Page 31 of Parading the Cowboy Billionaire (Bluegrass Ranch 4)

“Yes, when I was twelve,” she said. “Remember I told you about that birthday party I went to?”

“That’s the only time?” he asked. “That was a pony ride around the block.”

“Yes.” She reached out and touched Raven’s neck where he had too. “She’s so wonderful.”

“I find them so therapeutic,” he said. “I come out and tell them all my secrets.”

“Lucky horses,” she said, plenty of teasing in her voice.

“You already know all my secrets,” Cayden said.

“That is not true,” she said.

“What do you want me to tell you that I haven’t?”

“So many things,” she said, looking up at him. “Who was the last woman you went out with? What’s your favorite food? Do you like dressing up like we were last night or wearing these dirty jeans?”

“The last woman I went out with is Terri Wilson. My favorite food is deep dish pepperoni pizza with tons of extra cheese. I’d choose jeans any day of the week, any time of day. I feel…centered when I’m with the horses. I don’t mind the office, but entire weeks can slip by without proper spiritual care if I don’t get out to the stable.”

“Proper spiritual care,” she repeated.

“Mm.” He unlooped the reins for Raven. “What do you do for that?”

“I’m not sure,” she said.

“Who’s the last man you went out with?”

“Russell Troy,” she said.

“Was it serious?”

“Not particularly,” she said. “I’ve had a few serious boyfriends over the years, though.”

Cayden kept his head low. “Ever been in love?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice barely audible. “You?”

“No, ma’am,” he whispered. “Not yet.” He flashed her a smile and rounded Raven’s head. “Stay in front of the horse, Ginny. These are super calm animals, but they don’t like it when you’re behind them. Makes ‘em nervous.”

“Stay in front,” she repeated. “Got it.”

“Come on over here,” he said. “I’ll help you up.”

“I don’t know if I can get on a horse,” she said. “The most exercise I get is yoga.”

“You just put your left foot in there, and boost yourself up.”

“It’s the boosting I can’t do,” she said wryly. She did lift her left leg, but there was no way she was even getting it to the stirrup.

Cayden handed her Raven’s reins. “Hold these. I’ll be right back.”

“I can’t hold these,” she said, plenty of panic in her voice as he jogged back into the stables. “Cayden.”

“Just stand there, Ginny,” he called, grabbing the step they used with kids. He hurried back to her and found her standing there, gripping the reins with both fists. He laughed as he took them from her. “Ginny, you’re in charge of the horse. She goes where you tell her.”

“I’ve never done this,” she said, her eyes sparking with that navy lightning he liked so much.

He shook his head and set the step down. “Climb up on that, baby.”

---