Page 2 of The Cowboy's Ultimatum

“Andy, don’t start. What you do and I do are totally different.”

“You’re right there. My horses are naked and I have no issues, but you have all that tack on Daisy and what happens? Problems. What does that tell you?”

“I can’t deal with this right now,” she exclaimed, jumping to her feet. “I’m going home.”

“Hey, take it easy.”

“You keep trying to convince me what you do will work for me, and I keep telling you it won’t.”

“How do you know if you don’t give it a shot?”

“For pity’s sake, it’s like…I don’t know…oil and water. It won’t mix. I love going on the trail with you and riding Big Ben, but Daisy’s isn’t a trail horse. She spooks at everything. I can’t imagine how she’d be with all the things we’d pass going up Smoky Hill.”

“And I’ve told you we can fix that. She doesn’t have to be—”

“I can’t handle this conversation again, I’m too tired, and we’ve talked this to death. I’m going home. My trainer will be here around one o’clock tomorrow. Her name’s Erin, by the way. I’ll get here around twelve-thirty.”

“Okay, get some rest. When I meet her I can talk to her about some of my methods and hopefully we can have a meetin’ of the minds.”

“Andy, please just stay out of it. She’s going out of her way to come here. I don’t want to piss her off.”

“Helen,” he said, lowering his voice and stepping closer, “I’m sorry I upset you. I want to help, and I’m sure I can.”

“I know. I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to be so short-tempered. I’m just wiped out and frustrated. I just want to go home and crawl into bed, but you have to understand, English riding is totally different to what you do.”

“Darlin’, it’s not about whether you’re jumpin’, or doin’ flat work in an English saddle, or ropin’, or anything else. It’s about helpin’ Daisy overcome her fears and—”

“No! It’s about making her do what I want!”

“You know what, you’re right, you’d better go home,” he muttered, dropping his arms away. “I’ll walk you up to your truck.”

He sensed she was about to tell him not to bother, and though she didn’t, they made their way up to the barn in silence. Watching her climb behind the wheel and drive away, he let out a heavy sigh.

“Daisy isn’t the only one who could use my help,” he muttered. “There’s a conversation you and I need to have. One that’s long overdue.”

CHAPTER TWO

Though Andy’s younger sister Annie was a Country and Western singing star, her fame hadn’t changed her, or their relationship. She’d married a close friend, a local horse trainer named Brody King, and was now the proud mother of a little girl who was just starting to take baby steps. It was a happy time, full of laughter and delight. Needing to share the joy, he settled back on his couch, took another drink of his beer and called her.

“Hey, Andy,” Annie said cheerily. “How did Helen fair at the show?”

“Not so well.”

“Again?”

“Yep, again. Is that adorable little niece of mine still keeping you on your toes?”

“Oh yes. She’s so brave. Nothing fazes her.”

“Just like you.”

“Me? I’m not that brave.”

“Are you kidding me? Against all odds, you went off to Nashville and became amazingly successful, then somehow escaped that psycho manager of yours. A person doesn’t get much braver than that.”

“I admit there were some pretty scary moments when he showed up here, but Andy, why am I hearing tension in your voice? Is it Helen?”

“Is it that obvious?”

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