“I wasn’t worried about that. I just meant that when I come over to visit, I’ll be sure to give Cowboy his space. No sudden moves and all that.”
Stooping down, Josie gripped the rim of a terracotta pot and twisted it around until she was satisfied with the positioning. It wasn’t as though it had a best side that should be showcased, but Seth figured it didn’t look quite as ugly from this perspective.
“You don’t need to visit with me, Seth. We don’t have to be friends.”
“But wouldn’t you like to be?”
Seth wasn’t expecting her to jump at the offer, but he also didn’t anticipate the prolonged bout of silence that stretched between them as Josie mulled over his question. “I don’t have much need for any.”
“Everyone needs friends.”
Her hands found her hips and hooked there, matching the defiance that contorted her lips into a near-grimace. “I’m satisfied with the few I’ve got.”
Seth wasn’t going to push. Josie certainly didn’t owe him anything, least of all friendship. He’d just never met anyone with such an aversion to the notion. “Understood. Not friends. Just neighbors.” He suddenly felt the buzz of his phone’s timer and couldn’t say he wasn’t grateful for the interruption. He hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “I should run. I’ve got to go grab something out of the oven.”
“Don’t let it burn on account of continuing this conversation.”
“Huh,” Seth mused audibly, but if Josie had heard, she didn’t let it be known. Her back turning to him and the trailer door swinging shut was a period at the end of their odd exchange. He wasn’t easily offended, but it was hard to take her curtness any other way.
The chocolate chip cookies Seth pulled from the oven racks once back inside his home mocked him with their homemade charm, sweet aroma, and perfectly browned edges. Why had he felt the need to bake these for her? Seth tried to reason that this was just what he did. He baked. And he was undeniably good at it. The blue ribbons he’d amassed from multiple county fairs as a teen were a testament to that. So were the many praises he’d received from the recipients of his treats. What had started out as a childhood hobby turned into a true talent. In fact, he couldn’t imagine not baking, and he definitely couldn’t imagine having someone move onto his property without gifting them a fresh welcome basket of cookies. He wouldn’t let Josie’s aversion to all things friendly keep him from being true to that side of his nature.
Yet as Seth traveled the dirt path back toward her trailer, plate of still-warm cookies in hand, he found himself doing a little second guessing. Most people would accept the offering as a thoughtful gesture. He felt the odds were just as likely that Josie would shove the plate into his chest and slam the door in his face.
Against all reason, he opted to take his chances.
“Knock, knock,” he said through the screen. There was a clink of a bottle meeting the counter and then heavy footfalls increasing in volume until Josie was standing on the other side of a screen door that had enough holes in it to resemble Swiss cheese. Her eyes locking with his was her only greeting. Seth shrugged and said, “I brought you something. In fairness, I had already made these before you mentioned the whole not needing any new friends thing.”
The faintest trace of a smile lifted just one corner of Josie’s mouth. With a degree of resistant surrender, Josie pushed her hand to the door and opened it. “You made those?”
“Chocolate chip. I figured that was the safest bet.”
“Dang it. I’m allergic to chocolate.”
“Seriously?”
“No.” The other half of her mouth raised, completing the smile she fought so hard to conceal. “Want to come in for a beer? I just opened one for myself.”
“Oh, shoot. I’m allergic to beer.”
“Really?”
“No, not really. I’d love one.”
Josie curled her hand around her ear, tucking away an errant strand that had slipped into her eyes. Her gaze was shifty, unsure, like she didn’t know where to look even though the space belonged to her. “You can sit there.” She thrust a finger toward the left side of the trailer. Red vinyl wrapped around two booths that faced one another and a wooden table separated the dining seats. Seth lowered the plate of cookies down first and then sat where instructed. There was a lemony smell he couldn’t ignore, like an air freshener attempting to mask something dank and musty. The trailer was old and much of the interior showed its age in the form of scratches, dings, and tears. Still, there was something comforting in the small space. It was well-lived in. Seth liked that.
“I hope Pale Ale is okay.” Josie settled an amber bottle onto the table with force. Fizz rose up the neck and to the opening, popping once it met the air like bubbles on the surface of a pond. “It’s all I’ve got.”
“That’ll be great. Thank you.” As Seth lifted the beer to his lips, he studied the woman across from him. The day had been long and her appearance reflected that. Eyes tired. Hair wayward. Soul burdened, but he wasn’t sure with what. He pulled in a generous gulp of the cool drink and then lowered the bottle, taking hold of it in both hands to twirl it between his fingers. “How’d you break your arm?”
“Car accident.” Josie took a drink. “How’d you get stuck with five feral horses?” She set her beer down and challenged him with a look that made Seth wonder if this was some sort of drinking game he didn’t quite know how to play.
“My girlfriend was supposed to take them, but at the last minute, she couldn’t.” After pulling in another sip, Seth corrected, “Ex-girlfriend.”
“Is she Snow White or something?” Another drink.
Seth shrugged. “Might as well be. She runs an animal sanctuary in town.”
“The Least of These. I know the place. They do good work. Rescue a lot of animals that might not otherwise have a shot in life.” The bottle paused before meeting Josie’s lips. “Why didn’t it work out?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I think we both just decided we wanted different things out of life. We were together for three years and she was pushing for a ring, but I couldn’t bring myself to propose. When I looked at my future long-term, I just couldn’t see her in it.”
A soft laugh slipped through Josie’s lips before she drowned it with a swallow of beer. She cocked her head and gave him the most peculiar look when she said, “I meant, why didn’t it work with the horses?”
“Wow.” Seth had to laugh at himself because that was the only real option here. “Right. Sorry. That was a lot of unnecessary self-disclosure. A horse at the sanctuary was diagnosed with strangles, so they’re currently on complete quarantine. I’m hoping once these mustangs are gentled, things will be operational again and she can take them off my hands. I don’t have any real use for them here.”
He raised his eyes to Josie’s and she held his stare as she said, “It’s good you’ve given them a soft place to land, even if it’s only temporary. I’m sure they’re very grateful for your generosity, even if they haven’t shown it yet.”
Seth smiled. He had a hunch—and maybe a little hope—Josie referred to more than just the animals.
6
Josie
The hot snort of air was a warning. The pinned ears were a threat. Flashing eyes revealing a thin edge of white cautioned her to keep her distance. She would respect those cues. This was their space now.
“Morning, Bruiser.”
The stallion stomped a hoof, dirt puffing up around his front legs in a dusty cloud.
“Don’t worry. I’m not here to round you up again. Go on and eat your breakfast with the others. Don’t mind me.”
Josie propped a leg up onto the pipe panel to peer into the paddock. The horses grouped together in mother and foal pairs while the stallion stood watch from the side, their protector even in this new, safe location where they no longer had a need for one. Sure, he was thin, but nothing some consistent meals couldn’t fix. He still had an impressive conformation, even in his current condition. Josi
e had a feeling he’d one-day live up to the name she’d given him. He was the most beautiful blue roan with a black base color and long, dark mane with a swishing tail that dusted just above the ground.
Black and blue. Bruiser.
Josie slipped the borrowed halters and lead ropes from her arm and looped them onto the gate. They wouldn’t get any use for several days and she knew that. She had once attended a mustang breaking event where three contestants selected, halter-broke, and eventually saddled and rode a previously wild horse, all within the span of three short days. In her opinion, all that was good for was a weekend of entertainment. It certainly wasn’t good for the horse. A solid, slow and steady foundation was infinitely more important than hastily getting a horse under saddle. For that reason, she’d take whatever time necessary to get there.
For today, she’d wait on this side of the fence and she’d be plenty content in doing so.
Stifling a yawn, Josie scanned the ranch. Hills dotted with cows undulated in the distance. She didn’t know the exact size of the farmland, but she had a feeling she couldn’t make out the property lines from her vantage point in the valley. She’d likely need the help of binoculars to fully take in the entirety of the ranch, its spread wider and more vast than any other acreage she’d been on.
The Ford’s were well-known cattle ranchers in these parts. Chances were, if you had a tri-tip grilling on the barbecue, you had the Ford’s to thank for it. The farm was a generational one, which was why it surprised her that she’d never heard of Seth before. She knew of his father, Mitch. Even his brother, Tanner. But Seth was a perfectly good stranger and she wondered why he’d suddenly been placed at the helm with the others nowhere in sight.
That information wasn’t hers to know, but she had a hunch he’d fill her in if she just asked. After all, he spilled much more than that last night. It wasn’t any business of Josie’s if Seth was single. It also shouldn’t have affected her the way it did. He was good looking, there was no denying that. And he made the best chocolate chip cookies she’d ever eaten, no question. But he was her landlord and that was that. Plus, relationships didn’t bode well for Josie. She had come to terms long ago that she’d likely live out her days alone. Honestly, she preferred it that way. Cowboy’s company was often more than she needed. Some people were extroverts and got their energy from the people around them and needed companionship to survive and thrive. Josie was an introvert in the deepest part of her being and while some saw that as a fault, she was just fine being labeled one.
She was independent, self-sufficient, and didn’t need anyone. Except when it came to a place to park her trailer. Until she could amass the money necessary to purchase her own modest plot of land, she’d be at the mercy of people like Seth who gave generously without expecting anything in return.
Oddly, being at that man’s mercy wasn’t such a terrible thought.
Josie shook her head briskly, scolding that shocking idea right out of her brain. But not effectively enough, because when she heard his low voice at her back, the flutter in her stomach returned at full force.
“How are things coming along this morning?” He maneuvered the buckskin beneath him as he collected the reins to side pass closer. “Just finished checking the cows and thought I’d swing by to see if you needed anything. Looks like they’re settling in well. That stallion isn’t quite so high strung this morning, huh?”
“Bruiser’s only snorted at me once. I take it as a win.”
“Bruiser.” Seth tapped his horse’s belly with his heels and moved up to Josie. “I like that. Suits him.”
“Maybe not yet, but I think he’ll get there.”
“Nah, I can see it. It’s a good name for him.” He smiled. “Hey, I’m headed into town to do a little grocery shopping and wanted to see if there’s anything I could pick up for you. They’ve got a sale on sugar and I want to stock up on some. If you’ve got a list going, I’d be happy to grab the items on it.”
“Thanks, I’m good, but I appreciate the offer. Honestly, I’m not sure when I’ll be able to drive Marcie’s car without getting lightheaded.”
“Still airing it out?”
“I am, but I think that nauseating perfume stench has marinated in those seat cushions so long, it’s become a permanent part of the fabric.”
“You know, Josie, you’re welcome to borrow my truck anytime you need it. There’s a spare set of keys hanging in the tack room. Don’t even have to ask.”
The man had already done so much for her and now he was offering the use of his vehicle when she had a perfectly good—albeit stinky—one in her possession. Josie wondered when she would no longer feel like such a leech, constantly sucking his resources without offering anything in return.
“Thank you, Seth. Appreciate it.”
His horse started to jog in place, growing restless with their conversation. Seth tightened his grip on the reins. “You got lunch plans?”
“You’re looking at it.”
“How about I pick us up some sandwiches from the deli? Turkey good for you?”
She wanted to tell him that he didn’t need to keep feeding her—first with the cookies and now with lunch—but found herself saying, “Turkey would be great,” instead.
“No real allergies or aversions?”
“Nope.” She laughed a little, remembering their friendly banter from the night before. “No allergies. I just don’t like pepperoncini, but everything else is fair game.”
“Same. Nothing like a pepperoncino to ruin a perfectly good sandwich,” Seth said around a laugh that was so full and rich it made Josie’s heart trip up. “I’ll be back in just under an hour.”
“You know where to find me.”
She tried not to stare while her gaze tracked Seth as he galloped back toward his house. He looked like a cowboy from an old western. White hat. Tan jacket. Decent amount of scruff lining his strong jawline. An effortless command over the horse beneath him.
“What are you doing, Jo?” Josie muttered under her breath, a reprimand that did little to erase Seth’s image even when she refocused her attention back onto the horses. On her job. It wasn’t her job to ogle the man. She wasn’t even sure that’s what she was doing, really, but there was something about Seth that made her palms sweat and Josie didn’t often get that way.
Rather than spend the morning thinking about Seth in ways she certainly shouldn’t, she came up with her game plan for the horses. The stallion would need to be gelded sooner than later. No reason for him to stay a stud, especially if she hoped to turn him into a riding horse and rehome him at some point in time. Same went for the colts. The mares needed to put some weight on their bones and she knew just the grain that would do that. It was obvious that feeding their babies had taken a toll and depleted their resources. Josie made up a list of items to grab from the feed store later that afternoon. She didn’t love the idea, but she’d have to take Seth’s truck if she hoped to haul everything home in one trip.
She was still lost in thought a half hour later, so she almost didn’t hear the trucks rolling to a stop, nor the crunching of gravel under the tread of multiple boots. It was the voices that pulled her out of her reverie, but more than that, the conversation that made her whip her head up in the direction of the sound.
“What’d’ya think? Looks like he managed to keep the place afloat, huh?”
“Didn’t burn it down, at least. S’pose that’s something.”
Josie shaded her brow. Two men—one roughly double the age of the other—walked up to the nearest cow pasture and, in unison, hiked a leg up on the lowest rail to peer into the valley. They had matching ten-gallon white hats, Wranglers, and plaid flannel shirts—one in red, the other in blue. There was no question they were father and son, and there was also no doubt as to the subject of their conversation.
“One week isn’t long enough to get into any real trouble,” the younger said. He turned his head and spit into the dirt.
“Oh, son. You’re forge
tting it’s Seth we’re talking about here. That brother of yours could mess up putting his shoes on his feet in the morning.”
Josie’s stomach soured at the comment. She didn’t know him well—or at all, really—but she felt her defensive hackles raising when it came to Seth and the derogatory way they spoke of him. Her wits told her to keep quiet, but she wouldn’t heed their pestering. She marched right up to the men with a determination that made her belly feel like fire.
“I can’t imagine you two could possibly be speaking so negatively about your own flesh and blood, now, are you? I sure hope my ears are deceiving me.”
“And just who might you be?” The older gentlemen slunk off the fence and sauntered toward her like a cowboy in an old, gold-town saloon. His dark eyes raked over Josie with a judgment she could feel on her skin.
“That’s Seth’s girl.” The younger man gave Josie a nudge of his head. He paused, as though combing his brain for her name and coming up blank.
“Josie.” She thrust a hand into the space between them. Seth’s father quickly grabbed hold, his massive grip meeting hers in a near-bone crushing shake. “Josie Friar.”
Seth’s brother waggled his index finger. “That’s right. Josie. You run that—”
“Horse shoeing business,” Josie answered before he could fill in the blank with the false information she knew was coming. She wasn’t Bridgette—Seth’s ex—and certainly could never be passed off as the beautiful woman. Still, she had a hunch these two weren’t the most perceptive of men. She took her chances and rolled with it.
“Right.” The man nodded. “I knew it had something to do with animals.”
“And you’re dating Seth?” Seth’s father narrowed his eyes under wiry, thick, charcoal-hued brows.
“They’ve been dating for years, Dad.” Suddenly, the brother was the expert on this fictitious relationship.
“Sure, sure.” Even though his words affirmed his belief, his wary gaze that continued to study Josie with scrutiny made her palms itch. She hated to lie. But she really didn’t like the unkind way they spoke of the man who had been nothing but completely kind to her. She had to stand up for him. “You guys pretty serious?”
Take the Reins (A Cowboy's Promise Book 2) Page 4
