“I’m sorry. That was a really nosey question, wasn’t it?”
His lips twist into a wry grin. “It’s all right. I, uh, I just…” He trails off and his discomfort with the subject starts making me uncomfortable, too. He continues before I can change the subject, though. “My father killed himself a few years back.”
And he drops the bomb. Just like that.
CHAPTER TWENTY - Trick
I watch Cami’s mouth open and close a half dozen times. It was mean to do that to her. I know how hard a time people have trying to find something to say after that. But she asked.
I’m not sure if I wanted her to know so it would scare her off or because I don’t want her thinking I’m a complete loser. The problem with the second is that I shouldn’t care.
But I do. Too much.
“Trick, I…I’m…I really…”
“Look,” I say, stepping in to let her off the hook. “It was a long time ago. Don’t worry about it. It is what it is. Doesn’t change what’s happening now.”
“Your poor mother…”
“Yeah, she’s had it kinda rough. Grace, too. Luckily, she was pretty young, so she’s doing all right now.”
“Grace?”
“My younger sister.”
“How old is she?”
“Ten.”
“Does she…I mean…”
“Nah, she’s doing great. She’s a freakin’ mess, but in a good way, I guess.” I laugh, thinking of how excited she gets just waking me up. That’s proof that she missed me, that she needs me at home. At least for a little while longer.
I can tell Cami’s still uncomfortable. She’s frowning like she’s trying really hard to think of something to say.
“So what about you? Where are you going to school?”
“University of Georgia.”
“What’s your major?”
“It was pre-law, but I changed it to business.”
“Ahhh, planning a hostile takeover of the family business?”
Cami laughs. I love the sound. It’s throaty and sultry. Makes me want to do more things to make her laugh just so I can hear it.
“Knowing my father…”
“So that’s what you were doing earlier, going over the books.”
She squints over at me, a little smile playing along the edges of her lips.
“How do you know? Maybe I was lying in wait.”
“Waiting to charm the first person through the door. Is that it?”
Her grin develops, showing off her pretty teeth. “Did it work?”
“Yes, but it was a wasted effort.”
“And why is that?”
“You already had me with that wet t-shirt of yours.”
She giggles and looks away, but not before I can see her cheeks turn pink. Oh God, how I’d love to drag her off that horse and onto mine, have her wrap those long legs around me and…
I adjust in my saddle. Thoughts like that aren’t going to do me a bit of good.
She clears her throat. “So, how is it that you came to know so much about horses?”
“My father used to be in the business.”
Her head jerks toward me. “Really?”
I nod. “He had a financial partner, but he did all the work with the horses on a rented farm. I went with him a lot at night and on the weekends. He used to tell me I was meant to work with horses. Seems like he was right. Here I am.”
“Do you like it? I mean working with the horses here?”
“I love working with horses. It’s what I was going to specialize in after school. As for working here,” I pause, just to see what she does. After a few seconds, she glances at me from beneath her lashes.
She just can’t help but be sexy.
“I’m discovering it has its definite…benefits.”
She grins. “Is that right?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say in my best Southern drawl.
“And what would those be?”
Good God, she’s teasing me!
“The view around here is very nice for one thing. Rounded hills, lush valleys, gently-curving roads, tight, firm…turns.” I look over at her from the corner of my eye and grin. “And sometimes there’s a hint of strawberry in the air. Makes my mouth water.”
“Wow, it, uh, it sounds pretty spectacular when you put it like that. But I’m sure it’s just a plain ole place, much like any other.”
“See now that’s where you’re wrong. This place is special. I knew it from the start. This is the kind of…place that gets under your skin and won’t let you have a moment’s peace until you give into it.”
“But you don’t want to give into it.”
“I didn’t say that. I said I couldn’t give into it. There’s a big difference.”
She looks away. I see her chest rise and fall like she sighed. “I guess it’s for the best then.”
“We’ll see.”
If I had been watching the trail and not looking at Cami, I’d have seen the snake in enough time to warn her. But I didn’t.
Cami and I are both relaxed on our horses, neither prepared for Titan to freak out. But he does. It happens so fast, I can’t stop it.
I hear Titan snort just before Runner feints to the left. Titan screams, backs up a step and rears up on his hind legs, tossing an unsuspecting Cami onto the ground before he starts backing up.
My heart leaps up into my throat. It’s like I see him backing up in slow motion, making his way toward Cami who is lying in the dirt, stunned.
Reaching over, I slap Titan’s hind quarter as hard as I can, sending the horse barreling forward. One big foot mashes a hoof print into the snake’s body. I doubt he’ll be doing much striking in the future.
I hop off Runner.
Cami is sitting up, trying to catch her breath. I’m sure landing the way she did knocked the wind out of her.
She’s gasping when I reach her. I squat down and pull her gently into my arms.
“Are you okay?” I rub soothing circles on her back. Her breathing grows deeper and more even as she calms down.
“I-I’ve n-never been thrown off b-before. I don’t know wh-what happened,” she stutters, still a little breathless.
“You were overcome by my wit and charisma. It’s my fault. I should’ve warned you.”