Chapter 9

Mik stood at the fence, enjoying a short break and letting the wind cool her skin as she watched the horses' graze. Sometimes it was difficult to believe that she’d been on the ranch for two months. Others, it seemed that she’d always been there. The land, the animals and the people had crept in and taken residence in her soul. Particularly Jed.

Thoughts of Jed brought a small pang of sadness. Mik hadn’t intended on falling in love with him. It was supposed to be just great sex and a kindred spirit to share things others didn’t understand. How had she fallen so fast and so hard?

Jed never spoke of love. She understood. He and his brothers were convinced that the Nash curse made happiness impossible. Too many men had come before them that had failed in marriage. Too many deaths and tragedies.

She couldn’t blame them for being afraid. She might have felt the same way in their shoes. But she wasn’t in their shoes. She was wearing the boots of a woman who’d fallen in love with a man that could never love her back.

And that blew big solid chunks in her way of thinking.

“Penny for your thoughts, beauty.”

The object of her thoughts stepped up beside her, running a hand down her hair and around her waist to pull her snuggly to his side.

“It’s beautiful here,” she said softly. “Your family’s lucky to have this.”

“Yeah, we are.”

She cut her eyes up at him. “What brings you out here this time of morning? I thought you were busy with the feed delivery.”

“Finished sooner than I thought and wondered what you were up to.”

“Helping Jake with a class this morning and then we’re going to work with Thrasher.”

“You’re not going to try and ride that beast?”

“You’re damn Skippy I’m going to ride him.”

“Mik, that horse is crazy. None of us have been able to sit him. Just when you think you’ve gotten through to him, that crazy bastard takes a chomp outta your hide and tries to trample you.”

“He’s just misunderstood,” she argued.

“He’s dangerous.”

“You worried for my safety, cowboy, or just don’t think I can cut the mustard?”

Jed turned her to face him. “Mik, I don’t have any doubts in your ability with animals. You don’t have to prove yourself. And yeah, I am worried. Thrasher’s a killer and I’m loco to keep him around. Should have gotten rid of him long ago.”

“I’m going to ride him, Jed.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Watch me.”

“I’ll fire you.”

“You already did that once.”

“I’ll do it again.”

“You don’t have to fire me to fuck me. We’re past all that.”

The blaze in his eyes told her she’d hit a nerve. Maybe that’s what she’d subconsciously intended. Maybe she wanted to piss him off, push him. Just maybe something inside her needed to hear him say that’s all it was. Sex. Nothing else. Maybe that’s what it’d take to convince her uncooperative heart to give up on the idea that she could ever have anything more with him.

“I haven’t ever fucked you, Mik, but if that’s what you want you let me know. In the meantime, you’re not riding that horse. Not even if I have to tie you up to stop you.”

“Then you better get a rope, stud.”

She knew she was being unreasonable. But his response had been like a kick to the gut. If he wasn’t fucking her then what were they doing? She couldn’t allow herself to think it was anything else because that just put her back to longing for more than he had to give.

It was a sorry state of affairs but one of her own making. He’d never made her a promise and she was wrong for wanting to elicit one. But damn it, she loved him and couldn’t help if it pissed her off that she’d found someone she wanted this much and could only have part of. So, yeah, she was in one hell of a bitchy mood and didn’t give a fat shit who she pissed off, or for that matter, on, at the moment. And she was going to ride that damn horse.

*****

Jed watched her march away, her head high and firm butt twitching. Something had crawled up her ass, but he didn’t have a clue what it was. He thought things were going pretty damn well. Had he missed something?

Damn women. They had some kind of secret language. No way in hell could you hope to decipher it, yet they expected you to vibe in on it and figure out what had them in a twitch.

Well, he’d deal with her twitch or itch or whatever it was later. Right now, he’d better head her off before she bit off her nose to spite her face and climbed on Thrasher.

*****

Mik could feel him watching her and picked up her pace. She had no doubt that he’d try and stop her. Not because he loved her. He just didn’t believe Thrasher could be ridden.

Truth was, she wasn’t so sure. He might be right. Thrasher was a beauty. Sixteen hands high, black as night and as wild as a storm. There wasn’t a hand on the ranch that hadn’t tried to sit him. And not a one had succeeded. Even Jake had been thrown.

Jed had refused to try and proclaimed Thrasher unbreakable.

Mik couldn’t believe that. Thrasher was wild and could be downright spiteful, but sometimes he was sweet and playful. She’d spent a lot of time with him the last few weeks and had even managed to sack him, something no one else had accomplished.

It might be too soon to try and ride him but now that she’d committed she was determined to see it through.

Squaring her shoulders, she headed for the stable.

*****

Jed saw Mik disappear into the stable room a moment before Jake rounded the corner. “What’s up?” Jake asked.

“Mik’s got a burr up her butt to ride Thrasher.”

“Whoa. Now? I thought…”

“You thought what?” Jed asked when Jake trailed off.

“I thought she was going to work with him more before she gave it a try.”

“She’s been working with him?”

“Yeah. Got him to accept a bridle and sacked him out. Even got him saddled.”

Jed stopped dead in his tracks. Sacking out a horse was an old cowboy term. It essentially meant desensitizing the animal. People went about it in different ways, from using a blanket to a rope, getting the animal accustomed to having it touch him or having it moved around, swung, tossed, or snapped around him.

Horses could be quite mistrustful and spooked easily. Sacking was a way to get them accustomed to sounds and touch that might scare them.

“Still,” Jed said, trying not to be impressed that she’d managed to not only sack out the beast, but get a saddle on him. “He’s a long way from being ready to accept a rider.”

“Maybe. I guess we’re getting ready to find out.”

Jed’s heart felt like it did a sudden leap into his throat as he saw Mik lead Thrasher from the stable. He started after her, but Jake grabbed his arm. “Jed, hold on.”

“That damn beast will kill her.”

“You don’t know that. Jed, listen to me. Mik’s…different. Like us. She can talk to them Jed and damn if I don’t think she understands them better than we do. It’s…it’s amazing to be honest but she has this thing with them. If she thinks she can do it, I’d be willing to bet she can.”

“Well, you might be willing to risk her life on that bet but I’m not.”

The moment the words were out of his mouth shock set in. And was registered on two faces. His and Jake’s. “Shit on a stick,” Jake breathed. “You’re in love with Mik.”

Jed opened his mouth to deny it, but the words wouldn’t come. A growled “shit” was all he could manage.

And in the time the exchange took, Mik had led Thrasher into the corral. Jed and Jake took off at a dead run. By the time they reached the fence half the ranch was lined up watching and Mik had her foot in the stirrup, ready to mount.

“Mik, stop!” Jed climbed up on the fence, loathe to enter the corral. Thrasher could easily spook and throw Mik.

“It’s okay,” she replied softly, seeming to speak more to the horse than to him. “We’re fine.”

*****

At least, she hoped they were. Talking softly to Thrasher, she eased her weight onto the stirrup. He shifted but settled quickly. Mik hoisted her free leg over the saddle and settled into it.

Thrasher shifted then pranced. She rubbed one hand along his neck. “It’s okay, buddy. Easy does it. We’re just going to have a little walk.”

There was dead silence as she walked Thrasher across the corral and turned him. At the turn, he pranced and danced sideways, tossing his head. She didn’t try to control him and continued talking soothingly to him. It took him a minute, but he settled down, and she started back across the corral.

A sudden whoop from the fence had Thrasher erupting. He bucked twice, reared up on his hind legs and whinnied long and loud.

“Oh, hell.” Mik knew then she had a world of trouble on her hands. She could feel the tension vibrating through Thrasher’s body; feel the fear pouring off him in waves. There was nothing she could do but ride out the fear and hope she didn’t end up mangled.

*****

Jed heard the whoop, and a second later, the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his head as the horse reared.

“Oh, shit.” The muttered curse from beside him registered as his brother Jesse’s voice. The same voice that’d delivered the whoop. Of all the times for Jesse to make an appearance.

“Shit is right,” Jake said at the same moment Jed barked at one of the hands. “Saddle Apache. Now!

His eyes never left Mik. She looked so small on Thrasher. But she was holding her own, moving in concert with the horse instead of fighting him.

“He’s gonna bolt,” Jesse said two seconds before Thrasher’s front legs landed and the horse launched himself in the direction of the opposite fence.

Jed held his breath as the stallion pounded to the fence and catapulted himself into the air.

His breath whooshed out as the horse made the jump and Mik stayed in the saddle. The ranch hand appeared with Jed’s horse Apache. Jed was in the saddle and Apache was in motion before anyone had time to ask what he was doing.

He wasn’t sure about that himself. Aside from chasing Mik down. Thrasher was big and fast and there was no guarantee Jed could catch them considering the lead they had. Not unless Mik could slow the horse down.

What he’d do if he caught up with them was anyone’s guess.

*****

Mik knew Thrasher wasn’t trained enough to try and rein him in. The best she could hope for was that he’d run himself out and not toss her in the process. She kept talking to him, trying to breech that thick wall of fear that had him out of control.

On and on he ran, his hooves churning up the ground. Thank God the pasture was huge and he was accustomed to it. With luck, he wouldn’t try and jump the fence at the far end. If she could nudge him into a turn maybe she could steer him back toward the corral.

It became clear very fast that he wasn’t about to let her have any control. She was there for the ride only.

The first glimmer of fear had her gritting her teeth. She couldn’t panic. She had to keep a clear head. But the damn animal was headed straight for the wire fence. Beyond was heavily wooded land riddled with deep gullies and hills. She’d be ripped to shreds by limbs and branches even if she managed to hang on.

The sound of pounding behind her had her braving a look. A rider was coming up fast, leaning low over the horse’s neck. Hope swelled as she recognized the rider. Jed. He was coming for her.

But he wouldn’t reach her in time. Thrasher was too fast and there was too much distance between them. Unless she could slow Thrasher down. “Come on buddy,” she pleaded. “Work with me here.”

*****

Jed saw Mik trying to slow Thrasher and the way the horse was fighting her. But she was making some headway. Apache’s hooves were eating up the distance separating them. He urged Apache for more speed, keeping his eyes locked on Mik.

Twenty yards was her guess. Twenty yards to the fence. “Come on, Thrasher,” she coaxed, pulling on the reins. “Come on, buddy. It’s okay. It’s okay.”

Then Jed was there, on the left side of Thrasher, extending his hand. It was crazy. No way he’d be able to pull her onto the horse with him at this speed. She shook her head.

“Trust me,” he yelled.

Without giving herself time to think she released the reins, gripping tight to the saddle with her knees and reached across her body with her right hand for him, locking her hand around his wrist as he did the same. Suddenly she was airborne, swinging toward Jed’s mount.

Mik felt like her arm was about to pop loose from the shoulder socket. She slammed into the side of the horse, the impact knocking the wind out of her. Jed was already reining in the horse, and he held her, dangling against its side.

No sooner had the horse come to a stop, he was off, holding her crushed against him. Mik couldn’t find the will to do more than lean limply against him, her chest still heaving to try and fill with air.

“Can’t breathe,” she gasped.

Jed loosened his hold enough to draw back and look down at her. “You okay?”

She nodded, drawing in a deep breath. “Thank you.”

Suddenly, his hands were on her shoulders, and he was shaking her, his face suffused with blood and his eyes blazing. “I should stomp the shit outta you. That was a damn stupid thing to do, Mik. You could’ve been killed.”

His rage had her pulling back in alarm then immediately tensing as her own anger set in. “I’d have been just fine if some fool hadn’t spooked him. Besides what difference does it make? You can find another trainer. And another fuck buddy.”

Jed suddenly released her, and she stumbled, still not quite feeling steady. “You want to run that by me again?”

“You heard me.” She slammed her hands on her hips and met his flinty eyes.

“That’s what this is about? You pull some crazy stunt because you think I see you like a—a fuck buddy?”

“Well that’s the truth isn’t it?”

“Hell no. I told you, Mikayla. I’ve never fucked you.” His voice rose to a near shout.

“Then what do you call it?” she yelled right back.

“I call it love, you dip shit.”

Suddenly the world went totally silent. Oceans emptied, mountains crumbled, and stars fell from the sky. Or so it seemed. It was cataclysmic and took not only the wind out of her sails, but the strength out of her legs. She buckled at the knees and Jed caught her.

“Love?” she asked, hating the tremble in her voice.

“Love,” he echoed and pulled her to him, wrapping her securely in his arms. “Damn you, Mik. I didn’t want to and probably still don’t because I’m scared it’s doomed to end bad for both of us, but I do love you.”

There was nothing she could do in that moment but hold onto him, burying her face against his broad chest, and fighting the tears that threatened. It was all she wished for and all she feared and here it was. Jed loved her.

At length she pulled back and looked up into his eyes. “I love you. And I’m willing to take the risk.”

“You might regret that one day.”

“Maybe. One day. But not today. So tell me again.”

He rolled his eyes and complied. “I love you, Mik. And I swear on everything holy that if you ever pull a stunt like that again I’m going to take you across my knee and wear your ass out.”

“Hmmm, I might like that,” she teased.

Jed fought a smile. “You’re a wicked woman, Mikayla Morgan. Wicked.”

“But you love me,” she said with a mischievous smile.

Jed sighed. “I’m afraid so.”

“Well, then there’s just one thing to do.”

“What?”

“Take him home,” she pointed behind Jed.

He turned to find Thrasher standing there. “You’re definitely more trouble that you’re worth,” he said without conviction and ran his hand over the horse’s head.

“What say we ride him home?” Mik asked.

“After what just happened you want to climb back on this beast?”

“Yeah. He’s amazing, Jed. I mean amazing. Come on. He’s over his scare. He’ll be fine.”

“I need to have my head examined,” he complained.

“We’ll schedule you an appointment. “

Jed gave her a quick whack on the rear and they both laughed as Thrasher blew out his breath and shook his head. Jed adjusted the stirrups and gave Thrasher a rub. “Okay, big guy, let’s see if the lady’s right about you.”

Thrasher tossed his head but didn’t shy away as Jed eased into the saddle. “See?” Mik said with a grin. “Now give me a hand, stud.”

Jed pulled her up into the saddle in front of him. “Hmmm,” she cooed, wiggling her rear against his groin. “Nice.”

“Stop that. I’m not showing up with a prize-winning boner, you witch.”

“Always complaining,” she teased and clucked her tongue at Apache. “Come on, hero. Let’s go home and get you a treat.”

Apache fell in step as Jed turned Thrasher and started back across the pasture. “Come on, buddy,” Mik leaned over Thrasher’s neck and coaxed him. “Show Jed your stuff.”

Thrasher threw back his head, whinnied, and bolted forward. Someone had opened the gate from the pasture for them and it looked like the entire ranch staff was waiting when Jed reined Thrasher to a stop.

Jake jumped down from his perch on the fence and gave Mik a high-five. “That was so bad ass.”

“Until some jackass yelled and spooked Thrasher,” she replied. “Who the hell’s dumb enough to do that anyway?”

“That would be me.”

Mik looked at the tall, drop-dead handsome man in worn jeans, a button up white work shirt and cowboy hat who stepped up beside Jake. “Jesse Nash, ma’am.”

Mik felt her face grow hot with embarrassment. “Oops, guess I stuck my foot in it, eh?”

“Nope, just said it like it is. I apologize. I didn’t realize this was the first time he’d had a rider on his back. Just thought you looked fine as hell perched up there on him.”

Mik looked in Jesse’s eyes and saw a kindred spirit. “Well, hell, when you put it like that. Nice to meet you Jesse. I’m Mik. Morgan.”

“The Mik Morgan? Two-time National barrel racing champ is the new trainer? I’m impressed.”

“That’s something coming from someone with as much gold as you, Jesse.”

“Ah so you still follow the circuit, do you?”

“Well, you know how it goes. You may leave the rodeo, but it never leaves you.”

“Amen sister,” he gave her a high five. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mik. And I’d love to make it up to you for spooking your horse. How about dinner?”

“How about I bust your chops and send you packing?” Jed spoke up for the first time.

Jesse laughed and looked at Jake. “Well, I’ll be damn. You’re right.” He then looked at Jed. “You saying the lady’s spoken for, brother?”

“That I am,” Jed said firmly.

“Well hell, this calls for a celebration,” Jesse proclaimed. “Beer’s on Jed.”

Jed just stood there for a few seconds then smiled and drew his brother into a hug. “Good to have you home Jesse.”

“Good to be home,” Jesse replied as Jed released him. “And the beer’s still on you.”

Jed chuckled and pulled Mik up against his side. “Yep, I guess it is.”