“Six years older than me. You, Mr. Harrison, are on the wrong side of forty. Do you only have one UTV?”
“No. We have three. Cull took you in one the first day since you weren’t wearing the correct footwear. Around here, we ride horses, unless the men are replacing or repairing fence.”
“Wonderful,” she muttered.
Seth said nothing as he guided them back toward the barn. Slanted rays of light pierced the loft, winking off dust drifting in the air. Inside, the sweet, earthy scent of hay mingled with the tang of leather. He dismounted and stood nearby, watching her sit tall in the saddle, her boots resting against the stirrups. The horse’s muscles rippled under its glossy coat with each subtle shift of weight. Seth led his own mount forward until they were side by side.
“Need help?” he asked with a smirk.
She ran a hand along the saddle horn, her fingers brushing the worn leather. “No. I want to do this myself.”
He shrugged and folded his arms across his chest. “Okay. Have at it.”
She inhaled deeply, the long breath lifting her chest, then eased her weight forward. One leg swung over the saddle; the other came down lightly, her boot connecting with the cement floor in a soft thud. She straightened and shot him a triumphant look.
“I’m going to my cabin to change into clean clothes, Mr. Harrison, and I need a long soak.” Her voice was cool, unbothered.
Seth braced his hands on his hips, studying her. “This will be the only time I’ll let you go without cooling the horse.”
“Excuse me?Letme go? I don’t want to be around that horse at all. I will not… cool down a horse. Whatever the hell that even means.” She placed her hands on her hips in return, daring him to argue.
“You want to bet? You ride; you put the horse up. I will…letyou off this once, since I know you’re probably sore and muddy. Wait.” He turned and strode into the tack room. Moments later he reemerged holding a small jar of salve, the pale cream glinting under the barn lights. “Here, some salve for your muscles. Use it after your soak.”
She took the jar. “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, she walked out, her shirt tails flying out behind her. Seth watched her go, admiring the curve of her hips beneath faded jeans that were covered in mud. He’d never admit how much he enjoyed helping her mount.
He turned to lead the horse down the aisle and nearly collided with Cull, who’d just come out of the tack room. “Damn, Seth.You about knocked me down,” Cull said, peering around him. “What’re you looking at?”
“Nothing.” Seth blinked, lowering his gaze.
“Everything alright?” Cull asked.
“Yeah, I guess. Damn, women are crazy. I’d like to find one who doesn’t drive me insane.” Seth removed his hat, brushed a hand through his hair, then placed it back on his head.
Cull laughed. “You should ask for something more realistic, like a fire-breathing dragon.”
Seth chuckled, then checked the horse’s bridle. “That’s about as possible.”
Cull nodded. “I’m taking a few guys up to the north pasture to fix the fence.”
Seth frowned. “Are any horses or cattle up there?”
“Not yet, but I spotted elk tracks, big ones. He must’ve been running for his life. Didn’t see a herd, just that lone set of prints.”
“Maybe it got away,” Seth said. “Outran whatever was after it.”
“Could be. I’ll catch you later.”
“Alright. I’ll be in the arena. That horse is driving me crazy.”
Cull raised an eyebrow. “Is it a filly?”
Seth laughed softly. “Yep. Figures.”
“You’ll get her to listen.”
“I hope so. The owner wants a winner.”
Cull clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ve no doubt you’ll get him one.”
