Page 38 of Ethan

“Nope.” She turned toward the stairs. “Your loss, cowboy. Goodnight.”

She took the steps two at a time, unlocked her door, stepped inside, and pulled it shut behind her.

She leaned back against it in the dark and pressed her lips together.

She was a little angry but smiling.

****

Ethan was up at five, same as always, but he’d been awake since four staring at the ceiling thinking about the look on her face when she’d said, ‘your loss, cowboy’.

He made coffee, pulled on his boots, grabbed his hat, and headed to the barn. The morning was cool and quiet, the sky still dark at the edges with just a thin line of pink showing over the mountains.

He was halfway through his rounds when he heard her boots on the cement floor behind him.

He kept his eyes on what he was doing.

Her footsteps moved past him toward Jewel’s stall. He heard her voice, low and soft as she spoke with the mare, and Jewel’s answering nicker.

He latched the stall he’d been checking and turned around.

She was leaning over Jewel’s door, her back to him, and he had trouble keeping his eyes off her ass, Her hair pulled into a ponytail. Like last night hadn’t happened at all.

“Morning,” he said.

She looked over her shoulder. “Morning.” Her voice was easy. No edge in it.

He walked toward her and stopped beside her at the stall.

They stood there for a moment, Jewel pushing her nose between them looking for attention.

“About last night,” he started.

“Don’t.” She looked at him. “You don’t need to explain yourself, Ethan. I meant what I said. I’m not angry.”

He studied her face. She meant it.

“Alright.” He reached out and scratched Jewel’s nose. “Good.”

She looked back at the mare. “Although I stand by your loss.”

He laughed before he could stop it.

“I agree. It was my loss.”

“You’re a good man, Ethan. You don’t push at all. I like that about you.”

“I won’t ever push you to do something you don’t want to do.”

“I know.” She smiled. “I appreciate it.” She pushed off the stall door. “I’m going to get Vader out and work with him.”

“Johnny and Serena should be here soon. She’s scheduled for the outdoor corral and Johnny has the arena. You can use the corral in here. Rowdy set the barrels up for you.”

“Alright.” She headed for Vader’s stall, then glanced back at him over her shoulder. “I’ll see you later. Boss.” She grinned and walked out of the barn, disappearing into the morning light.

He stood there for a second.

“Damn, Harrison.” He shook his head. “Are you crazy?”