Can they see past their differences to lasso happily ever after?

Part 4

Becky’s fingers strummed a few notes on her guitar before she started singing softly again. Apparently, she felt more comfortable singing beside him than hearing him talk. At this point, he’d agree with her assessment of the situation. He closed his eyes and let her music flow through him.

Her tone was so pure, her playing so simple yet effective in emphasizing the words of her song. It was a brilliant performance. When he opened his eyes at the end of the song, he smiled and said, “That was amazing. You should record that.”

“Oh, no. I don’t have any way to get that done right. I mean, I record almost everything I create on my phone, but that’s only so I can make sure to remember it as it comes to me. As soon as I’m able, I transcribe it onto sheet music.”

“Wow, you can read music as well? Your skills never cease to amaze me.” Randy looked out over the darkening landscape, watching the shadows grow against the back lawn. This was one of his favorite times of the day, with the crickets beginning their evening song and the cooler night breezes brushing against him. Having Becky beside him made it all the more perfect.

This was what he had imagined for himself with Katy. Where had that thought come from? “Do you want to go for an evening ride with me?”

“Really? I’d love to.”

“Great, then it’s settled. I’ll have the groom saddle up two horses for us, and we can ride the countryside by moonlight.” He glanced up at the almost perfect circle of the moon’s face already brightening the sky.

Gently repositioning the cat onto the deck, Randy pushed himself up from the step and grinned while looking down at Becky. “I’ll make the arrangements and meet you out front in five minutes. Does that work for you?”

“Eee, I’m going to have to hurry. I still have to change into riding clothes and put my guitar away.” She took the hand he offered and stood beside him. “Yes, I’ll have just enough time.”

“Great. See you in a few.” Randy lengthened his stride as he walked over to the door to hold it open for Becky. He followed her into the kitchen and continued until he got to his office. My father’s office, he reminded himself. His mood dampened slightly as he unconsciously started to erase his parents from the house.

Once inside, he picked up the direct line to the stables and requested the horses be made ready. The grooms were such professionals that they did not ask any questions about the late hour, only the skill of the second rider. “I think she can handle Donas. It’s for Becky.”

“Will do. They’ll be ready by the time you get here.”

“Thanks, Johnny.”

He leaned against the edge of the desk, looking down at his attire. Thinking his jeans would be fine for riding, he decided not to change. Instead, he’d rather wait for Becky out on the front porch.

Seated on the porch swing, he felt as though he had been propelled back in time to his childhood. So many evenings spent out there, rocking slightly and waiting for any shooting stars to happen over the horizon.

“I’m ready,” Becky spoke beside him.

“Oh, I didn’t hear you. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’ve been getting lessons from Mabel.” He stood and held out his hand to Becky. “I don’t want you to stumble down the steps,” he assured her, yet he just wanted to feel the warmth of her skin against his.

As soon as she slid her palm against his, tingles of excitement coursed through him. This was a first. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he looked down at her staring up at him. He couldn’t help but think she seemed so trusting; he didn’t want to hurt her ever.

“Aren’t we going riding?”

“What? Oh, yes. Right this way.” Randy blinked stupidly before turning toward the stairs. He led her to the Mule’s passenger side before running around the back to get to the driver’s side. They sped away toward the stables.

Becky sincerely hoped she wouldn’t make a fool of herself with her horse handling skills. While she was an avid rider as a kid, so many years passed since her last ride. As they drove closer to the stables, her nerves kicked into high gear.

Deciding to fess up, she said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden.”

“No worries. It’s just like riding a bike. I’m sure you’ll do fine.” Randy came to a stop outside the building and turned to smile at her.

She felt her heartbeat quicken at the look he gave her. Never before did she see him look at Katy this way; it must be something new just for her. That thought seemed just as disturbing as the idea of thinking about Katy at all at this moment.

Becky merely nodded and let herself out of the four-wheeler. Taking a deep, calming breath, she stepped toward the breezeway of the old barn, already seeing the groom holding the reins to two large horses. Randy stepped behind her, his hand pressing gently on the small of her back as if to propel her forward.

Every time he touched her, it almost made her mind go blank. Just the thrill of him being near was enough to make her blush, but that was impractical when she was working in the kitchen. Now, she was in his domain, and she was about to go riding alone with him.

The darkness provided her some measure of privacy, but she was going to be spending several hours alone with him. Her mind was still dallying along these lines when her feet suddenly left the ground. Instantly, her attention came back to the present as she squealed, “What’re you doing?” Her arms immediately wrapped around Randy’s neck as she clung to him as if her life depended on it.

Feeling the rumble of his chest against her side, she knew he was laughing at her. The next thing she knew, she was being thrust up onto the horse’s back, and Randy was standing on a mounting stool next to her. He patted her knee and said, “I didn’t have all day for you to decide to mount. I thought I’d give you a hand.”

Even as he spoke, his hand rested on her knee closest to him. She felt the warmth of his fingers through the denim of her jeans, and she rather liked it. Randy made her feel safe like she could take a chance with him, and she would be okay.

“All you had to do was ask, you know.” Becky knew she sounded surly, but he caught her by surprise. She picked up the horse’s reins and adjusted them until they fit in her fingers as she was taught so long ago. Maybe Randy was right with his bike riding analogy.

“Let me fix those stirrups for you,” Randy offered.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to make up for manhandling me,” she teased, even as she pulled her foot forward to allow Randy ample space for adjusting.

“Manhandling? That’s what you got out of that? I thought I was extremely gentle. After all, I could’ve just thrown you over my shoulder and flung you over the horse’s back on your belly.”

“Oh, well, if that’s your measure of gentleness, then I guess I’m grateful for the treatment I got.” Randy grabbed her heel and put her foot in the stirrup.

He looked up and asked, “How does that feel?”

Becky tested the fit and answered, “Perfect.”

The groom stepped forward and effortlessly adjusted the other stirrup to the same level. Becky noticed how the groom managed to make the change without ever having to touch her. It made her realize the difference between Randy’s personalized attention versus the professionalism of the groom. She decided she much preferred Randy’s style.

“I think I’m all set,” Becky commented, ready to get away from the stables and see the countryside as Randy always spoke of it.

Randy strode away from her side and effortlessly mounted his horse. With practiced ease, he turned his horse around until he could see her head-on as he said, “Let’s get riding then. I’ve got lots to show you.”

Becky loved his grin in the moonlight and hearing the joy return to the tone of his voice. She liked how he seemed to be having a good time after so many weeks of stress. She wished she would have thought of riding horses earlier. Although, he might have negatively associated the activity had it been too soon after the news of his parents’ disappearance.

“Let’s get moving then. I can’t wait to see it all.” Becky tapped the horse’s sides with her heels while clicking her tongue. Yep, it was all coming back to her with ease.

Randy’s lead lessened as he slowed his horse enough for Becky to come up beside him. The horses obviously knew one another well as they paced themselves as if they were attached to a wagon. Becky let her body move to the motion of the horse’s gait and silently took in Randy’s running commentary about the ranch.

Author's Note:

Read more of this series on Vocal:

Part 1: The Old Barn is His Sanctuary and Her Nightmare

Part 2: The Old Barn Holds a New Secret

Part 3: Can they survive a gold digger’s scheming to discover their perfect match?

Part 4: Can they see past their differences to lasso happily ever after?

Part 5: Flirtations with Cake, Coffee, and Good Company

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This is an excerpt from the first book in the Billionaire's Venture Romances series. If you want more of Randy and Becky, you can read their full story in A Cowboy's Recipe for Romance.

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