Page 47 of Cowboys & Horses

Despite it being barely nine am, the heat threatening to roast us was unreal. A light sweat had already broken out on my forehead by the time we’d been walking for ten minutes. We meandered down a paved trail, marvelling at the wonderful sights around us. My heart skipped a beat as Brady’s hand found mine, holding me in a tight grip.

“Don’t worry,” he said, looking at me. “There’s something specific I wanted you to see. It’ll be too hot soon to stay much longer.”

I frowned, wondering what he wanted me to see. He led me off the track, taking me over to a clump of grey stones. More of them were scattered all over the steep hillside. As I stepped closer, I gasped, delight whipping through me. “Petroglyphs!”

He nodded, smiling. “I thought you might like them.”

I gazed at the marvellous creations, lingering over the white lines depicting strange pictures carved into the rocks. It amazed me that what they could have meant to people all those years ago probably now meant the opposite to us. Perception is a funny thing. It was as I thought over this point that a light bulb switched on inside my head. It didn’t matter what other people thought I should do with my situation—it was how I perceived it and how I would continue to perceive it that mattered.

I fell silent as I became immersed in my thoughts, thinking a little too deeply as usual. Brady led me around the gorgeous history laid out on the ground, beads of sweat trickling across his bronzed skin. After nearly an hour, I was ready to ask to head back to the truck. The heat was just unbearable. Even though I’d put sun cream on, I could still feel myself burning. A headache had started pounding at my temples and my throat screamed for some cool water.

Seeming to read my mind, Brady led us back to the truck. Settling inside, I laid my head back against the head rest and closed my eyes. When the ice-cold breeze of the air conditioning hit me, I groaned in relief.

My phone began ringing, jumping me out of my oblivion. I reached for it with an irritated sigh. Flipping the screen up, my heart stopped.

Ben.

Feeling Brady’s curious stare, I felt I had no choice but to answer it. “Yes?”

“Hello to you too, darling.”

I ground my teeth together. “What do you want?”

“I was just wondering where you are?”

“None of your business.”

A soft laugh drifted down the phone. “No, I mean I know where you are. I just wondered why you’re not here.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m in your room, Soph. Waiting for you.”