Free Bridleton by Becky Barker Page A

room. She stayed in the shadows and watched as he stood out in the storm. At first all she could see was the glow of a cigarette.
    Then a flash of lightning illuminated him. Naked from the waist up, he stood tall and strong while rain glistened on his hair and sun-darkened skin. She watched in fascination as he put out the cigarette, looked up to the sky and then in her direction. Even though she knew he couldn’t see her, she felt his gaze on her flesh. Her body quivered in response.
    By the time the next flash lit the night he’d disappeared into his room. She’d known he wouldn’t come to her tonight. It made her feel both relieved and rejected.
    * * * * *
    Over the next few days Andrea took orders from Noah without complaint, determined to prove she could be a productive member of the ranch staff. He never asked her to do more than she could handle nor half as much as he was willing to do himself. As in the past, they learned to work in harmony, each complementing the other to get the daily chores done.
    While modeling she’d become accustomed to the physical strain of long hours on her feet, yet working the ranch challenged her in ways she’d totally forgotten. Her three hundred dollar French manicure was ruined the second day. The sun and wind irritated her eyes and wrecked her hair even though she loved the feel of both on her skin.
    The only breaks they took from sunrise to sunset were for meals. Zack and Cheyenne shared chores closer to the house. Painting had begun on all the buildings and landscapers worked to get the property back into prime condition. Chey and Nanna spent hours trying to get the financial records in order. No one mentioned selling the property but they all knew it was a distinct possibility if they couldn’t turn a profit.
    Andrea hit the shower, ate dinner and collapsed shortly after dark each night. The insomnia she’d suffered while working abroad disappeared completely at home. She went to bed exhausted, slept like the dead and rose again when her alarm rang at six in the morning.
    Their spring schedule was grueling, yet she ended each day feeling proud of what they’d accomplished. The tension between her and Noah continued to escalate. Sometimes the stinging desire caught them by surprise. It always left her feeling needy yet most days she was too tired to dwell on it. Saturday came and went in the same manner but by Sunday everyone needed a day of rest.
    Meredith didn’t work on Sundays so the family enjoyed a breakfast buffet of muffins and bagels. Chey and Zack slept late while Nanette went to church. Andrea woke at her usual early hour. She entered the dining room just as Trace and Noah finished eating. They all exchanged good mornings.
    “You’ll have to excuse me,” said Noah, rising from his seat. “I need to get to the fairgrounds.”
    “Fairgrounds?” asked Andrea as she poured herself coffee and grabbed a bagel.
    She couldn’t help but notice how great he looked this morning. He’d dressed simply in dress boots, jeans and a long-sleeved blue plaid shirt but she’d always loved him in royal blue. It brought out the color of his eyes and highlighted the bronze of his skin. He looked so good she wondered if he had a date. The thought instantly darkened her mood.
    “There’s a horse show at the fairgrounds arena and I promised to judge.”
    As teens they’d both ridden and competed at a local level. A lot of 4-H members and Future Farmers of America students got together throughout the summer for informal competitions. Many past participants served as judges. Local merchants donated ribbons or trophies.
    “You’re judging shows now?” She asked the question as she moved to the table with the bagel in one hand and the cup of coffee in the other. It had been a long time since she’d attended a show but she’d always loved them.
    “When I have time.”
    “Is it a special event?”
    “No, just a fun show, but concessionaires and craftsman set up on the grounds