“I sure try to. I have to work to keep at my fighting weight.” Ryder patted a perfectly flat belly.
Pretty. The cowboy must do a great deal of work. It was probably wrong that he wanted to see what was under Ryder’s T-shirt, but he hadn’t had thoughts like that in so long he didn’t stop himself. He didn’t stop himself from liking the way Ryder’s dark eyes seemed to lighten up a little when he smiled. “Are you a boxer?”
“A boxer? Me? No, sir. I was a roughstock rider up until recent.”
Roughstock. What was that exactly? “Like the rodeo?”
He got a firm, quick nod. “Yes, sir. Just like. I rode bulls.”
Those pieces were falling into place. The scar, the celebrity status in certain places, those hard abs. “I’m afraid I don’t know anything about rodeo, but it sounds like you must be pretty tough.”
“I am. I was.” Ryder gave him a wink. “Now I’m an old softy.”
“You don’t look soft to me.” It wasn’t until he heard himself say it that he thought perhaps he shouldn’t have. “Objectively speaking, of course.”
“Of course. So what else do you need me to know about you? So what else do you want from me?”
He gave that a second of thought, then shrugged. “I don’t know. That seems like a good start. Let’s just see how we work together shall we? I’ll be headed back to the city Monday morning. You can ride in the car with me; there’s nowhere to park your truck there. We’ll stay until at least Thursday afternoon.”
“Yes, sir. I’ve got three good shirts. I should be good to go.” No matter what he said, it was like water off a duck’s back.
He started to say that Ryder wasn’t going to have to dress, but he didn’t actually know. He had a dinner Wednesday evening, and he really didn’t know what else might be going on.
“Don’t worry, sir. I won’t embarrass you. You got my word.”
“Oh. I’m not worried about that, Ryder. Not at all.” Well, maybe a little. He knew a cowboy on his arm would raise a few eyebrows. He just wasn’t sure he cared.
“Well, I have been told I can talk to trees, so it should work out.”
He chuckled. “You may find yourself in your element, then.” The room went quiet for a moment, and he decided that rather than invent small talk, they should end on a high note. He stood. “Thank you for everything.”
Ryder stood as well, offered him a hand. “You’re more than welcome. Holler if you need me. I’ll have breakfast ready when you need it.”
“Thank you. You don’t mind if I text? You can certainly text or call if you need me as well.” Ryder didn’t seem like he needed much from him, though.
“Of course I don’t mind. Text away. I’m right down the hall.”
“I’m headed upstairs in a minute. Goodnight, Ryder. Thanks again.”
Ryder picked up his empty tea mug and the plate of dessert, saying goodnight before he left the room.
What an interesting young man.
He certainly had a lot to think about. He thought he’d made up for his curt greeting this afternoon, and it seemed like Ryder was very happy to have some marching orders. What tomorrow would be like he couldn’t say, but he felt like he might sleep better tonight knowing Ryder was just a few steps away.
4
Ryder had cleaned out the fridge, had washed and pressed his shirts and jeans, and polished his boots.
His electronics were charged, and he was ready to be “in the city”.
See him. See him learning new things.
Like was he supposed to talk to Charles on the drive or sleep or listen to his headphones…
He glanced up at the clacking sound of men’s dress shoes on the hardwood floors. Charles was headed his way wearing a flawlessly tailored blue dress suit, striped tie and carrying a briefcase.
“We’ll need a couple of bottles of water for the drive,” Charles said, setting his briefcase down in the foyer and tugging on his cuffs.