"You didn't have to do that, but I do like gifts." Bo chuckled while everyone around him laughed.
Julie grinned, happy that Bo and Jessica seemed to be hitting it off. Then again, Jessica hit it off with anyone. She was the one who had the people problem—at least, people who could see. The blind she did great with. Taking a minute to glance around, her eyes met with curious gazes until they found the pair of brown intense eyes belonging to Clay. And to top it off, he wore a cowboy hat. Damn, but she was a sucker for a man in a cowboy hat. He gave her a nod hello, while she gave him a shaky smile. Man, she was such an idiot. Quickly looking away, she was in time to see Bo's confused expression.
"It's a book." He frowned, then turned his face toward Jessica. "Did Julie forget to tell you I'm blind?"
Jessica laughed at his teasing. "It's braille." She opened the book then took his hand to run his fingers over the raised wording.
"Is it hard to learn?" Bo continued to run his hand over the book. A few friends also leaned over to touch it.
"Not at all." Jessica beamed. "I'll teach you how."
After a few minutes, Julie started to feel like a third wheel. Bo and Jessica were talking up a storm, everyone was in their group, Clay had disappeared, and Diesel had lain down with his muzzle resting on Jessica's foot. She had never felt more alone in her life than she did at that moment.
Chapter Seven
Glancing around, Julie spotted a barn. Knowing Jessica was okay, she turned and headed away to explore, something she hadn't been able to do during her time there. Might as well do it, since she wouldn't be back—unless of course Bo needed her, but that didn't seem to be the case. He was doing fantastically and had plenty of friends who could step up, along with his brother.
As she made her way toward the barn, she spotted a horse walking toward her along the fence. The noise of the party was just a murmur behind her. The moon was bright enough to light her way. The horse stopped, as did she. Julie had never been around horses before and was a little hesitant to reach out, so she just placed her hands on the fence. The horse snorted loudly before placing its large nose on her knuckles.
"Please don't bite me," Julie whispered, wanting to pet the horse, but afraid.
"Go ahead, he doesn't bite." Clay's voice startled her, causing her to jump and scare the large horse, who stomped. Clay grabbed her around the waist and pulled her away from the jumpy horse. "But he will stomp toes."
"I didn't mean to scare him," Julie said, surprised when Clay didn't immediately remove his hands from her waist. His strong chest pressed against her back. "But you scared me."
"Sorry." He didn't sound sorry at all. Easing her forward with his body, he whistled, which calmed the horse. Reaching down, he grabbed Julie's hand and raised it toward the horse's nose. "Haven't been around many horses?"
"None," Julie admitted, trying to focus on the horse instead of the man.
"I think that's against Texas law." His hand tightened on her waist as he edged her closer to the fence.
"There's no such thing," Julie replied, her voice sounding husky to her own ears. She prayed she didn't make a fool of herself just because he had his hands on her.
He made a noise in the back of his throat and was silent for a few moments as she petted the horse, who stood loving every minute of attention. "You want to go for a ride?"
"Really?" Julie felt excitement mixed with fear. "I haven't ever ridden before. Actually, this is the first time I've ever been this close to a horse."
"Seriously, are you really a pure Texan?" Clay's deep voice echoed in the night.
Those words were like a splash of reality in her face, indicating just how different her life was to Clay Marshall's. "Maybe I should get back to my sister." She started to pull away from him, but he held her tighter against him.
"Your sister is fine." Clay turned her to face him. "My brother will make sure she's well taken care of. I think he's infatuated with her."
"But…." He ignored her as he let go and led her toward the barn. In no time, he had a horse saddled and was sitting on the huge beast, holding his hand out to her. Wanting with every fiber of her being to reach for his hand and ride with him, she hesitated. The horse shifted, making her jump back.
"I promise you'll be safe." He had taken off his cowboy hat, which was such a shame because he looked damn good wearing it, and was staring down at her. His hand didn't waver as he waited for her to take it.
Her fear was her heart not being safe, but then she thought about what her sister had said in the car. Blind faith. Was she brave enough? When her eyes met his, she knew if she didn't do it she would regret it. Reaching up, she grasped his hand and was surprised when he pulled her up effortlessly in front of him. He whistled and tugged at the reins, and the horse calmly trotted out of the barn, heading down a worn path toward a group of trees.