Page 14 of Ropers Can’t Tie Knots (Kissing Ridge Cowboys #3)

ten

Hunter

“ D o you want to keep practicing?”

Levi, my new roping partner’s voice, is somewhere in the background, but thoughts of Gabe keep distracting me. It’s only been a week since we went dancing, and for the first time since my grandmother died, I felt comfortable back in the Happy Badger.

I’d avoided it for so long because I convinced myself it would be too hard. The memories would swamp me with grief, and I never wanted to return. But it wasn’t like that at all.

Happy times with my grandmother exploded, and I shared them with Gabe over dinner.

Patrons who danced when I was still a young boy were there, so pleased that I was back.

The feelings of belonging surfaced for the first time since she died, and it wasn’t the grief-filled journey I thought it would be.

All because Gabe simply asked me on a date so I could teach him to dance.

“I’m not on my game today, Levi. Sorry about that.” I pull up my horse next to him, and his youthful face gives no hint of disappointment.

“Shit, don’t be sorry. I’m not at my best either, but I will be by the time rodeo day hits.” He practically bounces in his saddle. “I know I’ve said it before, but I can’t believe you agreed to partner with me. I’m so fucking amped for this weekend.”

“I’m still just a guy, Levi.”

He shakes his head. “No, you’re not. You’re a legend, Hunter. This is your chance, and mine too, to come out on top.”

I don’t want to kill his enthusiasm, but he’s gotta know a single rodeo doesn’t get an invitation to the national finals. “Levi…it’s one rodeo. Kissing Ridge is big, and the money can be decent, but it won’t vault you to finals. You need to collect points for that.”

“Yeah, I know, but this is still amazing, Hunter. I grew up watching you. You’re a legend.”

“Ugh, don’t make me feel so old.”

He snort-laughs and leads his horse out of the ring. “You’re only as old as you feel! But I’m fine ending for the day. Text me if you want one last round before tomorrow.”

After acknowledging that, Levi gets to work cooling down his horse, and I cast another glance at the house. Gabe’s car is there, and I wonder if he’d like to step out of his comfort zone again and enjoy a bit of the country?

I’ve replayed that dance date in my mind far too many times, and I know I want to return the gesture somehow. It might not be romantic, but I think he’d like it.

Hitching Dixie to the fence, I promise to be back in a few and jog over to the house.

I find Gabe inside with a book and his feet up in the living room.

Despite it being late summer, he has a blanket across his legs and a mug nearby of what I assume is a warm beverage.

He looks good here, like this, in my home.

“Hey, done for the day?” Gabe asks as he sets his book aside .

“That bit I am. I was…” Oh god. I’m actually asking him on a date, aren’t I? I should have thought more about this before waltzing over here without a solid plan.

“You were…?” Gabe prompts.

“Would you like to ride me? With me! Fuck.” Running a hand over my face, I stare at the ceiling while I recover from my slip-up.

Maybe I should have taken him to bed after that dance night instead of keeping my distance.

I wanted to, but Gabe had me feeling off-centre that night, and even though I wanted nothing more than to come so hard I’d forget my name, I paused and went to bed alone.

That’s not like me, and it’s all Gabe’s doing.

“You want me to take a ride with you? Sure. Where to?”

“On a horse. Do you want to ride a horse with me?”

Gabe’s eyes widen. “Uh…so…I’ve never been on a horse. Shocking, I know.” His throat bobs as he stands and walks closer to me. “But if you think I can handle it and will be there in case I’m in trouble, then yes. I’ll ride with you.”

A thrill mixed with something else I can’t name courses through me, and I nod.

“Cool. Yeah, I’ll be there. You can ride Dixie, and I’ll saddle Mack.” I turn to leave, but Gabe calls out to stop me.

“Hunter? Do I need to wear anything…special?”

“Jeans. Boots.” I pause. “Do you have a hat?”

“I have some ball caps.”

“Bring one of those then and meet me up at the barn in about fifteen minutes.”

Gabe acknowledges, and I return to the barn just as quickly as I left. Levi is just pulling away with his horse and trailer, and I breathe a sigh of relief that he doesn’t see me acting like a bumbling idiot around the man whom I already call my husband.

Mack comes easily to the barn with a promise of a carrot, and once she’s secure, I throw myself into getting her saddled while trying not to think of the man inside who has somehow made me consider what it would be like to be married for real.

I can’t deny that I enjoy having someone here. Sharing meals, brewing extra coffee in case he wants to take a mug to work, and even answering my random questions when I’m stuck with my crossword puzzle. Gabe just fit right in, even when I didn’t want a roommate.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the guy.

But Gabe makes me think too much about the what ifs for the future, and that scares the fuck out of me.

I want to keep him around, but what happens after a year?

We’re just friends with benefits? Would the benefits even continue?

Because as much as I’ve wanted more of him after our first few months of fake married bliss… I wanted more of him away from that.

“Can I help?”

Gabe’s soft voice draws me from my thoughts, and when I turn, he stands in the doorway looking like the most delicious of country boys I’ve ever seen. If he couldn’t see me, I’d bite my knuckle over his level of hotness.

Gabe has the best brand of boots. I can tell just by looking at them, and I’m happy he spent wisely.

His jeans are still so blue they’ll probably bleed in the wash, and his shirt is a faded red with the image of a hot sauce bottle on it and the phrase, ‘ Hot Stuff ,’ stretched across his chest. Which I agree with because the ball cap alone suits Gabe more than any custom-tailored suit could .

“You bought a pair of boots. How do you like them?”

Smooth. Compliment his boots. I’m such a jackass.

“I haven’t worn them much, but I got the rounded toe ones because they looked more comfortable? I think?”

“They’re very comfortable.” I clear my throat and motion for him to say hello to Mack. Gabe’s soft smile as he cautiously approaches Mack is everything, and he seems more comfortable than last time. Mack even stretches out to him with a soft nicker, and I raise an eyebrow.

“I don’t have anything today, Mack. Can we still be friends?” Gabe pets her head with a fond smile.

What the hell?

“Is there something you’re keeping from me, counsellor?”

Gabe pats Mack like he’s been around horses forever, and he’s definitely not as nervous as the first time.

“Since you showed me where the carrots were, I come out every day and visit them. Even Lewis.” When I remain silent, he rushes on.

“Is that okay? It’s not bad for them to have a carrot a day, is it? ”

“Uh, yeah. I mean no. It’s all fine. It’s…when do you do this that I don’t see you?”

I’m literally out here whenever he could be. How has he done this without me knowing?

He shrugs. “When you’re inside. Usually in the shower or when you’re out at Jackson’s. It’s always different, and you’re never here.”

I honestly don’t know what to think about him doing this. I’m definitely impressed, but I’m also confused and rather than grill him about it right now, I just lead Mack out to where Dixie waits .

After tying Mack, I motion for Gabe to come to the side of Dixie.

She does the same thing as Mack and greets him with a snuffle that puts the biggest smile on his face.

You can give me gifts, cook me dinner, and any number of things most people would consider a gift, but to love my horse and she shows affection back? There’s nothing to top that.

“You trying to steal my girl, Gabe?”

Gabe dips his head, and Jesus Christ, his neck turns a pinkish shade right there in front of me. What the actual fuck?

“I’d never, Hunter. I just wanted to get comfortable around the animals you spend most of your time with. You said they’re your family, and that’s important. I never thought I’d get to ride one.”

The warmth in my chest has to be because of the late-summer temperature and a lack of water intake. That’s all it is.

“You can’t be married to a cowboy, live at a ranch, and never ride a horse. That’s just not possible.”

Tapping his leg, I point to the stirrup. “Put this foot in the stirrup, grab the horn, then push up and swing your other leg over.”

Gabe nods and tries it. He wobbles a little the first time, but sits in Dixie’s saddle, proud as a peacock in the middle of its harem.

“This is so cool! Can we run? I bet that’s amazing!”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “You need to walk and control a horse before you run with it, Gabe. Let’s work up to that.”

I show him how to hold the reins and explain how to get Dixie to stop or to speed up. “She also knows verbal commands.”

After mounting Mack, I look over at Gabe. He’ll be so sore tomorrow, but judging by his smile, he’ll think it’s worth it.

“You ready? ”

“You bet!”

“Here’s the first command Dixie knows.” I click my tongue. “Let’s go.”

Gabe laughs as Dixie moves forward, and he grabs onto the saddle horn. We walk side by side since Mac seems to want to be near him, and I lead us down the side of the main pasture towards the larger field at the back of the property.

Gabe remains quiet with a giant grin on his face, and I don’t know why that just gets me, but it does.

“It’s beautiful out here,” Gabe says the closer we get to the mountains. “I can see why you love it here.”

“It is beautiful. As shitty as the family life was, this was and still is the place that settles all my troubles, you know? When you can find a peaceful place, sometimes it drowns out all the loud noises inside.”