by Terry Towers
“Think she’ll let me take her out on a date?”
Connor glanced down at him and grinned. “Think you might be able to score with her slugger?”
The young man bristled up, pushing his chest out and lifting his chin. “Maybe.”
Connor waved his hand toward Samantha. “Then by all means, give it a shot and report back to me.”
Jacob’s brown eyes widened in horror at being called out, but quickly composed himself and shook his head. “Nah. Can’t, Boss. She’s your niece, right?”
Connor shrugged. Sort of, but not really. “Guess it depends on how you look at it, but not really.”
Jacob pasted a frown on his lips and gave his head another shake. “Yeah, Boss. See that’s the problem there. Can’t date her. Out of respect for you.”
Connor frowned, forcing a grin from emerging on his lips. “How’s that? I’m giving you permission.” He waved at her again. “Go on. I won’t interfere. You’re a good kid, I see you two being a beautiful couple.”
He watched the boy’s expression with amusement. He could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he searched for a good way out of the hole he’d dug himself into.
The boy huffed and turned his back to her. “I have a few girls in town who have a thing for me.” He shrugged. “Can’t commit myself to Samantha. You know, ’cause it wouldn’t be proper not to since she’s your responsibility, and all and I wouldn’t want you getting mad at me.”
Connor rubbed his jaw, which had a slight shadow due to his failure to shave that morning. He decided to stop the teasing and put the kid out of his misery. “Yeah. I get that. Makes sense. You’re a wild stallion and I can’t expect you to be tamed for a girl.”
Either he chose to ignore Connor’s sarcasm or was so relieved that he didn’t pick up on it. He puffed his chest out again, a smile forming on his lips. “That’s right. I’m a wild stallion. ” He nodded at Connor. “Guess I’ll get back to work.”
“Yeah, that would be a wise choice.”
Jacob nodded and took off heading for the first stall, leaving Connor chuckling in his wake. Turning back in the direction of Samantha he heaved a loud sigh. Might as well get this over with.
