Page 8 of Roping Reba

“I think the hardest part is going to be pulling him away from the kids when it’s time to go,” Johnny said with a laugh as Jax tripped over his own feet and landed face first in the grass with the toddlers climbing all over him, all three laughing in glee. “He does like it here. We don’t have many kids on our ranch. Just Mac and Athena’s, but they still spend a lot of time in the city.”

I nodded, refocusing on the horses. Memories of Serenity and hearing how much has changed made something ache deep inside me.

“I’m going to get started with them,” I said as I unlatched the gate.

“I don’t need to tell you to be careful but be careful. Jagger said on the phone they managed to get them here because the dark brown one was hurt and the others wouldn’t leave her. They were able to get her leg cared for, but since she started feeling better, she’s been just as standoffish as the others.”

“I understand.” I went to push the gate closed just as Johnny stuck his boot in the way. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m not letting you go in there alone.”

“You will scare them off,” I said as I pushed harder against the gate, secretly hoping the steel toes in his boots gave out.

“Me? You are the one always throwing around I-hate-life vibes.”

“I don’t hate life.”

“Could have fooled me.”

Jagger hollered from where he was in the yard, “Moira and I will watch Jax while you both are out there. I’m sure she will work up some lunch, so we will get him fed. No need to rush back.”

“Thanks, Jagger, we shouldn’t be too long today.”

The wind kicked up, stirring the scent of hay, horses, and the lingering trace of Johnny’s cologne. Damn him. Even standing a few feet away, he invaded my space like he had a right to be there. My irritation rose at the thought that Mac didn’t trust me to size up these girls on my own but had sent Johnny, knowing damn well how complicated our relationship was.

It had been Mac who’d found me crying like an idiot the morning after everything happened. He was the one who’d convinced me to move forward and not look back. Johnny had been a mess back then and, if I’m honest, I hadn’t been much better. But it felt like ever since, Mac would push us together any chance he had.

“I don’t need you babysitting me,” I said, still watching the horses, pretending like his presence didn’t send something warm and dangerous through my chest.

Johnny stepped up beside me. “Not babysitting. Supervising.”

I turned my head. “Same thing.”

His lips twitched, and for a moment, I thought he might actually smile, but he didn’t. Instead, he came even closer, mirroring my stance. His shoulder brushed mine, the brief contact sparking heat across my skin. I looked over at him, wondering if our touch had the same effect on him as it did me. If it did, I had no idea how, because he looked as if nothing could affect him. Johnny was always the sweet and kind one, but he still acted as if everything rolled off his tough skin. Everythingbut Jax; you could always tell how much his son affected him and that was one of the many reasons I couldn’t stay away from him.

“I don’t like the idea of you in here alone. Make sure you don’t come by without me,” he said, voice low and even, but there was an edge to it, something protective that made my stomach twist.

I forced myself to focus on the horses instead of the way his voice curled around me like a lariat, threatening to pull me in. The dark brown mare that Jagger had mentioned lifted her head, ears flicking toward us. She was beautiful, proud, and untamed.

She was everything I wanted to be.

“I’ll be fine,” I said, straightening. “I’ve been working with horses longer than you’ve been wearing that smug expression. They trust me, so you should too.”

Johnny chuckled, but it didn’t sound entirely amused. “Smug expression? You wound me, darlin’.”

I rolled my eyes. Of course that’s all he would take from my comment. I took a step into the oncoming wind and the horses skittered a few steps away, their muscles tense, nostrils flaring as they tested the air. I stayed still, giving them time to adjust to my scent.

Johnny followed a second later, sneaking up beside me with the quiet grace of a man who’d spent his life working with animals. He didn’t say anything, just stood there, waiting.

“You know, you don’t have to prove anything to me,” he murmured.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

His gaze was steady, unreadable. “It means you don’t have to do everything alone, Reba. You don’t always have to be the one holding the reins.”

The words struck something deep inside me, something I didn’t want to acknowledge. Because the truth was, I did holdthe reins tight. Letting go meant getting hurt, and I’d learned my lesson the hard way. I looked back at the horses instead of answering, focusing on the dark mare. She was still watching me, head high, eyes sharp. I took a slow step forward, keeping my movements calm, measured. Johnny didn’t move. Just let me work, let me do what I was good at. That was the thing about him. He might push, but he never tried to take control where it wasn’t needed. And damn if that wasn’t the most infuriating and attractive thing about him. The mare snorted, shifting her weight, muscles twitching under her sleek coat. I dropped my gaze to something less threatening, allowing her to be the leader she was. After a long moment, she took a hesitant step closer, testing the air between us.

“There you go, sweetheart,” I whispered, extending my fingers just enough to let her catch my scent again.

---