, is always better on horseback than on foot.”
“There’s something about connecting with a horse, even for a short trip. But not everyone works well with those animals,” I stated.
“No, they don’t. When I run into people like that, I have to be mindful. They usually get paired up with me, or taken on a special jeep tour. Can’t say I’ve run into people like that here though.”
“Even tourists out here seem to know how to ride.” I rubbed her back, resting my head on hers, a smile on my face. “Think you’d be okay to sit through a movie tonight?”
“Why?” she asked, pulling back to look at me.
“They’re opening up the movies. Heard a couple of vendors will be out there; some lemonade, funnel cake, donuts, the good stuff. Believe they’re showing The Three Amigos.”
“Oh my gosh, that is a classic! And so funny. Wait, are you asking me out on a date?”
I looked at her and rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t fight the smile. Because, yes, I was asking her out on a date, and I was hoping she was going to say yes.
“Depends.”
“On,” she pushed.
“If you say yes?”
“Fine, mister can’t be bothered to ask a straight question, I’d love to go. And yes, I think I’ll be okay to sit through it. I’m excited. It’s one of the biggest things I look forward to coming back here.”
“Then if you want to go home and shower, I’ll pick you up a little later. Bring something comfy.”
“Thank you, Jose. You’re a far better man than you think.” With that, she popped up on her toes and gave me a quick peck, which spun in my head all day long.
Hours later, I was at her place, picking her up for a movie that I hadn’t seen in ages at a place I hadn’t been to since I was a teenager myself.
“You look nervous,” she said as she climbed into the cab and I rolled my eyes.
“I am not nervous. I have been on dates before, you know.”
