“First stop,” Jonah announced as they rounded the bunkhouse, “is our resident heartthrob and his dancing horse.”
In a fenced arena, a man rode a gleaming black horse in tight circles. As they approached, the horse executed a sideways movement that looked impossibly graceful for such a large animal.
As they approached, Maggie got her first clear look at the rider. Dark hair, warm brown skin, and a smile that could probably be seen from space. He wore a fitted black t-shirt despite the November chill, the sleeves straining against tattooed, muscled arms as he guided the horse through another rearing maneuver.
The horse was beautiful. Gleaming black coat with a long, flowing mane and tail. He seemed as much a performer as his rider. It pranced in tight circles, mane flying, every movement calculated for maximum drama.
“Morning, Cartier Cowboy,” Jonah called, leaning against the fence. “Making the rest of us look bad again?”
X flashed a grin that would’ve sold toothpaste by the truckload. He guided the horse to a sliding stop just feet from where they stood, sending dust billowing.
“Gotta keep my Instagram followers happy.” X patted the horse’s neck, his eyes landing on Maggie with undisguised interest. “Well, hello there. You must be Just Maggie.”
She laughed. “River’s been talking about me?”
“Oh, Jesus, he hasn’t shut up.”
“And you must be the infamous X. He’s told me about you, too.”
“All lies.” He swung his leg over and dropped to the ground with fluid grace. “Except the parts about me being devastatinglyhandsome and the best rider on the ranch. Those are completely true.”
The horse snorted, as if in agreement.
“This is Troubadour.” X stroked the stallion’s gleaming neck. “Drama queen extraordinaire, but worth every headache.”
Maggie stepped closer, admiring the animal’s sleek lines. “He’s beautiful.”
“Want to try?” X jerked his chin toward the saddle. “He’s showing off for you already.”
She took an involuntary step back. “I haven’t ridden in years.”
“Troub’s a gentleman.” X’s smile softened slightly. “Despite appearances.”
“Another time, maybe.”
“Your loss.” X swung back into the saddle with effortless grace. “But you should come to my next rodeo performance. X’s VIP guest list. Very exclusive.”
“He invites everyone,” Jonah stage-whispered.
X ignored him, guiding Troubadour into another spinning maneuver that sent dirt flying. “Watch this!”
What followed was a display of horsemanship that bordered on showmanship – Troubadour rearing, spinning, and performing moves that looked more like dance than riding.
X stood up on the saddle, and her breath caught. “Is he?—”
“It’s okay. He hasn’t broken his neck. Yet.”
X balanced on the saddle, arms spread wide like a tightrope walker. The horse continued its controlled movements beneath him as if this were perfectly normal behavior.
A blur of gray and black streaked across the paddock, and Maggie startled as a dog – no, more wolf than dog – joined the performance. It raced circles around horse and rider, occasionally leaping to impressive heights as if demanding equal attention.
“That’s Kavik,” Jonah explained. “X’s personal demon. Those two went viral on TikTok last month.”
X gave a low whistle, and both horse and dog immediately changed direction, performing a synchronized spin that could only have come from hours of practice.
“They’re showoffs, all three of them,” Jonah laughed. “Match made in heaven.”
When the impromptu performance ended, X trotted back to the fence, Kavik panting at Troubadour’s heels. “What’d you think? Worth a subscription to my channel, right?”
