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Then he took a step forward. And another. And another.
Nash kept his head down, his cowboy hat shielding his eyes from the horse. It took twenty minutes for Nash to finally get close. But those were twenty minutes the horse needed, and Nash would not rush him.
The horse snorted, again and again, but Nash stayed perfectly still until the snorting softened. Nash slowly lifted his hand, only a little, and waited. His muscles burned as he stayed statue-still, but then he smiled as the horse reached his nose forward and sniffed Nash’s hand.
Needing nothing more from the horse today, Nash turned away and slowly walked toward the fence. He got four steps forward when he heard the thunder of hooves charging toward him. He turned and held out his hands, holding his ground.
The horse snorted and backed up.
Only when he stopped snorting did Nash continue walking back toward the others. This time, the horse stayed put.
“Told ya,” Chase said when Nash reached them.
All of them, minus Chase, cursed and opened their wallets, handing Chase twenty bucks each.
“You all bet against me?” Nash frowned.
“That horse is batshit crazy,” Beckett muttered, unapologetic.
Hayes nodded.
Shep shook his head, amazement shining on his face. “I don’t know how you do what you do.” He spun on his heels, heading back toward Emma.
Chase followed. And Beckett and Hayes went back toward the barn to continue with their workday.
Nash took one more look at the horse, who watched him carefully, before he moved to Megan, who was watching Ricky in the kiddie pool. He slid his arms around her, bringing her in close. “They bet against me.”
“Did you win?” she asked.
He snorted a laugh. “Do you have any doubt?”
“Well . . .”
He pinched her butt, sending her laughing. “I won you,” he reminded her.
She gave him that sassy grin he loved so much. “Oh, but I think you’re forgetting one very important fact there.”
He dropped his mouth to hers. “What’s that?”
“I let you win.”
“Always so tough.” He brushed his mouth across hers. “I love you, Freckles.”
“Love you back, cowboy.”
