Wrapped around your finger - Post Malone

22

Hazel had skipped breakfast and lunch so by mid-afternoon her stomach was twisting in pain as to how hungry she is. Evelyn had ruled the enclosure with an iron fist, something she got from her father, none of the ranch hands rest until Evelyn gives them the go-ahead. She works everyone hard, including her father who Hazel thought never broke a sweat but she can't help run her eye over the dark patch that has formed between his shoulder blades as he works. She wants to rub her face in it - shit. When did someone else's sweat make her so insane...and got under the collar. Fuck. She has to actively keep her eyes away from Austin's General vicinity. Although it does not work very well because he moves like lightning and is in her vision when she is not even trying.

"That's the last girl," Evelyn announces and reads through a paper she has been marking on a clipboard. Hazel watches how she frowns, pinching her bottom lip between two fingers as she reads. After her assessment, she looks up and walks over to Austin, handing him the clipboard. Austin studies it with a frown as he too pinches his bottom lip between two fingers. Then he smiles down at Evelyn. "Good job, kid," he says. Evelyn's face beams brighter than the Utah sun up at her father. "If I may?" Hazel asks pointing at the clipboard. Austin hands it to her and Hazel tries to make sense of the numbers, eventually, Austin's finger comes into view as he points to the first column. "Evelyn delivered one hundred and fifty calves at the beginning of her calving season. She lost five, three at birth and two to the land. Today is her second wave and all seventy-five heifers are healthy with only two indicating breach births," he explains.

"She did all that on her own?"

"Yup."

Hazel can't believe her ears. Honestly, at Evelyn's age, Hazel had no sense of responsibility let alone any work ethic. Evelyn would run circles around any kid and although Hazel has no right she feels proud of Evelyn. "I think we are done here for the day," Austin says. Evelyn frowns at his words and looks around the enclosure. "It's only afternoon. There are lots of other things we could still do today on the ranch," she says but Austin shakes his head. "Nah, we are done for the day," he repeats. "But, dad..." Evelyn starts but trails off as Austin walking away. "Your dad's right. We are done for the day," Mr. Post says, appearing out of nowhere along with Linda in the truck. Evelyn runs to the truck and looks into the bin then her face breaks into a smile and she squeals. "We are done for the day!" she shouts and runs off to Zip. Hazel has no idea what is going on. Has everyone got heat stroke? She walks over to the truck and also looks into the bin. There is a picnic basket, coolers, a few bags, and some towels.

"You done for the day too, darlin?" Austin asks from behind her. Hazel turns around and looks up at Austin who is on the back of his horse with his hand stretched out to her. "Yeah," she breathes out as she takes his hand and he swings her up on his horse, between his legs. It takes her a moment to catch her breath again especially when he does not pull his face away from hers. She feels his breath on her lips as their eyes stay locked together. Hazel can feel herself inch closer and closer to him, kissing him sounds like a dream. She wants to kiss him.

Then suddenly they hear a shout and an excited wail and they both turn their heads to look. All the cowboys, Evelyn and Mr. Post are racing at full gallop on their horses across a large pasture towards a mountain area. "Guess we are racing then," he says. "You will never catch up, they are miles in front," Hazel says. Austin lets out a laugh and adjust's himself in his saddle. "If you climb in the saddle, be ready to ride. Hold on tight, darlin'," he says. Hazel wraps her arms around his waist and takes the opportunity to rest her head on his chest, breathing in the scent of his day. The Austin clicks his tough loudly and then shouts, "go!" as he flicks the reins. His horse bolts forward. Hazel clings to Austin as they bolt across the pasture, quickly closing the gap between them and the other cowboys. The wind is whipping at Hazel's face, they are going so fast Hazel has to tilt her head slightly to get oxygen into her lungs.

Before long Hazel watches as they catch up and then speed past all the cowboys with ease. As they get closer to Evelyn, Hazel watches her stand in her saddle with bended knees and flick her reins encouraging her horse to go faster. She gives Austin a run for his money and for a moment Hazel thinks Evelyn just might win. But then her horse seems to get tired and slows down slightly whereas Austin's horse only seems to go faster on a second wind and soon everyone is so far behind them that Hazel can not see anyone anymore. Austin keeps his horse at a fast gallop until they reach the shadow of the mountain and then he pulls on his reins until his horse slows down to a walk as he starts to lead them up a footpath on the mountainside. Hazel pulls back a little, sitting up, although she keeps one hand resting on his hip.

"Fast horse."

"Like lightning."

"What is his name?"

"Lightning."

Hazel lets out a soft giggle and shakes her head as she looks at Austin. "What?" he asks her. "You are not good at dialogue. Did you know that?" Hazel asks him. Austin shrugs, "If it doesn't seem to be worth the effort it probably isn't, so I don't," Austin answers. "Why...why have you been so nice to me? Everyone says you are a grump and by others' standards you are a pretty big asshole, but by your standards, you have been nice to me...why?" Hazel asks. Austin shrugs and looks away from her. "Donno seems worth it...although you do talk a lot," he says. Had he just admitted that he likes her? Hazel smiles at him but before she can say anything he indicates with a flick of his head for her to turn around. She does and then her mouth drops open. "Wow," she manages to breathe out when she takes in the sight before her.