CHAPTER NINETEEN - Cami
Maybe this was a mistake.
I can’t help but doubt myself as Trick and I lead the horses out of the stable. I thought I could handle just being his friend, especially when he is so determined to keep me at arm’s length to preserve his job. I mean, his interest in me is obviously not that strong or he wouldn’t be thinking about his job first, would he?
For whatever perverse reason, that makes him all the more appealing. And then seeing him with the horses…
Ohmigod! Think about something else!
I can feel my face get hot. Again. I don’t think I’ve blushed as much in my entire life as I have since meeting Trick. And it makes it even worse that I know he likes it. For some reason, that excites me. I want him to like it. I want him to like me, want him to want me. I shouldn’t. But I do.
Without another word, we stop just outside the huge stable doors and mount our horses. Trick looks at me and smiles. He pauses and I see his eyes dart to Titan’s head. I’m not sure if he’s worried that I’m upsetting the horse or that I might be riding an upset horse. Either way, he looks satisfied to see that Titan’s expression and body language are completely devoid of any signs of temper.
“So, where are we going?”
“I thought we’d take them up to the lookout.”
I’m impressed that he knows the land so well. He must’ve explored the trails quite a bit to know where the lookout is. I’m also a little thrilled by the idea.
Even though you shouldn’t be. You know this is a bad idea.
“Sounds good,” I say, ignoring the voice of reason.
Trick gives me a cock-eyed grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “The question is: can you keep up across the open field?”
I feel Titan shift beneath me, his muscles bunching like he’s telling me he’s up to the challenge. Runner is prancing anxiously under Trick, too. “You’re on.”
Without giving him a chance to respond, I tap Titan’s side with my heels and he takes off. I urge him into a run. Fast as lightning, we blaze a trail across the grass. The brisk wind is whipping my hair, the setting sun is warming my face and carefree happiness is bursting from my heart. I don’t question it; I just go with it.
Titan’s rippling body is nothing but power beneath me. He’s carrying me away from the world, with only Trick at my side. I glance to my left and see that he’s watching me. He smiles, a smile that could nearly unseat me, and then, much to my surprise, he moves easily ahead of me.
I urge Titan faster and he responds. But not enough. With every second that passes, Runner moves further and further away.
When he reaches the tree line at the trail head, Trick pulls Runner to a stop and turns to wait for me. I’m only a few seconds behind, but still…
“Wow!” I say when I bring Titan to a halt. “He can run!”
Trick leans down and pats Runner’s neck lovingly. “He’s got what it takes. He’s just a little rough around the edges is all.”
Trick’s expression makes me wonder if that’s how he sees himself—like he’s got what it takes, but he’s a little rough around the edges. Obviously, people see something in him or he wouldn’t be here. My father is very picky about who he lets work with his horses. But he’s also one of those people you can rarely ever satisfy. It makes it hard, especially for those who don’t know him like I do.
“Still up for a trip to the lookout?”
“I’m game if you are,” I reply.
Trick grins, that grin that makes me want to eat him up even though I barely know him. “Oh, I’m game all right.”
With that, he nudges Runner onto the trail and I follow. When the path widens, Trick moves to the left so I can ride alongside him.
The horses are enjoying the leisurely walk. The woods are quiet around us, but I feel like every living creature in a ten mile radius ought to be able to feel the tension between us. It’s practically tangible and completely irresistible.
“So how long have you lived around here?” I figure the question is innocuous enough, hopefully enough to camouflage my intense interest in him.
“All my life. Well, except for the past few years.”
“Where were you then?”
“College.”
“Seriously? What school?”
“Clemson.”
“What’s your major?”
“My major was veterinary medicine.”
“Was? Aren’t you going to finish?”
Trick shrugs. The gesture is nonchalant, but his face tells the real story. This is a sore subject, something he’s not very happy about.
“Maybe someday.”
“How much longer do you have?”
“Less than a year. Just a few classes actually.”
“What? Why would you not finish then?”
“Things happen. I’ll finish one day.”
“What could be so important that it can’t wait a few months until you finish school?”
He glances over at me, his expression unreadable. “Family,” he says, dead pan.
“Surely they understand. I mean—”
“It’s not a matter of them understanding. It’s a matter of a dispute against my father’s insurance money after all these years and my mother being unable to make it on her own.”
I flinch a little at the bitterness in his voice. Of course, I’d probably be bitter, too.
Pieces of Trick start clicking together. The sad thing is, the more I’m around him, the more I get to know him, the more fascinating and perfect the picture becomes.
“So you put your life, your future on hold to come back and work to help her until…”
“Exactly.”
We both get quiet after that. I’m lost in thought, as I’m sure Trick is. Even though I feel bad for him—having to give up his dream when he was so close—I respect him so much for putting his family first. I don’t know many people who would do that, especially not people his age.
I think of Brent. He’s a good guy, but can I see him doing something so selfless? Sadly, I can’t say for sure that he would.
As I’m thinking back over the conversation so far, something occurs to me.
“Your dad’s insurance money? What happened?”
Trick says nothing, just looks over at me. His face is pretty much blank. He doesn’t look mad. Or sad. Or irritated. He just looks…like he’s thinking. I wonder if he’s considering how much to tell me.