Page 24 of Home to the Cowboy's Arms

“Thanks again for taking Jillie shopping. I can’t wait to hear how this meeting goes.” He was moving toward his truck and added the last just as he closed his door…safe and soundproof inside the vehicle.

*

Tori hadn’t plannedon changing outfits but then she did decide to bake two pies to take to the crew at the ranch, by way of saying thanks again for their work. So she did need to change because there was a speck of flour on one pantleg.

Two hours later, she was pulling up to the iron gate with the arch above with the Lockwood brand in its center. This time, the gate opened without her saying a word into the speaker box. Evidently, the camera was in use. It was a far different entrance than the last one where she had to beg practically until the poor cowboy on the opposite side of the gate finally allowed her to pass through.

There was time for one more look in the mirror to check the soft shade of rose lipstick that she had added at the last minute. After going through four outfits she finally gave up and decided that she felt silly. She was heading to a ranch where she would no doubt be going through bushes and whatever else to make her way to the springs, so a nice outfit was out. She settled on a pair of dark blue jeans, a pullover sweater in light blue and a sleeveless vest in denim. A dark red scarf was wound casually around her neck. She was tempted to leave her hair down, but at the last minute she smoothed it into the usual ponytail. With a recurring image of the woman and the kiss she’d witnessed Caden give her a few days ago, she reminded herself that it was just a business meeting and nothing else. And that was okay with her.

The house came into view. It was a beautiful, natural stone, one-story home. Its long length lent itself to a porch that ran the length of the front. Comfy patio furniture with fall colors made it seem inviting along with urns of yellow, gold and orange mums. It wasn’t the mansion that most people might have expected but it did declare wealth in a classic, understated way.

A housekeeper opened the door to her knock. She was about to step inside, as the housekeeper took the two pie carriers from her hands, when they heard the approach of horses. It was her host. And she schooled herself to not get lost in the fact that Cade Lockwood on horseback was pretty hard to tear your gaze away from. She failed though. Especially when he swung out of the saddle and strode toward her, that smile appearing that she was certain had been the downfall of many a woman over his years in rodeo.

“Punctual as always,” he said to her as he joined her on the porch. He glanced at his housekeeper. “Could those be pies in Mrs. Jones’s hands? You baked them for me?”

“Yes, they are pies I just baked. But they’re for the workmen who somehow appeared at my house today. They did a very good job…even though they shouldn’t have come at all. So the least I could do was bake them something.”

He only smiled and nodded at Mrs. Jones. “Please see that those go to Nate and his crew, with the heartfelt gratitude of our mayor.”

She left them and Tori wished she had stayed around longer. Which was ridiculous because she had handled many business meetings with men just as important as Cade Lockwood and did just fine holding her own. But this was different. How different, she was about to find out.

“Well, we don’t want to waste daylight. And we’re supposed to have some rain later coming in from the southwest. So, let’s get on our way to the springs. I chose a gentle mount for you.”

He was headed back down the steps. She stayed in her spot. “Mount?”

Cade took the reins of a beautiful gray mare in his hands. She had been patiently waiting next to his big black horse. “The springs aren’t in walking distance. And since I found out how much you love horses, I thought this might be a treat for you. I promise Ladybug is a perfect lady.” He held out the reins to her.

Tori knew she was being had…again, by the cowboy. He knew that it would be hard for her to look into those beautiful large doe eyes of the animal and not melt. That and the fact she had always wanted her own horse…he was not playing fair. She still didn’t take the reins.

“Take your left hand and rub down her nose from her forehead—she really likes that. Don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not afraid,” she corrected him. She eased forward and lifted her hand. The mare stood still, patiently waiting. She slid her hand down slowly along the ridge of the horse’s nose. She looked into those eyes and instantly fell in love.

“Ladybug,” she said softly, making another long stroke down to the velvet-soft skin around her nostrils. “You are such a beautiful lady with a perfect name. You are a real sweetheart for certain.”

“Take the reins in your right hand and we’ll get you in the saddle.” Cade’s voice was low as he stood next to her.

“You put your left foot in the stirrup—she isn’t going to move. And I’ve got her also. Then take a little jump to lift yourself upward, your right leg swinging over her back. On three.”

She counted in her mind as he counted aloud and in one movement, she realized she wasn’t standing on the ground any longer but seated on the back of a horse. And it was amazing…just like she had imagined in all her childhood dreams. Only this was reality.

“Take the reins and don’t worry, she won’t move until you tell her.” He moved with a swift confidence, much smoother than her first attempt, he was in the saddle of his mount. He drew in beside her.

“I won’t soon forget the look on your face right now.”

“Abject fear?”

“Undeniable joy is what comes to mind. You look good in the saddle. Let’s see how you do when we start walking them. Watch my light tapping of the sides of my horse and you do the same.”

“You said walk, right? We don’t need to go faster.” She followed Cade’s direction and Ladybug began a slow walk. And that’s how it went for the next half hour. Cade would give instructions and then she would follow. It was such an amazing feeling that before she knew it, they had progressed from a slow cadence to a rocking one and then to a faster trot. And each step she found herself wanting to go even faster. But Cade was a good teacher and kept his pupil on target.

They topped a rise and came down to the banks of a running stream. They halted. Cade swung out of the saddle and moved to take Ladybug’s reins from her. He instructed her on how to dismount and she did so. But he left out the part where her legs might feel a bit like rubber. Luckily, he was there to catch her arm and right her until she was steady on her feet.

“You survived. Good job. We’ll let them enjoy some water and rest while we take a little walk and let you get your land legs back.”

“Aren’t we going to tie them up?” The horses were already enjoying the water.

“They are trained to stay where their reins are dropped. A good ranch horse learns that before much else. Let’s take a walk.”

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