She’s My Kind Of Rain (Rawlings Ranch #1)

Chapter 23

23

SAWYER - JULY 3, 2004

The sound of birds and the smell of fresh county air hit me the moment I walk out my front door. Today couldn’t have come soon enough. After a long pressing week, I finally get to have Daisy all to myself. No next-day early wakeup time, no drywall dust covering every square inch of my sweaty body, and no other plans.

Last night, I couldn’t stop thinking about today, so I shot her a text just to remind her that I expected her here mid-afternoon—mostly because I didn’t have it in me to wait much longer.

B THERE SOON 3

Her response is short, but I do my best not to overthink it. I’ve already been overthinking everything else about us enough.

I pace around for a while, unsure what to do with myself while I wait, impatience growing with every passing moment. I settle on the idea that it’s best to make sure my house is tidy—even though I tend to run just as tight a ship as my Pops. I walk back inside and decide my pacing is much better served, confirming that every room in the house is clean. After verifying what I already know, I take a seat at the bar in the kitchen. Tapping my fingers on the counter, nervous that maybe I’m not the only one worried about what our relationship may mean for one another. I feel as if I zone out back into the deep, mental hole I have been digging all week until I hear a door shut.

I see Daisy getting out of her car, and I smile. Just as before, she’s come dressed to impress rather than to ride. She tosses her hair behind her back, displaying the entirety of her shoulders. Her light bronze skin seems to sparkle in the light, every bit of her distracting and beautiful. She wears an ivory-colored, strapless top that is tied in the back, and fitting to her name, she has on rather short denim shorts. My eyes trail down her body as she treks toward my door and my grin tugs wider when I notice her cowboy boots. She may not be a cowgirl, but I sure like the way she thinks they dress.

She reaches up her hand to knock and notices me sitting only a few feet away, so she opens the door without hesitation, beaming so bright, even the sun would be jealous.

I get up to greet her, relief washing over me at the sight of her. It feels so natural, like she’s supposed to be here.

She wraps her arms around my neck, causing me to slump forward to meet her height. Closing the remaining distance between us, she stands on her tiptoes and gives me a hello kiss before her eyes meet mine. For a swift moment, she hesitates, some unreadable emotion flickering to life in her gaze, but just as fast as it came, it’s gone. In the next instant, her lips brush against mine in another soft kiss—something I could get used to.

“Good morning, Cowboy.” The twinkle in her eyes melts my heart even though I’m far from a cowboy .

“Oh, Miss Daisy, you know I’m no cowboy.”

“If you own a ranch and a horse, that definitely makes you a cowboy.” Her face beams with joy, and an innocent but honest thought releases from her lips, “How come you don’t ever wear a cowboy hat?”

I shrug. “Well, that’s simple, I prefer a ball cap.” I think for a second and continue, “But you’re right, you need the full experience here on the ranch. I’ll be right back.”

I head toward my bedroom closet to grab her a cowboy hat—just because they are not my thing doesn’t mean they aren’t incredibly useful for keeping the sun off your neck. And not going to lie, but a part of me wants to see her in my hat.

I snag it off the top shelf and return to the kitchen where I had left her.

“That hat was rather easy to grab for someone who doesn’t consider themselves a cowboy.”

“A hat doesn’t make them a cowboy, Dais. The work does,” I say, placing it on her head. I tilt her chin up to meet my gaze and kiss her gently before pulling away. “You ready to ride?”

She flashes that million-dollar smile, and I can’t help but want her to be mine not just now, but for a lifetime.

After saddling up the horses, I walk both Wrangler and Angel out of the barn into the adjoining corral and tie their reins up around the post just outside the gate. I can see that Daisy is nervous just by how she’s standing. I approach her and wrap my arms around her, pulling her into a hug. Releasing her, I slide my hands down her arms and reach for her palms, stepping backward and lifting her arms in one fluid motion. I give her an obvious scan, up and down.

She grins at the action. “Now what on God’s green earth are you doing, Sawyer?”

“Admiring what’s mine, of course.” I wink and she blushes, her cheeks turning the softest shade of pink. My heart thumps in my chest. Hopefully she didn’t find what I said too corny. Not giving her a chance to say anything back, I ask, “You ever ridden before?”

“Not much, is it obvious?” she shyly questions.

“Well, that outfit of yours tells me you’re either really confident in your knot tying and the skin on your thighs or you didn’t know that you’re going to be bouncing around quite a bit.” I chuckle while giving her the once over one more time. “Now, I’m not complaining one bit, in fact I’m rather happy with your decision, but if it becomes too much, you just let me know and we will find somethin’ else to do.”

I release one of her hands and lead her toward Wrangler.

“So, first things first. Trust is a big thing with horses. They can feel all of your tension. If you’re nervous, he’s going to feel it as well. It’s important to try and relax, trust him. He’ll keep you safe.”

She nods, then lets go of my hand and walks the remainder of the way to Wrangler.

I stop in place to watch her. She confidently, but gently places a hand on his nose to pet him. He nudges her and instead of becoming afraid, she whispers something to him—part of me wishing she was whispering in my ear instead. Leaning in, she places a soft kiss on the bridge of his nose. I faintly hear her tell him he’s a good boy and then she turns toward me, noticing I hadn’t followed.

“You ready?” I ask, and her lips pull up into a bright grin. I stride over to her side and grab the reins wrapped around the fence post. “Need help getting on?”

She doesn’t answer, but instead glides her hand from Wrangler’s face, to his neck, and then up to the horn of the saddle. Placing a foot into the stirrup, she glances at me and winks, swinging her body up and onto his back. The motion is so natural that it seems like she’s done it her whole life. And while it’s something most people wouldn’t pay much attention to, it’s a scene I can’t look away from.

I hand her the reins, while keeping a hold on them beneath his chin as I lead her around in a few circles to get more comfortable before our ride.

“You’ll guide him with your feet more so than anything,” I state, turning back to look at her. “The reins are there to guide him as well, but make sure your grip is loose. He’ll move forward with a slight tap of your heels and turn based on which side you tap your foot or tug the rein. Sit comfortably and try not to lean, this is a joint effort and though he’s carrying you, you don’t want him to feel like he’s the only one doing his job.” She nods. “Keep your eyes on the road and look where you want to go, not where you’ve been. He’s trained really well and he will know the route.” I stop and then hand her the reins. “Ride him around a few times and then we will head out.”

After getting Angel situated and Daisy comfortable on Wrangler, I open the gate and we head out.

Just as I suspected, she’s a natural. The view on this ranch is never disappointing but the view with her on it is mesmerizing. I take her on a trail that I know leads to a field of wildflowers—a place I have wanted to take her since our first date. For the most part, it’s quiet as we ride. Daisy is too distracted by the landscape, and I’m more than a bit enthralled with watching her. Seeing the way she interacts with the world fills me with a sense of wonder. Everything about her is relaxed, content. And so, instead of bombarding her with at least a dozen questions I have for her in my mind, I remain silent, choosing to watch her instead.

We reach the clearing and I slow Angel to a stop by a big oak tree, Daisy and Wrangler settling beside us. I jump down to the ground and tie both of the horses to the tree and reach for Daisy’s waist to help her off my horse. I know she’s capable, but touching her has been on my mind for far long enough.

I grab her hand and walk her toward a blanket I laid out this morning. Pop’s guitar case and a basket filled with easily all my favorite snacks rest beside it. Something my Pops said he used to do with my Nan and later my mother too.

We both sit down. Amazement consumes her expression and I take in every detail of her while she takes in every detail of our surroundings.

“Sawyer, this is so perfect. Nothing you do is ever short of beautiful.” She smiles, turning toward me with glassy eyes.

I lean forward and kiss her. Reaching up to weave my fingers in her hair and guiding her even closer to me. I want to consume her. I want her to be mine forever.