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I couldn’t help but notice he glanced around me, as if searching to make certain we were alone. “I spoke out of turn. That’s not my place. Besides, if I remember, you just got here. I’m certainly not much of a welcoming party.”
“I arrived maybe an hour ago and if being greeted by a rugged cowboy is considered the winery’s kind of welcome, then you’ve done your job spectacularly.”
His smile was genuine. “Then welcome to Wolfe Wineries, Miss Porter.”
“Thank you, but I can tell there is some story that needs to be told. And please call me Aspen.”
“Aspen. That’s a beautiful name.” He shrugged, turning his attention toward Star. “I’m just a hired hand. What would I know?”
That told me he knew plenty, nothing he was ready to share with me. “What happened to her?”
“A fire a couple years ago. She’s a real survivor. Aren’t you, baby?” He pressed his face against the horse as he rubbed his fingers against her neck.
“Do you think I could come inside and give Star a proper greeting?”
He hesitated before answering, darting another look from one side to the other. His actions prompted me to do the same. What was he worried about?
“Sure. Why not. Miss Star doesn’t get many visitors, especially not ones as pretty as you.”
I laughed as I moved toward the gate, unlatching it and slowly walking inside. “Thank you for the compliment.”
“What are cowboys for?”
There was something enigmatic about Star. I was drawn to her in a way that felt dangerous. As I approached, she turned her head in my direction, her incredible brown eyes staring into mine. It was as if we had a connection. I closed the distance, gently brushing the tips of my fingers across her nose. She whinnied, pawing the ground with one of her hoofs.
“You’re so beautiful, pretty baby.” Closing my eyes, I pressed my head against hers, continuing to stroke gently. She made the most incredible snorting sounds then went completely silent. I had no idea how much time had passed but when Joshua cleared his throat, I refused to be pulled out of the sweet moment.
“She really doesn’t respond to anyone that way. You have something special inside of you to allow her to get this close. A real love of animals. She senses it.”
Exhaling, I couldn’t seem to break myself away even when I heard the sound of a vehicle approaching or the way the gravel crunched when the driver slammed on the brakes.
“Shit,” Joshua said under his breath. “You better let me take her.”
I refused to back away, lifting then shaking my head from the dust flying around us from the hard stop the asshole driver had managed to do. “Who the hell is that?”
“Oh, you’re going to find out.”
I continued petting Star as the person approached. The sound of his deep baritone voice as he cursed while opening the gate pissed me off. When the person moved closer, he didn’t waste any time accosting Joshua.
“What is wrong with you?” the man barked, his voice floating into the sky. My God. Why was he so angry?
“I’m sorry. I just…” Joshua never had an opportunity to finish his apology.
The bastard threw a hard punch, the brutal jab hitting the cowboy squarely in the face. Joshua tumbled backward, rubbing his jaw as he attempted to remain standing. While his eyes held venom for a few seconds, he refused to engage in the ridiculous fight.
Why not? I was ready to carve out the man’s eyes with my fingernails, except I couldn’t see them because of his sunglasses.
“What the fuck do you think you were doing?” the man barked. “No one touches her. No one! I should fire your ass right now, Joshua. You’re obviously useless. You know better. Star is off limits to anyone but me!”
As the cloud of dirt started to dissipate, my anger increased tenfold. Without thinking, I moved closer, immediately shoving the asshole with both my hands, throwing a hard punch of my own in the man’s gut. “And who the hell do you think you are? You have no right to talk to him that way. None. Then you hit him? I refuse to allow it. You’re just some kind of bully. No, you’re a worthless, disgusting bastard… You want to hit someone? Hit me. Trust me, buddy. I will knock your lights out.” I had no idea where the fury came from other than deep inside of me. Who was this asshole anyway? Another trainer? Another boss who had to mistreat his workers?
“You refuse to allow it?” he repeated, laughing softly in the kind of husky tone that sent shivers dancing down the length of my body. He gazed down the length of me and even behind his dark shades, I had the distinct feeling the bastard was undressing me with his eyes.
I gave him a nasty glare, balling my fists.
“Don’t,” Joshua hissed from behind. “Leave it alone.”
“I can take him,” I countered, prepared to do just that. “And why should I leave it alone? He accosted you for no good reason.”
