The Cowboy’s Ultimatum (Naked Cowboys of Smoky Hill #2)

Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

Sitting on Maverick, his big-boned gelding, ambling towards the barn after a peaceful trail ride, Andy Baker readied himself to meet his girlfriend, Helen Rutherford. She’d been away at a show for the weekend, and on the phone the night before she’d been frustrated and angry. He knew it was best to just let her vent, but now the time had come to spell out some home truths.

There was nothing wrong with her horse.

The problem was her.

As he slid off Maverick and moved the rope from around the horse’s neck, Andy began wiping him down and thought about how best to approach the touchy subject. Whenever he tried to discuss her ongoing issues she became defensive and often walked off in a huff.

“I don’t know what to do about that girl sometimes,” he muttered as he started to leave the barn. “Come on, fella, I’ll take you into your paddock.”

Though the horse was wearing no halter, and Andy had no lead rope, Maverick followed him like a faithful dog. As they started towards the pasture, Andy heard the sound of a truck and glanced up the driveway. Helen’s familiar white pickup was slowly rolling towards the barn. By the time he released Maverick and closed the gate, she had rolled to a stop and was opening the back of her trailer.

“Hold up, hon, I’ll help you,” he called, breaking into a jog.

“Thanks, I’m exhausted,” she called back, then stepping aside as he joined her, she added, “It was the weekend from hell.”

“It can’t have been that bad.”

“I don’t know why I bother,” she grunted. “I feel as if I’m spending a fortune just to fight a losing battle. My trainer will be in the area tomorrow and she’s going to stop by to give me a private lesson. Is that okay?”

“Sure, but it probably wasn’t as terrible as you think,” he said, opening the back of the trailer. “I’ll take Daisy over to join Maverick and we can go inside and talk about it.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. It is what it is. Do you mind if I go up to the house? I’m desperate for a shower?”

“Go ahead. I’ll be right behind you,” he replied as the chestnut mare backed out.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t worry, Daisy,” he murmured, stroking the mare’s neck as Helen marched away, “I’ll get through to her one way or another.”

As if understanding she gently nudged him, then let out a snort and shook her body.

“Yeah, I know, you need to stretch your legs and hang out in a big grass field where you belong.”

She walked quietly beside him, but when he released her into the paddock she bolted away, bucked a few times, then dropped to the ground and rolled. Smiling, he continued to watch for a minute, then headed back to the trailer.

As he unhooked it from the truck and cleaned it out, his focus returned to Helen. She was the quintessential fiery redhead, with bright blue eyes, a knockout figure and an engaging smile. But she could be difficult and stubborn. She wanted to show in English Equitation classes, and she insisted, because he was a cowboy they spoke a different language. Especially when it came to training. Marching down to his house he felt a grim determination. She needed to listen to him.

“Helen?” he called as he walked in through the back door.

“I’m in the living room.”

“Can I get you a beer?”

“No, thanks. I have a glass of the wine I brought over last week.”

Entering the kitchen, he grabbed a bottle from the refrigerator, popped off the top and ambled into the living room.

“I thought you were takin’ a shower.”

“I just needed to catch my breath for a minute.”

“Talk to me,” he said, settling into the couch next to her. “What happened?”

“Daisy happened! She just doesn’t listen.”

“Maybe you’re not bein’ clear.”

“Andy, don’t start. What you do and I do are totally different.”

“You’re right there. My horses are naked and I have no issues, but you have all that tack on Daisy and what happens? Problems. What does that tell you?”

“I can’t deal with this right now,” she exclaimed, jumping to her feet. “I’m going home.”

“Hey, take it easy.”

“You keep trying to convince me what you do will work for me, and I keep telling you it won’t.”

“How do you know if you don’t give it a shot?”

“For pity’s sake, it’s like…I don’t know…oil and water. It won’t mix. I love going on the trail with you and riding Big Ben, but Daisy’s isn’t a trail horse. She spooks at everything. I can’t imagine how she’d be with all the things we’d pass going up Smoky Hill.”

“And I’ve told you we can fix that. She doesn’t have to be—”

“I can’t handle this conversation again, I’m too tired, and we’ve talked this to death. I’m going home. My trainer will be here around one o’clock tomorrow. Her name’s Erin, by the way. I’ll get here around twelve-thirty.”

“Okay, get some rest. When I meet her I can talk to her about some of my methods and hopefully we can have a meetin’ of the minds.”

“Andy, please just stay out of it. She’s going out of her way to come here. I don’t want to piss her off.”

“Helen,” he said, lowering his voice and stepping closer, “I’m sorry I upset you. I want to help, and I’m sure I can.”

“I know. I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to be so short-tempered. I’m just wiped out and frustrated. I just want to go home and crawl into bed, but you have to understand, English riding is totally different to what you do.”

“Darlin’, it’s not about whether you’re jumpin’, or doin’ flat work in an English saddle, or ropin’, or anything else. It’s about helpin’ Daisy overcome her fears and—”

“No! It’s about making her do what I want!”

“You know what, you’re right, you’d better go home,” he muttered, dropping his arms away. “I’ll walk you up to your truck.”

He sensed she was about to tell him not to bother, and though she didn’t, they made their way up to the barn in silence. Watching her climb behind the wheel and drive away, he let out a heavy sigh.

“Daisy isn’t the only one who could use my help,” he muttered. “There’s a conversation you and I need to have. One that’s long overdue.”