Page 54 of Rocky Mountain Home
He moved Samson into position as the familiar edge of anticipation and excitement bubbled in his blood. He took a deep breath, focus narrowing. The sound of voices and laughter becoming fainter as he gripped the rope, positioned Sampson and gave the signal to open the chute.
Samson moved forward the instant Jesse shifted his weight, man and beast working together, chasing after the steer as Jesse twisted his raised wrist once, twice, three times—
He barely remembered getting off the horse, the motion familiar and smooth as he tied the calf and stepped back.
Appreciative cheers reached him as Jesse returned to Samson, giving him a firm pat as a thank-you.
They returned to the gate, watching as others took their turns, setting up and going for it another few times. In the end, Jesse wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his sleeve then didn’t bother to hide his grin as he tied Samson to the railing, patting him happily. “We might have to do that again, sometime.”
Samson seemed pleased with the idea as well.
When Jesse caught up with the Stone brothers, Luke was grinning, Dustin frowning and Caleb somewhere in the middle.
“You do know which end of the horse is which.” Luke hit him on the back. Jesse held himself vertical with great difficulty, hiding a grimace.
Dustin grudgingly offered a nod. “You did okay.”
Jesse hadn’t expected vows of eternal friendship, so he took it. “Thanks.”
Caleb was the one who threw everything into the air. His expression unreadable, he was eyeing Jesse a lot closer than he had to date.
He sighed. “Were you planning on staying the night?”
Jesse nodded. “You know when the girls will be back?”
“Late.” The gathering of hands was breaking up, horses and men disappearing into the barn and far corners of the paddock. “Join us at the house for dinner.”
Wonderful. Caleb appeared less than delighted while issuing the invite, and Dustin looked as if he’d swallowed a frog.
Which was reason enough for Jesse to grin and pretend he was thrilled. “Appreciate it.”
Jesse took Samson back into the barn, removed the horse’s saddle and put everything away. Kelli joined him, moving comfortably around the big horse.
“You like working at Silver Stone?”
Kelli shrugged. “It’s my home. I’ve been here for nearly eight years.”
She didn’t seem old enough to make that claim, but Jesse put aside his curiosity and headed back toward Dare’s cottage. He took a shortcut through the paddocks, lost in thought.
Dinner with Dare’s brothers wasn’t what he’d planned. He and Dare needed time together, and he was more than ready to put their physical relationship back on track. But since he had no choice in the matter, he’d put on a good face and hope it might—
Between one moment and the next Jesse found himself airborne, strong arms lifting him from the ground. He struck out in an attempt to free himself, a sharp curse escaping his lips.
“Let me go.” He caught a glimpse of hats flying, and dark hair as he struggled, then suddenly he was free and headed for the ground.
Or maybe not, as cold wetness wrapped itself around him. He landed with a splash, barely closing his mouth in time as water washed over his head. He scrambled to sit up, catching hold of the solid edges of the watering trough he’d been unceremoniously dumped into.
Two highly amused faces peered back at him. Dustin laughed as he scooped up his fallen hat and jammed it on his head, walking away without a second glance.
Jesse sat there for a moment, shocked, angry and yet somewhat amused. Everything he wore was soaking wet, from head to toe, including his boots. He hadn’t seen it coming.
It was better than a shotgun. Or a fist, for that matter.
Luke stepped forward and held out his hand.
Jesse eyed it with suspicion. “You have a buzzer on your palm that’s going to shock me?”
The other man chuckled. “No such luck.”
