Curves and the Russian Wrangler (BBW Romance - Coldwater Springs 6) (2 page)

Story of her life.

“Hey, hon, like a top-up?” Betty, the matronly, gray-haired waitress who ran the diner, stopped by her table. Her gaze zeroed in on the bite mark on Amber’s hand. “Are you okay? That looks nasty.”

Amber glanced down at her hand and grimaced. “Barney did that this morning. My horse.”

She still remembered the shock and pain she’d experienced. After feeding Barney, she’d petted him, and he’d bitten her! She’d neglected him lately - heck, since she’d realized a few days ago that she’d been neglecting everything else because she was so focused on her new promotion, she’d promised herself to
put more balance in her life with work and play, and had tried to make it up to Barney this morning. She hadn’t ridden him for a couple of weeks, and apart from a quick pat when she fed him in the mornings and evenings, she hadn’t spent much time with him at all. And it seemed he wasn’t as quick to forgive her as Emma had been.

Betty tsked. “You don’t want him to become a biter, that’s for sure.”

“I know. I’d take him to Cade, but Emma and Cade have gone on vacation.”

The waitress frowned in thought. “What about that new guy? The one who lives near Cade?”

Amber immediately flashed to an image of Mikhail saving her from falling. “Do you mean …” she cleared her throat, “Mikhail?”

Betty snapped her fingers. “Yep. That’s the one. I don’t think we’ve had someone from Russia living here before. Especially such a sexy man.”

Amber tried to keep her expression non-committal. It was bad enough that Emma suspected she had the hots for Mikhail. There was no need for Betty to know as well.

“Is Mikhail a horse trainer too?”

“Uh-huh.” The older woman nodded. “At least, that’s what Arnold in the kitchen told me but I can’t remember who told him.”

Excitement quickened inside her. Maybe she could take her horse to Mikhail and ask his advice. After all, she had to stop Barney’s new biting habit before it became a serious problem. The habit might be a lot harder to break if she waited until Emma and Cade returned from their trip.

“If you see him, tell him to come to the diner so I can have some eye candy. I’ll even give him a cup of coffee on the house.” The waitress patted her hair and winked at Amber.

***

The following Saturday afternoon, Amber managed to load Barney into the horse trailer. The boutique was closed from Saturday afternoon through to Tuesday morning, which gave her a welcome break. When she’d been promoted, she’d thought of expanding the store hours, but reluctantly dismissed the idea when she realized she’d be working seven days per week.

Hopping into her small SUV, she cast a backward glance at the cottage and adjoining few acres she rented on the edge of town. Although she loved her family, she enjoyed living on her own. And having those few acres meant she could look after Barney herself, instead of boarding him at Emma’s, or leaving him at her family’s small ranch, thirty minutes north of Coldwater Springs.

She smiled at the sight in the rearview mirror of Sooty the black-legged, white-bodied sheep munching the grass in Barney’s paddock. Since horses were social creatures, she didn’t want Barney to be lonely while she was at work all day. Sooty helped keep the grass down, and gave Barney company.

She had a vague idea that when it was time for Sooty to be shorn, she could find someone to spin his wool and when she had time, she could try knitting herself a sweater. Perhaps a simple scarf might be easier, though.

As she drove out of town, she grew a little apprehensive. Since she didn’t have Mikhail’s phone number, she hoped he wouldn’t mind her turning up unexpectedly. Another thought flashed through her mind. What if he wasn’t there? If that was the case, then she’d just have to try again tomorrow. And it wasn’t just because the man was so intriguing
and sexy
that she just couldn’t get him out of her mind. She definitely didn’t want Barney to bite her again.

She glanced at her hand gripping the steering wheel, the remembered momentary pain of Barney’s teeth in her flesh shuddering through her. No. She
did not
want her horse to bite her again. Or anybody else, for that matter.

Fifteen minutes later, she arrived at Coldwater Road. Mikhail’s ranch was further along than Cade and Emma’s, and she drove slowly, not wanting to miss the turn-off.

Spying a gate with Green Pines emblazoned on the gnarled wood, she turned into the gravel driveway and drove
slowly
until she reached the house.

Amber parked near the brown painted barn and turned off the ignition. She sat there for a second, trying to breathe evenly. What would she say to him? She gazed through the windscreen but couldn’t see anybody around. Taking a deep breath, she got out of the car and looked about.

There was nobody in sight.

A horse corral was on one side of the barn. Pasture filled with green grass was on the opposite side.

The freshly painted white house was a small distance from the barn. A small porch with an inviting two-seater swing beckoned her to sit down and relax while gazing at the cows and horses in the distance.

It was quiet - too quiet - except for the rapid beating of her heart.

Barney whinnied from the trailer, the sudden sound startling, reminding her why she was here.

She pushed
the car keys into the pocket of her cargo pants and started walking towards the barn.

“Hello? Is anybody here?” She called out, glad that her voice sounded confident. “Hello?”

Mikhail strode out of the barn.

Her breath caught. His dark hair glinted in the sunshine. His eyes crinkled at the corners against the sunlight. He was magnificent in worn blue jeans and a black t-shirt.

“Hi.” She waved, forcing herself to put one foot in front of the other. Her mouth suddenly felt as dry as sandpaper. She hoped she wouldn’t make a fool of herself and stammer.

One thing was for sure - it had been far too long since she’d had a date.

He lifted a hand in greeting, a smile tugging up the corners of his mouth. “Hello, Amber.”

“Hi,” she repeated, her mind going blank. She stared up at him, her gaze tracing his sexy, Slavic features. He looked even better than she’d remembered.

“Did you get my message?”

“What … what message?”

“I called to see if you would like to go horse-back riding. Emma gave me your phone number before she left for Hawaii.” His eyes tracked her features.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket and turned it on. Or tried to. Nothing happened. “The battery must be flat.” Amber bit her lip, annoyed with herself, trying to think back to the last time she‘d checked her phone for messages. A couple of days at least.

“It is no matter. You are here now. But if you did not receive my voicemail, how can I help you?” His eyebrow quirked in enquiry.

She blinked, willing her brain to kick into gear. “Barney,” she said with a whoosh of relief. “He bit me. Betty at the diner recommended you. For training horses,” she added hastily.

Why would he have thought Betty would have recommended him for anything else?

“Let me see.” His Russian accent made her pulse skitter.

She held out her hand, the bite mark still evident on her pale skin. He gently took her hand in his, and brushed his thumb near the injured flesh.

She inhaled swiftly, hoping he hadn’t heard.

“Did I hurt you?” He looked concerned.

“No.” She tried to pass off her reaction with a little laugh, but was unsure she succeeded. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Good.” His thumb brushed her hand again, this time further away from her injury.

Her knees wobbled.

Don’t be silly. You’ve had guys holding your hand before.

But her few and far between boyfriends hadn’t affected her like this.

What would it be like if he kissed you?

Made love to you?

She had to stop her thoughts from spinning out of control.

“I would have asked Cade to help me with Barney, but he and Emma have gone on vacation.” He still held her hand.

“Cade is a good trainer.” He seemed to realize her hand was captured in his and relinquished it. Reluctantly, she thought. Then told herself she was imagining things.

“Let me see your horse.”

“I’ve had Barney for five years,” she told him as they walked to her car. “He’s never done anything like this before. He’s always been gentle.”

“Why do you think he bit you?” he asked, matching his stride to her shorter one.

“I’m afraid I’ve neglected him lately and I haven’t been riding him much.”

“Emma told me you had a big promotion at work.”

She tried not to blush. Had Emma been telling Mikhail about her
?
It would only be because despite Amber’s denials, her friend could tell she was attracted to the man, and was trying to help.

“It’s only a small store.” She tried to downplay her new job. Although she was pleased about her new promotion, it wasn’t as if she were manager of a large department store. Just a cute boutique in Coldwater Springs.

“But your employer must have a lot of trust in you to put you in charge.” A warm flush stole through her at his compliment.

They reached the horse trailer. Barney whinnied, interrupting the moment.

“Ah, yes, Barney.” Mikhail chuckled, then helped her ease the ramp down. “Do you need help guiding him out?”

“He should be fine.” She prayed her horse would behave himself while she led him out of the trailer. Barney had never played up before when it was time to enter or exit a horse trailer, but then, he’d never bitten her before, either. Hoping she wasn’t about to make a fool of herself, she entered the trailer, grasped the lead rope and backed him out of the trailer without incident.

“Hello, Barney.” Mikhail slowly approached the gold colored horse. “Good boy,” he murmured, holding out his fist for the horse to sniff.

The palomino sniffed Mikhail’s outstretched hand, then relaxed, dipping his head.

Mikhail stroked the horse’s nose, murmuring soothingly to him. Shivers tickled her spine at his soft voice, and she wondered what it would be like for Mikhail to speak to her like that.
Delicious.

Her gaze drifted to the Russian’s hand, still petting Barney. She sighed inwardly, wishing Mikhail’s long, tanned fingers stroked her, not her horse.

Stop it.

Telling herself to concentrate on her horse’s well-being, she watched Mikhail as a potential client, not a potential boyfriend. Or at least tried to. He seemed to know what he was doing, and so far, in her opinion, was just as skilled with horses as Cade. Barney stood quietly before him, giving a soft whicker and accepting Mikhail’s petting as his due.

“He is a nice horse.” Mikhail ran his eye over Barney in an assessing manner. “Good lines. Beautiful color.”

“Thanks.” Pleasure rushed through her. She’d bought Barney five years ago through an ad in the newspaper. As soon as she saw him, she’d fallen in love with him. At fifteen hands, his sturdy body was strong enough to carry her comfortably. She’d saved up for quite a while before buying him, and had never regretted her decision.

“If he is good-natured, then he might have been bored and wanted to play. Come. I shall lunge him.” He turned to look at her. “Is that okay with you?”

She nodded, unable to get a word out. His decisiveness made her insides quiver, yet he had also checked with her before doing anything with Barney. Thoughtful and considerate too. Just like her imaginary dream guy.

But, she thought with a wistful sigh, admiring his firm butt in his faded blue jeans as he led Barney over to the corral, how could he be interested in a curvy girl like her? She wore cargo pants with an elastic waist for goodness’ sake, and tried to hide her rounded tummy with tops that draped or skimmed over her stomach and hips. Right now she wore a turquoise t-shirt tucked into her pants underneath a matching blouse, that was
not
tucked in, hoping to disguise her plump hips and stomach.

Surely her lack of boyfriends was a clue that she just didn’t have much
or any
sex appeal? Why would Mikhail be different? He was gorgeous, had a sexy Russian accent, owned his own ranch, and seemed to be skilled with horses. Any girl would be lucky to have him in her life.

It just wouldn’t be her.

She watched Mikhail grab a lunging rope from the barn, then lead Barney into the enclosure. The palomino’s hooves kicked up a little dust as the Russian walked him around the arena, standing in the middle of the enclosure holding the lunging rope. Then he urged Barney into a trot, and eventually a lope.

Amber gripped the wooden railing, watching her horse enjoy the exercise. His blond mane and tail flowed out and his ears were pricked
forward as he cantered around the corral.

Guilt jabbed her once more. Now she had a handle on her new responsibilities at the boutique, she was determined to spend just as much time with her horse as she used to.

“He is going well,” Mikhail called out, gesturing to the palomino.

She nodded, a smile on her face, glad that she’d brought Barney here.

After another ten minutes, Mikhail concluded the session. “I think he’s had enough.” He stroked the horse’s nose.

“Thank you.” She reached out to pet Barney over the wooden fence. “He looks a lot happier.”

“If you give him as much attention as you did before, I don’t think you will have any more problems.”

Amber nodded, noticing his attention had drifted to her hand patting her horse. “How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing.” He shook his head. “It was my pleasure to help you. But perhaps he would like it if you took him for a ride. I have a spare saddle in the barn and I would go with you. There are some horse trails nearby.” He gestured to a narrow dirt track leading to the right of the farmhouse.

Amber caught her breath, her hand stilling on the velvet smoothness of Barney’s coat. She opened her mouth to say yes, when she remembered she’d invited her girlfriends for dinner, and hadn’t had time to prepare anything yet.