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“In a minute. I want to catch up with Ben first.”
“Okay, nice to meet you, Ben, and thanks for showing me Curly. He’s gorgeous, but he’s not what I’m looking for.”
“No problem. If you see a horse you like that’s grazin’, just let me know.”
“I sure will.”
Walking briskly down the aisle, she stepped outside and found three fields. Walking up to the first, she reached into her bag, lifted out her small field glasses and studied the horses. Sighing, she moved to the next, stared at them all, then walked to the last and repeated the exercise.
“Exactly what is it you’re hopin’ to find?”
Startled, she spun around and found Rick standing behind her.
“I’ll know it when I see it, and you shouldn’t creep up on someone like that.”
“I didn’t creep up, I walked up. You were just so focused on lookin’ through those binoculars you didn’t hear me.”
“Are there any other horses here?”
“Nope, he has the barn and these pastures.”
“Well, thanks for bringing me, but—”
“Stop!” he said firmly, stepping closer. “We’re goin’ back to my motorhome, and when we get there you’ll tell me exactly what’s goin’ on.”
“There’s nothing—”
“Dammit, quit lyin’ or I’ll bend you over and spank your ass right here.”
“You can’t speak to me like that.”
“I just did! And that’s exactly what I’ll do if you don’t come clean.”
“It’s none of your business,” she spat, glaring up at him, then darted past him to head back to the truck, but his hand suddenly gripped her wrist.
CHAPTER NINE
Rick knew she was right.
Bailey’s problem was her business.
But he didn’t care.
She was in trouble.
He wanted to help.
And the moment she’d ducked away, his sharp reflexes had kicked in.
“What the hell?” she yelled, scowling up at him. “Let me go!”
“Calm down, I’m on your side, and you need a friend right now.”
“I don’t need—”
“You can’t win this by throwin’ a tantrum,” he said sternly, cutting her off. “You’ve got a problem and I’m here to lend a hand.”
“You don’t even know me. Why do you care?”
