Page 20 of The Roper & the Author

“You all right?” Walker asked softly as he released his mom and approached her.

“Oh yes, thank you.” She could add observant and thoughtful to his list of fabulous characteristics. What couldn’t this man do?

Walker nodded to her and gestured to the laundry room. She walked in front of him. He put his cowboy hat on and slid into his boots. He glanced down at her running shoes. “We need to find some boots and a hat for you.”

She smiled. “Can I not ride without them?”

“You can, but …” His cheek crinkled with that irresistible grin of his. “I want you to have the full experience.”

She sighed with delight at that smile and his words. He did mean … kissing the cowboy type of experience, right? She certainly hoped so.

“Since we don’t have much time tonight, we’ll forego the boots and hat, but I’ll find you some for next time.”

“Thank you, Walker.” Her voice was so breathy it probably sounded like she was thanking him for a kiss.

“Sure thing.” He held the door for her. They walked through the garage, out the small side door, and through the backyard, the crisp air invigorating and fresh. He held the door as they stepped into the barn.

Her stomach pitched with excitement. She was going to ride a horse. With Walker. She’d be up high on a horse’s back, riding through a meadow with her hair streaming behind her. She’d fall off and Walker would run to her and pick her up. He’d pluck some leaves out of her hair and they’d laugh. He’d brush the dirt away from her cheek but then his hand would settle, cup her jawline, and his blue eyes would regard her with all the love she’d been missing out on.

Her daydream was interrupted by the terrifying thought … She’d fall off her horse? Nerves assaulted her. What if horseback riding was scarier than her characters had ever admitted to her or Google had informed her through her research? What if she did fall off, was horrible at it, or the horse bit her?

Walker held the door for the barn, and they walked into the cool interior. A variety of windows and overhead lights kept it bright. The smell of hay and horse was noticeable but not unwelcome.

Walker directed her toward the horse stalls. Usually she’d be asking a million questions, trying to learn the ins and outsof horse life and bring authenticity to the book series she was already planning with this man as the hero.

She should be worrying about Abuelita being found unharmed. Instead, as they walked past a few beautiful horses and up to a stall, she could only focus on Walker. The fact that Abuelita would want her to focus on Walker pushed away the guilt.

“This is your horse,” she said, pointing at the beautiful black steed.

“One of them.”

“You have more than one?” she asked, incredulous.

“Sure thing. Tantrum is for racing, doing chores, and riding around the property. Miss Sue is my roping horse, and Cash is my roping horse in training.”

Miss Sue. She’d been so stressed thinking Miss Sue was his girlfriend. She hoped someday to be comfortable enough to share that story with him.

“Wow. This is a lot to take in. More than one horse. That blows my mind. I had the image of you roping on this noble steed.” Yet in the roping videos she’d watched, he’d been on a brown horse. She’d assumed he didn’t bring his horse with him to far away rodeos, but Papa Jared had said Miss Sue was flying with him. She had so much to learn.

He smiled at her. “Miss Marci Richards, meet Tantrum, the meanest and fastest American Quarter Horse around.”

“He is beautiful.” She reached out to stroke the horse’s black coat, but her hand stopped. “Mean?”

Walker chuckled. “He won’t bite you or hurt you. We say he’s mean because he won’t let anyone but me ride him properly and he’s competitive. This handsome boy has never lost a race with Easton, or anybody.”

The obvious pride in his voice made her smile. She reached out and stroked her fingers through the horse’s short hair. Tantrum nickered and then leaned into her hand.

“He likes you,” Walker said, sounding surprised.

“Everybody likes me,” she countered, proud that Tantrum liked her, though she’d done nothing to earn it besides petting him. Did one pet a horse? She needed to quiz Walker on all these details. Sometimes Google didn’t explain as well as she’d like and watching endless YouTube videos on different subjects grew exhausting.

“I can see that. Especially the male variety.”

She thought he was teasing. She laughed.

Walker looked … disconcerted suddenly. “Let’s introduce you to the horse you’ll ride. Sheila.”

He turned to go.

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