Follow a Wild Heart: A Christian Contemporary Western Romance Series by Natalie Bright (top reads .TXT) 📗

for a second. It wasn’t that Lank wasn’t a nice guy. It was just that every time he opened his mouth, he was so aggravating and then when he looked at her...

“I’m glad you’re here, Carli.”

“Thanks for the invite.” She tipped her face to the sun and willed her thoughts to quiet. “I didn’t realize how long it’s been since Beau and I were out of the corral.”

Within minutes they were in the saddle and Nathan was leading her through Rafter O headquarters towards the gate on the far end.

He smiled. And kept staring at her. She swiped at the wispy strands over her face that had come loose from under the ballcap.

They rode in silence. Carli followed Nathan as he wormed his way in and around the group of heifers that foraged on the patches of new green growing in between the brown winter grasses and yucca. Most of the soon-to-be first-time momma cows looked like they were about to pop, big bellies swinging from side to side as they lumbered along. There were two that seemed less fat. Nathan explained that their calves had turned to line up with the birth canal. He’d have to keep a special watch on them.

“Let’s ride up the hill. I want to show you something and we can take a break.”

They slowed to a trot as they made their way up a shallow slope, stopping to pass through the wire gate next to a cattle guard. Carli asked, “Where are we going?”

“It’s not far.” Through the gate into the next pasture, he ignored the dirt road and took off across the grass.

Carli didn't know if the wind ever really stilled here, only changing from forceful gales to gentle breezes. For the present, at least, it felt soft on her face. The vastness of the sky and prairie always surprised her—the openness with no shelter, no trees. An infinite emptiness swarming with life, but you had to know where to look. Maybe she was still nervous from being stranded in a barn during a snowstorm. It was one of the scariest times of her life.

At the top of the next rise a group of antelope stood stone still, watching the riders before suddenly coming alive and bounding away. Meadowlark calls provided stereo surround sound, their eerie screeches coming from every direction. In the wide and shallow valley, new calves watched with curious eyes from behind cautious mothers. Several of the momma cows raised their heads, nostrils to the air before turning and lumbering off with their babies following close behind.

“What about Sunday? You have a few weeks to decide, but there’s always a place for you at our table,” Nathan asked. “It’s my mother’s birthday.”

“Hey, you haven’t told me yet about talking with your folks about your art. What’d they say?” Carli found it interesting that Nathan exuded charm and self-confidence sitting astride a horse, but he couldn’t tell his parents about his burning desire to create things out of metal. She realized the expectations of being the oldest Olsen must be a huge burden to bear.

Nearing a clump of shade trees, Nathan lifted the reins slightly and asked his horse to walk. Carli followed.

“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I knew my dad would be furious. And he was but tried not to show it. I think because my mom was there, he didn’t explode and tell me all that was on his mind. She’s always supportive of any of us kids, no matter what we want to do.”

“I think she’d be supportive of me too, and I’m not her kid.” Carli laughed. “She’s just that kind of sweet soul.”

“Thanks, Carli. She really likes you, ya know. Anyway, after hemming and hawing on my part, I told them. The conversation is far from over with my father. But I felt inspired after meeting Brad Travers. I’ve been working on a copper rose for Mom’s birthday present.”

Nathan dismounted and looped his reins over a tree branch. Carli handed him a Gatorade from her saddlebag.

“You think we should just ground-tie them so they can munch on some grass?”

“I’m putting some hours on this horse for a family friend before he gives it to his daughter,” Nathan said, “and I’ll feel better if they at least think they're tied to the tree. This is only the second time I’ve ridden him. You never know what might spook a horse, and I, for one, don’t feel like hoofin’ it back. Besides, Beau probably wouldn’t want to haul both of us home.”

“What was it you wanted to show me?”

“This is the largest cottonwood on the place and the perfect spot for a picnic. Mom made us turkey sandwiches. I would never think to bring food along, but that's my mom for ya.” Nathan stood under the tree and placed his hand on the trunk. He beamed with pride like a little boy with a new puppy.

Carli leaned back to study the bark. Half of the trunk lay to one side as big as a car, the other part towered above them. Several smaller trees provided a deep shade. “It's beautiful.”

Nathan spread a blanket in the center of the grove. They found comfy spots and opened their sandwiches and drinks. Carli was surprised she was hungry, but then remembered all she had that morning was coffee. She had intended to do yoga first thing. Pulling off the ballcap she let the soft breeze glide through her damp bangs and tried to rearrange them with her fingers. Thank goodness for braids. She’d never be able to see for riding with hair whipping across her face.

“You're really pretty, Carli.”

She couldn’t deny there was a gleam of interest in his eyes as he watched her. “Yeah, right. I’m sweaty. This is exercise, you were right.”

“You always change the subject when I pay you a compliment.”

“Do I? Maybe I’m not used to them. And it is true, I am sweaty.” She smiled.

“You might have to get