“Only if I have to. Usually firing at the ground is enough to send them off.”
She looked at him. “What kind of wildlife are we talking about?”
Hud kept his eyes on the cinch. “Oh, you know. The usual.”
“Bears?”
He winced. “Uh, yeah.”
“I am ready to go right now.”
“Blair, they want nothing to do with us.”
“Grizzlies?”
“Grizzlies, black bears, moose, elk, wolves, the occasional fox.” He took her hand and walked her to Toffee. “Trust me, they’re more afraid of you than you are of them.”
Blair put her foot in the stirrup and swung up. “Obviously you have no idea how afraid of them I am.”
Hud grinned. “Fair point.”
“Have you actually seen them up close?”
“A few times. This is their world. I’m just living in it.” He gathered Lady’s reins. “They’ll leave you alone as long as you leave them alone.”
“They don’t have to worry about me. I have zero interest in getting near any of them.”
Hud glanced at the clouds. “Let’s move. Those are coming in fast.” He swung up and looked over at her. “You experienced enough to run him?”
“Let’s find out.” She put her heels to Toffee and took off, and by the time Hud got Lady turned around Blair had a good lead on him.
He let her keep it for a while.
Truth was there weren’t many horses that could match Lady’s stride when she opened up, but he hung back and watched Blair ride. She rode well. He caught up just as the barn came into sight and she glanced over with a grin that told him she knew exactly what he’d done.
They made it inside just as the first bolt split the sky, followed by a crack of thunder that shook dustfrom the rafters.
They cooled the horses down and got them settled in their stalls with fresh oats and water. Blair drifted to the barn doors and stood looking out at the rain coming down in sheets across the yard.
Hud stepped up beside her. “Would you like to go out tonight?”
“I would. Where?”
“Dinner at the diner, then Dewey’s for a while.”
“That sounds good.” She watched the rain. “Once this lets up I’ll head home. What time?”
“Six-thirty work for you?”
“Perfect.”
The rain eased enough for them to make a run for it. They crossed the yard at a sprint and climbed onto the porch, breathing hard and laughing.
“Come inside for a while,” he said.
“I’m going to head home. I want to relax before tonight.” She squeezed his hand.
“Let me get you a towel for your seat.” He went inside and came back quickly. “Keep it.”
