Page 48 of Wrangled

“Hey, maybe the boss can find you some bubble bath,” Butch said with a grin.

Toby laughed. “I think I can manage without it.” He walked stiffly over to the bunkhouse.

“What happened to him?” Garrett asked as Paul led him toward us.

“He had a little mishap, that’s all.” I didn’t want to put him off, not now he’d finally gained some confidence. “He’s okay though.” I gazed at Garrett. “And as soon as you’re comfortable on Lucy, you get to go on a trail too.”

He smiled for what seemed like the first time since I’d met him. “I’d like that.” Paul led Lucy out of the paddock and over to the mounting block, where he helped him climb down.

“We had a bear encounter,” I murmured, keeping my voice low.

Teague’s eyes widened. “Serious?”

“Thankfully no. Zeeb had his rifle, of course. And she was fine as soon as she had her baby back.”

“I don’t think you should share that with Garrett. It would likely freak him the fuck out.”

I’d had the same thought myself.

Teague grinned. “So… you running a bathhouse now? This a new sideline?”

I coughed violently. “Will younotsay things like that?” Garrett was walking toward us, stiff as hell. “If you grab some clean clothes, I’ll take you and Toby up to the house.”

He beamed. “I’ll be right back.” Then he winced. “Once I can figure out how to quit waddling like a goddamn duck.”

I laughed. “All part of the experience. And trust me, it’ll feel much worse tomorrow.”

“Does that mean I get a day off?”

Teague chuckled. “Hell no. Tomorrow you get right back on that horse.”

Garrett said nothing, but walked toward the bunkhouse.

“You did good,” I muttered.

“Thanks, boss. And how was the trail? I watched you ride out.” His eyes sparkled. “Looks like you had a great view.”

I knew he was talking about Toby’s ass.

“The trail was just fine, thank you.”

“And will you be doing that again?”

I smiled. “Possibly.”

Toby

Garrett and I trudged up the path toward the big house, both of us with a bundle of clean clothes under our arm. As we reached the summit of the hill, I got my first real good view of it.

“Wow, look at this place.” Garrett whistled.

Up close, it was bigger than I’d expected. Thick stone-covered posts supported the porch, but the rest of the exterior was nothing but dark logs. Rocking chairs sat on the veranda, and I could imagine sitting there, enjoying a sunset, or an early morning cup of coffee.

The front door opened, and Robert stood there. For a minute, I wasn’t sure what was different about him, until it hit me. It was the first time I’d seen him without a hat. He was bald, and the total absence of hair told me he’d shaved it all off.

I smiled. “You should go without a hat more often.”

He ran his hand over his scalp. “Well, I’m not about to wear one in the house. Come on in.”

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