“I think that’s why no one likes me.” I laugh and rub Rocky’s soft nose as he tucks into my chin. He must smell the peppermint on my breath.
Cora bites at the inside of her cheek and stares toward me as though she has much more to say than what’s coming out of her mouth.
Finally, she bursts. “What is your problem?”
“Can I be honest?”
She shakes her head. “No. You can be polite, though.”
“Well, if I’m being polite, I’d like to let you know that your horse has wandered out of the north pasture. Looks like someone left that gate open as well.”
Cora’s face turns red, and she huffs out a sigh before turning away from me. “I didn’t leave the gates open!”
“I didn’t say you did, butsomeonedid.”
She turns away from me and toward the barn, disappearing behind the wide red doors without saying a word.
I feel bad for her. It sounds like she’s had the weight of the entire farm on her shoulders. Between that, her obligatory wedding. and her mom being sick, she hasn’t had it easy.
I look toward Rocky. He’s a big bastard with the sensibilities of a mountain man. That’s why we connect so well. “We should go get your girl, shouldn’t we?”
Reasonably, I know he doesn’t understand, but there’s something about the way we look at each other that tells me we have a mind meld. I grip hold of his mane, pull myself up bareback, and tap my legs until he moves forward.
Rope in hand, we maneuver his girl into a corner, and I toss the lasso. Of course, I ring on the first shot. Nothing can replace experience.
We’re back in the east pasture before Cora’s even left the barn.
“This what you’re looking for?” I toss the rope toward her and slide down off Rocky, feeding him a peppermint from my pocket. Maybe that’s what he was working for all along.
“Is there a reason you’re showing off?” Cora grabs the rope off the ground and guides the Appaloosa toward her stall, checking the latch on the gate before pulling the rope up and over her head.
“I needed to prove I could do it.”
She looks up and away. “Well, you did. Feel better?”
“Much. Worked up quite a thirst, though. You think you could spare a bottle of water or a glass of sweet tea?”
I realize I’m pushing it, but I’d love to know who Cora is when she isn’t wound so tight.
After a long silence, she glares up at me. “I don’t think that would be appropriate.”
I narrow my gaze. “And why not?”
“For one, I’m nearly a married woman. Having a drink with another man is wrong. Two… I don’t like you.” She folds her arms over one another.
I grin. “You like me.”
She huffs. “Why would you ever think I liked you? You’re… you’re… a pompous jerk.”
I nod, laughing. “Can’t fight you on that one. Still, though, a drink seems like the kind of thing a polite little country girl would give a big man after saving her horse, don’t you think?”
She laughs. “Saving my horse?Your stud caused a ton of trouble here.Youshould be the one gettingmea drink!”
“I’d be happy to.” I grin. “You free tonight?”
She rolls her eyes and closes the barn door behind her. “I just told you. I’m engaged.”
“Well then, I’ll be sure not to ask for your hand in marriage while we drink this sweet tea.”