Bearing Down

The Hat

Cowboy Hat Rule- A man who lets a woman wear his hat indicates he's interested in seeing her more.

Chapter Three

Addy gives Niall an incredulous look and opens her mouth, ready to say something brazen. But before she could get a word out, the sound of Liv yelling and running towards her distracts her. Addy looks over to see Liv and Anne coming towards them, concern etched on their faces. Both women stop in front of the freckled faced girl, checking for any injuries.

"Adelaide, dear, are you okay?" Anne asks gently. Beside her Niall throws his arms up in exasperation, not believing how his mother was treating the girl over something he would get his head chewed off for.

Feeling the embarrassment bubble deep in her stomach, Addy had never wanted to die more than she did right now. Of course she's a city girl, but she should have known better. Looking up at everyone with heated cheeks, she parts her lips to apologize profusely but is again interrupted by the bull rider who is red faced with a different emotion than before.

"She's an idiot is what she is," he says with aggravation. Any sense of embarrassment leaves Addy momentarily as she gives Niall an icy look. He returns it without blinking.

"Okay, watch your fucking mouth," Liv snaps and flicks her gaze to him, giving him a nasty glare. He looks at her with the same look he gave Addy. Liv slowly looks back down at Addy, her expression immediately softening.

"Niall James Horan! You know better than to speak to a lady like that," Anne chastises and leans over to swat his arm over the gate. Niall winces and pulls back before the woman could reach him. Despite the situation, Addy almost laughs. "It was a mistake. Now, go out to the other pasture and finish checking on those heifers. Addy and I were about to start our tour and can do without you yelling at her." Niall huffing in frustration walks towards his horse, eyes still burning holes into Addy, and jumps effortlessly onto its back . Anne's eyes follow him as he rides away, then turns looking to Addy. She sighs and shakes her head with a small smile. "I didn't want to say it in front of him, and give him a big head, but yes, please be careful when interacting with some of our animals, specifically a calf near its mother. I'm sure this will serve as a lesson, of course." Anne laughs wholeheartedly. Addy, still feeling the pit in her stomach, gives a fake chuckle just as Liv bursts into giggles over the whole situation.

"Let's get going, shall we?" Anne asks cheerfully and walks ahead of the girls. Liv gives Addy a look, her eyes questioning if she is okay. Addy nods slightly as Liv squeezes her hand for a moment. Liv walks to the car getting ready to drive to the unit while the other two women walk up to the gate Addy was originally supposed to be at with golf carts next to it. Anne sits in the driver's seat, starts the cart, and drives away from the house.

Addy sits beside Anne as she begins to explain everyone's job at the ranch and how it functions. After a while and passing many cows later, Addy absentmindedly drones Anne out. Niall's eyes and his frosty stare is permanently burned in the back of her mind. She plays the incident over and over in her head, mentally punching herself for even considering going over the gate was a good idea. She loved animals, but she definitely didn't have enough knowledge about getting into their personal space. The embarrassment was almost too much.

A phone ringing brings her out of her thoughts and makes her jump. Her gaze flashes over to Anne's pocket. Anne pulls over the golf cart in front of the barn where Addy can hear a mix of animals and children. She picks up the ringing phone and answers.

"I'm giving our new employee a tour, can you give me five minutes?" Anne says with a slight edge, giving Addy an apologetic smile. "Oh my, that is bad. Let me get someone to take over this, and I'll be on my way." She hangs up the phone and turns her body to Addy.