“I could have done it,” I tell him, annoyance laced in my words.
Matthew just smirks at me, his stubbled jaw even more pronounced in natural lighting. “I know you could have, but I’m not about to pass up an opportunity to assist a pretty lady,” he replies, handing me the reins. “Ready?”
“Yes, but you could have hurt yourself,” I chastise, even though he didn’t so much as break a sweat from lifting me up.
Matthew snorts. “I’ve wrangled bulls a lot bigger and more aggressive than you.”
His statement strikes me as odd, but when Dolly suddenly steps forward and follows Matthew around the paddock, I forget about his unusual statement and focus on the ride. We don’t have a lot of space behind the shelter, but it’s enough for Dolly to get a little exercise. She’s a beautiful, regal animal who’s well trained. She never tries to trot faster than I’m allowing and follows my lead expertly. She’ll be an amazing addition to someone’s home.
After a solid twenty-minute ride, Matthew glances at me, an eager look in his eyes. “Mind if I take her around?”
“Of course not,” I reply, steering the horse over to the side of the paddock. The moment my foot is positioned and I’m turning my body to dismount, those big hands return to my waist and help me down. I reach up and stroke Dolly’s neck while he mounts her in one fluid motion.
Yeah, he’s definitely done this before.
“Why don’t you step outside the fence, darlin’?”
The term of endearment catches me off guard and my feet stumble slightly, but I eventually make it to the gate, ensuring it’s secured behind me. With one foot propped up on the fencing, I watch in rapture as Matthew quietly talks to Dolly and runs a hand over the side of her neck. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but I can tell Dolly is paying attention.
Then, suddenly, he sits up straight, holds the reins tightly in his hands, and kicks her belly. The horse jumps forward, and a startled holler spills from my lips. I’m just about to run for the gate, to tell him to stop, when I see her slow right before the fence and turn. Dolly races along the fencing, her long legs falling into an easy stride.
My mouth is agape as I watch them together. Matthew handles her as if he’s been on horses his entire life, and Dolly hangs on his every command. He runs her harder than I did but is always in control. It makes me wish they had a larger area to really stretch her legs. As I relax against the fence, a smile spreads across my lips and I wouldn’t turn away from them even if I could.
“Wow, someone knows how to ride,” Edith states, stepping beside me. She’s the only paid employee the shelter has. She manages it, finalizing all paperwork and adoptions that go through our doors, as well as handling the grants and donations. She’s exceptional at her job, one of the most caring individuals I’ve ever met.
“Yeah,” I mumble, my eyes glued to the man on top of the horse.
We stand there for several minutes, watching Dolly get a good workout. When Matthew finally slows her down to a trot, she places her hand on my shoulder and says, “He looking for a horse? There are places you can board them around Boston.”
With that, she turns and heads for the shelter once more.
I’m lost in my thoughts of Dolly and boarding locations when they step up beside me. My hand automatically goes to her nose as she snorts in excitement. “Did you have fun, girl?”
“I think we both needed that,” Matthew says, pulling my gaze up to him. He sits proudly on top of the animal, so comfortably and confidently, a happy smile on his lips.
“I think you’ve spent more time on a horse than you led me to believe, Cowboy.”
Those dark eyes seem to brighten just a little bit. “Oh, uh, yeah, I rode my brother’s horses any time I was visiting. He had a few when he first bought the ranch, but slowly sold them off.” A look crosses his face, but before I can dissect it, he quickly shuts it down. “So, Cowboy?” he asks, replacing the scowl from moments ago with a big, gorgeous smile.
I shrug and watch him dismount Dolly. “It seemed fitting at the moment.”
With the reins in his hands, he stops directly in front of me. I have to look up to meet his gaze, but when I do, I suck in a deep breath. He’s so dang handsome with the sunlight shining over his large, muscular frame and his brown eyes twinkling with delight. “I like it,” he finally says, swiping a strand of hair off my forehead. His fingers are calloused and rough, but still sends a shiver down my spine.
“Me calling you Cowboy?” I whisper, my throat suddenly very dry.
He shrugs. “Yeah.”
I give him a small smile and nod, vowing to use the new nickname whenever I can. If it makes him that happy, I’ll gladly call him the silly name over and over again.
“What do you say we get this girl into the barn, brush her down, and give her some food?” he suggests, leading the horse—and me—into the small structure.
We work side by side for several minutes without saying a word, as if we’ve been doing this together for years. Matthew removes the bridle and bit before moving on to the saddle, while I brush Dolly’s gorgeous coat. Actually, I find myself watching more than helping, but he doesn’t seem to notice. He just works silently, making sure the animal is taken care of the way any animal lover would do.
I’ll admit, I’ve never pictured Matthew as an animal lover.
