Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“Easy-peasy!” she said with a wink.
I reached up for the horn, slipped my foot into the stirrup, and lifted myself up and over. I settled into the seat and smiled down at Ladd.
“That’s my girl!” he said before he effortlessly got into the saddle on his horse. I exchanged a smile with Nellie, who kicked her horse into a walk and made her way next to Gus.
“How do you feel?” Ladd asked.
Glancing at him, I couldn’t help but feel that for the first time in ages, I was genuinely looking forward to what the future had in store for me.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.”
He winked. “We’ll see about that.”
After explaining how the reins worked, we started off and quickly caught up with David, Gus, and Nellie. We rode up a trail that was a slow and steady climb. Once at the top, it offered a view of the valley that took my breath away.
“This side over here is our land, the other side is the BLM land,” Ladd stated.
“And that used to be part of the ranch?” I asked.
Gus sighed. “It was.”
I glanced around at the mountains surrounding us. “Which mountain do you own?”
Ladd chuckled. “We don’t own the whole mountain, but see that one right there, right in the direct line beyond the house?”
“Yes.”
“We own that side of the mountain. During the summer, Dad leases it out to other cattle ranchers.”
I nodded. “And you said they graze up there so you can grow your fields for winter.”
“I like this girl,” Gus said to Ladd. “She’s interested in the family business.”
Ladd laughed. “You want to train Viv to be a cattle rancher, Dad?”
“The thought has crossed my mind, seeing how well she’s taken to riding.”
It was my turn to laugh. “I’d be down for that.”
David walked his horse closer to his father’s. “Dad, look to the west.”
Everyone turned and looked.
“Storm coming in,” Gus said. “Let’s head on back down.”
I looked at Ladd, who must have seen the concern I felt on my face.
“It’s not a big deal. It’s a ways off, but we should get going since we don’t want to get stuck in it.”
David, Nellie, and Gus all rode ahead. Ladd had pulled his horse back to a slower pace, which in turn had mine matching his.
“So, is everything okay?”
I raised a brow in question. “Yes, why wouldn’t it be?”
He narrowed his eyes a bit. “When you and my mother got to the barn, I could tell you’d been crying.”
I blinked a few times. The way this man was able to notice every little thing about me made my heart beat a bit faster in my chest. “I had been crying, but it was nothing that your mother did.”
“I hadn’t thought so. Want to tell me about it?”
I looked toward the others. Everyone else was far enough away that I didn’t think they would hear us, but this wasn’t the place to tell Ladd.
Turning to face him, I said, “Can we find a private place to talk later this evening?”
He winked. “We sure can. For talking, sure…a really private place for that…and other things.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “You’re terrible, Ladd Wilde.”
“You say that now.”
Once we got back to the barn, Ladd showed me what to do with the horse. As much fun as I’d had, taking care of a horse after the good times was serious work.
I put some hay in the hanging basket for Wonder Bread, then stroked down his neck a few more times. I’d fallen in love with this horse and was already counting down the hours until we could ride again.
I turned—and nearly screamed when I saw Ladd leaning against the door of the stall. He did that a lot.
“Didn’t mean to scare you.”
Walking over to him, I placed my hands on his chest. “Thank you so much for today. Thank you for bringing me home to your ranch. For loving me. I really am having the most amazing time, and it’s only been a day since we got here.”
He smiled. “You say that now, but my mother’s heading to the kitchen to prepare for what my brothers and father call the Great Christmas Bake-Off.”
I laughed as he put his arm around my shoulders and we made our way out of the barn and toward the house.
“And what is the Great Christmas Bake-Off?”
He let out a breath. “Oh man, it’s been happening since I can remember. Long before I was born, I’m sure. Anyway, my mother invites friends and neighbors over for the day, and they do nothing but bake. Everyone brings the supplies they need for what they plan on baking. Then, at the end of it all, they have these boxes they put together with all the heavenly baked items, and they give them away. To friends, co-workers, and first responders. They also make plenty for the kids on Christmas Day when they come.”