It was fascinating, to know someone who was more at home on horseback than he and his brothers were. If he didn’t admire the kid’s skill so, he might be jealous. Oh, who was he kidding? He was jealous, a little.
Landon brought Jilly up to the fence, all twinkling dark eyes and bright grin. “She’s looking good, hmm?”
“She looks amazing. We thought she’d never take to anyone.” No, they’d thought she would stomp them.
“Oh, she jus’ needed a friend.”
“A friend?” Bri’s eyebrow arched, his expression skeptical.
“Yes, sir. They ain’t stupid.”
Brian frowned. “Never said they were. Horses tend to like horses better than people, though. This one has been…trying.”
“I ain’t people. I’m a Cajun.” Landon winked, obviously playing.
“Well, Cajuns always got a way with horses and dogs,” Bri agreed.
“Don’t forget the ’gators.”
“Oh, God.” Brian cackled, the sound loud and happy. “I been gator hunting with Cajuns.”
“Fun, ain’t it? Y’all all should come out to the house.”
“We could do that.” Adam wondered if he would live to regret that statement. He’d heard Cotton and Packer talk about Landon’s property and all the trouble they’d gotten into out there.
“I’d love that. So would Sister.”
“We’ll have to come, then. We’ll bring the meat and have a barbecue.” Brian was trying, Adam had to give him that.
Landon grinned, tanned face all lit up. “It’s a deal. You want me to run her around again?”
“Nah. Let’s give her a break.” The filly was stamping, tossing her head a bit, impatient with the talk of men.
Landon slipped off, patting Jilly’s rump. “Thanks for playing, lady girl.”
Jilly nibbled at Landon’s collar. It made Adam snort with laughter.
“Lawd, now. Don’ eat my shirt.” Landon dug a carrot from some pocket, breaking a bit off to feed her.
She nibbled it right from his hand, which was something she’d never done with any of them. Not without trying to take her pound of flesh.
Adam rolled his eyes, impressed as hell, maybe a touch annoyed. Taggarts knew horses, but Landon was something else. “You want to tell her I’m a good guy, honey?”
“I can do that.” Landon leaned right in, jabbering at her a million miles an hour in a patois that he couldn’t follow.
“It’s not going to work, Adam.” Brian shook his head. “The kid isn’t really magic or nothing. He can’t really talk to them.”
“You don’t think so. Yet.” Adam knew better. He knew Landon was like no one he’d ever met before. “You hear them sometimes.”
“Just feelings. That’s not magic, that’s intuition.”
“Call it whatever you want, Bri. If it’s there, Landon has it.” Landon had all sorts of things Adam wanted.
Now he just had to figure out what the heck to do with the kid.
Lord,the moon was full.
Landon wandered from room to room in Adam’s house, following the beams of light through the windows. If he didn’t get tired soon, he’d head to the barns, talk to the horses, work himself sleepy.
