The Cowboy's Quintuplet Surprise - A Western Romance by Holly Rayner

Author:Holly Rayner [Rayner, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-12T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Sam

Sam leaned on the fence surrounding the dog training area. “How’s she doing?” he called.

“She’s got a real aptitude for it,” Barry called back, holding up a hand to Abby, who was running across the yard. Immediately, Abby came to a halt and sat down.

Sam laughed. “I could never get her to do that for me,” he said.

“Well, she probably knows what she can get away with,” Barry said, making another hand motion. Abby fell into step beside him, and the two of them jogged over to where Sam was standing.

“You’re saying I spoil her?” Sam asked with a grin, reaching over the fence to scratch Abby behind the ears.

“No big surprise if you do,” Barry said. “That’s why a lot of working dogs have different owners and handlers. When she comes to work, she works. When she’s home with you, she’s allowed to goof off.”

“That makes sense,” Sam said. “But I hope you’ll teach me some of those commands!”

“Sure,” Barry said. “You got time right now?”

“I do, actually,” Sam said. “There’s more free time than I would have expected in this job.”

“Uh-huh,” Barry agreed. “Your job is organizational, so as long as everyone else is doing their job, there’s not that much to worry about.”

It wasn’t quite that simple—there was a lot of forward planning in the job of head stockman—but Barry was basically right. If things went according to plan, which they had since Sam’s arrival, there wasn't that much for him to do on a day-to-day basis.

He’d kept himself busy as much as he could by pitching in around the ranch, helping to tend to the horses or the cattle. But even though he had managed to form friendships with the people who worked here, they seemed to be strictly after-hours friendships. No one really wanted to hang out with the boss during the workday, and he could sense their awkwardness whenever he came around.

He got it. His presence made them feel micromanaged, and that was the last thing he wanted. After the first week or so, he started staying away. He’d hole up in his office and go over the numbers involved in ranch management, or he would take a horse out for a solitary ride. There was still plenty to do.

But there was nothing quite like having a bit of company.

That was why he’d taken to ending his days here with Barry, watching him work with Abby. According to Barry, Abby wasn’t ready to work directly with the sheep yet—“I’ll tell you when it’s time for that,” Barry had said—but she’d gotten really good at taking commands.

Barry and Abby stopped by the fence, and Sam hopped in.

“Watch,” Barry said. “I’ll show you how to get her to jog alongside you without getting ahead or falling behind.”

He motioned with his hand and set off at a slow jog. Immediately, Abby fell in beside him, and the two of them did a lap.

“Wow.” Sam was impressed. “If I tried that, she’d run in front of me, then turn around and tackle me.

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