[Mustang Valley 06] - Come Home, Cowboy by Cathy McDavid

Author:Cathy McDavid [McDavid, Cathy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-01-31T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“Come on!” Josh shouted to Cara above the ruckus. “Move along. Time’s a-wasting.” Riding his horse Wanderer, he herded the thirty-four mustangs down the dirt road, swinging his coiled lariat over his head and nudging the occasional wannabe stray back into line.

Cara didn’t think he’d use the rope. Rather, he’d brought it for emergencies and to ensure the mustangs stayed together, trotting in the same direction. They were making the mile and a half trek from the feeding station at the sanctuary to the corral behind the horse stable.

She had to admit, she liked the image of Josh swinging the rope in the air, and took her eyes off him only long enough to perform her job, which was bringing up the rear. The rest of the time, she watched his every move.

He could have been plucked right out of an old John Wayne movie about driving cattle across the plains. Her imagination was further encouraged by his canvas duster, weathered boots and faded cowboy hat worn low on his head. The two-day growth of beard didn’t hurt, either, giving him a rough and dangerous appearance.

“Stop thinking about him,” she mumbled and turned her horse to the left when one of the mustangs veered in that direction. The horse, an orphan yearling Cara had taken in last fall and hand raised for its first six months, obediently rejoined the others.

Resembling their wild brethren, the small herd moved rapidly along, heads high, eyes alert and flowing tails arched. Also like in the wild, they followed the lead horse. Today, that was Wanderer.

So much for distracting herself. Not a minute later, Cara was once again staring at Josh. Nothing noteworthy had happened between them since the family meeting, except that they worked closely together on the adoption fair and she helped with his children.

Hard to believe, a mere eleven days had passed since she and Summer had brainstormed the event. Yet it was scheduled to start today at two o’clock. Six hours from now. Everything had come together as if by magic. The entire Dempsey family, the high school, Summer’s and Cara’s support groups and the whole community of Mustang Valley had pitched in. Each time Cara thought about people’s kindness and generosity, tears sprang to her eyes.

Even her mother and stepdad had driven out from east Mesa twice and would be here again today. Mostly for moral support, but they’d pitch in whenever and wherever needed.

“How’s it going?” Josh turned in the saddle and hollered at her. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He grinned. And like that, her heart pitter-pattered.

Now? Of course now. It was always the same. Out here in the wide-open spaces, with thirty-four horses separating them, she still fell under his spell.

“You’re doing great.” He gave her a wave.

She hesitated before returning it.

He faced forward, giving Cara a reprieve. The invisible vise compressing her lungs released enough for her to breathe again.

She rode one of her favorite mares. The pretty gray had come to the sanctuary as part of the first group of mustangs from Powell Ranch.

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