Page 61 of Dashing for Love

Because Cowboy Matty is freakinghot. He kicks the horse into a trot, and that asshole sits in the saddle like he’s done it for years, holding the reins like a natural and leaning down to whisper in the horse’s ear. When he straightens, the horse goes into some kind of complicated dance, reminding me of the long-ago Veterans Day parade in Birmingham that I’d mentioned to Jack.

I finally find my voice. “How do you know Ma—I mean, Dr. Brodigan?”

“He’s our vet,” Jack answers. “Great kid. Figured you’d know him. He’s from your town, isn’t he?”

I nod, unable to keep my eyes off Matty. “How does he know how to do that?”

“Doc ain’t doing anything. That’s all Chuck D. He’s a prancer through and through; loves to show off.”

Someone is showing off, all right, but I don’t think it’s the horse.

And I am not mad about it.

Matty’s biceps flex, and the sun literally glints off them.This is ridiculous.I’ve felt those arms around me. I’ve had those lips on mine. And those hips moving back and forth in the saddle? Yeah, they’ve done that between my legs.

I barely suppress a whimper.

“Chuck D. was limping, so we called Doc in. Seems he’s doing a lot better.” He leads us to the paddock, nodding at the cowboy leaning against the fence in acknowledgment.

Matty trots Chuck D. toward us, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. He knowsexactlywhat he’s doing. “Hey, Jack. Goldie.”

“Doc,” Jack says. “How’s my main guy?”

“He’s gonna be fine. Pulled a muscle in his foreleg, nothing a little rest won’t fix. I’ve left you some topical salve; I think that’s all he needs.”

Jack nods. “Join us the rest of the way?”

“Be happy to.”

The three of us make our slow way back to the stable. Jack dismounts and helps me down, then leads both horses away without so much as a backward glance. Matty’s horse is also led into the stable by another person, leaving the two of us alone.

For a moment, neither of us speaks.

“Working on a story?” Matty asks, glancing at my camera bag and back.

I nod. “Been here all morning. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

He shrugs and smiles sheepishly. “I did. Know that you’d be here, that is.” I must make a face, because he holds hishands up, even as a blush makes its way up his cheeks. “I’m not stalking you, I swear. When they called me this morning, they told me Jack would be busy with a reporter from Lucky. I knew there was only one reporter from Lucky who’d make the trek up here. And when I got here, I saw you and Jack, and then later I saw you at lunch with everyone.”

I tilt my head. “And you didn’t want to say hello either of those times?” I don’t get it.

“No way. You were working. And…” He looks down and kicks the dirt.

I laugh. “It’s hard work coming up with words, isn’t it, cowboy?”

He grins sheepishly. “Hey, I never said I was a cowboy.Youdid.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Looked just like a cowboy on that stallion a few minutes ago.”

He blushes more. “That was silly of me. I shouldn’t have?—”

“Looked like a damn snack up there, like you were born for a life on the farm? No, you shouldn’t have,” I tease. “But come on, out with it. What’s got you tongue-tied?”

He adjusts the cowboy hat, and I know it’s unintentional on his part, butdamn, even that move is stupidly sexy. Maybe I need to read some cowboy romance. He clears his throat and meets my eyes. “I’ve never seen you like this. Working. You’re different. Like, you’re Goldie, but you’re also so…notGoldie.”

I narrow my eyes. “I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult.”

He smiles. “It’s a compliment, I promise.” After a beat, he says, “Let me take you on a date.”

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