He held back his teasing remark. Obviously, she was upset that he’d implied she couldn’t do the job. He’d have to remember not to push that particular button—or face the consequences. “In the wheelbarrow.” He’d take it out to the field and dump it later.
She dumped the shovel load and went back for a second one. It only took her about five minutes to clean two stalls. They were taken care of on a nightly basis, so it wasn't much work. However, when she was done, Zoey grinned like the world was all right. She swiped the back of her arm across her forehead. “That was … fun.”
“Fun?” Hunter touched her forehead with the back of his hand. “Are you fevering?”
Zoey laughed. “Believe it or not, that was my first time cleaning out a stall.”
He laughed with her. “Let’s see how you did.” He walked in and made a show of examining the space. “Looks pretty darn good. I’d hire you.”
She waved him off in a show of mock modesty. “Thanks. I’ll consider the offer.”
They smiled at each other, and their relationship shifted. The tension that had accompanied each of their previous meetings was gone.
Which left him feeling like he was standing on a patch of ice in his bare feet. He had no idea which way to go or how to get out of here without falling flat on his face.
Zoey brushed her palms together. “Now that I’m a pro, I’ll make sure to do my part when I come over.”
“You’re coming back?” he parroted.
“Of course.” She grabbed her horse’s lead and walked out, calling over her shoulder. “At least until I get my own arena.”
Hunter waved. He stopped when he realized she wasn’t looking at him. He stood there and grinned as she loaded her horse and pulled out of the driveway.
Finally, when he could no longer hear the rumble of her truck, he turned to Penny. “I almost forgot you were here.”
Penny snorted at him—as if she was telling him that forgetting her was inexcusable.
“Don’t I know it.” He patted her neck and went to get her saddle. He whistled as he moved about. Maybe he’d have to do somefestivallingthis month. He chuckled at the way Zoey’d turned the word into a verb. That was fun. Zoey was fun. Light. And a darn good rider.
Darn it all if she wasn’t someone he wanted to spend more time with.
If only he had time to spare.
