Page 35 of Choosing the Montana Cowboy

She stabbed a bite of steak. “I’m guessing we’ll grab something to eat while we’re in town, so maybe seven-ish?”

Damn, that would be too late to start their ride with Natalie. It looked like Sam would just have to take her out himself. Which, the more he thought about it, the better it sounded.

“If you take the truck, I’d be willing to ride along,” Gramps offered. “Don’t think my back would agree with a ride today.”

Poor Gramps. His arthritis was getting worse every year. Though all that bronco riding he’d done in his twenties hadn’t done him any favors. It’s why Sam had opted to forego the rodeo circuit; he wanted his body to last a few years longer than his rodeo kin.

“As much as I would love your company, I already promised to play tour guide this afternoon. Just thought we could make a family outing of it.”

“Tour guide?” Norah’s brow arched. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain recent dinner guest of ours, would it?”

Sam knew where his sister’s prodding was headed, but he’d made a promise to Natalie. What had happened between them stayed between them. And no way was he going to do anything that might upset her before he had the chance to get another taste.

“Hey, Gran said we needed her as an ally, and you all invited her to come back, remember?” Sam shrugged, feigning indifference. “I’m just trying to do my part. Guess I should have done a better job coordinating her visit with everyone’s schedules.”

Norah smirked. Gramps beamed. Gran, however, looked wary.

“Whose idea was it to go for this ride?” she asked.

“Mine. She’s never been to Montana before, never seen anything other than downtown Marietta and the lodge.” He paused to let the fib pass. Shoot, he hadn’t told them about her stopping out either night, which meant they didn’t know about that photographer guy coming, either. He’d just have to tell them tomorrow and make it sound like the subject had just come up today. “I’m hoping that if she gets to experience God’s country like the rest of us, she’ll be more onboard to help block the resort.”

Gran frowned. “Sam, Natalie can’t block that on her own. In fact, I get the sense that if she pushes back too hard, she could get herself into some trouble.”

“Not if she sees a black-footed ferret while she’s here.” He waggled his brows. “Then the company will have to do something. Preferably, relocate their planned expansion.”

“Does she have any riding experience?” Norah asked.

“No. To be honest, I’m not even sure if I’ll be able to get her on a horse. Figured I’d put her on my horse. Ole Whiskey is the calmest gelding I’ve got.”

Norah shook her head. “He’s too big for a new rider. Take Marshmallow. That dapple is who I always put new riders on. She can sense a nervous rider and knows when to be extra gentle.”

If anyone on the ranch knew the best match between horse and rider, it was Norah. Not only did she help run the hospitality side of the lodge, but she also oversaw the on-prem guided tours and horseback riding lessons. If she believed the little gray dappled mare Madison had named when she was little was the best fit for Natalie, then that was the one he would introduce her to. He offered his sister a grateful smile, then laid out his plans for their afternoon.

By the time Natalie arrived, Sam had Marshmallow and his favorite chestnut mare, Estelle, tacked up and a small cooler of food and drinks packed up. Though he would have loved nothing more than to pull her in for a reprise of last night’s farewell kiss, Sam knew all eyes were on the corral at the moment. So he greeted her with a warm smile and a tip of his hat instead.

Natalie looked pretty as ever, her long, auburn hair tied up in a high ponytail. Denim hugged her hips, and her Old Dominion concert tee made him instantly think of “Wrong Turns.” And though her smile widened when she saw him, the fear in her eyes remained.

“Hey there, cowboy.” Her eyes shifted to the nearby horses and back. “Is, uh, this where city folk come to get trampled?”

Sam shook his head. “You watch way too much television.”

She tried for a smile, her eyes darting back to the horses.

“You still up for this?” he asked, his voice softer. “Because you don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

She stared a moment longer, then gave him the tiniest nod. “I want to,” she whispered.

“Why don’t we start with introductions and go from there, okay? And they don’t bite, I promise.”

“O-kay.”

Sam couldn’t help himself; he pulled her into his side to give her a reassuring squeeze. “Good day so far?”

Natalie nodded, her gaze fixed on the animals ahead.

“No one commented on your late return?”

That brought the hint of a grin to her lips. “No, but the gal working the front desk gave me a broad smile. I’m sure there aren’t many secrets kept in Marietta.”

---