Page 144 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

“We need to get you some boots.” Jared eyed her Keds with disdain and led her into the tack room. It was chock full of bridles, harnesses, saddles and a variety of other horse training equipment. The smell of worn leather and horse sweat filled her senses, and Cat felt a moment of exhilaration.

“My sister leaves her boots in here as do some of her students.” Jared squatted beside a row of cubbyholes, full of boots and hats and riding crops. “What size are you?”

“Seven.”

“Perfect.” Jared returned with a pair of black, Western style boots in his hand.

Cat sat on the only bench in the room and removed her sneakers. The black boots were snug in the toe, but otherwise fine. She couldn’t have cared less. She was too excited. When Jared plunked a large cowboy hat on her head, she peeped at him from beneath the brim.

“To block the sun,” he said and covered his own head with a wide-brimmed brown Stetson. “Ready?”

Cat nodded and followed him out the side door to the yard. Waiting outside was a short, barrel shaped man, holding two of the most beautiful horses Cat had ever seen.

“Morning, Sirus,” Jared greeted the older man. “I hope we didn’t keep you waiting.”

“Morning, Jared.” The man’s voice was gruff as if underused. “No, I just got here myself.”

“This is Sirus.” Jared pulled Cat forward. “Sirus, this is Cat.”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” The wrinkled face cracked in a smile, and Cat felt honored as if the old man didn’t smile much and only when he meant it.

“Likewise...Mr. Sirus.” Cat nodded in return.

“This is your mount,” Jared said, leading Cat to the smaller horse. “Her name’s Cocoa Bar, and she’s the sweetest mare in the stable. She won’t give you any trouble.”

“Hello, Cocoa Bar,” Cat said and patted the horse’s neck. “Aren’t you a beautiful girl?” The horse nodded appreciatively, and Cat felt an understanding pass between them.

“I like her,” Cat announced.

“Let me give you a boost.” Jared crouched and cupped his hands. Cat placed her left foot in his hands and let him lift her until she could swing her other leg over the saddle.

Cocoa Bar stood perfectly still, and Cat felt herself relax. Somehow, she felt much higher off the ground than she had as a kid. Cat took the reins into her hands, trying to get used to the feel of them.

She’d always ridden English style as a child, and she noted the difference of the Western saddle. For one thing, it had a saddle horn. She wasn’t sure what it was for, but it seemed like an awfully good thing to hang onto if she lost control of the horse or the reins.

When Jared finished fussing with her stirrups, she slipped her feet into them, remembering to keep her heels down and her toes up.

Jared mounted with much less fuss. His horse was equally well behaved, but there was a decided air of rebelliousness about him. Perhaps it was his coat of unrelieved black. Never had Cat seen such a dark horse. His bearing was regal, the power of his frame tangible, he was the perfect complement for Jared.

“What is your horse’s name?” Cat asked.

“Diablo. It’s Spanish for devil.” Pride made his deep voice rumble, and Cat thought the name suited both the horse and the rider.

“Sirus, will you keep an eye on our girl?” Jared asked and pointed to Lucy who was sniffing one of the stalls.

“You bet,” Sirus said.

“Ready?” Jared asked Cat.

She nodded and with a wave to Sirus, they left the stable yard and headed out into the desert. Cocoa Bar seemed content to follow Diablo’s lead. Just like a woman in love, Cat thought with a quick glance at Jared’s broad back. Her gaze strayed to the motion of his hips in the saddle, back and forth, back and forth. She gulped and shifted her gaze away.

They followed a well-worn path through the valley and Cat marveled at the scenery surrounding them. Every morning when she woke up and looked out her window, it took her breath away. Spiked cacti, large rust-brown mountains, and green-limbed trees. It was all foreign to her and so very beautiful.

“You know what I can’t get used to out here?” Cat pulled alongside Jared as the path widened.

“The heat?” he guessed.

“No, the sky,” she answered. “I mean from one shoulder to the other all I see is blue sky.” Jared nodded, watching her with a tenderness that made her continue in a rush, “Back East, all you ever see is ribbons of blue through the trees.” She sighed, tipping her head back while clutching her hat to keep it in place. “It’s just amazing. It’s impossible to be grumpy or depressed when you’re inundated with sunshine like this.”

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