Chapter 69 Going for a Ride
She was out the door and on her way to buy breakfast for her and Evelyn when Evelyn called out to her. “Hey, lovebird,” she called. “I already have breakfast.”
Alexandra turned back toward her. She felt a little bit of irritation at Evelyn’s mocking, but decided that she was going to do and feel what she wanted to and not worry about what Evelyn thought. “Cool,” she beamed. “Saves me a trip.” She was determined to be bright and cheerful. She sat down to breakfast with a smile that was as bright as the morning sun, which was just breaking above the horizon.
The smile had faded by mid-afternoon while she worked and waited for RJ to show up. He had promised her that he would come visit her; he would find her near the show ring. She had made herself very visible, so he couldn't miss her. She worked cheerfully all morning long. The feeling that surged through her made her put the little extra touches of care on the horses as she prepared them for their moment in the show ring. It was one of Evelyn’s busier days, so Alexandra had little time to sit and think about RJ, but she thought about him while she worked. However, as the afternoon slowly moved on, she began to believe that maybe she was wrong about him. Maybe he only wanted a one-night stand. Maybe he was just some dazzling cowboy with all of the tricks to seduce a woman. Maybe Evelyn was right. She had better be careful with this one. The thought went through her head as she was leading one of Evelyn’s horses back to the trailer. Evelyn was in her last event for the day, and Alexandra’s work was for the most part finished for the day. She tied off the horse and was turning to go to the feed bin.
“Y’all wanna go for a ride?” he said.
She looked up into RJ’s beaming smile and felt his eyes shoot right through her. “Well, hello, stranger,” she said. She went to him and wrapped her arms around him. He held her tight against his firm body and then moved his lips to hers for a deep, lingering kiss.
“So? Yes or no?” he asked, looking into her eyes.
“Yes or no what?” she replied.
“Do y’all wanna go for a ride?” he asked.
“I need to feed the horses and get my jeans and my boots and...”
“I’ll help ye feed the horses, but ye don’t need yer boots and jeans,” he replied. She looked down at the way he was dressed. He had on a short-sleeved western shirt, short-sleeved because the arms of the shirt had been torn off. He had on a pair of cut-offs and flip flops to finish out the ensemble. She was dressed for work and had on something similar, though her shirt wasn’t quite as crude, and her shorts weren’t cut-off jeans.
“We’re going riding like this?” she asked.
“Sure,” he responded. His beaming smile went right through her. “Y’all can ride bareback, can’t ye?”
“I suppose,” she replied. “I’ve never actually tried it.”
“Then it is about time that ye do,” he grinned.
“I need to wait until Evelyn gets back, too,” she said. “She’s in her last event of the day right now.”
“You won’t have to wait any longer for Evelyn,” Evelyn said as she rode up to the trailer. “Were you two getting ready to go somewhere?”
“We were about to feed the horses,” Alexandra replied. “And then RJ was going to take me riding.” She felt like she was a teenager explaining things to her mother.
“I’m guessing that you’re RJ,” she said, addressing RJ.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied.
“I’m sorry,” Alexandra said. “I should have introduced you.”
“It’s okay,” Evelyn said. “I recognized him. How are you doing?”
“I’m good,” he replied. “How’s y’all’s season goin’?”
“Not as good as yours,” she replied.
“I’m doin’ alright,” he replied humbly. “Y’all are about to make a break-out yerself, looks to me like.”
“I need to take a top spot yet,” she replied. Alexandra watched the two of them talking about their mutual interest. They understood each other on a level that she didn’t, and for a moment, she felt a pang of jealousy. Evelyn looked at her. “Why don’t you guys go ahead. I’ll feed and get things put away. You need to change, don’t you?”
“RJ says we’re riding bareback,” Alexandra replied.
“That will be good for you, actually,” she answered. “I had thought about showing you before. It’s good for you. It helps you to feel the movement of the horse in a more natural way. It will make you a better rider.”
“We might even get on a couple of bulls,” he teased, winking at Alexandra.
“Get on out of here,” Evelyn said. “You two are making me feel like an old lady.”
“Thanks, Evelyn,” Alexandra replied. “We’ll be back in a little while, so that I can help you get ready for tonight.”
“Don’t sweat it. I don’t race again until tomorrow night,” Evelyn said. “I don’t mind being alone once in a while. In fact, I’m kind of looking forward to a little downtime by myself.”
“Okay,” Alexandra said. “Enjoy your time then. I’ll see you when I see you.”
“I’ll see you later, ma’am,” RJ said. “Best of luck with your season.”
“I appreciate it,” she replied. “Are you riding tonight?”
“Nah,” he said. “I’m just waiting ‘til the shortgo on Saturday night. If I make it in.”
“I think your 92 is a pretty safe bet,” Evelyn replied.
“I hope so,” he grinned. “I’d hate to waste a ride like that.”
Alexandra felt the jealousy beginning to rise again. “Let’s get out of her then,” she interrupted.
“Yeah,” Evelyn said. “Get a move on.”
They started off hand in hand. Within seconds, the two of them were chatting and laughing just like they had the night before. They actually made a decent couple, and Evelyn turned to the chores, wondering if Alexandra had actually tamed a bull rider. “That would be a first,” she muttered.