"Andy said I was too fussy and too stiff," she muttered as they entered the barn.
"Hold him while I get his tack off, then we can take him out to the paddock."
"Do you think you'll be able to help me?"
"Help you how?" Caleb asked, unbuckling the girth and removing the saddle. "Do you want someone for an occasional lesson, full-time trainin', someone on site, someone to manage your barn? You need to spell out what exactly you're lookin' for, unless you need more time to figure that out."
"No!" she exclaimed, staring at him with a look he couldn't read.
Taking the reins from her hand, he removed the horse's bridle and slipped on a halter.
"You wanna take him to the paddock?"
"At least that I can manage," she replied, accepting the lead rope and heading down the barn aisle. "I definitely need help with the barn. I didn't realize how much my old trainer did until he left. He ordered the hay and the shavings, and all the barn supplies. I can't keep up. I have two guys who clean and feed, and another who does the maintenance, but I feel weird when I'm talking to them."
"How old are you? Twenty-four? Twenty-five?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" she said defensively. "I may be young to have my own place, but I know what I'm doing."
"Hey, easy there. You might feel weird because they do. They're probably not used to workin' for a young woman."
"Oh, I see what you mean. Sorry. I didn't mean to snap."
"What about the trainin' side of things?"
"I'd like to do better in the show ring."
"So you're lookin' for a trainer to help you win."
"Win? I'd be happy if I could leave the ring knowing I didn't make a fool of myself."
"How many horses do you have?"
"Four, and I love them like crazy. One is retired. That's Checkers. I have a mare, Goldie. She's my trail horse and she's a dream. The other gelding, Dojo, he's a schoolmaster, but he's not fancy enough to show. That's why I bought Domino."
They'd reached the paddock, and as he opened the gate their fingers touched. His heart skipped. Mixing business with pleasure rarely worked out, and he quickly dropped his hand away.
"It sounds like you need a full-time barn manager," he said, doing his best to ignore their crackling attraction. "Someone to handle the staff and keep track of the supplies. But you also need a trainer. You need three lessons a week, and I'd need to ride Domino the days that you don't. That's the only way to keep you both on track. Does that make sense?"
"That's the schedule Malcolm had us on."
"What happened with him?"
"I'm not even sure. I dreaded my lessons. I even had trouble with Carly. I can't ride anymore. Nothing works. Andy though, he helped me understand a couple of things, but he'd never leave here, and I wouldn't ask him to."
"I've got two suggestions. First, close and latch the gate."
"Right," she said sheepishly. "What's the second?"
"Can you stay overnight?"
"I guess so. Is there a hotel nearby?"
"I don't think Heath would mind puttin' you up."
"He has before, but Jerry will want to go home," she said glumly. "I should never have brought him with me."
"Jerry?"
"My fiancé."
"Ah," he muttered, wishing his heart hadn't just landed in his stomach.
"I suppose he could drive the horse van home, and have one of the workers bring it back. But why are you asking if I can stay overnight?"
"I'd like to give you a lesson tomorrow. If that goes well I'll head up to your ranch and check it out, maybe stick around for a week. I'll ride Domino and give you more trainin'. Then we can see how we both feel and take it from there."
"That would be perfect!"
"But before we do any of that, there's something you need to know. If I'm your trainer I'm in charge."
"What do you mean?"
"If I give you an instruction and you don't wanna follow it, I'll listen to your reasons, but if they don't fly, that's it. There's no more debate. That's the only way I can get you ridin' right. If you've gotta problem with that, no sweat. I'll be on my way."
"What about the barn management?"
"If you wanna save a nickel buyin' cheap supplies, or you don't want the right kinda supplements, that's up to you, but again, I'll be on my way. I don't scrimp when it comes to takin' care of horses. If you want them performin' at their best, you gotta treat them right and make sure they're gettin' what they need. If you want me to manage, I'll discuss all my decisions with you, but at the end of the day the horses come first. Now that you've heard all that, do you wanna stay overnight and see how a lesson goes?"
"Yes, definitely. Can I get your number?" she said, reaching for her phone. "I'll talk to Jerry and call you back to confirm everything."
The same enigmatic expression he'd seen earlier had returned, and as she entered his number into her phone, her fingers trembled. He could think of only one explanation. Nerves.
"Let me know when everything's set," he said, assuming the lesson with Carly still bothered her. "Are you goin' up to the house?"
"Yes."
"Me too. I wanna say hello to Heath. I'll give you a lift."
"Thanks. Shoot. I just thought of something."
"What's that?"
"Carly. How am I going to get through dinner with her at the table?"
"She upset you that much?"
"Uh-huh, but maybe I'm at fault. I don't know. When I first met her and watched her ride Domino, she blew me away. She's such a good rider, but now…"
"You're overreactin'. You had a ridin' lesson that didn't go the way you wanted. Don't sweat the small stuff."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"What happened is no big deal."
"It felt like a big deal. It still does."
"Did you fall off?"
"No."
"Did you break anything?"
"You know I didn't."
"Did she make you cry?"
"No! I wouldn't let anyone make me cry," Connie said fiercely. "She pissed me off though."
"I'll bet you were already frustrated when you got on. Am I right? Tell me the truth."
"Maybe a bit," she muttered, feeling the need to lower her eyes.
"If you're in a negative frame of mind startin' out, it wouldn't have mattered what she said."
"But Andy explained things in a way I could understand."
"Andy's older, and you probably felt a natural inclination to listen. Not only is Carly close to your age, you probably find it depressin' that she's so much better than you."
"That might be true."
"Connie, like I said, the lesson is no big deal. Put a smile on your face and be gracious."
"I feel like you just lectured me," she said, lifting her gaze to meet his.
Tilting his head to the side, he crossed his arms and smiled down at her.
"I think maybe I just did. You ready to go up?"
"Definitely. I need to sit down and have a cup of coffee. Or tea. Or something."
As they walked to his truck and climbed in, a wave of conflict rippled through him. Though relieved Connie had a man in her life, he wished she didn't. He liked her. Seriously liked her. Her bright blue eyes widened when she smiled, and he admired the love she had for her horses. In the show world, many owners sold their animals when they could no longer perform, but Connie still cared for a horse she had retired.
"When's the big day?" he asked as they drove up to the house.
"Big day?"
"Your weddin'."
"Oh, of course," she replied with a slight frown. "At the end of March next year. Spring. Forever away."
"Time flies. You'll be walkin' down that aisle before you know it."
"There's so much to do. That's another reason I need help with the ranch. Planning a wedding is a full-time job."
"From what I hear."
"At least the arrangements aren't as difficult
this time. I know what I'm doing."
"You've already been married?" he asked, unable to contain his surprise.
"The marriage that wasn't," she said grimly. "A racehorse trainer. I didn't know him at all. I felt like a complete idiot at the end. I still do." Then pausing, she mumbled, "This is weird."
"What's that?" he asked, rolling to a stop beside the house and turning off the engine.
"I never tell people about myself."
"Is that a compliment?"
"I suppose it is. You're easy to talk to. I feel comfortable with you. I hope you don't mind me saying that. You probably think I'm crazy."
"We're all a little bit crazy," he said softly. "That's what makes us human."
In the quiet cab of his truck, Caleb tried to ignore the sense of intimacy, but when she raised her eyes, the enigmatic expression had become one of sadness, and he ached to hold her.
"You okay, Connie?"
"I think so. The thing is…"
"Yeah?"
"Nothing."
"You sure? If there's somethin' on your mind—"
"No," she said hastily, shifting her gaze and pushing open her door.
"I need to make a quick call before I come in," Caleb said. "I've enjoyed our chat. My ear is always available if you need it."
"Uh, thanks. See you in a minute," she said quickly, and closing the door, she hurried towards the house.
"What the hell?" he muttered. "Something's not right with you, and I've got an inklin' that something's called Jerry."
CHAPTER THREE
Walking into the rambling ranch house, Connie could hear voices coming from the dining room. Poking her head in, she found Carly and Heath sitting at the table.
"Hey, come in," Heath said warmly. "Theresa just got back and is making some snacks to tide us over before lunch. I don't think you've met her. She's Salvo's sister."
"No, I haven't. What happened to Elsie?"
"Her long lost love returned and she's moved back to Houston. She still spends time here though. At least once a month."
"Connie, I'm really sorry about how the lesson went," Carly said, hoping she sounded appropriately contrite. "I didn't mean to be impatient."
"That's okay. Caleb pointed out I probably didn't have the right frame of mind to start with."
"Hi. Does anyone need anything?"
A beautiful young woman with a dazzling smile had entered the room, and Connie wondered why such an attractive girl worked as a housekeeper at a ranch in the middle of nowhere.
"Theresa, I'd like you to meet Connie Masters," Heath said. "Connie, this is Theresa Cavalleri."
"Theresa bakes the best brownies you've ever tasted," Carly piped up. "Eat one and you're done for."
"Hi, Connie. Nice to meet you. Can I get you anything?"
"A brownie and a cup of coffee would be great."
"Coming right up. I take it you're a rider too."
"I am, but unfortunately I'm not a patch on Carly."
"No-one's like Carly," Heath said proudly.
"I wish I could get over my fear," Theresa said with a sigh. "I'd love to get on a horse, but they make me nervous."
"Don't worry," Heath assured her. "We're just gettin' started. You'll be a cowgirl yet."
"I hope so. Anyway, I've got some quiche bites in the oven, and I'll be right back with that coffee and a brownie."
"Getting back to Caleb," Carly said, turning to face Connie as Theresa left. "Do you think it will work out with him?"
"I'd like to give her a lesson tomorrow and see how it goes," Caleb declared, appearing in the doorway.
"Hey, Caleb, come on in," Heath said, waving him forward. "You'd make a good cat burglar. I didn't even hear the door. You wanna stick around for lunch?"
"No, thanks. I just stopped in to say hi."
"Connie, you're more than welcome to stay," Heath offered. "Gettin' on Domino fresh in the mornin' is a good idea."
"I'd really like that, but I'm not sure about Jerry. Where is he, by the way?"
"In the den watchin' the game."
"I'll pop in and talk to him."
"Do you remember where it is?"
"I do. thanks. I'll be right back."
Walking past Caleb standing in the doorway, an indescribable thing rippled through Connie's stomach. She'd experienced the same feeling when she'd first laid eyes on him. From under the brim of his cowboy hat, his hazel eyes had caught hers. When he'd swaggered towards her with his wide shoulders and muscled arms, it happened again. As he'd stroked Domino's neck and lectured her with a touch of a smile, her butterflies fluttered, and when he'd crossed his arms and tilted his head, she felt herself melt. But in the cab of the truck she'd been overwhelmed. He'd been so close. The need to lean over the console, wrap her arms around his neck and press her lips on his had been almost painful.
Caleb King! The epitome of a hot, hunky cowboy. Soft-spoken, but oozing confidence. He'd taken her breath away.
It was absurd.
It was crazy.
But was it wrong?
The question plagued her as she hurried down the hall to see her fiancé.
"Yes," she mumbled. "Thinking this way is wrong. I'm engaged for heaven's sake."
Entering the den, she found Jerry engrossed in the game. She knew better than to interrupt, and settling into an easy chair, she waited patiently for the commercial break.
"Hi," he said, turning to face her when the ads finally appeared. "How did things go after I left? Did that other guy help you?"
"Andy? Sort of. Could you mute the television so I don't have to talk over it?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
"The thing is, I just met someone who might be interested in being both my trainer and barn manager."
"Connie that's terrific. When can he start?"
"Um, that's the thing. I want to take a lesson from him tomorrow and see how it goes. If I like him, he'll come back with us and check the place out. Maybe stay the week and give me more lessons."
"Are you saying we have to drive all the way back here tomorrow?"
"No. We can stay here overnight."
"Connie, we have a dinner at Matteo's tonight."
"But I really need to do this."
"And I really need to go to that dinner. Business is involved. Important business."
"Can you go without me? You could drive the van back and—"
"There's no fucking way I'm driving that huge smelly truck back to your ranch, and I don't want to show up at Matteo's by myself."
"The van is not a truck."
"Connie," he barked, "you're talking about a stupid riding lesson."
"My lesson isn't stupid!"
"It may not be stupid, but it doesn't compare to the importance of my dinner."
"Maybe not to you," she grumbled. "Take Bethany."
"Bethany? Why would you mention her?"
"You work with her. She'd be much better company at a dinner like that anyway. You find this ranch and the horses boring. I find those dinners boring. All those conversations about stocks, and who screwed who and for how much. They make my stomach churn. How can you derive so much pleasure from ripping someone off?"
"You don't understand business."
"No, I don't understand, and if this dinner is so important you should take someone who does."
"I'll call her and see if she's available, but I'm not driving that fucking horse van."
"How will you get back?"
"I'll call the copter service. There's tons of open space around here."
"What about your Lamborghini at my place?"
"You can drive into town on Friday. We'll have dinner, and I'll come back to the ranch with you for the weekend. How does that sound?"
"Sure. That'd work."
"Shit, the game's back on!"
"I'll leave you to it, but we'll be having lunch soon. Do you want me to come and get you?"
"No. Tell them not to wait for me. I'll come when the game's over. If there's anythin
g left, that's fine, but I'm not hungry anyway."
Leaving the room and closing the door behind her, Connie headed quickly back to the dining room, eager to give Caleb the news.
"What's the verdict?" Carly asked as she walked in.
"Jerry's going back, but I'm staying. Where's Caleb?"
"He had somewhere he needed to be."
"I have his number. I'll let him know," Connie said, disappointed she'd missed him. "Too bad he couldn't stay for lunch."
"Is Jerry taking the van and coming back for you?" Heath asked.
"No. He has an account with a helicopter service."
"There's a small airfield nearby. I can run him out there when it arrives. Is he calling them now?"
"He won't be doing anything until the game is over. Do I have time to take a wander down to the paddocks before lunch?"
"Sure. Theresa just said it would be about thirty-minutes. There's a bag of carrots in the feed room if you wanna grab some," Heath suggested. "I'm sure the horses would be grateful. Your brownie's here. May as well take it with you."
"Thanks. I will. See you in a bit."
Waiting until she'd stepped outside, Connie pulled her phone from her pocket to call Caleb, but paused.
"Maybe I should just text him," she murmured, then realizing she wanted to hear this voice, she touched his name on the screen.
"Hi, Connie."
"Hi, Caleb," she said, suddenly nervous. "Good news. I'm staying here tonight. What time do you want me ready in the morning?"
"How about ten o'clock?"
"That sounds fine."
"I'll meet you in the ring."
"Great. See you then."
"Yep, see you then."
She let out a relieved sigh. Not because the lesson had been arranged, but because Jerry wouldn't be there. He'd been restless since they'd arrived, and his presence put pressure on her. Wandering down to the barn, she entered the aisle, found the carrots, and dropped a handful into a small bucket. As she started towards the paddocks, she spotted a tree casting a shadow across a patch of lush green grass. Deciding to take a minute, she settled down, leaned against the trunk, and took a mouthful of the brownie. It tasted divine. She took another, then closed her eyes and felt the cool breeze kiss her skin.
Jerry popped into her head.
She sighed.
To Kiss A Cowboy (Hunks and Horses Book 1) Page 2