Page 12 of Wild and Unruly
“It’s been a long time since I rode a horse.” Five years, at least.
“Well, that’s okay if you’re scared.” His voice is teasing, and I look over my shoulder to see a little gleam of humor in his eyes.
“Goading me into it won’t work.”
Stetson chuckles behind me but drops it, and Dani smiles,nudging me in the arm like we’re old friends. “Don’t let my cousins tease you. They’re all big babies in men’s bodies.”
“They don’t look like babies to me,” I blurt before I can think it all the way through.
Dani laughs quietly and shakes her head. “Don’t let them hear you say that.”
“I heard her, and I’m not letting that one go.”
I let my head fall into my hand and sigh. I really wish my inner monologue would stay…inner.
“Please do,” I say, keeping my eye on Logan as he works, trying to make it seem like I’m unaffected by the fact that I keep putting my foot in my mouth.
“Nah, I don’t think I will.”
Dani looks over my shoulder at Stetson, who I still haven’t looked at, and gives him a playful glare. “Be nice to our guest.”
“I am being nice. I’m making her feel like she’s part of the family.” He says it casually, and I hide the small smirk that spreads across my face.
“This is an interesting family,” I say, watching Logan wrap up for the day, and I turn to head back into the barn, meeting Stetson chest to chest and giving him my best fake reporter smile. “Excuse me, I think I’ll check out the barn before I chat with Logan.”
He turns, waving his hand out and giving me a wink. “Be our guest.”
I walk by quickly, feeling the blush creep up onto my cheeks, and tuck my head down until I’m out of eyesight from them both.
I need to find my filter because sooner or later, I’m going to really embarrass myself.
5
stetson
“What the hellare you up to?” Dani’s voice is full of fire as my gaze tracks Bonnie all the way out of the arena and only turns to my cousin when I can no longer see her.
“What do you mean?” The innocent tone I use isn’t fooling anyone, least of all Dani.
She lifts a challenging eyebrow at me, clearly seeing what I’m not saying. “You know damn well what I mean. Bonnie is here to work, not get hit on. Let her be.”
I feel properly chastised for a moment, but then I let my shoulders drop. “I’m not hitting on her.”
“Sure seems like it to me.”
“I’m not.” I shake my head and shrug. “She’s just interesting, that’s all.”
“Interesting? Like Annmarie is interesting?” Dani reaches over, opening the gate for Logan as he comes through with his horse but keeping her gaze on me.
“Annmarie and I are just friends.”
Logan and Dani pause their movements, staring at me for long moments before Dani frowns.
“Since when? I thought you were still obsessed.”
“Nope. We had a talk and decided it was better for us to just be friends.”
“Wow,” Logan says, lifting his eyebrows in shock. “I’m glad to hear that, man.”
