His Outback Cowgirl (Wildflower Ranch Book 4) (8 page)

Sunlight filtered through the old-growth forest and Bridie relaxed into her saddle. It was as though she’d entered another world. A world full of nature’s beauty and peace. A world that would provide her with the solitude and space to say farewell her father. Just like the mountains they’d soon scale, she’d climb to the summit of her grief and then ... let go.

But for now she needed to stay in control and catalogue landmarks as they rode. She’d need to know the best way to travel when on her own. She stopped to take a picture of marks on the bark of a tree. The pine had a slight lean and a small tuft of black fur snagged on a branch stub from where a black bear had rubbed against the trunk. In the past days, when she wasn’t hanging out with Finn, Bridie had talked to Zane about animal tracks and signs.

Soon the trees thinned and the forest opened onto a higher meadow. The breeze carried the sweet scent of beargrass wildflowers. A pair of white-tailed deer hovered at the tree fringe and then bounded into the forest. The horses made their way to where a creek tumbled over water-smooth pebbles. Side-by-side, they strode into the crystal clear water and lowered their heads to drink.

Bridie twisted in the saddle to stretch her lower back.

“Travelling okay?” Ethan asked.

“Yes, all good.” She swiped at a mosquito sipping on her hand. “I wouldn’t be putting your bedroll anywhere near mine tonight unless you need the drone of mosquitoes to sleep. Ever since I’ve arrived I’ve been a mosquito magnet.”

Ethan chuckled. “Which Finn would love?”

“He does. I had to smuggle bug spray into my saddlebag so he wouldn’t think I’d be harming any precious bugs.”

Molly’s bit jingled as she tossed her head and played with the creek water.

Ethan nodded toward the assortment of bags attached to her saddle. “Which bag is your EpiPen in? I’ve read up on how to use it.”

Bridie patted the black bag in front of her right thigh and banished a surge of pleasure at his concern. It wouldn’t matter who he travelled with, if they had an allergy he’d have shown the same sensible care. “It’s in here. I’m sure I won’t be coming off second best with any bee but thanks for being prepared. My bear spray is also in there.”

“Great.” Seriousness tempered the smile in Ethan’s eyes. “Not that you’ll need to use it. You won’t be sneaking off to take photos, let alone of any bears, will you?”

Ethan already knew her too well. She widened her eyes. “Sneaking off? Me? I’d never do such a thing.”

His chuckle was deep, husky and strummed across her senses. She focused on a kingfisher that landed on a nearby willow branch and not on how Ethan’s laughter caused her breath to hitch. They hadn’t even been gone two hours and she still had two days to conceal the effect he had on her.

Captain, and then Cloud, finished drinking and lifted their heads. Ethan gathered up his reins. “If you’re all right to keep going, we’ll climb higher and then take a break and have lunch before looking for the bighorn sheep?”

“Sounds great. Lead the way.”

They crossed the creek and again headed into the forest. Used to hiding her emotions the past six months, Bridie didn’t mask the contentment her face would reveal. With every mile that they rode deeper into the backcountry her sadness fell away. The closer they drew to the sky the more connected she felt to her father. They’d always loved riding and camping and the Snowy Mountains had been a favorite place to indulge their passion. She might be on a different mountain range, in a different hemisphere, and her father might no longer be with her, but up here her grief didn’t bite quite so hard.

When the air had thinned and the horses had worked up a sweat they stopped at a small spring-fed clearing. While the horses rested and grazed, she sat beside Ethan on a log to enjoy the ham and salad wraps Rosa had packed. A companionable silence grew between them that neither broke. With lunch over, Ethan lowered himself to the grass, pulled his hat brim low, stretched out, and closed his eyes.

Bridie stood. She was sure she’d seen a flash of brown animal hide in the trees. She was yet to photograph a moose. She edged away. It was either explore or stay and fantasize how the tanned line of Ethan’s jaw would feel covered in stubble.

“You’re not sneaking away, are you?” His lazy tone belied the tautness of his body. Even when resting, Ethan gave the impression he’d be ready should trouble arise, or if she ventured too far off on her own.

“Of course not. I’m
exploring,
not sneaking.” She walked a body length away. “See still here and I’ve found a bighorn sheep track to photograph.”

Ethan came to his feet. He settled his hat on his head, a crease between his brows. “Just one, or a lot?”

“Two actually.”

Ethan crouched and examined the two cloven hoof tracks. Expression grim, he then scanned the surrounding area.

“It’s rare to see a single set of bighorn sheep tracks. They’re gregarious animals and keep together.”

Bridie snapped a picture of the tracks and then a panoramic shot of the clearing. “What would cause a bighorn sheep to go off alone?”

“Illness, injury, predators ... poachers.”

Bridie lowered her camera. “Lesley mentioned poachers.”

Ethan’s mouth tightened. “So did Henry.”

He considered the tracks again. “This might mean nothing but let’s keep our eyes open all the same. The meadow where Cordell and I saw the bighorn sheep last trip isn’t far. We won’t get too close but with your camera lens you’ll be able to get some good shots.”

They swung into their saddles and it wasn’t long before Ethan stopped and pointed to his left through a wide gap in the trees. Bridie halted Molly and gazed toward a rocky slope that ended in a gentle meadow. Scattered over the grass grazed a small herd of horned sheep. She smiled. Her first bighorns.

She raised her camera and through the zoom lens captured every detail of their tan brown coats and white muzzles and rumps. She zoomed closer in on a curved pair of thick horns that would deliver a wallop in the fall when the rams fought for dominance.

“I thought they’d look like regular sheep but they don’t at all.” She returned her camera to the saddlebag. “They look more ... regal.”

Ethan nodded before they continued along the faint trail. The sun climbed higher in the sky. Every so often they’d stop for a photo opportunity but otherwise Ethan maintained a steady pace. All day he’d been watchful and observant. He’d scan hillsides and valleys, he’d search the ground for tracks but since their stop at the spring she’d sensed a new vigilance. If there was any trace of poachers, she had no doubt Ethan would find it.

Soon the uneven trail leveled off and they arrived at a lake at the base of a jagged peak. Blue and serene, the still water called for Bridie to take a swim and soak the ache out of her back and legs.

Ethan stopped, grinned and made a slow sweep of his hand toward the high altitude lake. “Welcome to Home Sweet Home for the next two nights.”

T
o Ethan’s surprise, he and Bridie worked well as team as they set up camp. Bridie hadn’t been lying when she said she was an experienced camper. She didn’t rush, instead her movements economical and unhurried, she anticipated what needed to be done next.

Once the horses were unsaddled and tied to a highline strung between two trees, she unraveled the bedrolls and placed them well apart around the campfire. She’d been serious when she’d warned him she was a mosquito magnet. Mosquitoes didn’t bother him but one beautiful outback cowgirl did. So the further he slept away from her, the more his hormones would behave and the more he would sleep.

He finished checking Cloud’s hooves. The horses’ welfare was a top priority; he couldn’t have them lame or sore or it would be a long walk home. He reached for the first of the two packs Cloud had carried.

“Need some help?” Bridie asked, as she took a swig from her water bottle.

The sun had started its downward arc but the temperature remained summer hot. With the higher altitude Bridie’s paler skin wouldn’t take long to burn. Already her cheeks were pink.

“No. Thanks. I’ve got this.” He nodded toward the lake he’d seen her throw increasingly longing glances at. “Why don’t you cool off? The water’s safe to swim in.”

Her gaze lingered on his hands as he untied the pack knots. “Are you sure? I’m here to pull my weight not goof off.”

“Yes. Stay in for as long as you want. I’ll holler when the campfire burritos are ready.”

Goofing off and having fun was exactly what Bridie needed but first she had to say good-bye to her father. Even though the fresh air and beauty of their surroundings had brought a sparkle to her eyes, shadows still lingered. A swim would provide the perfect chance for her to have some personal space.

As the shadows lengthened and the burritos filled the campsite with their rich and spicy aroma, Ethan regretted his words. Bridie had been away a long time. His first instinct was to go in search of her but his second instinct urged caution. She needed time alone. She’d taken her saddlebag that contained her bear spray and EpiPen. She’d be fine.

Needing something to do, he split a large log into smaller pieces. It wasn’t like him to feel restless. Anyone would think that Bridie’s energy was contagious. But then when it came to Bridie, this wasn’t the first time he’d acted out of character. He didn’t even know himself that he was capable of wanting to rush into a relationship.

He heard footsteps and placed some wood on the fire so he didn’t appear to be waiting for her.

“How was your swim?” he asked, stoking the campfire coals as she approached. “I was just about to call you. Burritos are ready.”

Slim, bare legs wearing nothing but cowgirl boots came into view. He silenced a groan. His bedroll would need to go on the other side of the lake if he were to get any real sleep tonight. He risked a glance upwards and at mid-thigh glimpsed the hem of Bridie’s long pink shirt.

He straightened, making sure his expression didn’t reveal just how beautiful he found the Australian cowgirl. Just as well Henry didn’t have his binoculars. He’d see right through Ethan’s composure.

Bridie stopped before him, her jeans slung over her forearm. Her damp hair hung in heavy ringlets, her checks were again pale ... His heart clenched. And her eyes were swollen and red.

He folded his arms to stop himself tugging her close. For all of her bravado, Bridie’s grief continued to cut her up inside. He had to be her friend and help her find the closure she needed. His attraction, respect and admiration would have to stay buried.

Her eyes, more grey now than blue, slid away from his. “That smells good.”

“And it tastes even better. No one does campfire food like Rosa does.”

“Great. I’ll get dressed. These jeans might go on easier now that I’m dry.”

Dinner passed with small talk interspersed with lengthening periods of silence. When the blueberry cobbler had been polished off for dessert and their mugs of coffee emptied, Bridie helped him clean up. She then slung the bear spray saddlebag over her shoulder and collected her camera.

“It’ll soon be sunset and it will be a good time to see some more animals. Don’t worry. I won’t go far.”

“Go as far as you want or need to. I know you can take care of yourself.” He smiled. “And yes, that’s a compliment.”

Her lips briefly curved. “Thanks.”

This time Ethan didn’t allow himself to become preoccupied with when Bridie would return. He’d spoken the truth. He knew she could take care of herself. Bridie needed space and understanding. She didn’t need to be around someone who’d smother her with concern or stifle her independent spirit.

It wasn’t until the first star had pushed through the night sky blanketing the lake that she walked back into camp. The gloom masked her expression but in the glow of the firelight her eyes looked bleak and haunted.

“Any luck?” he said, keeping their conversation casual.

“Yes. I saw mule deer and there was a moose cow and calf I’ll look for again at sunrise. The baby was so gangly and cute.”

Bridie declined another coffee and set about getting ready for bed. The bug spray sounded before she slipped into her bedroll. Knowing they had an early start tomorrow, Ethan too prepared for bed. After a last check on the horses and fire he slid into his bedroll. The bug spray sounded again.

“Under attack?” he asked.

She giggled but her amusement sounded hollow. “Just being a good girl scout and being prepared. Want some?”

“No. I’m all good. For some reason mosquitoes don’t like me.” He paused. “Night.”

“Night.”

Silence descended broken only by the pop of a fire ember and the chatter of water insects. Arm behind his head, Ethan stared at the star-strewn sky. Every so often canvas would protest as Bridie moved in her bedroll. Then the sound of Bridie tossing and turning became more regular. Ethan pressed his mouth shut. As much as he wanted too he couldn’t intrude on her grief. It wasn’t his place to ask how she was doing.

“Ethan?” Her soft voice sounded.

“Yeah.”

“I can’t sleep.”

He smiled into the darkness. “I gathered that. You make more noise than a moose bull in the undergrowth.”