“And you’ve got deeper pockets.” The man stood. “Rich guys always win.” He spat out a wad of tobacco into the dirt and then stormed off. His crew followed, glaring at Hunter as they went. So much for smoothing feathers.
Tom smacked him on the back. “Looks like you got yourself a mighty fine horse.”
Hunter nodded. “He wasn’t my first choice, but he’ll do.”
Lucky nodded. Hunter thought for a moment about what he’d said, about how things happen for a reason. If he’d bought his first choice, then he wouldn’t have had the money to save this horse. And who knew? Maybe this one would throw a better foal. He certainly had spirit. Which wasn’t a bad thing. The best roping horses loved the sport as much as the cowboys who rode them did.
“Well, should we get your horse and get home?” Swayzie stood, offering a hand to Lucky. He took it and stood too.
Hunter nodded. “Oh, before I forget …” He picked up her phone, which was sitting on the seat next to where she’d sat. “I found an app that will help you plan your wedding.” He pulled it up.
Swayzie swiped her phone away from him. “Not you too! I thought you were on my side.”
“I am. I just thought I’d help you plan things out a little—you know, since you were dragging your feet,” he teased.
“Dragging my—?!” She stomped a foot and then spun around and stormed off. “I’ll show you dragging my feet.”
Lucky chuckled. “I’m not sure if I should thank you or punch you in the nose.”
Hunter grinned. “If you get married even a month earlier, I expect to be your best man.” Hunter stepped down the stairs, his boots thudding against the thick wooden beams.
All in all, it wasn’t a horrible day. He’d done a good deed—spent every penny he’d earned in the process—and was taking home a new horse.
The crazy thing? The only person he was chomping at the bit to show the stud to was Zoey.
He glanced at Swayzie, who was several steps ahead of him. Better to keep his thoughts to himself. His family had teased him enough about Zoey just for asking about her picture on Brandon’s phone. He could only imagine what they’d say if they knew he was actually smitten with the woman.
