Chapter 21

"Does your cabin have one of the hot tubs?" I asked.

"No I don't. Since I'm not really in my cabin much, I didn't think I needed one."

"Well, one of the first days that I'm allowed to ride, there are hot springs I'm going to take you then."

"I like that idea. Your appointment is on Monday morning in two weeks. Would you allow me to drive you to Denver on Sunday night? We could spend Monday in town and drive home after an early dinner that night."

"Sounds perfect. Where would we stay?"

"In another suite at a hotel, because I don't trust letting you too far away from me. Can you handle saying that you're dating me?"

"Yes I can," I said with a small smile on my face.

"Do you mind hearing me say, "I love you?"

"No, I don't mind if you keep saying it. Maybe, it'll finally break through my reserve; but please not every minute of every day, then I might send you away."

"Fine, but I do love you."

"I know."

"Now let's go back to the script." We quietly settled back in on the patio to continue reading the script. Around 5:30 pm, we started our dinner. About 6:30, we sat down and ate. After two bites of my steak, I said, "Edward, you can cook my steak any time. This is amazing."

"Thank you."

At 7, one of the other wranglers was knocking on the door, he asked from the front porch,
"Edward is Bella at least allowed just outside? I brought her a surprise."

"Yes," Edward said looking straight at me with a smile on his face. "You can go, but no running away."

"I won't; I promise." When I got to the door, I screamed in delight. Flame was there. Jake even brought me a brush, so that I could brush her. It was a lot of fun. Edward came up behind me and handed me an apple this time. When she nuzzled me after I gave her the apple, it didn't hurt. I smiled at Edward and then nuzzled Flame myself. I whispered into her ear as I kept rubbing her down, "Give me a couple weeks and I'll be back on the saddle. I can hardly wait to fly through this country side with you again."

Flame nuzzled me back and I think she shook her head in agreement. I turned to Jake and said, "Thanks."

"You're welcome and I'll see you back at the barn in a few days."

"Yes, very soon."

Edward then offered me a corona and said, "Have a seat?" So we sat outside on the patio quietly drinking our drinks, Edward finally said, "You really are feeling better?"

"Yes,"

"Good."

"How about we move inside and enjoy a movie?"

"Yes. Grab a movie and meet me in my bedroom."

When he came in, I loaded up the DVD player. We piled up pillows on my bed. Edward sat down first; then I laid a pillow in his lap. I settled down in his lap and got very comfortable. Together, we watched the movie. As it was getting close to ending, I started to fall sleep. I felt someone lift me up and kiss me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and slowly he laid me down and lifted my casted arm up over my head. He brought his incredible lips down to mine and we made out. We enjoyed touching each other. As he finished kissing his way to my ears, he whispered, "I need to go; but I'll be back in the morning."

"Can you give me five minutes before you leave?"

"Of course," and while laying their side by side, he undid my buttons and jeans.

"Now go." When I returned, I had on my red nightgown and no robe this time. He met me in two strides. "You know, this isn't the lowest or tightest, but damn you look amazing it. It isn't even satin or silk; even in red cotton jersey material, you are exquisite." Edward lifted me up and carried me back to bed. "Bella, you're so beautiful." He ravaged my lips until I was breathless and then he nibbled my swollen bottom lip. He kissed me to my ear and said, "I'll see you in the morning. I love you. I'll bring your clothes back then."

"Good night, Edward and thank you." Then he was gone and I settled down into another night of pleasant dreams.

I awoke to fresh blueberry muffins in front of me on a tray. "Morning beautiful." We sat side by side eating together. After breakfast, I got up and had fun going through my suitcases looking at all my new clothes. I put on shorts and a tank.

"Edward, will you put my hair up in a ponytail for me?"

"Sure," and he did. He was so gentle, caring and made sure it was perfect for me.

"Can we read the script some more?" I asked as I turned to get up.

"Sure." We had lunch and finished then finished the script. Around 3:00 pm, I heard a neah outside. I went outside and said, "Hi!" to Flame and then I looked at Rose and said, "Welcome back." I brushed Flame out and I looked at Edward and said, "Please let me get on her back."

"No, two more weeks and then you can." After a couple more nuzzles and a carrot, Rose went to take Flame back to the barn.

Edward said, "Rose."

"Yes, let Bella lead Flame back to the barn." I looked up straight at Edward's face with the most surprised look. He smiled and said, "You are paroled for good behavior. I'll see you three later."

Rose said, "Edward, you could go with Bella and I could get a shower in before dinner."

"Great idea, Rose," Bella said with small bounces of excitement.

So I got the lead line from Rose, Edward came to my casted arm side to act as my escort and support just in case. He kept me extra close in case I had a klutzy moment. "Thanks Edward," and I leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"You're welcome." When I came into the barn with Flame, everyone was very happy to see me. I put Flame in her stall and went to talk to all the other horses and ranch hands. As I did that, I looked at Edward and asked, "I'm not pushing my luck, am I?"

"No, Beautiful, enjoy yourself." So for the next hour, we walked around the barn. We headed up to my cabin; Edward then said, "The horses love you."

"Of course, they do; I always bring them treats. I respect their power and they respect me. I can hardly wait to get back in the saddle again."

"Bella, you still have to wait two more weeks," Rose said as Edward and I got back into the cabin. "Since you've been gone for ninety minutes, does that mean you've been paroled?"

I said, "Yes, as long as, I don't try to get on a horse."

"So are you going to the ranchers' barn for dinner or the main guest house?" Rose asked.

Edward said, "Wherever you want to go, Bella."

"How about the ranchers' barn tonight and tomorrow for lunch we go to the main guesthouse?"

Rose said, "Sound's good. Let's go." As soon as we headed for the ranchers' barn she asked, "So what did you two do while I was gone?"

"We read his new script that he'll start next year in June in Costa Rica. It was really good. Edward even has let me outside, but he keeps a close eye on me."

Rose just smiled at both of us and said, "I'm sure he did." Soon we arrived in the barn, we all sat and enjoyed dinner. Edward even allowed me to carry my own plate; however he scooped out my portions since I still only had one good hand. After dinner, we all just sat and talked about the ranch. The ranch hands were enjoying telling me about the wildlife they had seen around the ranch that I had missed out on.

Eventually, the three of us all headed backup to our cabin; Rose and I sat down outside. Edward stepped inside and returned with a bottle of wine and three glasses and a blanket for me. He offered, "Ladies, anyone care for a glass of wine?"

"Sure." Once the bottle was sitting down on a table, he threw me the blanket. "You're sometimes so brilliant," I said as I wrapped the blanket around me.

Edward smiled at me and said, "I noticed goose bumps as we walked back up." Then he poured us our wine. Edward sat next to me and the three of us shared riding competition stories out on the patio for awhile. Rose went to bed first. Edward finally walked me inside and pulled me into a loose hug and we kissed good night.