The mare pranced, showing her uneasiness. “Easy, girl. Let’s take things nice and slow. Don’t make any movements, Adam. We don’t want her bolting.”
Ash took another short step and the horse lifted on her hind legs, striking the air with her hooves as if she was defending herself against a predator. She was only responding out of emotional distress, but he had to worry because a fearful horse was very unpredictable. She could easily charge him or Adam, even become troubled enough that she could jump or crash through the fence, risking an injury. It was important that they not only stayed safe, but they wanted to keep her safe too.
The mare jumped to the side in a spook, her tail swishing faster, her head held at an odd angle. Ash could hear her teeth grinding. Yeah, this was going to take some time.
“Come on, sweetheart. We’re not your enemy. Let us take you to a safe place.” He brought his hand up, the apple resting in his palm, showing it to the mare.
Time ticked by. The sun beat down making Ash’s skin slick and his clothes wet, yet he still utilized patience with Porsche, although his body was starting to ache from the tension in his muscles. He’d taken a few dirt baths while on the circuit and his bones reminded him on occasion that he wasn’t getting any younger.
Finally, he was able to make it within several feet of her, still holding the offering for her to take. She sniffed the air, then reluctantly eased her head closer, so slow that Ash almost believed he was imagining the movement, until she finally took the apple and ground it between her teeth.
“Good, girl.” He reached in and produced another slice. Her ears perked, but she still didn’t move in quickly. Once she took the fruit, Ash knew it was now or never to get the rope around her before she bolted. “Adam, I’m going to ease in real slow. Once I have the rope on her, I want you to move in, grab the rope, and watch yourself. She’s going to put up a fight as sure as a duck quacks.”
“I’m ready.”
Ash slowly and easily lifted the rope, watching for the horse’s responses, or any sign that she was ready to charge him or the fence. When the rope was about chin high, the mare snorted, clawed the ground, and before he could know what was about to happen, she rushed at him. He took a dive into the dirt just as the mare sprinted to the other side of the fence.
“You okay, bro?”
Ash squinted against the pain in his ribs. Standing, he swiped the dust off his jeans and dragged off his hat to clean the sweat from his forehead with the sleeve of his shirt. Grounding his hat back on his head, he spat. “At least we’re getting somewhere,” he muttered. “We’re going to have to move in, side by side, and rope her. It’s going to take both of us to get her into that trailer.” Ash didn’t like forcing horses to do anything they didn’t want to do, but to save her life they would have to get her in the trailer and back to Grinning Spurs. Once there, they could work on desensitizing her and learning her cues and behaviors. Maybe eventually down the road they could find her a new owner that could nurture her.
Adam nodded his understanding and the two men crossed the arena with the mare’s eyes on them, but at least she was no longer snorting and clawing the dirt. He was out of apples, so they had lost their enticement.
“I say we waste no time. At the first sign of an opportunity, we rope her and hold on for dear life.”
They moved together like they were both connected by the same string. They’d done this a hundred times and it showed in their stealth, confident movements. The mare shifted and lowered her head, but the cowboys moved in quickly and on their first try their ropes were around her neck, but just as Ash had suspected would happen did. She drew up on her hind legs and kicked, but she only contacted with air because the men grasped their ropes tight, digging their boots into the dirt, using pure strength to hold on. Just when Ash thought they couldn’t hold on another second longer, the mare whinnied and shook her head as if calling a truce.
“I’m glad you’re seeing our way of thinking,” he said in a whisper.
Allowing her to become accustomed to the feel of the ropes first, they finally started the next phase to get her inside the trailer. Nellie waited near the back. “Just as soon as she’s in, close the door.” Ash told her. Her eyes were wide and her color was off as if she feared for their lives.
Thankfully, the mare didn’t put up much fight at that point, but by the time they got her into the trailer, Ash and Adam were tuckered and covered in dirt.
“Damn. I haven’t fought like that in a long time.” Ash downed a bottle of water from the cooler. He tossed Adam one who also wasted no time in emptying it.
“Doesn’t help that it’s at least a hundred and ten degrees out here.”
Ash laughed, smashed his bottle flat, and tossed it into the back of the truck. He turned to Nellie. “We’re out. Good luck with the property.” He dipped his hat.
“You boys have a safe trip, you hear? You’re the ones who need good luck with her.”
Once they were in the truck and back out on the road, Ash eased into the driver’s seat and rested in the cool air flowing from the vents. Thank goodness for AC on days like this. The trailer was also air conditioned so they knew the mare would be fine until they released her at Grinning Spurs.
“Well, are you going to confess?” Adam said from the passenger seat.
Ash gave him a sharp look. “Confess what?”
“What the hell is going on between you and Brennan. I know this isn’t a comfortable situation for any of us, but you two are butting heads every time you turn around. That doesn’t make any of this easier on anyone.”
“Are you suggesting it’s my doing?” Ash scratched his temple with his thumb.
“Not what I’m saying. I’m only telling you that you both have a hair stuck sideways. We’re brothers. Plain and simple.”
Ash started to open his mouth to refute Adam’s words, but he slammed it shut. Point was, his brother was right. He and Brennan seemed to knock heads often. He could blame the rows on the fact that they’d both been attracted for the local veterinarian, CC. Ash had the chance to work closer with her in the Horse-to-Well-Horse effort and he’d realized there wasn’t any lure between them. She was beautiful, kind, smart, and enjoyable to talk to, but he looked at her as more of a friend.
If this was Adam or Arc, his biological brothers, they would have already made up with one another and went on with their business. Forming a relationship with Baxter and Brennan, brothers from another mother, didn’t come naturally. Hell, they were grown-ass men in their thirties. Maybe if they’d met in their childhood, even in their twenties, they could have adapted.
Buzz hadn’t been thinking clearly when he’d decided to throw his sons together under one roof.
Maybe it was time Ash and Brennan had a heart to heart and bury the hatchet.
“Talk it out with him.” Adam stole the words straight from Ash’s mind.
“Yeah, I guess it wouldn’t hurt. Whether we like it or not, we’re stuck here in Tarnation for another five months.
Adam swiped both hands down his face. “I keep hoping I’ll wake up from this nightmare. The old man really grabbed us by the balls, didn’t he?”
Shifting in the leather seat, Ash hesitated, then finally said, “I’m sure he had his reasons, but hell if I can figure them out.”
“That’s the problem. Maybe we need to stop fighting and just go with the flow. Stop trying to figure out why.”
Ash darted a glance his brother’s way. “You mean just work the ranch, marry a stranger, and wear a smile on our faces? I don’t appreciate feeling like a puppet on a string, and besides that, six months to find a wife is like finding a spotted cat in a hoard of calicos. I like my single life.”
“I don’t think anyone would disagree with you, bro, but none of us are willing to lose our ranches. It’s not as bad around here as I thought it would be.”
“Then maybe we can work it out to where you can stay here after six months.” Ash pulled the truck onto the narrow lane that
led into Grinning Spurs.
“Now I didn’t say I wanted to stay forever.”
Pulling the truck up to the barn, they were met by Arc, Baxter, and Brennan.
“Did she give you much trouble?” Arc asked once Ash slid from the truck.
“She was an angel,” he muttered and strode around to the back of the trailer. “I’m going to let you boys get in on the fun. You can handle getting her out.”
“That’s okay because we have a job for you,” Baxter said.
“A job?” He didn’t like the sound of that.
“One of our neighbors left a welcome basket on the porch. Visit her and make sure you say thank you from all of us.” Arc pulled on his leather gloves.
“How was I elected the PR for the family?”
“Would you rather stay here and handle the horse?” Baxter asked.
It took him less than half a second to say, “I’ll be the spokesperson for the Colt brothers. You fellows have fun.”
*
Lexi scratched the husky behind the ear. “Sorry, fellow. You’ve got to go back to your pen for now. I’ll come feed you soon. Alright, Smokey?” She opened the door to the enclosure and he looked at her with disapproval. “I know it’s not your favorite place, but I have to tend to Damon. He needs his bath too.” She gave him one last pet, clicked her tongue and the dog reluctantly stepped in.
After closing the door, she said, “Don’t look at me with those sulky eyes, young boy.”
Making sure the latch was locked, she continued down the row of kennels to the last one where the Boxer was staring at her, his tongue hanging out and his docked tail making a fine attempt at wagging. He still smelled strongly of skunk. “Good morning, Damon. Are you ready for your bath?” He continued to stare. “Now listen. We can’t have any of that funny business like the last time. I refuse to take a bath with you or chase you. If you misbehave, I’m going to call your mom in the Poconos and tell her that her fur baby is not cooperating.” Damon had been in the kennel for three days and had a massive personality. At seventy-some pounds of muscle, he could be a lot to handle if he wanted to get into mischief.
Grabbing the leash from the nail, she opened the door, hooked the collar up, and led him through a set of metal doors. His ears perked up as they stepped out into the backyard. The bathing area was set up under an awning that consisted of a grooming tub fixed with a long hose.
Damon stopped and looked at her, then the tub and back to her. She opened her mouth to warn him to be good, but he was fast and sneaky. He took a step back, then right, and before she could tighten her grip on the strap, he darted and the leash tore from her hand knocking her down face first onto the ground. She jumped up and swiped mud from her face. “Damon, stop!”
But it was too late. Lexi saw a flash of brown as he disappeared around the building.
Taking a deep breath and remaining calm, she took off after the Boxer. By the time she rounded the front, Damon was nowhere in sight. Her knees and elbows ached from where she had fallen, but she had to get the dog back. Heading toward the driveway, she looked into the distance and saw nothing. Her chest tightened. If he got away, how could she ever explain it to his owner?
“Are you looking for him?”
Hearing the male voice, she turned around. Standing on the front step of the office was Damon, but he wasn’t alone.
CHAPTER 3
ASH SMILED, REMOVING his gaze from bright blue eyes over mud-streaked cheeks to the T-shirt that looked like she’d taken a mud bath. So, this was Grinning Spurs’ closest neighbor? He’d give Tarnation one thing in its favor. The women were interesting…and attractive.
He saw several expressions flicker across her face before she tucked her plump bottom lip between her teeth and shook her head. “Damon, you’ve been a bad boy,” she chastised, but her voice was so soft Ash doubted the dog understood her frustration. She eventually brought her gaze up and met his. “He has a habit of running away.”
“I can see that.”
“Thank you for catching him.”
“I really can’t take credit for that. I was standing here and he came right up to me.”
“I would have spent the next hour searching for him,” she muttered.
“He would have eventually come back. When dogs are hungry they return.”
“True. I’ll take the leash now.” The corners of her mouth played with a smile. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Ash—”
“Colt. My neighbor. Did you and your brothers get the basket okay? I came up there earlier and I didn’t want to disturb anyone by knocking.” The Boxer sat down next to her feet.
“Actually, that’s why I’m here. I wanted to come and thank you personally.” It wasn’t quite the truth, but he couldn’t tell her that he’d been strong-armed into coming.
“That’s nice of you, but really you didn’t have to come over. I mean, I’m grateful that you did—” Her eyes flashed something akin to embarrassment. “You know, because of Damon. This boy is getting a bath whether he likes it or not. My assistant, Dolly, didn’t show up today so our schedule is a bit off. Right, Damon?”
“Did he get sprayed?” The scent was strong.
“Two days ago when he raced off he went head-to-head with a spunky skunk. Believe it or not, he smells better after several baths in special soap. His human said this has happened before, a run-in with a critter. You’d think by now he would have learned his lesson.”
As if the dog knew he was being talked about, his ears perked and he lifted his chin.
“Seeing that Damon here has a relentless desire to escape, how about I help out? As a thank you for the basket.” The words were out and he wished he could fish them back. Although he had work to do back on the ranch, he felt somewhat sorry for the woman who was covered in mud that was now drying and cracking.
“You want to stay and help?” Her thin brows lifted.
“Sure. I’m in no hurry to get back to the ranch and muck stalls.”
“Okay, but I can’t guarantee this will be any more fun than ranch work.”
He could have disagreed with her. Back home he had his brothers to deal with. Here he had nice scenery. She, or rather the dog, led the way into the backyard and his gaze naturally drifted to the soft sway of her hips. He liked how full they were, and how the frayed ends of the shorts landed on the roundest part of her tanned thighs. Her hair was piled on top of her head and strands had come loose at the nape of her neck. The breeze caught her scent and carried it to his nostrils—a sweet, cotton-candy scent that made the hairs on his arms stand. He swallowed and tore his gaze to the grass that was a bit too high. He had enough on his plate than to admire the pretty neighbor.
Dogs watched him pass from the enclosures. Several made whimpering sounds and a few others stared in fascination. “Looks like you have a full house.”
“During the summer months we’re always packed. Everyone is taking vacation and owners like to keep their pets groomed so they don’t get too hot. Considering I’m the only groomer and pet motel within a reasonable distance, business is good. Which is a Godsend, of course, but when both of my workers don’t show up, it puts me in a pickle.” She smiled which cracked the dried mud on her cheeks more.
He grinned, but when she turned to look at him, he wiped the humor off his face, not wanting her to think he found amusement in her disadvantage. He understood all too well what it was like when hands didn’t show up for work and his chores doubled, sometimes tripled.
“Do you own the business?”
“Yes.” She nuzzled Damon behind the ears as she led him toward the outdoor tub.
He didn’t bolt. Not yet.
“Had you always wanted to work with pets?”
“Not always. When I was seventeen, a part-time job opened up here and I started working to save money, but I loved the dogs. When the previous owner put the place up for sale, I made him an offer that he couldn’t refuse. And here I am now.” She looked at Damon. “Let’s get
you in the tub, boy.”
“Let me help.” Ash lifted the dog and easily placed him in.
“I think he likes you or he’s trying to make me out to be a liar. One or the other.”
“I guess I just have that kind of face. What else can I do to help?”
“Hold that hose and when I tell you to, just push the pedal.” She gave him a quick tutorial of how things worked.
His job was simple and left little room for error. He pulled the hose that was attached to an overhead trolley, and when he pushed the pedal, water sprayed her in the face. She sputtered and wiped her mouth off on her shoulder.
“Wait until I tell you.” Her eyes twinkled.
“I’m sorry,” he offered.
“No problem, but next time aim the nozzle at the dog.”
He watched her pour a small amount of shampoo into her palm, which gave him the chance to search for a wedding ring. She wasn’t wearing one.
She scrubbed the dog who seemed pretty happy with the attention. Ash had to admit he wouldn’t mind a beautiful woman soaping him down either.
“I realize that I don’t know your name,” he said.
“Lexi Lock.” She motioned for him to press the pedal and water sprayed her again, this time on the front of her shirt.
“Am I going to get fired the first day on the job?” he teased.
“The boss never complains about free help.”
Their gazes met for a fleeting second, but Ash felt it all the way into the center of his bones.
After Damon was rinsed and dried off, and returned to his pen, Lexi grabbed two towels from a cabinet, handing Ash one. His shirt was soaked. And so was she, mainly because he’d had a hard time handling his job.
Secured by the Lawman (Mountain Force Book 2) Page 19