AllFreeNovel
Share Us
* * *
Rick had returned to his motorhome, changed his clothes, then started off to meet Bailey at the Burgers and Hogs food truck. Pumped from his high-scoring ride and looking forward to seeing her again, he quickened his pace. But seeing her sitting at a picnic table with Duke Elwood, a dark frown crossed his brow.
“Duke, what the hell are you doin’ here?” he demanded as he approached.
“Just passing along some information,” Duke replied, holding up his hands. “I’m not here to cause any trouble.”
“It’s true, Rick.” Bailey interjected. “He found a local sale barn and I definitely want to check it out.”
“I wasn’t looking to take her myself,” Duke added hastily as he rose to his feet. “Good luck, Bailey. Bye, Rick—and great ride, by the way.”
“You saw it?”
“I never miss the bulls. I’ll see you later.”
As he turned and strode away, Rick sat down and stared across at the sassy, sexy young woman. He wasn’t the jealous type, and his visceral reaction when he’d seen her talking to Duke had taken him by surprise.
“Tell me, Bailey, how long have you been lookin’ for this dream horse?” he began, trying to ignore the hot attraction crackling through his body.
“Too long,” she replied with a sigh.
“I take it you like company when you go off to these barns.”
“What do you mean?”
“I heard you were here checkin’ out horses a little while ago, and you always had a different guy taggin’ along.”
“What’s wrong with that? I don’t think it’s very smart to roll up to a strange place by myself.”
‘’I guess you’ve got a point there, but—”
“If you’re asking me why it wasn’t the same person every time, it’s very simple. I was never interested in anything more, and they always were. For the record, I made my feelings clear from day one. If they got it wrong that’s not my fault.”
“Like you have with me,” he said, leaning forward, “I’m joinin’ you as a kind of bodyguard.”
“Well…yes…but you’re more than that. I heard you have a good eye.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“I’m not sure. Just something I picked up. Why the interrogation?”
Rick took a breath.
She was becoming defensive and he didn’t want to alienate her, but another question was on his mind.
“No reason, just curiosity, and I have one more thing I need to ask. Why are you havin’ so much trouble findin’ the right horse? Is it a money issue? Are the horses you like too expensive?”
“Not really. I—uh—I could tell you, but you probably wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me! I might surprise you.”
“You’ll think I’m crazy,” she muttered, then looked down and took a drink of her milkshake.
“Maybe I already do,” he said with a grin, hoping to lighten things up.
Lifting her eyes, she smiled back.
“Okay, I’m looking for an instant connection. I’ve only had it once—with my precious mare Miss Piggy. It was magic.”
