Page 8 of The Cowboy's Wild Side

“Apart from a bruised ego and all this mud,” she muttered with a sigh. “Good grief. Just look at me.”

“Yep, you’re quite a mess,” he said as he looped the halter over the horse’s head. “You should go into the house and get cleaned up.”

“Uh…I don’t want to be any trouble.”

Though he was tempted to retort,that ship has already sailed,he resisted the temptation.

“My housekeeper did the floors yesterday so just take off your shoes before you go in,” he began. “The guest bedroom has a bathroom. It’s the second door on the right. I’m takin’ this boy back to his paddock.”

“Okay, uh, thanks.”

Annoyed and glancing over his shoulder as he led the big gelding away, Cade saw the beautiful, bedraggled girl making her way slowly to the back door. Though he’d taken her to the paddocks along a gravel path, the fields were mucky from a heavy downpour the day before. She’d ignored him, and now she was paying the price. As far as he was concerned she deserved it.

* * *

After stopping at her car and dropping her dirty sweater on the passenger seat, Karen continued to the back door, tugged off her muddy sneakers and stepped into a cozy, spotless kitchen. Walking carefully across the polished tile to an opening that appeared to lead into a hallway, she followed it to the second door on the right. She was greeted by a cheerful bedroom decorated in yellow and white, and she thought it was a stark contrast to the ruggedcowboy with whom she’d spent the afternoon. Moving into the bathroom and staring at her reflection in the mirror, she was shocked by what she saw. Dirt was across her face and in her hair. Chagrined and embarrassed, she washed up, then headed back to the clean, cozy kitchen and found Cade sitting at the table.

“Would you like a cup before you go?” he asked, gesturing towards the coffee pot, a milk jug and a bowl of sugar.

“Thanks, yes, I’d love one.”

Wordlessly rising to his feet, he fetched a cup from a cabinet and set it in front of her.

“How are you feelin”, Karen?”

“Thanks, and to be honest, a bit, uh, embarrassed,” she replied, reaching for the coffee pot.

“It’s been a pleasure meetin’ you, but—”

“You too,” she exclaimed, cutting him off. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. In spite of falling into that mud I’ve had a wonderful time. And I think Astro likes me.”

“Seems so, and I’m sorry but this has to end here. I’m not the right person to teach you.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Cade’s remark was the last thing Karen expected. Shocked, and having no idea what to say, she just stared at him. But he wordlessly stared right back. The moment seemed to last forever, then Jack suddenly barked. Rising to his feet, Cade moved to a cabinet and fetched two milk bones.

“I don’t understand,” she managed as he returned and fed them to Jack and Diane.

“I won’t teach someone who doesn’t listen,” he replied solemnly.

“Of course I’ll listen.”

“I can’t trust you.”

“Why would you say that?”

“I told you to stay by the car and you ignored me.”

“I just wanted to help.”

“That’s not the point,” he retorted with a frown. “I told you to stay where you were for a reason. Those horses have just come in. I don’t know them.”

“Then why did you let me come into the paddock with you?”

“It was a controlled environment. They were relaxed, not loose and runnin’ around. Again, that’s not the point,” he added, rising to his feet. “I have to get back to work. I’m sure you’ll find—”

“No—wait—I’ll pay you double.”

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