Lucky watched from where he stood next to Macey. The two colts were starting to enjoy each other’s company, but Lucky was always hesitant to make the first move of the day. In another half hour, Macey and Nizhoni would be standing in the shade with Tiny Dancer, and the two young ones would be playing despite the heat. Black Jack liked to think of himself as the leader of their little band and usually stayed with the mares. She understood his need to be with others. She may not be a social animal herself, but being alone was dangerous.
In the north corral, Lady stood watching. She’d done fine with Cyclone on their walk a couple days ago, but Riley wasn’t going to risk her with the other mares and young ones quite yet. She’d have Garrett put Lady’s companions in with her when they arrived. As far as she was concerned, Cyclone needed a day to chill, but she hadn’t ridden Domino in a couple days.
She pushed away from the fence and started for her horse. Domino was a sweetheart. Unlike her owner, she got along with everyone. That’s probably the only reason the two of them worked so well together.
“Hey, girl. You up for a ride today?”
The black and white paint set its head over the stall door.
“I thought so. Let me get your gear.” Striding over to the tack room, she pulled down Domino’s bridle and saddle. Dumping them in the middle of the barn, she had to admit, the price she’d paid for her horse was far less than she was worth, despite the scumbag’s attempt to squeeze out every penny. Domino was priceless.
Heat prickled across her skin at the thought. Having something she valued wasn’t smart, but even the thought of moving on without Domino had her hands fisting.
She shook off her uncomfortable feelings and opened the stall door. Clicking her tongue, she waited as Domino walked out to stop at the pile on the floor. “Have I told you what a bright spot in my day you are?”
The horse’s ears shifted to listen to her.
She set about prepping Domino for the saddle. She’d never had a horse stand so still while being saddled before. Everything about Domino made her easy to love. “I wish I knew who your trainer was. Too bad your good behavior couldn’t wear off on a couple of the horses around here.” She sent Cyclone a dirty look, but he wasn’t paying attention to her. He was staring at the open barn doors.
At the sound of a truck, she finished cinching the saddle then grabbed up the bridle. “Come on, Domino. Let’s see who’s here.” She patted the horse on her neck and the two of them walked out into the hot Arizona sun together.
She’d expected to see Garrett with the horse trailer, but instead it was Cole and Lacey on their way off the ranch. He put the truck into park and hopped out, leaving the driver side door open.
“Where you headed? I thought you were working on the deck today.” She waved back the way he’d come.
His jaw tightened. “Apparently, I forgot I’d told my mother we would see her for my parents’ anniversary celebration. It’s their thirty sixth.”
Oh, that wasn’t good. Who celebrated their thirty-sixth? She looked past him and waved to Lacey. The woman shook her head, obviously not happy. That Lacey and Cole’s mom didn’t get along was a well-known fact.
If she were to choose a side, it would be Lacey’s after what Cole’s mother had pulled, but she no longer had to worry about family dynamics. “You just going down for the day or overnight?”
Cole ground his teeth before answering. “It’s supposed to be all weekend.”
At his tone, it sounded as if he’d try to find a way to leave a lot earlier. She didn’t blame him. Again, not her problem. “Okay.”
He moved his gaze to her horse. “I don’t like leaving you here alone, especially with more horses coming and…”
When he didn’t finish, she grew impatient. “And?”
“It may be a bit uncomfortable having Wyatt here, but do me a favor and cut him some slack. He just lost his grandfather, who he was very close to, as in practically raised him.”
Ah, so Cole was afraid she’d bite the kid’s head off the second he tried to tell her what to do. He was right. “Tell you what. The first time the boy pisses me off, I’ll call you. Then you can honestly tell your mom you have an emergency at the ranch.”
Instead of being relieved, he appeared startled. “He’s not a boy. He’s nearing thirty.”
Really? And he was that attached to his grandfather’s horses? She hated to tell Cole, but it could get ugly fast. “I’ll still call you.”
He didn’t look reassured, but then again, she wasn’t going to make it easy on him. The sooner he realized he needed to delegate, the sooner life at the ranch would run smoothly.
Finally, he sighed. “I would appreciate that. I know you know what you’re doing. I wouldn’t have hired you on if I didn’t. Do the best you can with him. That’s all I can ask.”
“Look at it this way. If he has the horses’ best interests at heart, we’ll get along just fine.” She chuckled at the doubt in Cole’s green eyes and slapped him on the arm. “Go do your duty. It’s the right thing to do. I’m sure I’ll manage just fine. It’s not like I haven’t before.”
“I know. I’m working on getting more help.”
The horn blared from the truck. “Come on, Cole. The sooner we do this, the sooner we can get back!” The sweet smile Lacey threw her husband was full of shit.
He glanced over his shoulder at his wife before facing her again.
