Unbridled Hearts

4. Mixed Signals pt 2

Willow started awake at the sound of knocking on her cabin door. She slipped out of bed and pulled her slippers over her bare feet, and, tying her robe tighter, she made her way over to the front door.

She gripped the handle and pulled it open, coming face to face with Harley. He stood with one arm over his head leaning on the door frame, the other was raised in a fist like he was going to knock again.

"I didn't take you as the type to hit a woman." She said sarcastically.

He glared. "I'm not. Ruby sent me here, but it looks like you'd rather lock horns than hear me out."

"If you're trying for an apology, you need some serious lessons on manners. My cousin can do it better than you, and he's 4."

"Look-" he sighed. "I'm sorry about earlier. I- It wasn't right of me to say what I did and I'm..."

"Yes? you are...?" she fished.

"I'm sorry okay! Is that what you want to hear?" He yelled.

"Wow. I didn't know anyone could physically be in pain by saying sorry, but judging by your face I'd say it was possible."

He stared at her like she had a lemon for a head and blinked, once, twice. Then he started laughing hysterically.

"What? What's so funny?" She demanded.

"You-" He kept laughing, pointing to her head. "I just realized how ridiculous you look right now."

Oh god. My hair must be all over the place, not to mention my sleep eyes.

She reddened, turning to try and slam the door but he caught it with his boot.

"You're right. I'm sorry." He said more softly, getting a serious look on his face.

She studied him for a moment, noticing the way his eyes held hers, practically pleading with her to believe him. The way his lips parted softly as he waited for a reply. The way he shifted from foot to foot, almost, nervous.

"okay." She said quietly.

"Okay what? Okay you agree, or okay you still want to slam the door in my face?" He asked on a small smile.

She pretended to be thinking hard about it and tapped her fingers on her chin for emphases. "Mmm, both."

"What- You- I-" he sighed, shaking his head. "Dinner's done." And he left with that.

Willow grinned at herself, happy she knew what ruffled his feathers. A sarcastic female. No wonder he rides a male horse.

She had seen him in the barn getting his mount ready that morning when Cal sent her out to work with Ruby. He was a beautiful dapple grey with stocky legs and a silver mane. Ruby told her it was the only horse he would ride, something about it being their mother's. Willow hadn't really been paying that much attention, she was busy drooling over the way Harley's biceps rippled when he lifted his saddle...

Stop it! You don't like him, remember? He's still that same jerk you met at the hospital.

Willow sighed heavily and went back inside to change, tearing her gaze away from Harley's retreating hide.

She pulled on a comfy pair of yoga pants and a plain baggy sweatshirt. Slipping into some sneakers and tossling her hair a few times she jogged out the door and to the house.

* * *

Harley watched Willow with a steady gaze. He hadn't been able to tear his eyes off her all night. After what happened in the round pen that morning, he wasn't going to let her out of his sight until he was sure she was okay. Yes, he did accuse her of being on drugs, yes he yelled at her when all he was trying to do was apologize, and yes, he did like getting her fired up back at the cabin. She twisted his insides into a knot every time they locked eyes. He couldn't explain it, didn't want to.

She pushed away from the table, carrying her plate to the sink and rinsing it before loading it into the dish washer. Returning, she collected the other empty plates and glasses before doing the same with them.

"You really don't have to do that Willow." Ruby said. "You just got here and already you've done so much to help us out."

"Yeah, if you keep it up me and the other guys will be out of a job." Ray added, flashing her a smile.

Harley glared at him. He didn't like the way the young mans eyes lingered on her a bit longer than they should.

"Maybe if you looked at the schedule more often you would see their was more than enough work to keep you busy 'round here." He said to Jay.

The young cowboys cheeks turned red in embarrassment and he looked away from Willow, who was now glaring daggers Harley's way.

"Yes, boss." he said. "I think I'll go do night check now." He sat up from the table and quietly left the house.

"What is wrong with you!?" Willow whisper-screamed.

he stared blankly at her, then said, "Nothing, we've just got a lot of work piling up and I can't afford to have slackers. Jay's been doing a lot of that lately, maybe I should fire him."

"No!" Ruby exclaimed. "I-I mean, you're short staffed as it is. You can't go firing everyone you have a beef with. If you did that, we wouldn't have any staff left." she ended on a snort.

"I suppose you're right." He sighed. "Not about the last part though." He added quickly.

"Well now that that's worked out, I'm going back to my cabin." Willow stated.

"I'll walk you," Harley said, jumping out of his seat and following her to the door.

"You don't have to, I'll manage." She assured.

"No, I want to." He said firmly.

"If you say so."

He opened the door for her and followed her out into the cool night air. A gentle wind blew past them, carrying the scent of rain.

"Smells like a storm." She said, so quiet he wasn't sure she had spoken at all.

"Uh- yeah. Yes it does." He cleared his throat and kept walking down the gravel road to her little cabin.

A heavy silence surrounded them and made her fidget beside him. They were nearly to the cabin now, he didn't know why he even offered to take her. He just knew he wanted to be near her before the night came to an end.

"So... I'm going into town tomorrow, anything you need?" He said awkwardly.

"Nope." She replied popping the P.

"O-Okay."

"Why did you want to walk me to my cabin?" She asked suddenly.

He thought for a moment. When he couldn't think up a reasonable excuse he shrugged and said, "There are a lot of coyotes out here this time of the day. I thought you might be safer with a sidekick tagging along is all."

"Yeah right, you mean you thought I might be safer with a big strong man by my side." They were standing on her porch now, and she had turned around when she said it, so he couldn't read her face.

Great, now you ticked her off. "N-no. I-"

"Relax. I was just joking." She laughed and turned to face him, a smile on her lips.

The sound was light and airy, it was like the whispering of the wind across the chime hanging on his porch. He didn't know why, but he wanted to hear it again. It was the purest sound he had heard in a long time. Too long.

She was still smiling, although it had turned shy. Her hair fell across her face in a curtain of dark locks, hiding her features.

"Well, goodnight I guess." She turned and went inside, leaving him standing under the porch light.

After a moment he said, seemingly to the wind, "G'night."

Woo eee. A double publish. What is with Ruby hey? Guess you'll just have to read to find out!