“I’m sure he liked hearing that.”
On top of everything, the guy had a nice voice. His relaxed delivery in a normal conversation like this was seductively easy listening. But his husky tone from a few minutes ago had created scenarios that made her blush. Good thing nobody could read her mind, although he might have been able to in the moment. She’d certainly read his. Eventually they’d talk and set some?—
“We feeded Ginger and Fred.” Tex’s announcement and the tap-tap of his boots preceded him. He appeared in the open stall door holding an old wooden stool about two feet tall. “Whatcha doing to her tail?”
Monty gave him a quick glance. “I need to wrap it so it won’t get in the way. Her baby will come out the back.”
Tex’s eyes widened. “How?”
“This area here will stretch out.”
“How big?”
“Big enough for her foal to come out.” He snipped off the end of the roll and finished up.
“Then what?”
“Once he’s out, she’ll close up again.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Tex let out a breath. “That’s a relief.”
“Nature’s amazing. Hey, sport, if I toss this out to you, would you please put it on top of my case?”
“Yes, sir!” He put down his stool. “I gots a stool.”
“I see that. Okay, coming atcha.” He lobbed the tail wrap out the door. It plopped against Tex’s chest and he managed to grab it before it fell.
“Got it!” He held it aloft.
“Great catch.”
He grinned. “I know.” He started to leave.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He was still grinning as he left.
Zinnia told herself not to get misty-eyed over the interaction, but damn, why couldn’t her worthless ex have been a nice guy like Monty?
Soon Tex came back, picked up his stool and glanced at her. “Uncle G let me have this so I can see over the wall.”
She nodded. “Smart move.”
“I can’t be in there. Uncle G won’t be in there, either.”
“It might be best if nobody’s in here.” Monty dampened a towel and started gently washing Speckles’ hindquarters. “At least in the beginning. I might need to give her a little assistance, but she’ll mostly handle it on her own.”
Tex studied the process. “She will. She’s a good horse.” Then his attention shifted. “Mommy, me and Uncle G thinked up a name.”
“Oh, you did, did you?” Thank heavens he’d finally settled on something after weeks of discussion. “That’s great. What is it?”
“It’s a really good one.”
“I’m sure it is if you like it.”
