Page 4 of Lasso Lovebirds (Rainbow Ranch #4)

beau

The next morning thankfully didn’t start with a tornado.

I kissed Dolly’s soft nose as I offered her an apple.

It crunched as she bit into it, her tail swishing with the contented happiness I took pride in seeing from our horses.

I rubbed my hand up the bridge of her nose, her hair soft as velvet.

Dolly was my horse, a gorgeous Palomino Appaloosa mare with the temperament of sunshine and rainbows.

She made a damn good roping partner, too.

“You’re a good girl,” I said softly. “Should I get you another? Probably shouldn’t, huh? Everyone else will be jealous.”

“Someone’s lucky.”

My head twisted in surprise. Sky stood in the doorway to the stables, their expression brightening as they looked around. I smiled as they came closer, their eyes darting to Dolly.

“Morning,” I greeted. “How’d you sleep?”

“Good,” they said. “Really good.”

“Want to give her an apple?” I asked, pulling one from my pocket.

I’d never tire of seeing someone light up at the opportunity to interact with the horses. Sky grinned and took the apple, their fingertips brushing mine. Sparks skated across my skin, my breath hitching as they offered it to Dolly.

“Oh my god,” they giggled as she bit into it. “Wow. She’s so gentle.”

“Have you ever been around horses? Or on a ranch?” I asked curiously.

“Nope. This would be the first.” Their cheeks were rosy, and their wide smile made my chest flutter with butterflies. “I always wanted a horse growing up, though. Definitely told my parents at some point I’d grow up to be a cowgirl.”

I chuckled. “You’d look good in my hat.”

Did I really just say that? My pulse raced as Sky’s sunny smile turned into a smirk.

“Are you flirtin’ with me, Beau?” they asked.

My cheeks turned beet red. “I’m not very good at it, am I?”

“I think you’re adequate,” they teased. Their eyes skated from my hat down to my boots, heat tugging in my veins. “You’re busy, I’m sure, but I’m still learning my way around here. Do you mind pointing me in the direction of the barn?”

Hell, I was busy. But . . .

“How about I give you another tour? If you’d like. Part of my job, really.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to distract you. Pris did a great job showing me around yesterday, I’m just still getting my footing.”

“You’re a welcome distraction, Sky.”

Good god, who was I, flirtin’ like this? I swallowed hard as I rolled my shoulders back, my cheeks hotter than a fresh sunburn. Sky wiped their hands on their denim-clad thighs and then planted them on their hips, glancing around the barn.

“So this is the horse barn,” I said. “We currently have ten horses, and then there’s Dennis.”

“Oh, I need to meet Dennis. Everyone talks about him. I feel like he has to be the size of Texas, but I haven’t seen a horse that big . . .”

I barked out a laugh. “Oh no. Dennis barely reaches my knees. Come on. We’ll go out to the pasture.”

I led them through the double barn doors. Sunshine dappled our shoulders, warming us as we came to the fence. I rested my arms on the top and stole a glimpse at Sky as they climbed up onto the first rung. They leaned over, grinning as they took in the beauty of the pasture.

Everything was verdant green, the sky bright blue above us without a cloud in sight. You’d never know that we’d nearly been swept away yesterday.

A few of the horses roamed freely, nibbling at the grass.

And then there was Dennis.

The moment he spotted us, he came trotting over. Sky’s laugh made my heart squeeze with joy. I climbed up the fence and dropped to the other side, holding out my hand for them.

They wobbled at the top and before they could tumble over, I gripped their hips and lifted them with ease. Sky’s hands planted against my chest, their eyes wide as I put them down.

Ba-dump, ba-dump. My heart was beating out of my chest. Their lips looked so damn soft—I nearly leaned down to kiss them.

Get a hold of yourself.

Dennis ruined the moment by butting into my shin.

“Hey,” I grunted and stepped back, shaking my head as I looked down at our famed miniature horse.

Dennis the menace, our pride and joy, and resident troublemaker.

“Welp,” I said. “This is Dennis.”

“Oh my god,” Sky squeaked, bending over to pet the top of his head. “He’s so cute. The cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Dennis butted me again, snorting as they ruffled his dark mane.

His glossy black coat glistened, clearly having been brushed today.

I glanced up, spotting Benny across the way in the smaller pasture that was for riding horses.

He was currently giving Sassafras, a beautiful brown mare, a good ride around.

“He does well at the rodeo,” I chuckled.

“I’m sure. You know, I’ve never gone to a rodeo.”

“Really? Well, you’ll get to in a couple weeks if you’re still here. There’s also Y’all Pride Picnic the first weekend of June. Fingers crossed we get no storms. They’re always a lot of fun.”

“I’d like that,” they said softly.

Dennis turned his full attention to them and my brows shot up as he gave a soft snort and softly nudged them. For such a tough little horse, he was being gentle.

Horses always knew what we needed. That was something I knew to be true. I’d never forget the day after our parents passed, I’d broken down while working with Dolly. She’d given me a gentle nudge and then a good horse hug, offering the comfort I needed in that moment.

“He loves you,” I said, shaking my head. “He terrorizes the rest of us.”

Sky beamed and then straightened, turning to look around the pasture. “This place is so big.”

“It is,” I said. “We do a lot with it though. Aside from the rodeo, we offer support for foster children that need a place to feel safe. We also have artist retreats, star gazing, the picnics. I’m grateful for all we get to do with this place.”

“It’s special,” they whispered. “I’ve never been to a place like it.”

Stay. I fought saying that aloud, but it still nearly slipped out.

Sometimes, things just felt right. And seeing Sky standing in front of me with the ranch stretching behind them—it felt like they belonged here.

Ma used to say when you know, you know. There were days I felt devastated all over again that we’d lost her and Pa in the same moment, but I knew in my heart that in a way, it’d been a blessing. Those two were never apart, and it would have been a slow death if one of them passed before the other.

That kind of love was why Rainbow Ranch was what it was.

The four of us had never struggled the way other people do to feel loved.

Even being openly queer, we’d never faced questions from loved ones.

I’d never forget when Boone came out—of course, I’d already known.

I was his twin. Just like he’d known about me, too.

I rubbed the ache in my chest absentmindedly.

“It looks like the weather for the next couple days will be fully clear in the area,” Sky said. “So I can help Pris out and earn my keep.”

“I’m sure she’d appreciate the help. Winnie and Boone sometimes lend her a hand when they’re able to, but she keeps that part of our ranch going. Between the crops and the garden, she’s got everything down to a science. Smarter than all of us put together, I swear.”

“I believe it,” Sky said.

“Let me show you a couple other things,” I said. “Then I’ll deliver you to her.”

Sky nodded eagerly and I nodded my head to the fence.

“We can go through the gate this time,” I said.

“You mean you don’t want to manhandle me again?” they teased.

I could feel the blush creeping everywhere. “Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or?—”

“You didn’t,” they said quickly. “I liked it, Beau.”

Before I could get another word in, they went to the fence, climbed it with ease, and hopped down to the other side. They tossed a wink over their shoulder— and damn, if I wasn’t already a goner.

Twenty-four hours. I’d known Sky for twenty-four hours and I felt like I was tumblin’ straight into a canyon of desire.

Dennis snorted, looking up at me like he knew what I was thinking.

“Shush,” I mumbled, shaking my head as I hopped the fence.

“Alright, cowboy,” Sky said. “Where to next? Oh, I meant to ask—should I move my van somewhere?”

“We can move it to the garage if you want. That’s where I park the truck.”

We fell into step next to each other and I matched my strides with theirs.

My legs were a lot longer, so we ended up in an easy walk on the gravel road past the horse barn, then the regular barn, until we came to another fence.

This one had a gate though, and I unlatched it, the metal screeching on its hinges as we went through.

“We’re having a bonfire tonight,” I said. “If you want to join us. I think Boone is whipping up s’mores.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Sky said.

A comfortable silence settled between us as we made our way to the roundabout in front of the house. The van sat there, with the keys still inside.

“Want to see it?” Sky asked.

I had to admit, I was curious. The van was like something out of the Twisters movie.

“Sure,” I said.

Sky opened up the side door, revealing the inside. I leaned in, humming as I took in the equipment. “I trust everyone on this ranch with my life, but we probably should have put this in the garage yesterday,” I winced. “Some of this looks pricey.”

“Some of it is,” Sky said. “Most of it is photography equipment.”

“How long have you been doing this?” I asked.

“About three years,” they said. “I got out of college and hit the road.”

“Is it rude to ask how old you are?” I asked.

Sky snorted. “Maybe, but I don’t care. I’m twenty-six. You?”

“Thirty-five . . .”

They wiggled their brows. “An older man.”

I shook my head and braced my hand on the top of the van, leaning against it. “You’re trouble, aren’t you?”

The corner of their mouth tugged. “Maybe sometimes.”

Maybe all the time.

“Well,” I mumbled. “Let’s get the van moved, and I’ll show you the garden. I’m sure Pris is already over there.”

Sky nodded. “Sounds like a plan to me.”