"Are you okay, Abbi?" he queried in a low, soothing, sexy voice.
How could she not feel okay with him by her side, behind her, hugging her, holding her? Her spine tingled as they rode and he held her firmly. She had to throttle the naughty thought out of her mind of Chad and her, alone together, naked in bed in a similar position with him behind her—or she, sitting on top of him.
She nodded. "I'm okay," she assured, drawing in a deep breath.
Abbi tried to swallow the lump that lingered in her throat. Chad held her firmly and held her hands at the reins together with her. She couldn't get out of her mind what was happening right now. There was a time she’d be terrified of riding a horse or a motorcycle or anything adventurous. But she was really doing this. And Chad was there by her side making sure she was okay.
"Wow, this feels really relaxing," she said as they moved out onto the trail. The gentle breeze whisked her hair under her riding helmet. The cool breeze was quite relaxing. And the scent of Chad's sexy cologne soothed her senses.
"I told you it would be pretty good, didn't I?”
She still felt a little bit nervous as they rode coming to a stream crossing. "Can the horse cross over the stream?"
He laughed. "Of course she can."
"Told you I’m new to this."
"It's okay,” Chad reassured her. “You'll get used to it. You know horseback riding is good for you in many ways."
She was eager to learn so much more from Chad. And she wanted to take her mind off the fact that this was her first time riding a horse and she heard about all the things that could go wrong if the rider was nervous. Not that Chad would be nervous, of course. But she herself was a little bit terrified inside. What if the horse kicked her off? Of course that would be silly to even think about.
"I thought you could use this little break."
"You seem to know a lot about what's good for me and what you think is good for me." She arched her brow, playfully.
"Well, you work so darn hard, I figured you really needed a break and a relaxing one at that. I can read people like books sometimes."
"Oh really now, and what can you read about me?”
"A lot."
"Such as?"
"You try really hard to please everyone. And that's not always possible."
"Oh really?" Abbi was truly enthralled by this man. He seemed so bold and daring. But he really had her pegged, didn't he?
How on earth did he figure out that she was always trying to please everyone?
"You love your family and that's a good thing. I recall you sending money to your sister. Sorry, but I kind of overheard your conversation the first day we met."
"You're so right. But you’re also right about me needing a break."
"And besides, I think it's important that staff take care of themselves here. And there’s nothing more relaxing than horseback riding. Especially out here out on the nature trail. I really wanted you to see this. I saw how good you were with the dog in the tree; you seem very fond of animals."
"You're so right about that, too,” she said as they continued to ride on the trail with the horse. The horse had splashed into the stream, and it was such an invigorating feeling. It was just the two of them and nature. What could be more exciting? This was so romantic. If only they were a real couple, of course. She knew she couldn't get close to anyone right now either. She had a whole lot of baggage. But this was really motivating. Just what she needed.
"You know, this is really good exercise," he said. "Horseback riding develops balance and it improves your coordination and motor function. Did you know that?"
"Actually, I never really thought of it that way." And that was the truth. She’d always read about horseback riding but didn't realize how therapeutic it was. But she had to do this again. And she'd love to do this with Chad again. It was as if they meshed together so well. They had so much in common. There was such a strong connection. They really enjoyed the same things. Abbi realized this never happened with her ex. So this was what it felt like to be in a mutually-beneficial relationship? Of course, this was all in her mind. Chad wasn't interested in her. And she wasn't in the right place in her life to start a relationship. But oh, if only she'd met Chad last year or earlier. A nice normal guy who appreciated nature and the finer things in life like good health and stopping to smell the roses. Abbi never before thought about taking time out to ride a horse. All her life it had always been about working and always being on the go. This was a nice change of pace. And it warmed her heart to do this with the man who saved her life. Too bad this pleasure wouldn't last too long. After her contract was up, if she didn't get a full-time position, she’d probably never even see Chad again. The thought caused her stomach to clench. But she tried to get her mind away from thinking about that. She didn't want to spoil the mood of their wonderful trail ride. They had a fantastic view of the mountains while they rode through forests and later in the open field. And she enjoyed the earthy aroma of the plants.
"So, what else is horseback riding good for?"
"Well, it helps to strengthen your muscles for one thing. It's good for joint mobility as well as boosting the cardiovascular system. It also helps improve blood circulation and stimulating sensory. I think it was Sir Winston Churchill who once said ‘There’s something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.’"
"God, Chad, you know so much about horses and about exercising."
"When it comes to health and appreciating the good things in life I take nothing for granted. I like to explore new opportunities every day. I always encourage this with the students I used to tutor in Ontario. I find it also helps to increase self-confidence."
"You used to tutor students?"
"Yeah, does that surprise you?"
"Oh no, I didn't mean anything by it. I just… I think it's wonderful."
"I don't really tell many people but I kind of worked with inner-city kids at camp. We pretty much taught them new skills."
"Chad, that's so wonderful of you. I never would have thought… I mean, you seem so humble and so, well, I think you're an amazing person." She hoped they would be able to keep in touch after her gig at the ranch resort.
"No wonder the Belmonts hired you to work here," Abbi said to him. She felt his muscles tense for a moment. Or maybe that was her imagination?
He seemed to change the subject a little bit. “Why don’t we ride over here?” he suggested. Chad guided the horse to the overpass at the stream and into another forest area. They rode on for quite some time talking.
"So what else do you do in your spare time besides helping everybody in your family?" he said.
"What makes you think that I'm helping everybody in my family?" she said.
"I just think you are.”
She looked back at Chad and saw his ocean blue eyes sparkling with amusement. Her pulse leaped with excitement over spending this quality time like this with Chad. God, this man was sexy as sin. But Abbi had to keep her focus. She could tell now why he wanted her out on the trail. It was an excellent way to connect with nature yet again. But it was also an opportunity for them to get to know each other better—without all that distraction around them. Nothing could be more relaxing. But other riders approaching interrupted their moment of solitude.
"I guess the trail tour just started," Chad said.
"This is exciting," she said. She noticed other riders, guests of the ranch resort, riding by. Some were older with silvery white hair. Then there were some young parents with their children. But the kids were about twelve years old and up from what she could tell.
Chad and Abbi enjoyed the rest of their trail ride on the horse. It was an invigorating experience, and he was right, this was amazing exercise for her. It was like a breath of fresh air. Her lungs and her sensory mode got a good workout. Not to mention her inner thigh muscles from riding. It was the best hour spent.
Later, they returned to the horse corral.
"Thank you so much, Chad," Abbi gushed. Her blood coursed with adrenaline and excitement.
"It's no problem," he said casually. Before he could say anything else his expression hardened when he looked past Abbi and saw someone.
When Abbi spun her head around to see who he was looking at, she saw a beautiful woman approaching them. The woman had long, flowing dark hair that was so shiny and silky straight it seemed unreal. The woman was tall and slender and walked as if strutting her stuff on the runway of a Paris show. She looked like a supermodel.
"Hello, baby,” the woman said in a husky low voice.
"What are you doing here?" The sudden cool tone in Chad’s voice caused Abbi to shiver for a moment. This was so unlike the gentle guy who had just taken her on her first beautiful horse riding adventure moments ago. This was unlike the man who’d helped her regain her confidence just now by riding for the first time in her life.
Who was this woman who caused a changing reaction in him?
Ay Mios Dios! Was Chad involved with this woman? This was probably Chad’s girlfriend or ex-girlfriend.
Hello, baby?
Why would she address him that way?
Yet the woman seemed so way out of Chad’s league, which puzzled Abbi. She seemed high-maintenance. And Chad was…well, a maintenance guy who was so sweet and down-to-earth.