Page 7 of Stirring Up Trouble (Saddle Up #1)

Five

Robin

On the first morning at the Anders Ranch, I woke up perplexed. I couldn't remember where I was for like five whole minutes. By the time it hit me, I was damn near panicking. Thankfully, I did some deep breathing and was able to calm down enough to get up and get ready for the day.

I had set an alarm super early after Leslie warned me that Blaze preferred to get on the road as soon as possible. As I was brushing my teeth, I could hear people down the hall moving about and footsteps tromping on the stairs. I wrapped up quickly, not wanting to miss anything going on.

In the kitchen, Ms. Connie bustled about setting out plates covered in pancakes, French toast, sausage, and bacon. There was a huge bowl of scrambled eggs too. Men moved around the room loading their plates high. My stomach growled loudly at all the options. Food options. Not men.

Stomping from behind me stole any embarrassment I felt at the noise. I turned to see who it was. I thought everyone was already down here.

When I looked back, I saw Blaze marching towards me.

My heart skittered at the sight of him, just like it had the day before.

I really didn't know what that was about.

Or rather, I did, and it didn't make much sense.

I had been around the men of the Coleman Ranch for years.

Not once did I want to sink my teeth into them.

And yet, five seconds around Blaze Anders had me ready to pledge my allegiance to whatever he wanted me to sign up for.

My gaze traveled up his body, noticing those well-worn boots, perfectly fitted jeans, and the flannel he had on top.

It was opened a little bit around his neck, revealing a white undershirt and skin that made me want to lick that exposed area.

His face was clean-shaven, which only furthered my vampire-like thoughts.

Why did I want to lick and bite and suck every inch of his deep umber skin? How did he make such basic clothing look like fucking temptation?

It had to be some form of magic. I couldn’t ever recall having a reaction like this with anyone else in my life. No woman had elicited anything close to this. At least none that I could remember.

I could feel myself hardening, and I had to clear my throat while also forcing myself to look the man in the eye. Did he know I was just ogling him? Could he tell that my body was a few seconds away from begging?

His gaze didn't allude to any of that. Instead, he was scowling at me.

My brows rose. The question was on the tip of my tongue begging to come out. What did I do? Why are you angry?

“Are you gonna move?” he asked when I didn't voice my inner thoughts.

I startled, realizing I was blocking the doorway into the kitchen. I shifted to the side, pressing my back against the wall. He huffed and continued storming past.

“Motherfucking visitors,” he mumbled.

It was barely audible, but I heard it clear his day.

So that's what had him upset. Having people in his home, in his sanctuary.

I could understand the reasoning. While my place was small, I didn't often invite anyone over.

Griffin had been by because he was a friend and so had some of the others at the ranch.

It wasn't like I hosted parties though or had several people like Blaze did.

Even though I knew that Bobby Allen, Elton, and I were harmless, Blaze didn't. It would do me well to remember that this man was a stranger and that we were guests at his home for a short period of time to help him with his rodeo.

Locking the thought in place and forcing myself to take one more deep breath, I moved into the kitchen to get my own plate.

Everyone ate as they chatted about the day, excited to see how the rodeo's opening would go.

The sun wasn't even out yet, but you would have thought these people had been at it for hours with how energized they were.

There were several ranch hands and a few small kids running around. It was a controlled type of chaos that I appreciated.

I smiled as one little girl walked up to me and handed me a flower crown. Where the heck did she get flowers at this hour?

"You wear this," she told me. "You pretty."

I thanked her and dipped my head down low enough for her to put it on me. When I rose back up, I found Elton and Bobby Allen grinning at me. Leslie gave a clap as if to say she liked it, and Ms. Connie even patted my cheek telling me I looked precious.

When I searched out Blaze's reaction, I was disappointed to find him still frowning in my direction. The man wasn't happy at all. The night before, he had been open and kind, almost welcoming for the most part. Now it was like he had flipped a switch.

I couldn't figure out what I had done, and I didn't know how to fix it. It would just be my luck that the first man I was ever attracted to would hate my guts. Or maybe it's not hate. Like he said, I am a motherfucking visitor on his ranch. It could just be the inconvenience and not me as a whole.

Maybe when this is all said and done, we'll even keep in touch and be friendly.

Maybe he'll put me out of my misery and take me to bed.

Anything to help with the runaway thoughts I can't escape.

After we finished up, Ms. Connie practically pushed us out the door. The group split up from there. A big chunk of the men went out towards the stables while others loaded up in trucks and headed down the long road leading off the ranch.

Blaze waved Elton, Bobby Allen, and I over to his truck. The big beat-up looking thing had me a bit worried we wouldn't make it there in one piece.

Leslie whistled from where she jumped into her own vehicle and sped off. Blaze actually cracked a smile at that, shaking his head before climbing in.

I sat in the back but then noticed that Elton and Bobby Allen would be separated. Switching with Elton, I moved to the passenger seat while they gathered in the back. I could immediately feel the tension in Elton's body melting away once he was close to his partner.

On the other hand, it was like I absorbed his tension and piled it on top of my own.

Blaze didn't pay me any mind as he pulled away from his home and drove us in the direction of the rodeo. He didn't make conversation, nor did he even go so far as to turn on the radio, which was concerning.

Everyone knew that true psychopaths drove in silence. Why would anyone want to be left to their own thoughts?

It wasn't too long before we pulled up to the arena. Lights illuminated the space, making it visible despite the early hour. There were several trailers already parked there, both of the horse and human variety. I could see tents and booths, even some food trucks along one side.

"Wow," I said softly, taking it all in.

"This looks pretty neat," Elton said from the back as Bobby Allen hummed in agreement.

Blaze didn't say anything. Instead, he climbed out, slamming his door and marching towards the front of the truck.

"What the hell did I do?" I said out loud, turning to look at the couple in the backseat.

Elton bit his lip but said nothing.

Bobby Allen shrugged. "I'm not sure you did anything at all. It's weird. Even Leslie said he was acting strange. Don't let it get you down, Robin." He clapped me on the shoulder, then we all climbed from the truck and followed the path Blaze went.

Considering he had asked us to come help him, it was a bit odd to me that he just stormed off as soon as we got there. No instructions, no questions about what we were good at or how he could be of assistance.

When we reached the check-in desk, we could see things were already in motion.

Leslie jogged up as we were taking it all in.

"You don't want to follow him right now.

He's got his britches in a twist,” she said, rolling her eyes.

"Come with me. I've got a pretty good idea of where you guys should be.

I think that Blaze would agree with me if he weren't being such an asshole. "

Her words had me feeling the slightest bit of relief. I still didn't like the fact that the man was upset with me or our presence in general, but if even his best friend was noticing the difference, then I knew there was more going on.

Leslie got us all sorted out, putting Elton in charge of smaller tasks that would keep him busy and close by while Bobby Allen got sorted with the horses. I was meant to be an extra set of hands for any veterinary services needed.

I was also asked to ride in one of the events.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Leslie smirked. "I personally think it's a great idea. You said that you could ride properly and if you could handle some rope, then why not give it a try?"

"But it's been years," I argued. "I can't be any good anymore."

She put her hands on her hips, presenting the picture of defiance.

"You don't know what you're capable of. I have a feeling there's a lot more to you, Robin, than even you know.

Be a big boy and go out there and wrangle you a steer or something.

Don't let Blaze's bitterness keep you from showing off.

Besides, the love of your life could be at this rodeo.

Don't you want them to see how capable you are, how talented and sexy you can be up on a horse? "

I had snorted at the assessment. Not just because the love of my life being there was a strange concept for me, but also because I knew that the only eyes I wanted on me were those of Blaze Anders.

He was nowhere to be found though. He practically disappeared the moment we arrived.

Since I didn't have any tasks I needed to take care of right away, I went with Bobby Allen to check on all the different horses. We hadn’t brought any animals with us since we were planning on the possibility of bringing at least one animal back if the pickings were good.

I could immediately see a positive change in my friends as we walked through the stables.

As we made our way down the line, I smiled and petted a few of the gorgeous animals. It wasn't until we were near the back that one caught my eye, damn near stealing my breath.

The majestic solid black quarter horse looked like something out of one of my childhood books. It's gaze practically begged me to come forward to touch it.

Bobby Allen hummed as he walked beside me. "Looks like you got yourself a new friend. Wonder if the owner would let you ride?"

A voice from beside us called out, "Ain't no way in hell he's going to let you ride. That there is Blaze’s baby.”

I recognized the man as one of the others from the ranch that morning. He'd been a big fan of the French toast if I recalled correctly.

Ignoring his protest, I approached the horse slowly, my hands out so it could see I meant no harm. When I was close enough, it made a soft noise, then pressed its muzzle against my hand.

My heart melted at the sweetness as I leaned my face down, closing my eyes and breathing in this animal. This beautiful creature who had welcomed me while its owner hated me.

I was so wrapped up in the moment, I didn't hear anyone else approach. Not until there was a bellowed, "What the hell are you doing?" from behind me.

I whipped around, blocking the horse from whoever was that angry. Only I froze when I saw that it was Blaze.

"What?" I asked.

“I said what the hell are you doing? That's my horse. What have you done to her?"

The ranch hand chuckled. “He didn't do nothing, boss. That horse right there practically summoned him over, then went about nuzzling him like he was a stuffed animal. Never seen her do that.”

I looked towards the hand and frowned. "Never? But she's so sweet.”

As I continued to pat her, Blaze's scowl deepened, though he didn't tell me to stop.

The ranch hand shook his head, and Bobby Allen crossed his arms. I could tell from the blank expression on his face he was taking everything in.

He always did this when it came to new horses.

He would let me know if I was in the wrong, wouldn't he?

The ranch hand said, "Yeah, that horse has bitten, kicked, and bucked off just about everyone that's ever come near it. Part of my warning was that it was Blaze's horse, but also that it was just a mean son of a gun. She doesn't seem mean to you though.”

I smiled brightly turning to the horse. “No, she's not mean to me at all. I like her.”

It was quiet for a moment and then the sound of boots thudding away hit my ears. I didn't have to turn to know that it was Blaze leaving.

Bobby Allen approached from my other side. He kept his distance, obviously not wanting to spook the horse. When I looked over at him, his eyes were practically dancing with humor.

“You always been good with animals, Robin? If only it transferred to this one's owner, huh?”

I shook my head. “I don't know what I did, but maybe his horse can convince him later that I'm not a bad guy. It would really suck if the next two weeks were me having to navigate the eggshell wasteland of that man's emotions.”

The ranch hand who eventually introduced himself as Corny told me that I would fit right on in at the ranch.

“You can put up with the boss's bullshit, then you're fine.

The rodeo is just an extension of him. He's real nervous with everything that's happened, but having you all come out to help means a lot. If you need anything at all, just let us know.”

He winked at me before turning around and walking off.

My mouth dropped open as I realized he was probably flirting with me too. When I looked to Bobby Allen, he nodded.

“Yeah, I'd say the fellow's a little smitten, though I don't know how that would go. He might be walking around in someone else's territory.” He walked off before I could get him to explain further.

I stayed with the horse for another moment before following in his wake. I had to get a better lay of the land if this was going to be where I worked for the next couple of weeks.

It also would do me good to not be left alone with the horse of the man who seemed to not like me. I didn't need him coming back and us having some type of confrontation.

Then again, a moment alone with him was just about the only thing I wanted.