Chapter 29


    Amber


    After breakfast, we say goodbye to Cooper and Lily, who are heading out for their hike. Despite having eaten Jake’s rubbery eggs, I can’t resist trying a few of Nate’s cinnamon pancakes. Jake wasn’t kidding when he said Nate is a breakfast expert. They’re absolutely delicious! We spend about an hour chatting with Hugo and Nate before heading back to Jake’s bed for another round.


    Around noon, we pack up and prepare to head back to the ranch. Jake even lets me drive his truck again when I ask. This time, it goes much smoother than the first time. I park next to the stable, near the entrance to my quarters. Jake helps me carry the keyboard and the baking supplies I borrowed from Marjorie inside first, then heads back out to park his truck in front of his cabin so we can change into our riding gear.


    For me, that means a pair of jeans, a sweater, my coat, and Lily’s boots, which she kindly loaned me along with a few books. They’re a size larger than what I usually wear, but with an extra pair of socks, they fit fine. Almost giddy with anticipation, I skip toward the stables. Jake isn’t there yet, so I go from stall to stall, petting the horses and wondering which one I’ll be riding. Maybe Jake will lend me his own horse. Since he said he’s going to teach me, he probably won’t be riding Duke himself.


    ‘Alright, are you ready to do this?’ Jake asks, rubbing his hands together as he walks in.


    ‘Yes! Will I be riding your horse?’ I ask, excitement bubbling in my voice.


    ‘Fuck, no,’ Jake laughs, throwing his arm around my shoulder as he leads me to a stall at the back. ‘Duke is way too hot-headed for a beginner. We’re starting you on Gertie. She’s officially retired, but since she was Marjorie’s first horse, she gets to stay and live out her days here on the ranch. She’s a sweet, even-tempered mare—perfect for getting you started.’


    ‘Sounds good to me,’ I nod. I trust Jake completely.


    We walk inside Gertie''s stall and Jake shows me how to saddle her and put the bridle on. When we’re done, I move to take Gertie outside, but Jake tells me to wait. He jogs towards the tack room and comes back with a lunge line, which he connects to Gertie’s bridle, and with a riding helmet.


    ‘Why do I have to wear a helmet?’ I protest. ‘That’s completely going to mess up my hair! Do you have any idea how long it takes to get curly hair like mine untangled?’


    ‘Safety first,’ Jake says sternly.


    ‘I’ve never seen you wear one!’


    ‘Yes, but I''m a stupid, irresponsible, and very stubborn cowboy, who has already spent countless hours on horseback. I may be willing to risk my own safety, but I would never gamble with yours.’ Jake gently taps my nose. ‘Helmet on, Miss Scott,’ he demands, ‘or you’re not riding.’


    ‘Fine,’ I sigh, rolling my eyes at Jake, but I willingly let him fasten the strap underneath my chin. When he’s done, he takes a step back and smiles at me.


    ‘All done.’


    ‘I bet I look ridiculous with this thing on,’ I grumble. I frantically try tugging my hair behind my ears, which is rather complicated with my head in this contraption.


    ‘You look adorable,’ Jake declares with a grin, leaning forward to give me a kiss. ‘Let’s go.’


    Jake leads Gertie to the corral in front of the main house, carefully closing the gate behind us. He beckons me to his side, and I hesitate for a moment. Now that the moment has arrived, a wave of nervousness hits me. But Gertie stands there calmly, her gentle eyes giving me a sense of reassurance.


    ‘Alright, put your left foot in the stirrup and grab the saddle horn. I’ll help you pull yourself up so you can swing your right leg over her back. Then you carefully sit down in the saddle. Got it?’ Jake asks.


    I swallow my nerves and give him a nod. Jake stands behind me, placing his hands on my hips.


    ‘Up you go,’ he announces as he easily lifts me towards Gertie’s back.


    I struggle a few seconds to get my foot in the stirrup, but after that I manage to hoist myself in the saddle. Jake helps me get my right foot in the stirrup as well and then hands me the reins, showing me how to properly hold them.


    ‘Still some room for improvement, but at least it went better than last time,’ I conclude with a sigh.


    ‘You were very graceful,’ Jake says, his face completely serious, though I catch the glint of humor in his eyes.


    I laugh and shake my head at him, knowing I probably looked like a toddler trying to climb onto a high chair. I couldn’t care less, though. I''m actually riding a horse! Jake takes a few steps back, lengthening the lunge line until he stands in the middle of the corral. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ‘Alright, when you’re ready to get moving, just click your tongue and gently press your heels into her flanks.’


    I do as Jake says, and as soon as I do, Gertie starts walking at a leisurely pace. Over the next forty minutes or so, I carefully follow Jake’s instructions as he teaches me the basics of horseback riding. He has me trotting in circles around him, advising me on proper posture and movements. It’s honestly a lot more work than I anticipated. The guys on the ranch always make it look so effortless. Before long, my forehead is covered in sweat, and I’m feeling muscles I didn’t even know I had. But I’m really enjoying it! I’m having a great time, and Jake is an excellent teacher. I’m glad he suggested we do this today. That is, until an all too familiar voice suddenly pierces my ears.


    ‘Mary Elizabeth Amber Scott! What on earth do you think you are doing? And on a Sunday, nonetheless!’


    The shock in my mother’s voice matches the one on my face. My head instantly snaps in her direction. Gertie apparently senses that I’ve lost focus, because she slows from trotting to a calm walk. Jake immediately clicks his tongue and starts pulling in the lunge line to guide me and Gertie back towards him. I send Jake a panicked look.


    ‘Those are my parents,’ I hiss, quiet enough so my parents won’t overhear.


    ‘Yeah, I figured as much, Mary Elizabeth,’ Jake smirks at me as he grabs Gertie’s bridle. ‘You’ve been keeping that one from me, haven’t you?’


    ‘Oh dear Lord, what are they doing here?’ I groan, ignoring his comment.


    ‘I take it you didn’t know they were coming?’


    ‘No, of course not!’


    Jake steps up beside me and extends his hands to help me dismount. I place my hands on his shoulders, and he supports my waist as I awkwardly swing my right leg over Gertie’s head. I hop down into his arms, but quickly pull away and take a step back, putting some space between us so we’re no longer touching.


    ‘We’ll work on properly dismounting next time,’ Jake chuckles.


    ‘AMBER!’


    I flinch and go pale. Mother sounds genuinely angry. I can only imagine what she has to say about finding me in this situation. Jake furrows his eyebrows as he studies my face.


    ‘It’s alright, they’re just your parents. They’re not going to eat you, right?’ he says wryly.


    ‘You don’t know that. They actually might,’ I hiss, displeased.


    ‘Why don’t you go say hi to them?’ Jake suggests. He briefly brushes my cheek with his thumb as he takes the riding helmet off my head. ‘Take them to your place, and get them a drink. I’ll take Gertie back to her stall, and then I’ll come down so I can meet them, yeah?’


    ‘Do I have to?’ I groan miserably.


    Jake just smirks at me. It looks like he’s about to lean in for a kiss, so I quickly duck away and take another step back. Considering our audience, it might not be the best idea for us to kiss. My parents obviously oppose sex before marriage, and knowing that I’m being intimate with a man I''m not even officially in a relationship with will certainly not sit well with them. Thankfully, Jake seems to understand, nodding toward my parents with a slight tilt of his chin.


    ‘Go! I’ll be right there.’


    I sigh and reluctantly walk through the gate of the corral. My parents are standing there, stiffly, with a stern expression on their faces.


    ‘Mother, Father,’ I greet them cautiously, giving each an obligatory kiss on the cheek. ‘This is a surprise! I didn’t know you were coming, did I?’


    ‘No, but you haven’t made the trip back home to us even once since you started working here. Apparently, we had no choice but to come to you if we wanted to see you,’ my mother replies somewhat sharply.


    ‘We have missed you, Amber,’ my father says, his tone slightly friendlier but still with a stern look.


    ‘Well, you’re here now. It is good to see you both,’ I lie through my teeth. I don’t like having them here, at all! ‘Why don’t you come back to my quarters with me? I can show you where I live, and then I could make some tea for us.’


    I quickly motion them to follow me to the back of the main house. The expression on my mother’s face makes it clear that she has more to say to me, but at least she keeps her mouth shut until we are in private. I lead them to the private entrance of my quarters and head inside first, so I can quickly wash my hands and turn the water heater on.


    ‘So…’ I say slowly as I turn around to face them. ‘How did y–’


    ‘What in the Lord’s name were you doing out there, Amber?’ My mother’s voice cuts through the air like a knife.


    ‘I was riding a horse, Mother,’ I reply evenly, trying to stay calm.


    ‘On a Sunday!’ she exclaims angrily.


    ‘That is not how you were raised, Amber Scott,’ my father says admonishingly, shaking his head in dismay. ‘Sundays are for reflection and contemplation. You go to church and you dedicate your thoughts to our Lord, thanking him for his unwavering guidance in your life.’


    ‘Yes, I know Father, but when else would you have me do it?’ I sigh, gently rubbing my head. ‘During the week, everybody on the ranch is too busy. Everyone here works hard. I''m busy all day taking care of the children, and there’s no time for leisurely riding. The weekends are the only option for me to learn how to ride a horse.’


    ‘If Sunday is your only option, then it is in fact NOT an option,’ my father declares sternly.


    ‘Your dedication to our Lord always takes precedence over exercising a frivolous hobby,’ my mother scolds me. ‘And then to let that filthy man put his hands all over you!’


    ‘Jake is the foreman of the ranch,’ I protest weakly. ‘He was just teaching me how to ride, and helping me dismount safely. That’s all, Mother.’


    ‘You should still know better than to let a man like that touch you! The male touch should be reserved for your husband, the only exception being your father,’ my mother says vehemently. My father nods along with her words, clearly agreeing.


    ‘Yes, Mother. I’m aware,’ I sigh resignedly. I learned a long time ago that it’s generally easier to just pretend I agree with them. Arguing will only lead to being lectured, because they never, ever see things my way. It’s been like that for as long as I can remember.


    ‘You need to find yourself a good, decent, Christian husband,’ my mother says firmly, crossing her arms. ‘You should never let some promiscuous, immoral cowboy put his hands on you. If I catch you in such a situation again, we’ll take you home before you can even finish a prayer!’ she warns, her tone heavy with disapproval.


    I try to suppress a groan. They can’t seriously think they can still control my life, can they? I’m twenty-three years old! I have a job, my own place to live, and I make my own money. My parents can’t truly believe they’re still in charge? Honestly, I can’t wait for them to leave again. Having them here only highlights how much I love my current life, free from their oppressive hovering and strict views. I bite back a snippy response and turn my back to them, pouring the boiled water into my teapot.


    ‘I am very disappointed in you, Amber,’ my father shakes his head at me. ‘A man like that is not an appropriate boyfriend for you.’


    ‘Well, you don’t have to worry about that, because Jake is not my boyfriend. He’s just a guy who works here,’ I say curtly.


    Even if we were in a committed relationship, Jake wouldn’t be classified as a boy—he’s definitely all man. But since he doesn’t want anything serious, it’s a moot point anyway.