Page 9 of Mountain Time
Okay, so if I wasn’t crushing earlier, I’m definitely crushing now. This guy seems perfect;exceptthe fact he’s a bull rider. It’s widely known that bull riders—or rodeo cowboys in general—do not have a good reputation when it comes to women. A lot of them are self-proclaimed womanizers and most of the time, they aren’t wrong. They have no issues picking up women and then leaving them on read when they head to the next rodeo.
“I understand that. I’ve worked with Hooch since the day he was born. He’s a heck of a heeling horse.” I stroke his neck, feeling his shiny coat under my fingers.
“I bet. He’s the perfect size and build,” Knox replies as he looks Hooch over.
“He gets the job done,” I say modestly. Hooch and I have won a lot of money in the last couple of years, but I don’t like to brag.
Bending over, he grabs a shoe from his box and begins shaping it on the anvil. I’m not sure if there is anything sexier than a man sweating as they’re swinging a hammer, the sound of metal on metal ringing in the air.
Things around here just got a little more interesting.
Chapter 4
Knox
Istand, checking my shoe to make sure it’s level. I’m trying to keep my eyes focused on the job and not the gorgeous woman watching my every move.
The way Jack talked, I was expecting to show up to put a shoe on a horse for a woman who was meaner and tougher than the bulls I rode. He made it sound like she’d be chewing tobacco and arm wrestling the ranch hands when I got here.
Instead, the first thing I see is a head turner. She’s petite, a few inches shorter than me, with long blonde hair and a sweet smile. The Kimes Jeans she’s wearing might be the death of me and her tight long-sleeve shirt with a vest shows off her toned arms and slim waist. It’s not the build of a woman who spends all day in the gym, but of a woman who works hard every day. She’s beautiful. And she has no idea who I am, which is a breath of fresh air.
I’m no stranger to beautiful women. On the road, the barrel racers, breakaway ropers, and even some photographers andtimers catch my attention, but this girl has something different about her.
Thanks for the heads up, Jack.
On the other hand, after I leave today, I’ll probably never see her again.
I grab eight nails, put them between my lips, and roll my box back to the front right hoof. I pick the foot up, put it between my legs, and set the shoe on the foot to position it. Holding the shoe in place, I start driving nails. After I drive the last nail, I grab my nail block to block the nails. Then, I pull the foot forward onto the hoof stand, clinch my nails and rasp the hoof wall down to the shoe.
“Well, looks like my work here is done.”
When I face her, her magnificent sea green eyes lock on mine. I’ve never seen eyes this color—it’s like looking into a sunlit ocean, where blues and greens swirl together in endless depths.
“What do I owe you?” She reaches into her pocket, snapping me out of my trance.
“Nothing, this one’s on Jack.” It’s his client, and the asshole is probably sitting at home laughing at me right now.
It’s clear she isn’t comfortable with that answer. “No really, I insist.”
“It’s all good, it took me less than fifteen minutes.” I smile and pick up my anvil, pinning it under one arm and grab my shoeing box with the other hand.
“Well, thank you.” Her lips form a perfect smile. She picks up the hoof stand for me, and we head back to my pickup.
“No problem.”
As I set my anvil on the tailgate, I hear something scurrying behind me. When I turn around, a flash of red hurls itself in my direction. I step to my left, avoiding impact as the ball of red goes rolling into the truck box.
“What the hell?” Turning back around, I see a red heeler regaining its feet and coming right to the edge of the tailgate, tongue hanging out, tail wagging as fast as it possibly can.
“I’m so sorry—that’s my little nightmare child. She thinks she’s going for a ride,” Kacey supplies as she sets the hoof stand down.
“Well hi, NC.” I reach out to let the dog sniff me. Within a couple seconds, it shoves its nose under my hand encouraging me to pet her. I reach out with my other hand, placing one on each side of her neck and massage behind her ears. “You’re not really a nightmare, are ya? You just want attention.” She throws herself to her side to demand belly rubs and I oblige.
Kacey smiles. “Come on, Rein, he doesn’t want you up there.”
“She’s fine, I’m a dog guy. I’d have one if I was home more.” I bend over to grab my shoeing box and the little red dog hops on my back, balancing herself on the top of my shoulders. I can’t help but laugh. “You are one crazy little dog, aren’t you?”
Kacey bursts out in laughter. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen her do that before.”
