Page 13 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

“Well, like I said, anyone comes around here, Mazy lets me know right away.”

“Have you had anyone come after you here? Just because you said that you’re not everyone’s favorite.”

He looks over his shoulder at me. “A time or two, I suppose. But nothing I couldn’t handle. Mostly bill collectors and the like. I reckon I’ll have more of that coming at me soon enough.”

“I’ll get you fixed up right quick, Billy. You won’t have anyone repossessing or sending you to collections so long as I’m on the case.”

“I’m guessing y’all can turn on the charm if they do, anyway, darlin’.” He smiles at me from behind. I notice how his eyes crinkle at the sides when he smiles. It’s quite endearing. He’s also got really long eyelashes that are clearly visible in the twilight. Never noticed that about a man before.

“None of that matters after tomorrow.”

“Y’all think you can get things squared away that fast, huh.”

“I know I can. My previous boss used to throw all sorts of things at me. From what I saw earlier, this will be a piece of cake.”

“Then you’ll be worth all that I’ll be paying you, darlin’. And if you stay, you can have free lessons whenever you want. It’s too bad that Trixie didn’t have a nose for horses like you do.”

“Really? Gosh, I’d love that.”

“Consider it done. Tomorrow’s your first lesson. I’ll have you riding in no time at all.”

“But if I learn to ride, what willyouride?”

“We’ll take turns for now. I’ve got another horse coming this weekend, and then when Mazy’s foal is big enough, we’ll ride it, too.”

“You can just...buyhorses?” I chuckle.

“Well, of course, you can, darlin’. I finally found a breeder that doesn’t have any ties to Copper Cove, so he sold me a nice horse, just like Mazy here. Same breeder that set me up to breed Mazy.”

“What do you mean...set you up? He brought over a boy horse?”

He snuffles a laugh. “No, just his best set of swimmers is all.”

My nose scrunches. “Oh, poor Mazy.”

“Never mind that. It would have been much harder on her had we bred her the old-fashioned way.”

“Why’s that?”

“The mares usually get injured that way. The studs can get aggressive and it’s not worth the risk.”

“So, how do you...oh, never mind.” I wave. “It all sounds very gross and unromantic.”

He laughs. “It’s not any of those things, darlin’. I’ll be breeding her again if all goes well. You can help me.”

I scrunch my nose. “What will you do to Mazy?”

“You’ll see later. I don’t want to burst your bubble.”

“Gross.”

He laughs again. “Come on. I think that’s enough riding for now. You’ll be so sore y’all won’t be able to sit down on the desk chair tomorrow.”

“Okay, fair enough. Mazy might be getting tired, too.”

“She’s a tough girl. She could ride all night, even carrying us and the little one. But all the same, I don’t want you hurting too badly tomorrow.”

We head back the short distance to the barn, and he helps me off again. He’s so versed helping me down it’s no wonder he says he’s been raised on a ranch. It’s very obvious. “You want some tea or something, darlin’?” He offers as we say goodbye to Mazy and go back into the house.

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