Right Move (Clean Slate Ranch #6) - A.M. Arthur Page 0,59
cares what I wear?”
“What about your skating outfits?”
“My coach always chose those. Besides, those outfits were about performance not style. Something flashy to match the music and moves. I never kept a single one.”
Levi partially regretted bringing up George’s old career, but George didn’t seem glum or upset. Only matter of fact about those years of his life. Very different from the man Levi had first met.
They each made sandwiches and a few salad selections, then went out to the porch to eat. They were soon joined by the Briggs-King family, and little Faith barely stopped talking about the camping trip long enough to eat her lunch. Levi loved seeing the girl vibrating with excitement, even though her dads seemed a touch reserved. But they loved and were indulging their daughter, and that was a beautiful thing.
After a quick trip to their room for hats and a bathroom break—Levi might have spent a few quick minutes kissing George by the window—they headed down to the corral to meet up with their group and guides. Hugo was the other horseman on the overnight, and he was riding lead while Reyes rode on the chuck wagon, led by his own horse Hot Coffee. The wagon had their food supplies, sleeping bags, tents, and a shotgun for safety.
Before they entered the corral, George’s phone rang. He immediately walked in the opposite direction, his face expressing guilt that Levi didn’t like. Levi watched from a distance, giving George privacy, and fairly certain the caller was Orry. Probably unhappy about the camping trip and George being unreachable until tomorrow around lunchtime. Too bad. This was George’s life, and he was allowed to live it.
George looked defeated when he returned to the corral, and Levi resisted the urge to hug him. “Everything okay?” Levi asked.
“Orry being his usual, overprotective self. He’s scared I’ll get eaten by a mountain lion or fall off a cliff like Slater did.”
“Slater’s fall last spring was a freak accident. There’s also a shotgun on the chuck wagon, but no guest has ever been threatened by a mountain lion.”
“You were.”
Levi squeezed George’s wrist. “I wasn’t threatened. I experienced the beauty of the land and then I backed away unscathed. There’s a lot to be said for what Arthur, Judson and Reyes always say: respect the land and it respects you. We’ll all be okay out there, George. Besides, you’ve got me to protect you.”
Affection gleamed in George’s eyes, and it took all of Levi’s self-restraint not to drag him into the privacy of the barn. “I’ll hold you to that. All of this is brand new for me.” Something in his tone suggested he meant more than just the camping trip.
“I’ll do my best to make it memorable,” Levi whispered. “All of it.”
“I know you will.”
Someone nearby cleared their throat. Miles stood a few feet away, smiling. “We’re heading out soon,” he said softly. “You guys good?”
“We’re perfect,” George replied. “I’m excited for the trip.”
“It’s fun. I’ve been out with the guests before, and Reyes and I love to camp, just the two of us. It’s that special thing we share.” His knowing gaze seemed to hint that Levi and George could find a special thing to share, too—only he and George weren’t married like Miles and Reyes. They weren’t even technically a couple. Friends with brand-new benefits, maybe.
Whatever they were, Levi was here for it. He only hoped George was, too.
* * *
The first leg of the trip left George sore and exhausted by the time their entire party stopped by a long, babbling creek of water that bisected the land. They’d been riding for about two and a half hours, and his butt hurt more than he’d ever imagined. Figuro was a great horse and easy to manage, but damn, the constant rolling and up-and-down movements weren’t easy to get used to. He had no idea how Levi managed to ride at a full gallop, never mind do all those tricks.
Everyone dismounted at the creek and the horses were allowed to drink. George took some time by himself to stretch in familiar routines from his skating days. Warming muscles and getting blood flowing again. He probably should have stretched before the ride began but too late now. Once his body felt less wound up, he took a few pictures of the scenery to send to Orry tomorrow because, as promised, the Wi-Fi signal was gone.
His conversation with Orry had been terse and uncomfortable, and not because of anything George had