N A T E
“That should be it.” Leaning over the rail, I inspected my work. Si had me working on minor adjustments to the exercise paddock used during the equine therapy program.
“Looks good.” Si settled next to me.
Mira was very specific with what she wanted, and we would catch hell if we didn’t do things right. To be honest, I hadn’t really understood the reasoning behind her therapy program until I’d seen it in action. The difference in the kids the second they sat on a horse was striking. I loved watching our little friend Darren come in. He spouted off horse facts and flapped his hands a mile a minute, but the moment he was on top of Molly, his posture straightened and his hands stilled. Other than low mumbling, he was quiet and focused. The change was truly incredible.
Shiloh was expanding the program with sessions for people who couldn’t see.
“How many kids are coming?”
“Right now, it looks like three. It’s a good start. Should keep things manageable until the girls get their bearings.” I couldn’t wait to see Shiloh in action. Before I’d found out she was blind, the vision of her dancing on her horse blew my mind. Now that I knew, I was even more fascinated. The amount of dedication and training it took to get to that skill level was crazy. I had a feeling I would be even more impressed as I got to know her better.
Though we’d worked close to the main ranch all morning, I had yet to catch a glimpse of the woman who had me perpetually hard since the previous night. Our interaction on the porch played on repeat through my mind like a favorite song. Her hands gliding over me as she saw me in her own way might have been the most erotic thing ever done to me. And my clothes hadn’t even come off.
“Fuck,” I groaned, shifting myself in my jeans.
Si gave me a look like I was fucking insane before walking away. “Tell Ryke we need to get some soil samples from the fields. I’ll meet him in thirty minutes.”
Shaking my head, I grabbed my tools and headed to the barn.
The voices became clear as I got closer to the doors. Her laughter sent a thrill through my body as I peeked through the gap to see the source of the beautiful sound. Ryke knelt in front of one of the stalls, screwing some sort of hardware into the wood. Shiloh waited next to him, dragging a long rope back and forth through her hands.
The radiant smile covering her face was something for sure. Her hair was pulled into a low ponytail at the nape of her neck, blonde curls settling down her back. The worn jeans hugged her ass and trim thighs like they’d been made just for her. When she turned toward Ryke, her ponytail shifted enough for me to read her t-shirt. My mind is dirtier than my boots. I almost laughed out loud. This girl was something else.
Opening the doors wide so my presence was known, I walked toward them. Ryke nodded as he attached a large eye screw into the stall. A quick glance revealed a row of them down two sides of the barn.
“Hiya, cowboy.” Shiloh looked straight at me as she spoke, and it had me stumbling.
“How’d you know it was me?” I questioned, stopping in front of them. Without thinking, I lifted my arm and sniffed. “Do I stink?”
“Yes,” Ryke stated without hesitation. I flipped him off and glared before returning my focus to Shiloh. At least she would miss that exchange.
Her soft laughter was like music. The pink tint of her sun-kissed cheeks made my fingers itch to find out if her skin was as soft as it looked.
“No, silly. With the light behind you, I could make out your shape.” She shrugged like it was nothing.
“Wait, you can see shapes?” I thought a blind person couldn’t see anything. To know I was wrong surprised me, and left me curious.
“It’s complicated, but yes, depending on the light.”
With this information, I inched around so the doors weren’t behind me anymore. It was a calculated move, and quite necessary so I could rearrange myself without her noticing. I wanted to ask her more questions, but my twin interrupted me as he stood and told Shiloh he was finished.
“Great! Let me try it out.” Shiloh clipped one end of the cord to the first hook at the end of the stalls and then felt her way to the next one, threading the lead through each eye screw. When she reached the last one, she pulled the rope taut and secured the end.
“What is this for?” I whispered to Ryke.
Her walk back was much faster because her fingers traced the rope, guiding her to the starting point. As she glided along with such confidence, I couldn’t help but wish it was me under those hands. At this rate, I was going to need to sneak away to take care of business.
“It’s to help her students navigate the barn with assurance,” he explained, grabbing his hammer and drill. “Want me to put those away?” He gestured to the tools in my hand.
“Oh, sure. Before I forget, Si said you guys need to get soil samples.”
“Sounds good. Catch you later, Shiloh.” Ryke moved through the barn without a backward glance.
“This is perfect.” When she stopped at the end stall where she had started, happiness glowed on her face.
“That is actually a pretty smart idea.” Seeing the guide rope put to use impressed me, and the simplicity of the design meant it could adapt to more than one circumstance.
“Thanks, I’ve got more tricks up my sleeve.” She smiled at me, and I forced myself not to reach out and touch her.
“What’s your plans for the day?” I asked, not quite ready to go our separate ways.
“I thought I’d take Melody for a ride. Want to join me?”
“Yeah, sure.” This was perfect. “I can show you the ranch. Oh, um. Shit.” I was an idiot. How was I going to show a blind girl the ranch? Smooth one, Nate.
Her laughter brought my gaze to her. “Nate, I would love to see the ranch. Just let me saddle Melody, and I’ll be ready.” She took careful steps toward the tack room.
“Here.” Since her cane wasn’t in sight, I grabbed her arm to help her, but she covered my hand with her own and turned to face me.
“Nate, your first lesson in sighted helper 101 is don’t grab onto a blind person without first asking if they need help. Otherwise, you might land on your ass.” Her face was serious, no trace of a smile, and I realized I’d screwed up again. “Trust me, I can feel your protective streak from a mile away, but doing things for myself is important to me.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.” Would I ever get it right with this girl?
“No problem. I promise I’ll ask for help when I need it. Now, go saddle up your horse, and I’ll meet you when we’re both ready,” she suggested, then turned and counted her paces to the tack room.
After a few seconds of bitching at myself, I followed her to get what I needed, watching as she gathered her gear with ease. Since yesterday, someone had organized things to make navigating the area easier for Shiloh. Her equipment was right inside the door on the left, and Melody was in the stall right outside of the tack room. These changes made complete sense.
I grabbed my saddle and pad and carried them out to Echo. When I was tightening the flank cinch, hooves clopped through the barn.
“Ready?” Shiloh stood outside Echo’s stall, an expertly saddled Melody next to her. This woman was freaking astonishing.
“Yes, ma’am.” Echo and I followed Shiloh and Melody outside, where we mounted our horses. Shiloh pulled sunglasses from a small saddle bag, placing them on and smiling at me.
“Well, Nate, I’m ready for my tour.”
I was seriously in awe of this woman. I hoped like hell I didn’t make an asshole out of myself.
Again.