Innocence Lost (Lone Mountain Ranch Book 1)

Chapter 26

Kylie's insisted on cleaning up the dishes. She washed and dried them, while Chase put all of the items back in the correct spots. He was meticulous in his organization. There was nothing out of order, and there were no superfluous items in his house. He was very streamlined in the way he lived and approached life, but he was not insistent about it at the same time.

"Do you want to see the barn, Kylie?" Chase asked once they finished.

"Yes, I would love to see the barn and the horses. I want you to introduce me to your favorite one!" Kylie beamed excited.

"Yes, I'll introduce you to Onyx. He is a beautiful black stallion, the best on the ranch. We have become the best of friends."

"Onyx, what a beautiful name. I can't wait to meet him." Kylie said.

She searched for her ballet flats until she realized they were still in the bedroom. She went to get them and brought them to the living room. She sat in the chair by the door and put them on, completing her disheveled look. Kylie led the way out the door past the pile of clothes strewn about her suitcase. Kylie realized the mess was probably driving Chase crazy, and she shoved some of the stuff back into her bag.

When she was finished, Chase gestured for her to lead the way out of the house. Kylie and Chase walked side by side towards the barn and chatted.

"How long have you worked here, Chase?"

"I've worked at Dos Corazones for five years."

"Wow, five years is long time. You must love it here."

"Yes, I do. It feels like home to me. The family who owns the ranch usually only comes up on the weekends and major holidays, so I practically have the place to myself. The other wranglers who work here all live off property. It feels almost like mine. One day, I hope it might be, or at least something similar."

He talked endearingly of the horses and the other wranglers who worked the ranch with him. His passion for this lifestyle never faltered. She could tell he was smiling even though she was focusing on the ground in front of her, making sure not to trip on a rabbit hole or a rogue plant.

"It is a beautiful ranch. I can tell you like it here by the way you talk about it," Kylie said.

"I love this ranch and the whole town. Everyone here really feels like family to me. If I needed help, I know everyone in this town would come to my aid. I would do the same for them."

"You are such a nice guy, Chase. I don't think there is anyone you wouldn't help out if they needed it. You have been so nice to me. I have never been treated so kindly by a relative stranger in my life."

"Don't mention it Kylie. I know you would have done the same if the situation was reversed. I am glad you are feeling better."

"I am, too!" Kylie replied still watching her dust covered feet and flats.

"Here we are," Chase said.

Kylie's face moved up from the ground, and there the barn was as clear as it was in her dream that morning. It had the same weathered wood and the fenced in corrals to the left. In front of the barn, there was a huge expanse of land which would surely fit lots of tables and a dance floor. All that was missing were the fairy lights and the wedding. It was crazy. Kylie felt dizzy all of a sudden and held on to the fence to balance herself.

"Are you okay?" Chase asked. "It looks like you've seen a ghost."

"It's just...uhhh," Kylie stammered.

Chase looked at her with the concerned look she was starting to recognize.

"Do you want to go in and meet Onyx?"