Page 5 of The Cowboy's Wild Side

“Sometimes, and I still drive in and have dinner with mom and dad, but I don’t miss the clubs one bit. Not after the drama with that biker gang.”

“You were so lucky nothing really bad happened.”

“You’re not kidding,” Helen mumbled with a sigh. “The whole thing was terrifying. Andy was amazing. He really was a hero. I take that back. Heisa hero! He’s my hero every day. Who knows, maybe Cade will be yours.”

“I wouldn’t say no,” Karen replied with a grin. “What do you know about him? Have you met him?”

“Sure, everyone knows everyone around here. He looks a bit like Clint Eastwood’s son.”

“Oh, my gosh, you’re kidding.”

“Nope, and I’ve heard he’s a great teacher. He rides his horses naked just like Andy and Brody, and before you say anything, it’s the horses that are naked,” she added with a giggle, “That’s a standing joke around here and I tease Andy about it all the time. In fact…you know Andy’s sister is Annie Baker, right? The country music star?”

“Of course.”

“Well, she’s just recorded a song called, Cowboys Riding Naked. I can’t wait to hear it.”

“Ohhh, that will be a hit for sure.”

“Everything she touches turns to gold, and I’m sure it won’t be any different.”

“Is that really the name of it?”

“It is, can you believe it?” Helen said with a giggle. “Apparently we’ll be hearing it any day now. Anyway, Cade rescues horses, rehabilitates them and sells them to forever homes. The buyers have to sign contracts saying the horse can’t be sold, and if they ever have to give it up, it has to come back to Cade. He refunds them half the purchase price. I know he’d like to just adopt them out, but rehabbing a horse isn’t cheap. Oh, and he has two Golden Retrievers, Jack and Diane.”

“Jack and Diane?” Karen repeated thoughtfully. “Why does that sound familiar?”

“The song. You know, two American kids growing up in the heartland.”

“That’s hilarious.”

“They’re brother and sister and they’re both goofballs. But I should get you over to the cottage.”

“That would be great. I’m pretty wiped out and I’d love to get settled, and now I can’t wait to meet Cade. What a cool name. Mind you, he sounds like a really cool guy.”

“He is, and he said you can go over to his ranch any time this afternoon. It’s not far. I’ll give you the address. I assume that car has a navigator. And by the way, where’s your Lexus?”

“Long story. That’s a rental, and yes it does.”

“You’ll need it. Once you get off the main road there are turnoffs to various farms, but the navigator will take you straight to it,” she assured her. Then pausing, she asked, “Karen, forgive me for asking, why are you really here?We’ve been friends a long time, and I can tell something’s bothering you.”

“You’re right, there is, but do you mind if I fill you in later? I didn’t sleep much last night, and when I woke up this morning I was a bit frantic. Once I’ve caught my breath I’ll fill you in.”

“No pressure.”

“I want to, I really do. I’m in a terrible pickle and I don’t have any idea what to do about it.”

“I’m sure there’s a solution. If we can’t come up with something, Andy will. He’s really good at problem solving.”

“I hope so,” Karen said with a sigh. “But this is not a run of the mill situation.”

* * *

A short time later, driving through tall, wrought iron gates and rolling down the driveway towards a two-story hacienda style home, Karen’s eyes grew wide. The estate was breathtaking. Manicured green lawns and flowerbeds sprinkled the landscape, and when she spied the cottage, she was captivated by it’s quaint storybook style and the small pond below it. Climbing from her car and moving across the verandah, she entered the code into the keypad door lock, stepped inside and let out a contented sigh.

“I can’t imagine a lovelier hideout,” she muttered as she moved through the small, exquisite home. “I think I was right. I may never want to leave.”

Fetching her suitcase, she took stock as she unpacked. She’d been in a desperate hurry and just thrown things in without much thought. She soon discovered she wasn’t just short on lingerie, she only had one warm sweater, and she’d failed to bring a coat, or even a warm jacket.

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