Page 23 of The Cowboy's Wild Side

By the time they’d fed the horses, taken all but Lily out to their paddocks and cleaned the stalls, Karen was exhausted. As she flopped down on a bale of hay Cade ambled over and sat next to her.

“Are you okay?” he asked. “Do you still want your lesson?”

“Definitely, I just need to catch my breath for a minute, but why do you want me on a bareback pad and not in a saddle? Isn’t a saddle safer?”

“With Lily you could ride her standin’ on your head and still be safe,” he replied with a chuckle. “But the answer is, you’ll be able to feel the motion of the horse. When we start I’ll lead you around and explain a few things, then you’ll pick up the reins and I’ll stay beside you”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it. Are you ready?”

“Very ready. I can’t wait.”

“Fetch her from her stall and take her over to those cross-ties,” he said, pointing down the barn aisle.

Excited by the prospect of sitting on a horse with just a bareback pad, she hurried down to Lily’s stall, grabbed the halter from the door and walked in. The mare immediately lowered her head to give Karen a gentle nudge.

“You are so sweet,” she said softly as she slipped on the halter. “I know this is going to be fantastic.”

Being around the finely boned thoroughbreds at the race track had been a completely different experience. Shewould watch from behind a fence as the highly-strung, muscled, race horses were led around a paddock by experienced handlers. She would never dream of attempting to do such a thing. But Cade’s horses were easy-going. Even the rescues had seemed relaxed when she’d watched him take them out to their paddock. When she reached the cross-ties, Cade was waiting with the saddle pad. After helping him brush off the mare and watched him clean her feet, she stood back as he put the pad in place and tightened the cinch.

“Once you’re on, all I want you to do is take a deep breath and relax. That’s it,” he said with a smile as they headed outside. “Can you do that?”

“I’m excited, but yes, I can.”

* * *

Paddy O’Brien could throw back whisky with the best, but when he was on a job he didn’t touch a drop. He would start the day early, thinking and planning as he jogged a three mile route through a nearby park. Tracking down Karen Harper was no exception. He was on the road to Smoky Hill by 7 a.m.

When he reached the small town, he made a mental note of the diner, the hotel, and some other places of interest. It was only a short five minutes later he arrived at the Rutherford estate and pulled to the side of the road.

In spite of the tall, imposing gates and six-foot high wrought iron fence topped with sharp points, accessing the grounds wouldn’t pose a problem. Lifting his powerful binoculars from the glove compartment, he studied the house. Though he saw no sign of life it didn’t mean there was no-one there. It would be easy to find out, but that would come later.

As he continued on he passed scattered homes on his left, but on the right there appeared to be nothing but forest, then following a sweeping bend, the famous Smoky Hill abruptly came into view. Slowing down and gazing up at the impressive sight, he understood its claim to fame. Towering above the ranches like guardians watching over them, the tall pine trees were shrouded in a light mist.

A short time later he passed a sign announcing Lake View Point. The spot had made headlines after drug dealing bikers had fallen victim to the fast rising waters. He remembered reading the catastrophe had been caused by snow falling from the mountains. Making a mental note to return to check it out, he sped up and only a few minutes later he arrived at the turn off to The Moonshine Campgrounds. The drive had been a long one, and gratefully heading down the lane, he came to a stop outside the impressive lodge housing the office and restaurant. Like the man he worked for, Paddy kept a small leather notebook. Climbing from his SUV, he lifted it from his jacket, checked the name of the woman he’d spoken with when he’d made his reservation, then slipped it away.

“Are you Rebecca?” he asked, marching inside and approaching the desk.

“I am, and you must be Patrick O’Brien.”

“The accent always gives me away,” he said with a grin.

“Do you need help with your luggage?”

“I think I can manage,” he replied as she handed him a key card, “but I might need someone to show me the sights around here. You wouldn’t be interested, would you?”

He’d lowered his voice and winked when he’d made the comment, and as a pink blush crossed her face he felt the familiar wave of satisfaction.

“I would, but I’m not sure my boyfriend would be veryhappy about that.”

“If you change your mind let me know,” he said, shooting her his best smile. “Now, where do I find my cabin.”

“Just follow the drive and take the first turn to the left. You can’t miss it, and you’ll love it. Annie Baker stayed there for her wedding. It has total privacy and a wonderful view.”

“Thank you, Rebecca. And the restaurant? Do you serve lunch?”

“It’s actually open all day. Feel free to pop in any time.”

---