Page 15 of The Cowboy's Promise

“Oh, I see what you mean.”

“If I take care of the financial side of things and the trainin’, it would take that burden off you, and let’s be honest. We both know you don’t make a fortune bein’ a waitress at the Moonshine Campground.”

“This is true,” she muttered with a sigh.

“But ridin’ Henry won’t be like ridin’ Apollo. It will take hard work, and I’ll be teachin’ you almost every day. Are you up for it?”

“Of course, but do you think I’m good enough?”

“I wouldn’t be suggestin’ this if I didn’t. Did you forget you won today?”

“That was—”

“It’s both of you! Apollo is both calm and brilliant because of you!” he retorted sternly. “Do you think if Courtney was his owner he’d be the way he is? Of course not. I swear I’ll put you over my knee and spank that into you if I have to.”

But rather than becoming defensive or showing any concern about his threat, she threw back her head and laughed out loud.

“What’s so funny?” he asked, unable to stop himself from grinning.

“It’s just…when you get intense about something,” she began, talking between giggles, “you raise your right eyebrow and it reminds me of Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers movie. All you need to do is put your little finger next to your lips and—”

“Are you sayin’ I look like Dr. Evil?”

“No, no, sorry,” she exclaimed, laughing again. “I couldn’t resist adding that. But you do raise your eyebrow.”

“I’m seein’ a side to you I never knew existed.”

“Is that a problem?”

“I suppose time will tell,” he replied with a chuckle. “Now gettin’ back to Henry. I want to get a hair mineral analysis done right away.“

“Ooh, yes, what a good idea. When I first got Apollo he had terrible hives. I did that and it was amazing. I was able to get him back in balance and he hasn’t had them since.”

“Yep, it can be an eye opener. I’ll also ask Doc Clayton to draw some blood and run a general panel. Until we know Henry’s levels we should put him on soaked grass hay for a few days. That alone should calm him down. I bet Courtney’s had him on a high protein diet.”

“Actually,” she murmured, leaning over the table and fixing him with a steady gaze, “after what just happened I might need to be on a high protein diet to keep up with you.”

“You just might,” he quipped with a wink. “But we should get back to the show grounds before it gets too late.”

“Apollo will be so happy to see me.”

“Because he knows you travel with treats,” Blake said knowingly as he began clearing the table.

“No! Because we’re a team!”

”Well, yes, this is true, and you proved that today. I’ll never forget the look on your face when they announced you as the winner.”

“And I’ll never forget that feeling. Thank you for pushing me. I’m so grateful, and thank you for the wonderful dinner. You have so many talents.”

“Darlin’, you have no idea.”

* * *

A short time later they climbed into his truck and Butch jumped in behind them. Though he moved to the back seat he quickly turned around and put his front paws on the center console.

“You’re such a great dog,” Heather remarked, giving him a hug. “Don’t you need his leash?”

“I have an extra one in the glove box, but it’s late. I doubt there’ll be anyone there except Buck.”

---