Page 18 of Wild and Unruly
It was driving me half insane, and the most insane part was I was thoroughly enjoying it.
I genuinely felt like I was going a little crazy.
The last three days, my cousin had sent me away on various occasions, including but not limited to a cattle drive, which took the entire day and part of the night because a storm we had ripped down fencing that had to be fixed. Going on a feed run, which was an hour away, because they “have the best deals,” according to Dani. And going all the way into civilization for afood run for the whole ranch and an event I didn’t even know was happening.
I’m ninety percent sure that she came up with the event because it would keep me busy and away from the gorgeous woman who was hanging around the barn.
But that ended today.
It was a day where Dani couldn’t find extra work for me off the ranch, and I had horses that I had to ride since the last couple of days they got off easy with lunging from the hired hands.
“Yo! Mav,” I call out to the hand that’s been taking care of my babies. He’s the only one I fully trust. “How are the kids doing?”
He nods his head, taking his cowboy hat off and running the water at the faucet before dunking his head under it. It was starting to become sweltering outside during the day, and judging by the look of things, he’d been out for a while.
“They’re good.” He gestures inside the barn as if indicating which horse he’s talking about. “That little sorel has a hell of a barrel kick.”
I smirk. “Yeah, she’s a spitfire.”
“They’ve been good, though. That bay that just came in is learning to trust, I think.”
I fold my arms and nod. “Perfect. Thanks for the help, man.”
“You know, I don’t mind taking care of the young ones, but I could have done all that shit Dani asked of you.”
“I know, she’s punishing me.” I slap him on the shoulder and eye the lowering sun before heading into the barn. Thankfully, I know Bonnie is still here because her truck is right out front.
I find her sitting on a pile of saddle pads, looking at something on her camera, and I come up slightly behind her, taking apeek at the photo. It’s a great shot of Dani with one of her regular clients.
“That’s amazing.”
Bonnie jumps slightly and turns to look up at me. “Jeez, you scared me. I nearly peed my pants.”
I smile at the comment. “I would pay to see that.”
Her cheeks turn pink, and she shakes her head. “You…you know, you…” She groans and then looks back at her photos. “Never mind.”
“It’s okay, Bo. I’m flattered that I fluster you.”
Her expression when she looks at me nearly makes me burst out laughing. “You do not fluster me.”
I tap my finger against the stall that she’s leaning her back against, her feet nearly dangling off the floor with how high the saddle pads are.
“You know there’s an office with chairs.”
Bonnie smiles and shrugs. “I like being around the horses.”
I hum and move around to face her. “You do this a lot at home, I assume?”
She blinks up at me, and I swear I see a wash of sadness pass her face. “I don’t have a horse anymore.”
I blink and frown. “Seriously?”
“No, my uh…” She licks her lips and sets her camera to the side of her. “My dad sold them all after my brother’s accident.”
“Shit,” I say, thinking about not having horses. Technically, I don’t own a personal horse either, but I’m always so surrounded by them that I never have felt the need for one.
“Well, yeah, it is what it is.” She seems to frown at her own words, and I shake my head.
