Among the Willows: A Thornbrush Ranch Romance by Jennifer L. Strand

Author:Jennifer L. Strand [Strand, Jennifer L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jennifer\Strand
Published: 2025-03-21T00:00:00+00:00

It was my fourth time leading the trail ride. Reed accompanied me this afternoon, taking up the rear as we led the riders past Thomas Rock.

It was a deep river canyon with sheer, basalt cliffs. Thousands of people visited the area each year for rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Other than the Willows Rodeo, this was the major attraction for vacationers traveling to central Oregon. Twisted Creek ran along the trail we traveled. It was the most popular trail ride Thornbrush Ranch offered, and it was almost always full, just like today.

Without Lina around, I didn’t mind Reed’s company on the trail. He was quiet and serious, and he made sure we didn’t end up with any wayward tourists.

We were nearing the place where we forded the creek when Winnie stumbled, practically tossing me.

“Ho,” I cued, pulling up on the reins.

The other horses behind me slowed to a stop.

Dismounting, I ran a hand down Winnie’s forelegs finding she threw a shoe. Nails were left protruding.

“Shit.” It was my own damn fault. I hadn’t checked her hooves like I usually do, distracted by the lawyer’s call.

Reed rode up beside me.

“Threw a shoe?” he asked, seeing me with the horse’s hoof perched on my thigh.

I picked a rock from the tender hoof before setting it back down.

“You didn’t happen to bring any tools with you?” I asked him.

He shook his head. “No.”

Shit. I blew out a breath.

Looking back at the waiting riders, some of them pulling out their phones to snap photos of the creek and canyon, I knew I had to think of something. These people were expecting their four-hour trail ride to end on time. They weren’t expecting to just sit on horses and wait until I could fix Winnie up enough to ride out of here. Most of them probably had dinner reservations in town.

I turned back to Reed. “You’re going to have to lead them back and get the kit and a boot.”

Unless I had a boot or duct tape, I shouldn’t try to move an unshod horse. Otherwise, I could lame her with a bruised hoof.

They had at least an hour left of the ride before they circled back to the ranch. It would take Reed probably another hour to return with the farrier kit. I pulled my phone out of my pocket. It was nearly four o’clock. There was no service where we were in the canyon, so I couldn’t call Jude or Chuck to help.

“Do you want to take the group back and I stay with Winnie?” Reed offered.

It was a nice offer. I had a feeling Reed wasn’t as bad as Lina claimed him to be.

I shook my head, wanting to stay with Winnie to make sure she was okay. “It’s all right. I’ll just pull Winnie off the trail, and we’ll wait in the shade.”

Reed nodded. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, Reed.”

“We’re going to ford the creek here,” Reed instructed, taking command of the riders. I hadn’t

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