Page 28 of Beat of Love
Their eyes locked. Brandy couldn’t look away.
He glanced down at her mouth. Then back up, gaze catching hers again, deep and still. She ran her tongue across her lips, her pulse thudding.
Elsa’s shrill whinny shattered the moment.
Brandy blinked, heart pounding.
Rafferty cleared his throat and scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “So,” he drawled, looking away. “Elsa broke away from you?”
They both watched the mare move closer.
“Yeah. She needs her hooves cleaned and trimmed and tolerated the haltering, but she balked when we entered the yard.” Brandy huffed. “And broke away.”
Elsa nudged her mouth against his clasped hand. He chuckled, reached up, and stroked her muzzle. “Not keen on a pedicure, huh, darlin’?”
Brandy watched in amazement as Elsa leaned into his caress.
The mare’s unconditional trust in Rafferty floored her.
And while she had the horse enthralled by the mesmerizing man, she’d use the opportunity to get the much-needed chore done. “Do you have a few minutes to help me with Elsa? Her hoovesdoneed attention.”
Rafferty shot her a quick look. “Sure. Here or in the stable yard?”
“Yard. Maybe with you around, she’ll see it’s not such a scary place.” She unzipped her fanny pack and removed several of the treats she carried with her. “Incentive.”
He eyed the carrot chunks for a beat before placing his larger hand over hers, palming the contents. Turning back to the horse, he transferred one to his other hand and held out his palm. “Wanna take a walk with me, darlin’?” he asked, offering the treat.
Yes, please.Brandy sucked in a breath, surreptitiously rubbing her tingling palm over her hip while watching the horse eye his hand. And exhaled when Elsa closed her lips over the carrot.
“Good girl,” Rafferty cooed, offering a second piece.
There was no hesitation from the mare this time.
Rafferty chuckled. “Greedy, huh?” He walked to the gate, Elsa turning her head to follow his movements. He unlatched it and whistled. And lo and behold, the horse responded, closing the distance. She was rewarded with the last chunk and a, “Such a good girl,” praise. He deftly re-haltered her and led Elsa from the paddock, giving Brandy a triumphant grin. “Where to?”
She snapped around and strode to the stable yard, keenly aware of the man and his mesmerizing voice flirting with the horse behind her.
Sort out Elsa’s hooves and then get rid of the man.
Getting the onerous task done wasn’t without battle. Elsa was not happy, but Rafferty managed to keep her calm enough for Brandy to complete the task. She released the final leg andstraightened, wiping the back of her arm across her sweating forehead. “All done.”
“See, Elsa darlin’, that wasn’t so bad, huh?”
The horse stomped her hoof, whinnied, and took a step forward, clearly not agreeing with him. Laughing softly, he walked Elsa back to the paddock.
“Thanks for your help,” Brandy said, opening the gate for them.
“You’re welcome,” he replied with a panty-melting smile. He removed the halter and gave the horse a final rub. “You have a good day now, darlin’. And eat some oats,” he called out, Elsa trotting away.
“Didn’t take you long to slack off,” a loud voice accused from behind them.
They both swung around to see Aidan approach.
An angry Aidan.
“We’ve a downed fence, cattle escaping, and you stand here wastin’ time,” he continued. “My wife instructed me to go easy on you today—”
The man’s condemning tone got Brandy’s back up. “Now hang on a minute—”
