Page 8 of The Rancher's Code

“But money’s not even an object!” She threw her hands up. “How is this not just a money problem?”

“I’m sorry, but there are some things that even a billion dollars can’t buy?—”

“That’s it!” Amber took a few steps closer to me. “We’re getting you on a horse.”

“What? Why?”

“Because you just don’t get it! And you’re not going to until you have an intimate experience with one of these beautiful creatures.” She nodded towards the barn. “I know I might seem crazy to you, but once you spend time on a horse, I promise you’ll get it. You’ll get me.”

“Amber—”

“Please?” She let out a deep sigh. “I just want you to understand where I’m coming from, Dylan. That’s all?—”

“What are you two fighting about now?” Cole walked up to us, a huge cowboy hat in place on his head. I wanted to believe that it looked stupid, but I couldn’t deny that it was working for him. His stupid cowboy hat and his stupid spurs and his stupid shirt?—

Shit.

He was looking at me again. Probably having the same thoughts about what I was wearing.

“We’re not fighting. Dylan is about to get on a horse.” Amber grinned. “Right, Dylan?”

“Amber—” I stopped and started, trying to find the right words. “I want you to know that I hear you, okay? But I’ve never been on a horse before, and I don’t think starting right now is going to resolve anything?—”

“You’ve never been on a horse before?”

“I’m a city boy, remember?” I scoffed in his direction. “Are you really so surprised?”

“I would say you’re full of surprises, actually.” Cole’s tone was sincere.

Too sincere.

Is he making fun of me?

I shook my head, unwilling to spend another minute thinking about him. “Look, I’m sorry, Amber, but I’m not getting on that horse?—”

“You should get on the horse,” Cole interrupted.

“What?”

“Amber’s right. Whatever you two are disagreeing about… you should still get on the horse. Just to try it.” He shrugged. “It could clear your head. Give you a different perspective.”

“And you care about me getting on the horse because…?”

“Just being a peacemaker.” Cole nodded towards the barn and walked into it. Amber flashed a smile as she followed behind him. I took a deep breath before joining them, running through excuses in my head as fast as I could. A few moments later, we all stood in front of a chocolate brown horse with expressive eyes, something about its face curious and playful.

“Ursula, meet Dylan,” Amber started the introduction. “And Dylan, meet Ursula.”

“Hi, Ursula.” I felt a little silly greeting the horse, but she seemed to recognize her name. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You can pet her, right on the neck,” Cole said, his hand already in place. He reached to grab my hand?—

But then seemed to think better of it, keeping his palm to himself. “Here. You try.”

I stepped closer to Ursula and copied Cole’s motion, gently petting her on the side of her neck. It was calming somehow, showing her this sort of affection. Somewhere mid-pet, Ursula nuzzled against my arm, and I felt myself melt right then and there.

“Oh, my God. She likes me. That means she likes me, right?” I looked back at Cole and Amber.

“Oh, she likes you.” Cole grinned. “Ursula’s an excellent judge of character.”

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