Read Online Tumbleweed by Heather Huffman - Free Book Online Page A

Here I worked harder than I ever had in my life, but the sunsets demanded my attention. Tonight, as the stars glittered on an inky backdrop, the insects provided a symphony, and the breeze caressed my cheek, I decided that surely heaven wouldn't be complete without the Ozark Mountains.
    “Thank you for this,” I hugged Ethan briefly but fiercely after we had brushed the horses down and put our things away. “I had an amazing evening.”
    “Good. We'll have to do it again sometime. Just don't tell Jim.” He lightly kissed my nose and then strode away. I floated back to my cabin and fell asleep with a contented smile on my lips.

Chapter Five
    I woke up the next morning completely certain that if my girl parts had not been previously broken, they were now. So that's what Ethan meant when he said I would be sore from the Fox Trotter gait. Huh. I wasn't really sure anymore what I'd thought he was talking about at the time, but I was pretty certain I would have been a little less blasé about it had I known he meant this. The pain started in my calves and ran straight up and around my legs to the inner thigh.
    As I gingerly made my way to the bathroom to grab a hot shower it hit me, I was supposed to get back on a horse today. Well crap. There was no way I was letting Aaron down, so I'd just have to suck it up and do it. A nice long shower and a strong cup of coffee would surely do the trick. Or so I told myself. I was still moving slowly and trying my best not to grimace when Aaron and I made our way to the stables.
    “Hey there.” Ethan tousled Aaron's hair in greeting as he met us at the stable doors.
    “Hi!” Aaron exuded enthusiasm. “Can I ride Jezebel this morning?”
    “You read my mind, kiddo.” Ethan motioned to the horse already cross-tied and waiting for her tack.
    “Who am I on?” My entire body screamed at the thought of climbing back on another bobbing beast.
    “You know, I thought I'd get some time in on Lady today. How about you take Mac out?” There was a twinkle in his eye that told me he knew. If I weren't so relieved to be riding his mustang, I'd be embarrassed that he knew how badly my inner thighs were hurting.
    “Thank you,” I mouthed, almost melting with relief. He tipped his hat, grinned again, and moved on to help Aaron saddle his horse. I made it all the way through tacking up Mac without incident, and we were soon en route. Cheyenne and David met us at the edge of their property and our little procession slowly made our way to what they had deemed the perfect picnic spot.
    The young couple bantered cutely back and forth. Every so often David would give his wife a devil's grin and she would blush prettily in response. I really wanted to hate them both. I wasn't at ease in my own skin when I was their age. I still wasn't. Cheyenne's words from before came back to haunt me, and I tortured myself for the thousandth time – had I given up too easily on my dreams as a girl?
    It was entirely possible that my contentment to blame my parents and circumstance – while letting my dreams slip away – had cost me the life this girl had now. I shook those troubling thoughts off and set my mind to not become jealous of a 22-year-old with a size two behind. What a waste of a good horseback ride.
    Something about being in an open field on the back of a mustang made me forget how sore I was. I don't know why, but it was exhilarating to watch the cattle startle and then part like the Red Sea as we approached.
    Mac's entire body changed whenever there was a cow within range. His muscles were suddenly more taut, his expression alert. He was waiting for a cue from me, I could sense it. I'd heard of a horse having cow sense but hadn't really known what that meant. Even a fool like me could tell this horse had cow sense.
    The pasture leveled out some and Ethan clucked his tongue. Immediately Lady responded by picking up the pace. The other horses were quick to join her and I found myself riding at a lope.