Music. It was what I always wanted but telling her felt like asking for too much. Still, I said it anyway. “A guarantee in this cutthroat business. A contract with Hartstrings.”
I could hear her smile on the other end. “Now we’re talking.”
And then, before I could back out, I said, “And a new phone number.”
cleo
. . .
“This probably isn’tthe best idea,” I said warily as Lincoln led Sundance, his extra mare, into the arena.
“Sure it is,” Grady said from beside me. He pulled his new Black Springs Ranch cap down on his head and flashed me a dizzying smile. “I remember how to ride, Cleo. I’ll be fine. Lincoln said she’s a good one.”
Lincoln would know. While he was here last year, Sundance had been designated his horse until he could bring his from Tennessee. These days, he alternated between the two because the mare had become somewhat obsessed with him.
“If you’re sure,” I murmured, watching Grady wander over to Lincoln and take the reins.
Charlie came up and leaned into my side. “Is my daddy gonna ride that big horse?”
“Well, he’s certainly going to try,” I said. She scooted closer until my hand rested on her shoulder. It felt awkward at first, which was just because I still didn’t understand what she saw in me to warrant such affection when she’d only known me for a week. But just like she was during the camp, Charlie was firmlyglued to my side. Who was I to turn her away for seeking comfort?
Grady placed his foot in the stirrup and pulled himself up, sitting high in the saddle. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, he looked way too damn good on the back of a horse. “What’d I tell you?” he called out as Lincoln stepped back. “I’m a natural.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself now,” Lincoln said, with a chuckle. “Let’s see if you do a couple of laps without falling off.”
“Yeah, maybe we can have a friendly competition!” Lennox called from the back of her horse, Strider.
After dinner, Charlie had asked my sister to bring out the barrels so she could watch her ride again. My sister, ever so keen to show off, immediately said yes. It led to bets about Grady’s riding skills, which he immediately wanted to rectify. He’d seemed so cocky. While I didn’t want him to get hurt, there was a small, petty version of myself that wanted him to fall on his ass at least once.
Grady clicked his tongue, urging Sundance into a trot around the edge of the arena. We watched and waited to see if her rough gait would be enough to throw him off, but he wasn’t deterred.
“Well, would you look at that!” Lennox called out, leaning forward over the saddle horn. “Maybe the pretty boy has it in him after all.”
“Oh, ye of little faith,” he said back, turning over his shoulder to shoot us a blinding smile. “I told you it was like riding a bike.”
“Except bikes don’t spook when something runs out in front of them,” Bishop said, stepping out of the barn with Titan. His horse was every bit the monster his name suggested. He was easily one of the largest horses I’d ever seen and would’ve been terrifying if he weren’t such a sweetheart.
Charlie’s eyes grew wide as she took in the gentle beast. “Ohmy gosh,” she whispered. “That’s the biggest horse I’ve ever seen!”
Bishop, who’d overheard her excited gasps, walked over with Titan in tow. “Wanna pet him?”
She shied back into me a bit. “Uh, I don’t know.”
I chuckled, placing my hand on her back to guide her forward. “Want me to come with you?” Charlie nodded, and I took her hand. “Come on, he’s a big softie—just like his owner,” I joked, earning a scowl from the grumpy cowboy.
“My reputation has been tarnished,” he mumbled as we stepped forward.
“That’s what you get for falling in love.”
He snorted. “I didn’t fall. I was tripped. Shoved, even.”
“Same thing,” I said. “Alright, Charlie. Come say hi to this sweet boy.” I held up my hand and gently ran it down the middle of Titan’s face. “You just need to be gentle like we talked about in camp. You don’t know him, and he doesn’t know you.”
“Okay.” She glanced between the two of us before slowly stepping forward and lifting her hand. He met her halfway, and she laughed as he leaned into her touch. “He’s so soft,” she said with a giggle.
“He is, isn’t he? Titan’s one of my favorite horses on this ranch,” I lowered my voice. “But don’t tell any of the others I said so, okay?”
Charlie giggled again. “I promise I won’t tell, Miss Cleo.”
