As my muse and I began working on the fifth installment of the series, she suggested including horseback riding. Why? I’ve been riding for more than two decades, yet I've never written about it in my books. She told me that my experience would serve me well. We developed a plotline in which the Secretary of State’s wife is a passionate rider who wants to spend time with her husband while on vacation. The story naturally deals with horses, riding, bodyguards, and nasty people who appear to disturb the peaceful wintertime.
Since riding isn't something you can learn over the weekend, the bodyguards—especially the new guy, Cameron—have their problems with the big animals. Of course, there's also the pain that comes with sitting on horseback for a few hours… LOL.
Enjoy!
Description
The trouble with a vacation is that you never get what you wish for.
Riding and hiking in the New York State national forest—what could be more
recuperative? When Secretary Nolan’s wife decides to have a pleasant week of
riding in the national forest she can’t anticipate the trouble waiting for all
of them, and the snowstorm is just the beginning.
Excerpt
Close to the stable’s wide gates Jazmin jerked back seeing a movement in the shadow. “Who goes there?”
Cameron peeked around the corner. The setting sun reflected in his blue eyes, and she thought that behind the lines of tiredness he was a good-looking man.
“A sentry’s question? You’ve been together with this Ethan-guy too long.”
“What’re you doing in the dark on the ground?” She knelt beside him, checking him up and down quickly. “Anything wrong?”
He lowered his chin. His voice was strained. “Aside from being totally exhausted…no.”
“You need something to drink and certainly a good meal after the long ride. The others will be in the kitchen. Should I help you up?”
“Guess why I’m down here? My legs feel like Jell-O. I was glad I made it this far. The others just walked off, but I—” He shook his head and closed his eyes. “Just let me sit here for a while, then I’ll come in.”
“My, you’re a bad liar!” She grinned when he didn’t bring up the energy to deny it. “I’ll go and get Ryan.”
“No! Not Ryan! If you do that, the jokes will go through the roof. Don’t want to be ridiculed by all the tough guys, especially that Nathanial-something. He’s just super cool and so—”
“Aloof?”
“Yeah.”
“So I heard.”
Cameron grimaced as he changed position. His thighs trembled. “Now, look at this. I guess I better plan to stay the night.”
“No, you won’t. It’s already damn cold. Ryan won’t mock you, or I’ll have him assigned to the next ride for sure.” She threw Cameron a sweet glance. “He’ll be quiet as a mouse.”
With Ryan in her wake, she returned to the stables. Cameron hadn’t moved and looked more miserable than before.
Ryan reached out to him. “Tell me, tough guy, how long haven’t you ridden…camel or wooden horse or whatever?”
“A year? Maybe more.” Cameron took off his woolen hat to scratch his thick blond hair. “I can’t remember.”
“I understand. Look, pal, your legs are cramped. So, if it’s not ruining your ultimate male appearance, I’d just throw you over my shoulder and—”
“No! I won’t let you—”
“There’s a back door,” Jazmin interrupted. “We already spoke about it.”
“About carrying me like a flour sack? Are you nuts?”
Ryan made a face. “I told you he wouldn’t go for it.” He turned back to his colleague. “Shall I knock you out and pretend we had a brawl? I can do that. Everyone believes I’m crazy as a shithouse rat as Stephen King would say. So, what’s there to worry about?” When Cameron hesitated, Ryan bent down to quickly pull him over his shoulder, a move that caused Cameron to cry out and Jazmin to step aside and stifle laughter. She caught the hat he dropped. “Hold still and bear it like a man.”
“God, this is worse than the careening of a ship!” Cameron groaned but accepted his lot. “Hope this is a short walk. My head’s exploding.”
When they passed by, Teresa opened her mouth, too flabbergasted to say a word. Jazmin put a finger to her lips and whispered, “Don’t mention this to anyone, okay?” As she glanced over her shoulder she saw Teresa smile. She opened the back door and directed Ryan through the corridor and into Cameron’s room where he put him down unceremoniously on the bed. Cameron bit the sleeve of his jacket and squeezed his eyes shut.
“See?” Ryan panted. “Nobody saw us, and you’ll pretend this didn’t happen. My, have you gained weight? I remember you being slender when we met with you on the yacht.”
“I hate you, Ryan Griffith.” Cameron made the effort—groaning and clenching his teeth—to get out of his thick jacket.
Ryan lifted two fingers. “That was the second time that I carried you, buddy.”
“Shall I give you a hand?” Jazmin asked Cameron, already pulling off his boots.
Ryan doubled over with laughter. “Does Ethan know you’re here to undress a man? I mean—”
“For goodness sakes, Jazmin, leave me alone,” Cameron pleaded. “I promised Ethan to never make advances on you and now—”
“Let me do it,” Ryan interrupted, smiling like a shark. “I’ll look much better undressing him than you.”
“Are you sure?” Jazmin divided her attention between them. “I’m not convinced you aren’t up to mischief, Ryan.”
“Hey, you blackmailed me, Jaz, and I did what you asked. Now hop out of here.”
“Thanks for your help.” Cameron looked at Jazmin, then rolled his eyes when Ryan pulled down his pants. He tried in vain to stop him. “Don’t think of getting the hang of this!”
While Ryan made a show of undressing Cameron in spite of his protests Jazmin slipped out of the room and closed the door. She laughed so hard her belly hurt. She laughed even more when Ethan turned around the corner, a questioning look on his face.
“Weather forecast tells of more snow and…are you okay?”
She wouldn’t tell, even if it meant not breathing for a minute.
***
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