Page 98 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

“I’d like you to help me with it, Juni.”

Every muscle in my body tensed. I was familiar with the kind of program he was talking about and whathelpingmight entail. “I don’t think I can, Cord.”

“Understood.”

I felt guilty over his easy acceptance. “I mean, I guess we could talk about it.”

He smiled. “That’s all I’m asking.”

My eyes bored into his. “For now.”

He nodded once. “For now.”

When he askedme to join him in the barn an hour later, I hesitated. “I don’t want to disruptyour meeting.”

He put his arm around my shoulders. “You won’t.”

Cord held my hand as we walked down the path leading from the cottage to the area where the horses were kept. I saw several in the corral, all wearing stable blankets.

As if he’d felt my presence, Apache raised his head, and our eyes met. He walked over to the fence, whinnying. When I reached the place where he stood, I extended the knuckles of one hand towards his muzzle. He closed the distance, and we touched. I slowly turned my hand over and lowered it when Apache leaned closer, breathing into my face. I turned my body slightly, and he rested his head on my shoulder.

“Hello, sweet boy,” I whispered through the tears running down my cheeks. “I’ve missed you so much.” We stood like that for a few minutes until he raised his head and neighed. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Cord standing a couple of feet behind us. “You like him too,” I said, kissing his nose as I stroked him.

Apache nudged me when I dropped my hand.

“Someone’s been spoiling you.”

I felt Cord’s presence behind me. “Put your hand out,” he said. When I did, he placed a carrot in it. I fed it to Apache, then turned to face him.

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” He motioned to the barn. “Shall we?”

I ran my hand down Apache’s nose once more, so happy to have seen him and relieved he remembered me.

When we entered through the alley door, all the cowboys who’d been seated, stood. Several of them approached Cord, extending their hands in greeting. With few exceptions, their expressions conveyed admiration and respect for the man they hadn’t seen in weeks and might well have never seen again.

The meeting, during which Cord thanked everyone for their hard work in his absence, was brief. While he spoke, I heard his cell phone chime twice. After explaining he would be away from the Lilacs for two more days, he dismissed all but Jed. Then he motioned for me to join them. I listened as he mentioned the horse auction as well as the therapeutic riding program we’d discussed.

He stopped talking when his cell chimed a third time and pulled it from his pocket. “It’s Ashford,” he said, leaning closer to me. “Do you still want to go along?”

I was stunned. “Have you changed your mind aboutwanting me?—”

“Never.”

When my cheeks flushed and I lowered my gaze, Cord turned to Jed. “That’s all for now.”

“Yes, sir,” the other man said, walking away.

As soon as he was out of the barn, Cord wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled our bodies flush together. “I thought I made how much I wanted you more than clear last night.”

“You certainly did.” My cheeks flushed, but I kept my gaze steady on his. “Except that wasn’t what I was asking. If you’d let me finish, I would’ve asked if you’d changed your mind about wanting me to go with you.”

“Never,” he repeated.

“Good, because if you had, I might’ve tried to stow away in your luggage.”

Cord shook his head and chuckled. “I love you, June-bug.”

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