The Cowgirl's Last Rodeo by Tabitha Bouldin

Author:Tabitha Bouldin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-09-06T18:54:57+00:00

* * *

Brody eyed Callie as they rolled into Mr. Wells’s drive.

She stared out the window, a pensive look pinching her eyes. Their talk ceased once they’d left Granny’s, and he couldn’t say he regretted the silence.

They stepped out of the truck at the same time. Sunlight dappled the fields and cast long shadows that edged toward Brody’s boots.

Daniel moved from the door of the barn and waved. “Nice night for a drive.”

Yes, it certainly was, not that Brody had noticed until the man brought it to his attention. He inhaled the scents of fresh-mowed grass and horse. No hiding the smells of a place that housed what looked like over two dozen horses.

“Had any luck finding homes for the other horses?”

Daniel shrugged his shoulders. “Most of these are stabled here. Owners pay me to feed and care for them. They come by and ride from time to time.”

Explained how he kept the place going. Training. Teaching. Stabling. Seemed the man had his hands in all the equine arenas.

Callie paced to the fence and propped her arms on the white rail. Ranger flicked his tail and nosed her arm. Her shoulders lowered and the tightness in her eyes eased. What worried her mind to the point that the frown lines had become almost a permanent feature? The only time she relaxed was when she worked with the horses.

Daniel chuckled. “That girl loves horses.”

“Don’t they all?” Brody shifted his weight and cleared his throat. He needed to do the job he came here for.

Tenley’s request from the day before lodged in his throat. His shoulders tightened and the words stuck.

He couldn’t do it. His sister wanted too much from him.

Tenley could take care of the fundraiser.

“Thank you for holding Ranger for us. You didn’t have to do that.” It felt like the right thing to say. Brody sucked air through his teeth. “We’d best get him loaded and get out of here.”

“Your nephew is one lucky kid.” Daniel moved toward Callie. “You give any more thought to my offer?”

Too much. Brody rolled his shoulders to ease the tightness gathering across his entire body. “I appreciate you thinking of me.” He took a moment to look around. Pristine buildings surrounded by perfect fences and horses. It was more than he could handle. “I’ve worked too long and too hard to compromise now.”

The man frowned until creases appeared in his cheeks. “This place is not settling. You’d have access to my entire client base. Facilities of the highest quality.” He stared hard at Brody. “I suppose I’m curious why you’re so opposed to coming on as my head trainer.”

“I’d be answering to you. I’ve never had to answer to anyone before.”

“Not even God?”

Brody jolted, feeling like he’d grabbed an electric fence on full voltage.

Callie patted Ranger and slipped between the rails to check over the gelding.

What gave this man the right to question Brody’s faith? He opened his mouth to say exactly that when the look on the older man’s face caused Brody’s breath to leave in a rush.

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