Page 32 of Cowboys & Horses

“Sophie!”

I ignored him, leaning forwards in my saddle to pat Cody.

“Hey!”

I turned and smiled, acting like nothing was wrong. “Hey.”

“That was not cool, Sophie.”

The smouldering rage in his dark eyes was evident as he glared at me. A deep scowl creased his face and the tension in his jaw gave away a twitching cheek muscle.

Ooops.

Whilst biting my lip to resist the urge to giggle at Brady’s fury, an unwelcome wave began to rise in my stomach. The horrid sensation whirled around and around for a few seconds before the taste of bile burned the back of my throat. A cold sweat grabbed me just seconds before the rancid taste of vomit swamped my mouth.

As soon as I leaned over his shoulder and emptied my stomach contents, Cody stopped, allowing me to use him and the saddle for support. I was now trembling, one clammy palm clasped around the horn whilst I clung onto the fenders with the other. A blunt throbbing started right around my temples, making me want to curl up and hide myself from the pain.

My stomach turned itself inside out, sending up another swell of sick. Sweat was now pouring from me and every ounce of strength I had drained from my limbs. I couldn’t even lift my head up.

A strong arm wound around my waist, giving me some support. “Alright, you’re alright. I’ve got you.”

Through watery eyes, I managed to see the faded blue and yellow handkerchief that Brady placed over my mouth. It smelled just like him—spicy aftershave mixed with the comforting scent of horses and faded leather. I took a deep breath, inhaling what was becoming more familiar to me each day.

What felt like hours passed. My stomach emptied itself three more times. I had nothing left to give and I was beyond exhausted. Somewhere in the midst of my sickly self-pity, Brady lifted me down from Cody and sat me on his lap. The heat from the scorching sand was doing nothing to help my nausea, yet I could only feel for Brady who must have been cooking from the inside out sat on the dusty ground.

With my head leaning against one of his muscled shoulders, he played a soothing rhythm through my hair, gently stroking through my curls. It was so relaxing, I soon gave in to my sore eyes and fell asleep.