Page 33 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

“The hay is over there.” He motioned toward the open-air structure comprised of a wooden roof and some beams holding it up. Big spirals of hay were stacked side by side.

Rusty strode to the hay. Kristy followed, picking her way through the grass and manure. Rusty pulled out a large clump of hay and slammed it on the dirt while she was still a few feet away. Dust rose up like smoke from a fire, dancing in the breeze.

“See how dusty it is? With all the allergies people have these days, this may not be the best choice for an indoor event.”

As she brushed the dust off her pants, she nodded. “I see what you mean.”

“We just came in from fixing some fencing in the west pastures. Those two”—he pointed to the two horses that stood watching them with curiosity—“have had time for a drink and should be ready to go.”

“Which one should I ride, considering I’m a little rusty?” She chuckled. “No pun intended.”

“Sheba.” He pointed to the brown one, who was still munching away. “She’s the calmest. I’ll ride my sister’s horse, Misty.”

“Funny that Misty has the same color hair as you do. And your sister.”

“I think that was part of the attraction for Lexi. She scraped together the money to buy her, and she’s never regretted it. Misty is probably one of the best ranch horses around these parts, and my sister trained her. She’s doing that now as sort of a sideline, with her husband’s blessing.”

They walked to the corral entrance. Rusty opened the gate, and Kristy walked through. The latch clicked behind her. Kristy approached the brown mare, who didn’t seem the least bit concerned or curious. “I wish I had brought some carrots for her.” She brushed her hand down the side of Sheba’s neck. “Doesn’t seem like she’s holding it against me.”

Rusty picked up Misty’s reins. “She won’t. Sheba doesn’t have a bad bone in her body.”

Like Rusty, she thought.

“Do you need me to give you a boost?”

“It’s been a few years, but I think I can still get on myself.” It was probably more than a few years. “But maybe stand by, just in case.” She grabbed the reins, then the saddle horn, put her foot in the stirrup, and tried to hoist herself up, but her one leg dangled awkwardly, refusing to go over the saddle.

Before she could lower herself to the ground to start over, she felt warm breath on her neck and two hot hands pressed around her waist. Up she went. As she shifted in the saddle, her waist felt like it had been branded.

She took a deep breath, hoping to dispel the surge of sensations bombarding her. “Thanks. As I said, it’s been a while.”

Rusty didn’t comment, just fixed the stirrups for her. Without another word, he lengthened the stirrups on his saddle and mounted his horse in one graceful movement, putting her awkward attempt to shame.

She watched as he reined his horse around. Though he claimed not to be a cowboy, Rusty certainly looked every inch like one, sitting on a chestnut mare, cowboy hat on his head, boots on his feet, back straight, and reins in hand.

“We’ll ride side by side so I can keep an eye on you since ‘it’s been a while.’” He winked.

Blood rushed to her cheeks. Great. Now she’d have him in her sightline the whole ride. Why she was so taken with this man was beyond her. Yes, he was good looking. Yes, he also seemed like a good guy. But the way her body reacted to being near him defied logic. She was not interested in a relationship. At least that was what her mind kept telling her. If only her body would listen, because it was saying something totally different.

Chapter 10

He tried to keep his mind on the trail ahead, but his gaze kept drifting to her. Partially to assure she was able to handle the horse. But that wasn’t the only reason.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her if he wanted to. And he didn’t want to. She’d fit nicely in his hands when he’d hoisted her up, and for a moment he’d thought about turning her around so he could kiss her. But he knew that would likely get him smacked.

She’d been clear she didn’t have time for romance. And he’d made it equally clear he’d wait until she had time. And he meant to keep that promise… if he could. But running into her like this, being alone with her out in the middle of nowhere, was testing his restraint.

“So we’re riding on what used to be my family’s ranch.” He needed to keep his mind engaged so it didn’t wander into imaginary places he shouldn’t go. “What do you think?”

Before them laid a vast expanse of pastureland. Tall grasses swayed in the ever-present Wyoming breeze. The soil was dry and dusty, but the grasses were dusky green and plentiful. Mountains could be spotted in the far distance, reminding everyone that they were on the outskirts of Rocky Mountain country. He was proud of his family’s roots in the region. But not proud enough to take it on.

“It’s beautiful country. It must have been amazing growing up here.”

“It was.” He pointed to the dirt road ahead. “Up there we’re going to swing right. That’s where the straw bales are waiting to be picked up.” In the opposite direction of the pond. One positive of her arrival was that it had banished the demons dredged up by the visit to the pond. Maybe Hank had a hand in this meetup.

She nodded, her blond hair blowing against her face as she sat back in the saddle.

“You seem comfortable up there,” he said. She held her seat like a seasoned horsewoman.

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