"And I sure as heck didn't expect I'd be walkin' around the ring with you sittin' on my mare bareback."
"You know what they say. Life's full of surprises."
"No kiddin'. You had enough?"
"Not by a long shot, but you have to leave, and I need to get back to the ranch."
"Don't worry. When I'm back from the show you're welcome any time. Okay, off now, but be careful not to bang your—"
"I know, I know, my finger."
Swinging her leg around and sliding down, she wrapped her arms around the mare's neck.
"Thank you so much, Queenie. You're amazing. I love you."
"I still don't understand any of this," Josh said, walking into the barn aisle and heading back to the paddocks. "None of it makes any sense. One minute you're nervous as all get out, and the next you're sittin' on my horse."
"This is a mystery to me too, but I don't care why this has happened, I'm just grateful it has."
"Amen to that."
"Josh, can I ask you something?"
"Let me guess. You want that spankin'?"
"Stop!"
"Don't you?"
"I swear, you're a one trick pony."
"Oh, no, Princess. I've got a whole lot more than one trick up my sleeve."
"You're impossible."
"So I've been told. Go ahead, ask away."
"One of the horses at Heath's barn dumped Carly yesterday."
"Huh. I don't know her personally, but I've heard she's one helluva rider," he remarked, putting Queenie into her pen and slipping off the halter. "What's your question?"
"The horse who bucked her off is no problem on the ground, but when anyone tries to ride him he gets nuts and throws them off."
"Is this Chuck?"
"You know him?"
"Sure. I saw him catapult someone at a show last year. I'd heard they'd pulled him from the circuit. I guess he ended up at Heath's."
"I don't know the whole story, but yeah. Carly got on him, and boom. Apparently he's been checked out from the bottom of his hoof to the top of his head. I just wondered if you might have any ideas."
"Ya know, I kinda do."
"You do? Really?"
"A few years back I knew a horse that liked chewin' on the wood fence around his corral. Real nice, easy fella. Out-of-the blue he got squirrelly. It was bad. No-one could figure why this horse was suddenly loco. Turned out he had a splinter in his mouth."
"No! The poor thing."
"Chuck's teeth will have been checked, but it might be worth gettin' in his mouth with a flashlight, or maybe usin' something long and soft to press around in there and see if he reacts."
"Josh, that's brilliant."
"Just a thought. Now I've gotta get movin'. You know where the tack room is. The treats are in the blue trunk with my initials."
"I know the one you mean."
"Everything you want or need will be in there, oh, and Queenie's stall is the second on the right as you come in from the paddocks. Her name is on the door."
"Thank you so much for letting me visit her while you're gone."
"You're doin' me the favor, remember?"
"Then it's a win, win. Bye, Queenie. I'll see you tomorrow."
The mare had been standing at the fence, and letting out a snort, she walked across to her shelter and began munching on the waiting hay.
"Josh, this has been the best forty-five minutes I've had since I arrived here," Theresa said earnestly. "Maybe the best forty-five minutes of my life. Seriously. I've had an amazing time."
"I have too," he said softly, and cupping her chin with his hand, he leaned down and drifted his mouth over her in a warm, languid kiss.
"Dinner when I get back."
"And brownies," she murmured, wishing he'd take her into his arms.
"And more kisses."
"And hugs."
"All of the above," he said, putting his arm around her shoulders and heading towards the Land Rover.
He opened the door for her, and she reluctantly climbed behind the wheel.
"Have a safe trip and a successful show."
"Thanks, Princess. I'll call you when I get a chance. By the way, you looked great on Queenie. Like you were born to ride."
"Really? I felt so at home."
"Yep. Really. Now go, or I'll stand here yappin'."
Slowly turning the Rover around, she headed to the gate. As it swung open, she turned on the radio.
Luke Bryan was singing Most People Are Good.
She took it as a confirmation. Josh was a good guy.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Driving back to Dream Horse Ranch, though Theresa basked in the glow of her time with Josh, she also worried that Duke Palmer would still be with Heath. Turning off the street and into the driveway, as she approached the house on top of the knoll and looked down at the open area near the barn, Duke's trailer sat parked next to the others, and she didn't see his truck. Relieved, she drove into the motor court and turned off the engine.
But she didn't climb out.
Closing her eyes, she sank into the memory of Josh's arms, and his delicious, devouring kiss. Her belly flipped, and a soft smile crossed her lips. She wanted to be naked with him, and she would be. There'd be no holding back, no second guessing, no game-playing, none of that. She would surrender herself without hesitation and let the chips fall where they may.
Her finger suddenly throbbed, but as she opened her eyes her smile didn't fade. The painful cut would leave a scar, but the thought didn't bother her. On the contrary, the evidence of the injury would remind her of his firm but gentle care. Sighing happily, she climbed from the SUV and walked through the back door into the kitchen. Josh had told her to wrap cling film around the bandage to prevent it getting wet, but as she took the package from the drawer and set it on the counter, Heath walked in. She prepared herself for the inevitable question.
"Hey, there. Lord, what'd you do to your finger," he asked, stepping quickly to her side. "Are you all right?"
"I sliced it making a Cobb salad for lunch, and yes, I'm fine."
"Too bad you missed Doc Briggs. He would've seen to it, but it looks like you found someone who knew what they were doin'. Did you run into the clinic while you were out?"
She hesitated. She didn't want to lie, but she didn't want a lecture about Josh either.
"Theresa?"
"The truth is, Josh Brady took care of me. He was a med student. He comes from a long line of doctors."
"No foolin'. Do you know why he bailed on medicine?"
"He said he had to follow his calling, and that was horses and training."
"Huh. Well, looks like he did a good job. I'm glad he was there for you."
"You are?"
"Sure. Is that why you hesitated when I asked if you went to the clinic? Were you afraid to tell me Josh put that bandage on?"
"A bit."
"Theresa, I told you earlier, it's your life and your heart, and I meant it. Your personal life is none of my business, unless someone mistreats you, then I'll make it my business, and he'll be sorry."
Her forehead crinkled. Except for the short time Henry had been in her life, as far back as she could remember she'd taken care of herself and Salvo. Her biker had been the only man who had offered her the loving support she'd seen Heath give Carly, but now, in his role as her boss and friend, he was offering it to her as well.
"Hey, I don't have all the details, but I know you and Salvo had it rough," Heath said kindly, his voice softening, "but you're not alone anymore."
"I, uh, I don't know what to say."
"Theresa, you're a remarkable young woman. You didn't let that bad stuff defeat you. You've got character and a good head on your shoulders. We're still learnin' about each other, but I won't judge you. I'm on your side and I'll look out for you. I'll tell you what I think, but your choices are your own, and if things go wrong I'll be here to help you pick up the pieces."
"I don't know what to say," she repeat
ed, a wave of emotion sweeping over her. "I've never met people like you and Carly. And Andy too. How is saying thank you enough?"
Tears brimming, she stood motionless as Heath put an arm around her shoulders.
"You thank us every day by bein' here, especially when you bake."
His comment worked. She broke into a smile.
"I'm going to make you a rum cake this afternoon," she declared, running her hand across her cheeks to wipe away the tears.
"Sounds great. I've never had rum cake."
"You'll love it, but I haven't had a chance to ask you about Carly. How is she? What did the doctor say?"
"Nothin' serious. She's just banged up. Might've cracked a rib, but that's the worst of it. She's up and around. Said if she stays in that bed one more minute she'll have a fit, and I can't have that."
"What a relief."
"Yep. Now I need to get back to the office. I have a few things to finish up before lunch. Be careful with that finger."
"I will, and thanks, Heath. Thanks for everything."
"You betcha."
As he ambled away, Theresa finished wrapping her finger with the clingy, thin plastic, and with a happy heart, began preparing the mid-day meal. A little while later, as she placed the large wooden salad bowl on the dining table, Andy and Salvo walked in. Salvo raced to her side, peppering her with questions about her bandaged finger. After quickly telling the story, not using Josh's name but referring to him simply as a friend, Salvo followed her into the kitchen, offering to help her bring out the rest of the lunch.
"Sis, is the Land Rover open?" he asked, the moment the dining room door closed behind them.
"Of course, why?"
"I need to go to the feed store and I thought I'd swing by that house, but I need the directions off the navigator. I might spot the guy. At the very least I can get the address. Just describe it to me."
"Salvo, that's terrific. Let me think. I wanted to get away from there as fast as I could and I didn't pay much attention. The home was about half-way down the block. I do recall a chain link gate. There were steps leading up to the porch, and the top of the front door was stained glass, and arched. The glass I mean."
"That should be easy enough to find."
"I started the navigator at the end of the street."
"No worries. I'll find that house if I have to drive up and down the street a dozen times."
"You're the best."
"That's because I have the best sister any guy could ask for."
"This has been an emotional morning so you need to stop or I'll get all teary."
"Just sayin'."
"You're sounding more like a cowboy every day."
"I take that as a compliment."
"I meant it as one. I'll take the bread basket. Can you carry in the cheese platter and coffee thermos?"
"Sure."
Moving back into the dining room, Carly and Heath were sitting down and Andy was already helping himself to the salad.
"I spoke to Sandy," he declared, looking over at Carly. "She's happy to fill in until you're feelin' better. She's lookin' forward to it. I'm guessin' she misses her job."
"That's great, but I hope I heal fast. I feel so out of sorts not being able to ride."
"Have I met Sandy?" Theresa asked as Salvo came in and placed the coffee and cheese board on the table.
"She used to live in the cabin you're in now," he said. "She was the rider before Carly. You'll like her. She's really nice."
"Make sure she doesn't get on Chuck," Heath said solemnly. "We have two injured girls here. We don't need a third."
"Speaking of Chuck," Theresa began hesitantly. "Can I make a suggestion?"
Four sets of surprised eyes stared at her, but Andy spoke first.
"None of the experts can figure out his problem, so please, what's your idea?"
"Does he like to chew wood?"
"Uh…all our fences are plastic, and that's one of the reasons why," Andy replied. "Horses can't bite into plastic. I could call his former owners and ask."
"He does," Carly piped up. "He's in that paddock with the big oak and I saw him trying to gnaw at it the other day. Why do you ask, Theresa?"
"Maybe he has a splinter in his mouth, and he's fine until you put him in a bit and bridle. The vet might have checked his teeth, but an embedded splinter might not be visible. Even the tiniest splinter can hurt like hell when you put pressure on it. I'm not sure how you'd look. Maybe a rubber spatula? Something that won't hurt him if he—"
"Dammit, that's brilliant," Andy exclaimed, jumping from his chair. "I'm gonna go look right now."
"I'm coming with you," Carly said, pushing back her chair. "Ouch, I moved too fast."
"Heath, I might need you," Andy said, Carly's comment reminding him she wouldn't be able to help.
"Don't worry. If Carly's goin, I am too."
"You don't need to hold my hand every second," she quipped as he rose to his feet.
"Get used to it, 'cos that's how things are gonna be for the next few days."
The trio marched out, and Theresa and Salvo suddenly found themselves alone. When he heard the front door close, Salvo grinned across the table at his sister.
"Where the heck did you come up with that?"
"I didn't."
"Ah! Josh!"
"He knew a horse once that went from being easy to being difficult. The horse liked to chew wood and it turned out he had a splinter."
"Unbelievable. If Josh is right, you'll be a hero."
"Heroine, but they'll have him to thank."
"So, tell me, how did things go? When he played doctor did you play nurse?"
"Salvatore Cavalleri!"
"Sorry, I couldn't help that. Seriously, did you have a good time?"
"No, I had an amazing time. Are you ready for this? I sat on his horse."
"You did not."
"I did. She's gorgeous."
"Where did you find the courage?"
"I told him, and I'm telling you, but no-one else. I had two dreams about that horse. When she walked out of her shelter I almost fell over."
"That doesn't surprise me."
"What? How can you say that? I dream of the horse owned by some guy I just met, and it doesn't surprise you?"
"Theresa, you've always had that thing."
"What thing? What are you talking about?"
"You instinctively know stuff. The whole time we were growing up you always knew when dad was coming home and we needed to hightail out of the house."
"That was just—"
"Forget—that was just! He didn't have a schedule. We couldn't predict when he'd burst in blind drunk and in a rage, but you did. You'd be watching TV and suddenly jump and grab me. Don't you remember?"
"I've never thought about it."
"It wasn't Josh's horse making herself known to you, it was you, Theresa, seeing her. You were having one of your visions."
"My visions. Fuck. My visions."
"What's wrong?"
"You know what's wrong," she mumbled with a heavy frown.
"Henry?"
"Of course. That was the last vision I had, and I promised myself I wouldn't have any more ever again. Even though that jacket's a constant reminder of him, I pushed the vision far away. Remembering is too painful."
"Going on that ride was up to him. Your vision tried to help."
"I didn't try hard enough. I should have slashed his fucking tires. I've never told you what I said when he gave me his jacket."
"I know. I've always been afraid to ask."
"I was begging him not to go, and he took it off, handed it to me, and said if he didn't come back I'd have something to remember him by. Then he laughed."
"Do you think he knew?"
"I asked myself that question a thousand times, but there's no answer. He didn't listen, and he broke my heart."
"Maybe it's time to let this go, sis. Maybe you should trade in that leather jacket for one that's suede with a sheep
skin lining."
"Maybe."
"Your feelings about things were good. Really good."
"I haven't thought about them in a long time, except the one I had about you showing up at my door. Two weeks later, you did."
"See! Don't you remember what you said to me the night we got separated?"
"No. I was in a panic."
"You said if we lost each other, not to worry because we'd find each other again."
"Shit. Why did I forget all that?"
"Probably because thinking back to that night isn't much fun."
"No kidding."
"What does your instinct tell you about Josh?"
"I've already told you. He's not the bad guy Heath has heard about. I don't know where the rumors came from, and I don't care."
"That's good enough for me, and sis, don't deny the visions. Look how they helped you today with that horse."
"Yeah. They did. I honestly thought Queenie—that's Josh's mare—I thought she was somehow reaching out to me. How crazy is that? You're right. I'm getting back in touch with that weird part of me. I guess I just didn't want to accept it."
"I'd call it magical, not weird."
"You calling something magical is magical in itself," she said with a grin, "but I have to admit I'm grateful for my dreams about Queenie. Was that the front door?"
"Yeah. They're back."
"Hey!" Andy said, walking in with a wide smile. "Dang it, Theresa, you were right. There's an area in the crack of his mouth where he's real sensitive. Can't see a damn thing, but put any pressure on it and the poor guy flips out."
"I feel like an idiot," Carly exclaimed. "I should've known. He was fussy when I put his bridle on."
"Like I said on the way up here, don't be so hard on yourself," Heath said as they sat down. "We had his teeth checked."
"I should've known," Carly repeated. "I feel so bad. Theresa, thank you. We owe you big time. How did you come up with that?"
"I can guess," Heath muttered under his breath.
"I didn't," Theresa replied. "The idea came from the same person who took care of my finger."
"Who is this person?" Carly pressed. "I want to thank him. More than that, I want to meet him."
"His name is Josh Brady," she said, a nervous flutter moving through her stomach. "He's the trainer at Tall Tree Pines."
To Catch A Cowboy (Hunks and Horses Book 2) Page 6
