Page 24 of Cowboy and the Convict

The nickname didn’t bother him. It was the truth. "Funny." He pulled the door closed, leading her across the deck and down the stairs. “If I’m Mister Messy Pants, does that make you Little Miss Immaculate?”

Janie grinned up at him from where she walked at his side. “I feel like you’re getting dangerously close to dad joke territory.”

He scoffed. “You started that.”

She tipped her head. “Come on. I bet you have a whole list of them, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to whip one out.”

“No.” He paused, trying like hell not to prove her right. “I’m not Indiana Jones.” He risked a peek Janie’s way and found her watching him with a raised brow. “Whip one out? Indiana Jones has a whip?”

“Oh, I got it.” She pursed her lips, but he could swear it looked like she was about to smile. “I think I liked it better when you were lecturing me.”

“Well that’s just mean.” He bumped her shoulder with his so she would know he was teasing. “See if I ever tell you a joke again.”

“I’ll mourn the loss.” Janie peeked up at him from under her lashes, unsuccessfully smothering out a smile as she returned his shoulder bump.

Following the path he'd taken twice a day for the past ten years, he headed for the barn. Since his daughters didn't come out here much, it was the first time he'd had anyone with him in longer than he could remember, and it was a little strange. In a good way.

Moving past the line of trees taking up the back of the main yard, he glanced at Janie when the barn came into view, trying to gauge her reaction.

While she didn't say anything, her eyes were bright as they locked onto the John Deere green structure, and a small smile played on her lips. Her steps were quick beside him, giving away her eagerness as they crossed the last remaining bit of grass. She rocked up onto her toes as he pulled the door to one side, standing back so she could be the first one inside. Janie didn’t hesitate. She went straight for Winston’s stall, fearlessly going right up to his horse.

Devon lingered behind her, watching as she made long strokes down the gelding’s neck. "I didn't know you were a horse girl."

Janie didn't turn his way, keeping all her attention on the animal in front of her. "This is actually the first horse I've ever met." She leaned back, looking over Winston’s face. "He's beautiful."

Devon stood there for a second, trying to make sense of what she’d just told him. "You've never been around a horse before?"

Janie shook her head. "No, but I've always wanted to. They're just so pretty."

He was listening to her, but it still wasn't quite connecting. "But you work at a ranch. How have you not been around a horse before?"

Janie finally glanced his way, her expression slightly irritated. "I work in the kitchen of an inn on a ranch." She turned back to Winston. "As soon as I finish there, I have to leave to go to The Baking Rack. I don't exactly have a ton of time to spend in their barn."

It was a stark reminder that he was taking up even more of her time. He should probably feel guilty for it. For monopolizing Janie’s only day off. But he didn't. Maybe that made him an asshole. Maybe it made him selfish. But it was easy to see Janie got along with his girls. And it was easier to admit than it should have been that he liked having her there with him now. Having someone to keep him company. Someone to joke with. Someone to talk to.

They were only one day into their agreement, and shelling out the money she owed Tukwila already felt like a small price to pay for all Janie brought to the table.

But there was no avoiding that his end of the table was a little lacking. Good thing he had an idea that might level the scales. "What time are you done at The Baking Rack tomorrow?"

Janie continued petting Winston. "Same time I'm always done. Pretty sure you're familiar with it since you were waiting to arrest me after work the other day.”

She didn't sound upset, which was a relief. He was a little worried she’d hold that against him. He expected to hold it against himself. But so far, that arrest might be the best thing that ever happened to him.

Devon leaned against the stall. "You want to come here when you're done? We can go out for a ride."

Janie's head snapped his way. "On the horse?"

Devon stepped to the stall next to Winston’s, slapping the door and waiting until Winnifred poked her head over the edge. "Horses."

Janie's eyes went even wider. "Oh my gosh. That one's beautiful too." She abandoned Winston and went straight for Winnifred, smoothing down her dappled coat. "What are their names?"

“That one’s Winston, and she’s Winnifred.”

He went to collect Winston’s feed while Janie continued dishing out attention. She was still dishing out affection when he returned. “I think you’re their new favorite person.” He carried a bucket of pellets into Winston’s stall, switching it out for the empty one. “Just a heads-up, they’re going to expect the same kind of treatment the next time they see you.”

"Then they’re going to be extra sad when I have to spend all my time cleaning the house instead of out here petting them." Janie smoothed down the center of Winnifred's nose, directing her next question to the mare. "Aren't you?"

Devon collected a pile of hay, adding it to Winston's stall. "Not if you come over tomorrow for a ride." He watched as Janie continued loving on Winnifred, the joy she found in being so close to a horse written all over her face. "I don't get to ride them as much as I used to, so I'm sure they'd love to be taken out."

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