“Have a good day,” Mr. Vern said. “If you have any questions, Casey’s the one to ask. Like I said, stubborn lout or not, that man is worth keeping around. Mark my words.”
Ember thanked him and hopped out of the truck. Casey waited for her at the door, holding it open for her. His dark gaze followed her as she approached, and she felt heat rise in her cheeks. It was different out here—on a ranch, away from the city. Everything seemed more basic, more pared down. And when a man’s gaze followed her like that, it was harder to ignore.
“Good morning,” he said. “Bert’s with the babies, so we’ve got some time.”
“Is he getting paid for that?” Ember asked, stepping past Casey’s broad chest and into the warm, fragrant barn. Dust motes danced in the air in front of her, and her nose tickled. High windows let in squares of morning sunlight, and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust.
“Of course,” Casey said, slamming the door shut. “He’s getting overtime. Most expensive childcare ever. I asked if his wife might be interested, but she’s got her hands full with her elderly mother, so...”
Casey led the way down the center of the barn. Most of the stalls were empty. He paused at one stall and held a hand out toward a horse’s velvet nose. The horse nudged his hand and nickered.
“How much riding experience do you have?” Casey asked, glancing back at her. Again, that dark look trained on her face in that way that made her feel slightly self-conscious.
“None,” she admitted.
“Okay, so not Captain, then,” he said, moving on. “Captain is fast and strong, but he needs an experienced rider.”
“That’s not me,” she agreed. “Can’t we drive?”
“Drive?” Casey turned toward her again, his eyebrows raised. “Not where I’m headed. Why—you scared of horses or something?”
“No, I just thought—” She didn’t know what she was thinking. She’d rather feel more in control.
“You don’t have to come along, you know,” Casey said. “I’m going to check a gate latch out toward Milk River. You said you were interested in that area—”
“No, I want to come along,” she interrupted. “I’m fine. Let’s do this.”
“I’ll let you ride Patience here. She’s gentle.”
That sounded a little better, and Ember watched as Casey led a brown mare from her stall and stroked her glossy neck.
“Good morning, girl,” Casey murmured. “You up for a ride today?”
Ember leaned against a rail as she watched Casey saddle the horse. He worked quickly, all the while talking softly to the animal.
“Mr. Vern mentioned that five of the horses would be suited for trail rides with clients,” Ember said.
“Patience isn’t included in the sale. She’s mine,” Casey said when he’d finished. “I bought her myself about ten years ago.”
“Oh.” Ember nodded quickly. “Of course. Sorry, I didn’t mean to be presumptuous.”
“Never mind. Come around front. You can pet her and introduce yourself.”
Ember circled around to the front of the horse and looked up into those gentle, liquid eyes.
“Hello,” Ember said softly.
“Now, let me help you mount,” Casey said. “Here. Foot in this stirrup. Can you reach? Hold on.” He grabbed a wooden box and put it down next to the horse. “Stand on this. Now, foot in the stirrup.”
Ember did as he instructed.
“Hand on the pommel— There,” Casey coached. “Now, up and swing that leg over.”
It wasn’t exactly graceful, but a moment later, Ember was settled in the saddle, and Casey gave her a quick look over.
“Good. We’re ready,” he said, walking over to the far, rolling door. He pushed it open and whistled sharply. A tall, proud horse trotted up, already saddled, and Casey caught the reins. He took a rifle from a corner and slung the strap for it over his back, then put his boot in the stirrup.
Ember gave her horse a little kick in the sides, and nothing happened, save a slightly annoyed shuffle from the horse. Was she supposed to kick harder?
Casey swung up into his saddle effortlessly, and he turned to shoot her a smile. “You ready?”
“How do I get the horse to start moving?” she asked, heat rising in her cheeks. At least she’d warned him that she had no experience.
“Oh, you don’t,” Casey said with a low laugh. “Patience is my horse, and she’ll do what I tell her. You just hold on.”
So Ember was literally just along for the ride here... Great.
Casey made a clucking sound with his mouth, and Patience plodded forward toward him. The sensation was a strange one—feeling the movement of the muscles of this empathetic animal, and Ember sucked in a breath.
“I told you that I’d be giving you an honest tour of this ranch,” Casey said over his shoulder. “And I’m making good on that.”
She’s most definitely a city slicker, Casey thought as he stole one last look over his shoulder. A dose of reality might go a long way into showing her exactly what she was getting into here. This was a functioning ranch—a thing of beauty, in Casey’s humble opinion. But also rugged, wild and not so easily tamed for her purposes. Shutting down the cattle operation wouldn’t change that.
Wolves and coyotes didn’t respect lines on a map. Those boundaries had to be patrolled by men who know how to shoot. There were a hundred things she hadn’t even thought of yet, he was sure.
And yet, while she might be clueless, that woman was beautiful, too. He could tell that he was softening toward her. There was something about the way her emotions played out in her sparkling blue eyes... He tried to push the thought back. If he met her in any other situation, he’d want to talk to her, get
