Page 24 of All in with the Maverick Montana

“I’m gonna need to see that in person because it sounds hilarious.”

Josh inclined his head toward the barn, the brown-gray structure towering over them. “You want to meet today’s newest addition?”

“Do I want to meet a tiny, mooing ball of fluff? The answer to that is always yes.”

Josh’s pulse fluttered at her enthusiasm. He hurried after her as she set off for the barn door. Inside it smelled of… Well, cows and churned earth and damp straw. He led her through the building, pointing out the feed storage and various calving boxes for the expectant mothers, each of them filled with soft bedding. They walked further along a concrete aisle, coming upon a gate. He swung it open, admitting them into an area with another calving box. He’d left the mother and baby inside after the vet had come by to help with the birth and was pleased to see that both mother and baby seemed to be getting on fine. The calf was nestled down in the bedding, his ears twitching.

“Oh my God,” Amy said softly. “He’s so little.”

“He came a bit early by the looks of things but he’ll do just fine. Mama here will make sure of it.” Josh kept an eye on the mother as Amy gave the calf a little pat, her face lighting up. They weren’t pets. Josh knew that. But they sure were cute.

“Do you ever get used to this?” Amy said.

“Never.”

“I’ve roped a lot of calves in the rodeo ring but they’re older. This one’s so precious.”

“Come on,” Josh said. “Let’s go check out those horses before you fall in love with the little guy. My father always said you can like ‘em but you can’t love ‘em.”

“Guess not when it’s your livelihood,” Amy said. She reached her hand up and let Josh pull her to her feet.

She followed him out of the calving box and down into a different part of the barn. When they reached the horse stalls, they were greeted by Mac, who stuck his head over his gate for a head scratch.

Josh obliged. “This is Mac. Our resident drama queen. And that’s Bella in there,” he said, pointing her out in the next stall. “And Bitsy at the end.”

Amy walked up to Bitsy’s stall, biting her lip as she gave the horse a long look.

“Maybe you wanna take Bella out,” Josh cautioned, worried as Amy opened the gate to Bitsy’s stall. “Like I said… She’s not the friendliest.” Amy reached her hand out and Josh braced as Bitsy nosed forward. Please don’t nip at her, Bit. I’m trying to make a good impression.

But Bitsy simply sniffed and then nuzzled Amy’s hand.

Josh came up behind her, still on edge, but Amy reached her other hand up, rubbing down Bitsy’s neck. “I don’t know how you did that.”

“You need to have some more faith in me, cowboy. I do know how to charm a horse.” She ran her hand along Bitsy’s back, giving her a solid pat.

“You sure you want to ride her?”

“Just get me some tack,” Amy said, accepting the challenge.

Josh shook his head. This might go terribly. He left the stall and returned with all the necessary tack. As Amy got Bitsy saddled up, Josh turned to Mac, doing the same. When they were done, he watched Amy climb into Bitsy’s saddle, clicking her tongue. Bitsy headed for the door and Josh followed.

“We’ll head up along the edge of the property line,” he said, gesturing to a fence. Amy shifted around in her saddle. “You okay?”

“Yeah, sorry. It’s just been a couple months since I’ve been on a horse. It always brings me a certain kind of joy when it’s been this long. I get a little antsy. It’s taking everything in me not to dig in my heels and gallop full-out.”

“Can you try not to give me a heart attack? Bitsy’s behaving for you now, but I think it’s best if you ease into that sort of thing.”

Amy laughed. “Worried about me?” She clicked her tongue and Bitsy trotted ahead.

Josh’s stomach flipped. He liked this. He really liked this. He liked that he’d made her happy. He liked having her here. He liked having company on this usually lonely trail.

When Josh caught up with her, Amy was patting Bitsy on the side of the neck. “I am a little worried she’s gonna try and throw you.”

“She would never.” Amy cooed down at her and Bitsy’s ears twitched. “Though it would not be my first time falling off a horse.”

“I suppose it’s a hazard of the trade?”

“It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. I think I’m more careful now. When I was younger, I could be thrown and bounce back up like nothing had happened. Now, I’ll be a walking bruise.”