Page 41 of The Influencer and The Introvert
Beau, the youth activities coordinator, asked if I could join him for an art session earlier. He always tries to get me involved with the teenagers aside from my usual trail rides and fishing trips, but it rarely works out. Not that I don’t like working with the kids, I do, but my duties don’t always allow me to join in with what Beau plans.
“Who was the kid who didn’t come into the class? The one in black? I saw him in the office earlier, just watching the rain.” I ask Beau as we clean up the art supplies.
Beau sighs. “That’s River. He’s won awards. Art awards, I mean.” Beau pulls out his phone and motions for me to come look. “You’d appreciate this, Colt. Look at this painting! He won a district high school art award for it. Isn’t it incredible?”
Enlarging the photo, I nod in agreement. “Wow!” I wish I could paint as well as this kid. “He has some serious skills. Any idea why he didn’t want to join in today?”
“No,” Beau sighs as he swipes through the series of screenshots he’s saved on his phone. “I hope his dad isn’t disappointed. When I looked him up online and then saw all of River’s accomplishments…”
Beau trails off, eyes wide, and shoves his phone in his pocket.
“The dude who painted the blob horse? That’s his dad?” Now things click together. “He’s the CEO from Chicago? You looked him up?”
Beau’s cheeks turn about as red as the barn doors. “Uh, yeah.”
“Huh. Points to you because I never would have thought of doing that. There’s a lot about him online, then?” Lord, I just learned what Instagram and hashtags are. Searching up my crush online is the last thing I would’ve thought of.
“Oh, yeah.” Beau nods. “Also… I’d appreciate you keeping that bit of information to yourself, Colt. If the others find out I went all internet stalker on the guy, they’ll never let me hear the end of it.”
“Don’t I know it. Gunner ribbed me for days because I bought Ethan a fly-fishing vest.”
Beau laughs. “That’s such a Colt thing to do.”
I shrug. “It’s all I know. Don’t worry, Beau. Your secret is safe with me.” I lift the box of art supplies from the counter. “If you’re okay here, I need to finish some barn chores. The group of rained-out trail riders will be using the hall soon, too. I’ll get the art stuff back in the closet if you want to deal with the art?”
“Yep. On it.”
I’m on my way down the hall when Beau calls out. “Colt?” I pause and turn back with the box in my arms. “Thanks.” He might be thanking me for not questioning him more about the CEO, or he might be thanking me for the help; either way, the answer is the same.
“Anytime, Beau.”
The groupof rained-out trail riders ends their trip with a gathering in the dining hall instead of their sunset ride. Thankfully, they’re a happy bunch and know we don’t control the weather.
Ethan volunteered to photograph some of their revelry in exchange for using it on the ranch’s socials. He told me he’d be finished by 8 PM, and it’s nowjust after that. The music is loud, even with the rain pounding on the roof, and the guests are enjoying themselves despite the situation.
Maybe it’s because Ethan has been dancing with them for the last few minutes and doing his best John Travolta impression. When he spins and sees me, he folds forward with laughter.
“Please don’t judge me on my disco moves.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
He grabs his camera with a promise to send photos to the group in a few days before posting anything and joins me at the door.
“So, are we going to your place tonight?”
“Is that okay? We can stop at your cabin for a bag.”
Ethan zips up his raincoat with his camera bag underneath it. “Yep. I’m already packed. Let’s go!”
He darts outside and runs through the rain to his cabin with me behind him. Once on his porch, he fumbles for his keys before finally opening the door, and we surge in, soaked to the bone.
“You know,”—he hands me a small duffel bag while he grabs his laptop bag—“this cabin isn’t the greatest in wet weather. I hope your place is more cozy.”
I frown. “Do you need extra blankets here? We can get you some, you know. You should be comfortable.”
“You make me comfortable.” Ethan presses a kiss to my lips. “Don’t worry.”
We both hustle out the door, half running and half jogging, but totally full-on laughing, and once we reach my truck, we both throw ourselves inside. Ethan shivers, and I turn up the heat while we wait for the windows to defog.
