Page 17 of Home to the Cowboy's Arms

“Ah yes…and I might have been one of those when you first announced your campaign.”

“You were,” she responded with forthrightness, but not accusingly. “I had heard it before and never let it bother me… after the first couple of times. But I just let it add to my determination to stay the course.”

“And ‘staying the course’ can often be a nicer way to say someone can be stubborn.”

“Because I hear a bit of humor in your tone, I won’t take that too personally. My brothers are among the few people who can get away with calling me that outright.”

“You’ve had to be someone who takes care of others to a greater degree than most. Makes you overly independent at times so that it becomes a habit.”

She stopped before taking the next bite of her dinner. “Why do you suddenly sound like a therapist of some sort?”

“And not a simple cowhand…as you once called me?”

She felt contrition at her own behavior toward him in the past. “You sparked my Irish temper…my grandmother’s gift to me. We hadn’t gotten off to a good start at our first meeting. I apologize for that reference.”

“Accepted.” He smiled in return. “Maybe some of that high-priced advice I received the few times I went to a professional sunk into my hard head after all.”

“You admit you have a hard head? I am impressed. That seems to be difficult for some males to admit.”

“I’m going to regret telling you that, aren’t I?” He gave her a rueful smile in return.

“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe between you and me,” she said. And marveled at how easy a smile came in return. Were they actually talking like two old friends?Imagine that.

“I suppose I’ll have to trust you on that.”

“Once I give my word, I keep it.”

“That’s good to know.” He took a long sip from his glass.

“Do I sense a hint of skepticism?”

He shook his head. “Not really. I’ve just come across a few in my time that weren’t so forthcoming.”

“A few?” She sensed she needed to have her own questions answered. “A few as in women?”

Tori sensed a slight change. Gone was the grin of earlier. Had she misread something?

“Not everyone is as forthright as you. I’ve come across one or two of those when I didn’t know better. A single man is catnip, it seems, around these parts. At least one with a fair-sized bank account.”

“I think Matt might agree on part of that.”

“Part?”

“A single man…not in the same ballpark in terms of his pocketbook of course…but he is still a good catch and wishes he could just take care of his daughter and his job and leave the rest to chance as he calls it.”

“Chance? Like love at first sight?”

“Your tone tells me a lot more than your words. You are one of those men who don’t believe in anything so prosaic, evidently.”

“And you do…a romantic at heart? I wouldn’t have thought you would be one of those women. Waiting for that knight on a horse to come by?”

“I’m afraid I didn’t have time for those fairy tales growing up. I just hoped someday a good guy might show up—steady job, family values, patience to put up with me and my work…of course, if he did have a horse in tow, that might seal the deal.” She tried to finish on a note meant to bring a smile back to his face. She had to settle for half of one.

“There is that. You do seem to have a thing for animals…small and large ones. Your brother told me about the neon sign above your head, as he calls it. The one that tells all homeless critters that you might be a soft touch?”

“I admit it. I find the company of animals preferable to some humans.”

“Guess I might be one of those who fall into that category—you find the company of my horse preferable to me.”

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