The Cowboy's Girl

Chapter 3

A dense cloud of dust swirls around me, my breath catches and my thoughts spiral into a frenzy.

Death is so final, so absolute. No more chances, no more tomorrows. It's the end of all my anxieties but also the end of every hope, every dream, every potential for change. The thought is both terrifying and oddly comforting.

I used to think about death a lot when I was a kid. I couldn't help it, my dad died when I was 7 and the finality of never seeing him again really messed me up.

I still remember the cold, sterile hospital room, the way my mother's sobs filled the empty space, the suffocating grief that followed. One moment he was there, a constant, comforting presence and the next, he was gone. Just like that.

And now, as the sound of pounding hooves fills the air, death disturbingly close, a strange calm begins to seep in. The peace of being forgotten, of my existence fading into obscurity.

I've spent so much of my life striving, pushing, yearning for something more, something greater. For it to end like this, it feels like a release from all that pressure I've been putting on myself.

I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable and then... I let go.

A sudden shout breaks through the chaos. I hear another horse galloping, its rider urging it faster. With a deft move, he seizes the reins of the charging horse, yanking it away from me with mere inches to spare. The sound of pounding hooves fades and it's replaced by heavy breathing.

Strong arms wrap around me and hoist me to my feet. My legs are trembling and I can't open my eyes, the surge of adrenaline in my body keeps me in a near state of shock. If he lets go, I'll fall to the ground.

"Are you injured?" he asks, his voice laced with panic.

I open my eyes slowly and a man stands before me, handsome with days-old stubble and a worn cowboy hat.

"Did it trample you?" He lifts my shirt up to get a better view, scrutinising my stomach for any sign of harm but I'm not focusing on that. All I can think about-- all I can feel-- is his heat radiating off his hard chest.

"Why didn't you move out of the way? Do you have a death wish or something?" He seethes.

Before I can respond, a woman's frantic voice calls out from the porch, "Jackson? Jackson, what's going on?"

He glances back, his grip on my arms loosening. "Nothing. It's handled. Berkley just got lose again."

Her eyes widen when she takes in the sight of her son holding me so close to his chest in a firm, protective grip. A faint blush colours his cheeks when he realises what he's doing. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he lets me go and takes a step back, his gaze shifting to the ground.

His mother's eyes sparkle with amusement and a hint of mischief. "And who might this be?" She asks warmly, her gaze shifting between us.

"Saskia," I squeak, my voice trembling. "I was hired to work here..."

When I speak, I notice him flinch slightly, his eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that makes my heart race. His gaze lingers and I can see the moment he registers my accent. It's as if the sound of my voice, so distinctly different from the local drawl, has shifted something innate within him.

"Yes, the girl from London!" she exclaims, her face lightening up with genuine delight. "It's about time we had more women working here! Welcome, I'm Mrs. Harding but please call me Beth. This is my son, Jackson."

Jackson steps back, creating a gap between us, and I mourn the sudden loss of his warmth. "I'll take care of Berkley. You two should get inside," he says, his tone gentle but firm. He tilts his cowboy hat slightly and adds, "Welcome to Devil's Creek, Saskia," before disappearing to tend to the two horses tied to the gate.

"Let's get you inside, you must be exhausted." Beth comforts, noticing the dark circles under my eyes. She carries my suitcase past the main house and into the cabin where I'll be living.

I subtly glance back at Jackson and accidentally catch Berkley's eye. Still agitated, the horse snorts and kicks the ground as if he's angry with me for reasons I don't understand. Jackson follows Berkley's gaze to find the source of his agitation and our eyes meet for a brief moment before he quickly looks away, a flicker of unease crossing his face.

"And this will be your place," Beth says, opening the door to reveal a cosy, rustic interior. "It's not much, I know but it's comfortable."

I take in the charming studio. A small bed is tucked into one corner, covered with a handmade quilt. A door at the end of the bed leads into a neatly tiled bathroom with a shower. There's a worn sofa backed up against the opposite wall facing a modest kitchen, equipped with essential appliances.

The scent of fresh pine fills the air, mingling with the faint aroma of aged wood and herbs from a bundle hanging by the window overlooking the fields and the mountains. The view can't be seen right now because it's pitch black but I know in the morning, it'll look so beautiful.

"It's perfect," I say as a wave of genuine relief washes over me. After the long journey I've had, I'm just so happy to finally be in my own space.

"I'm so glad you're here, Saskia. I have a feeling you're exactly what this ranch needs." Her gaze lingers a moment like there's something more she wants to say but she chooses to bite her tongue. "I'll leave you to get settled then."

"Thank you."

Beth closes the door behind her, "goodnight." I practically run to the shower, desperate to wash away the sweat and dirt.

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Ooo, I think a crush has developed! I can't wait to share Chapter 4!

What do you think about the story so far??