Page 4 of A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy

Paisley remembered the day. It was the first time she’d noticed Weston Kline. He’d filled out his suit nicely.

Chapter

Two

Weston led Ranger out of the stable and looped his reins over the corral post. Every single one of the 32 mounts Sweet River owned had been claimed for today’s ride. He could only hope there were a few experienced riders in the mix of greenhorns. He was only confident of himself, Darrell, Cadence, Paisley, and Jude. Should be enough.

Darrell, Weston’s wingman, dusted his hands together as he surveyed the row of patient horses, twitching their ears and tails against early-season bugs. “They’ll be happy to get some fresh air today.”

“Yeah. I hope so.”

Darrell chuckled as he headed back into the stable, returning with the bucket of carrots the new employees could feed to the horses. He tilted his hat back and surveyed the group in green Sweet River staff T-shirts milling on the other side of the fence before glancing over to Weston. “Want to do the honors?”

Weston crossed his arms over his chest. “You go for it.” His gaze scanned the group. Paisley had said she’d be here, but she wasn’t. He’d fully expected her to come early and help him and Darrell tack up all the horses, and she hadn’t. Where was she?

Not that he cared, but Enchantment was chafing at his bit, and someone experienced was going to need to ride him, or things wouldn’t end well. Who else out there could handle the gray gelding?

An electric golf cart careened into the yard and lurched to an abrupt stop beside the stable doors. Paisley leaped off, her well-worn red cowboy hat anchoring the long blond hair tumbling down over her shoulders.

Because of course red. It suited her.

Weston wouldn’t be caught dead in any hat other than brown. Who needed to stand out in a crowd and draw everyone’s attention?

Paisley. Because everyone had turned to see who the latecomer was, and several voices called, “Hi, Paisley!” as she waved back.

Everyone loved her.

Didn’t mean Weston needed to. He glowered at her. “I thought you weren’t coming.”

She flashed a grin at him as she swaggered over. “I told you I’d be here, cowboy.” She tugged his hat down a notch then whirled to face the would-be riders. “Is everyone here?”

This was Weston’s job, not hers, Ms. Activity Coordinator. He elbowed her. “Darrell and I have got this.”

“Oh?” She smirked up at him.

He itched to kiss that smir — no. He itched to wipe that smirk right off her face. She presumed too much. Always.

Darrell consulted his clipboard. “Okay, we’ve got Jude and Cadence helping as well today. If all the leaders are ready, we’ll assign riders to each one.”

Weston’s brother offered a cool nod from where he stood at Pepper’s shoulder, while Cadence sidled up beside Mirage. Cadence had proven herself last summer. Who knew being a rich kid who grew up going to a horsey camp every summer could be a competent horsewoman? Weston had to give her credit.

Paisley made a show of offering a carrot to Enchantment, who tossed his head before accepting it. That gelding would require Paisley’s focus and thus keep her out of trouble.

Weston could only hope.

Darrell assigned riders to horses in the five cohorts, then they were all busy helping greenhorns mount up and get comfortable.

Weston watched Emma Cavanagh. The young kitchen worker knew her way around horses. She’d grown up at Rockstead Ranch nearby so, of course, that made sense. They should have assigned a cohort to her. He’d mention it to Darrell for next time.

Soon Darrell led off with half a dozen riders, Jude following, then Cadence, then Paisley. Had Darrell assigned Paisley to the second last group on purpose? Thanks, dude.

Weston wasn’t sure if that was derision or honesty speaking up. The sarcastic running commentary in his head was ever-present. It helped when he wanted to keep people at a distance, which was always.

Especially if the person was Paisley Teele.

That’s what he constantly told himself, and what he told himself right now as he swung up on Ranger’s back. He nodded to the riders Darrell had assigned to him and gestured to the trail. “Gently squeeze your knees. Keep your hands loose and your heels down. Head out.”

They filed up the hill while he analyzed everyone’s form. There were absolute newbies in the mix, but it didn’t look like anyone was going to fall off the instant his or her horse swerved or stopped suddenly.

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