Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Another one bites the dust. Zinnia allowed herself a brief sigh of regret. But even if Monty hadn’t signaled a switch in his intentions after hearing about Tex, she wouldn’t have encouraged him.
She had her priorities straight. No dating until Tex was older. Much older.
But that didn’t mean she was immune to the charms of Montgomery Bridger. He was totally her type, physically and mentally.
During the walk-through she absorbed the affectionate tone in his voice as he introduced each of the horses. He’d dedicated his life to taking care of their ailments and she admired the hell out of that choice.
According to her uncle, Monty was a dedicated healer who would sleep in a sick horse’s stall if they needed monitoring through the night.
He’d drop whatever he was doing to rush to the aid of any horse in trouble.
On top of caring for the ones in the barn, he kept tabs on the wild ones that roamed Laughing Creek’s vast sanctuary.
He had hero written all over him — kind, generous and easy on the eye. His muscular build and clear blue eyes stirred longings she hadn’t satisfied in five years. She couldn’t afford the emotional risk.
When her ex had left during the first year of fatherhood, declaring babies were too much trouble, she’d agreed to give up child support in return for sole custody. Thank God her sister had offered to help.
Clearly Monty wanted her, but so did most unattached men and a few of the attached ones. She had the kind of body that inspired randy thoughts and she’d become adept at discouraging unwelcome advances.
She wouldn’t have to worry about Monty. He was a gentleman who understood the score. He would curb his attraction and she’d curb hers.
Sure, she’d briefly fantasized going to bed with him, and he’d likely done the same with her. They could have had a lot of fun together. But the possibility that she’d jeopardize her life with Tex wasn’t a chance worth taking.
As the three of them neared the back end of the barn, Monty had yet to identify any of the horses as being his personal ride. So she asked him about it.
“I saved mine for last. Meet my buddy Patient.”
A deep red sorrel with a flaxen mane and a lightning-shaped blaze poked his head over the last stall door on the left.
“What a beauty.” She smiled. “I assume he’s super chill.”
“He had to be.” Monty rubbed the gelding’s nose and scratched under his forelock. “I got him right before I enrolled in vet school and I practiced all kinds of procedures on him. I kept calling him my patient instead of his name and finally I quit using his name altogether. He became Patient.”
“That’s funny.” She moved closer and stroked the sorrel’s silky neck. “How old is he?”
“Ten.”
“Only ten? How old was he when you were using him as a teaching tool?”
“Four.”
“And he put up with it?”
“You should have seen how tolerant he was,” her uncle said. “I’d come out to shoe the horses and Monty would be in the stall with Patient, poking and prodding every part of that poor horse. Patient just stood there quietly and let him do it.”
“Amazing.”
“Well, I’d give him little treats, a slice of apple or a chunk of carrot.”
“Even so.”
“I also explained to him that he was furthering my education, and with his help I’d be qualified to help other horses stay healthy.” Monty ruffled the sorrel’s light-colored mane. “We were partners, right, buddy?”
Patient snorted.
“Damn straight.” Monty grinned. “Speaking of partners, I’d better get out of your way so you two can get started. If you don’t mind me asking, how are you planning to divvy up the work?”
“I thought I’d steer Zin toward the most cooperative ones for the first visit.” Graham gestured toward Patient. “Like this guy, for instance, and Mila’s horse Sol. Probably Woody and Buzz. That team of your dad’s is so relaxed they fall asleep while they’re getting new shoes.”
“Yep.” Monty chuckled. “I’ve seen ’em do it.”
His soft laughter brushed the tendrils of desire that still lingered, making her shiver. She’d be wise to keep Uncle Graham nearby whenever she was interacting with this cowboy.
“I’m confident she can handle any of them, though.” Her uncle gave her a fond glance. “I’ve seen her in action. She has the touch.”
Her chest warmed. “Thank you.”
“Your worthless boss didn’t know what he had.” He turned back to Monty. “The jerk promised to make her a partner and then gave the position to a guy. I’m guessing he’s prejudiced against women farriers, but his loss is my gain.”
“And ours.”
It was a gallant thing to say and darned if it didn’t make her face heat. “I appreciate the chance to work on your horses. I won’t disappoint you.”
“I’m sure you won’t.”
The warmth in his eyes created squiggles in her stomach. Taking a breath, she focused on her uncle. “Whatcha say Unc? Shall we get moving?”
“We should. Don’t want to be late for lunch.”
“And I’ll vamoose.” Monty gave Patient one last pat. “Let me know if you find any issues.”
“I always do.”
“Then I’m off.” He tipped his hat and ambled down the barn aisle.
She’d always been drawn to the loose-hipped, slightly bowlegged stride of a man who spent a good amount of time astride a horse.
“You like him.”
She slowly turned to face her uncle’s amused expression. “Of course I do. He’s very nice.”
“I had a feeling you two would hit it off.”
Alarm bells went off. “Meaning what?”
“Well…that you two have a lot in common.”
“I hope you’re not playing Cupid. Because I—”
“Not at all. I just—”
“You know I’m not on the lookout for a guy, right?”
“I do and I understand. But I’ve known Monty since he was born, which’ll be twenty-seven years this Saturday, and you won’t find a more—”
“Look, even if I wanted to consider getting involved with him, which I absolutely don’t, he’s not in the market for a woman with a five-year-old.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do know that. The second I mentioned Tex, his whole attitude changed.”
“Because he’s not an idiot who charges into a complicated situation. That’s a good thing. But he likes you, too. Sparks were flying.”
“Of course they were. You know how men react to me.”
“It wasn’t one-sided.”
“So I’m not immune to a good-looking cowboy. But I’ve made it this far and I’m not changing a program that’s in the best interests of my son.”
Her uncle fell silent. Then he sighed and met her gaze. “You’re right, Zin. Please forgive an old guy for butting into a situation that’s none of his business.”
His gentle voice touched a place in her heart that would always hurt. He sounded so much like her dad. “Oh, hey.” She gave him a quick hug. “It’s not surprising you’d think like that. You love Monty and you love me.”
“I love Tex, too. He’s a brave little kid.”
“And you think he needs a daddy?” She said it softly.
“Guess so.”
“He’s got you.”
“I know, but I’m more like a grandpa.”
“So what? He’s crazy about you. I couldn’t ask for a better role model for him. I honestly didn’t realize how much he’d love it here.”
“That was my hope, that the move would benefit all three of you.”
“It already has. I’ll never be able to thank you enough. Marigold says bartending at the Raccoon is way more fun than where she worked in Great Falls.”
“I can believe it. The Raccoon is special.” He paused, sucked in a breath. “Full disclosure, suggesting this arrangement wasn’t exactly selfless. Seems like I needed you guys, too.”
“You did?”
“Not long after your Aunt Adele left, Spence died. That was a dark time, and I turned into a grouchy old bear in a cave, nursing my wounds.”
“You weren’t grouchy.”
“Yeah, I was. Ask Raquel, or any of the Bridgers, for that matter. But thanks to you, Mari and Tex….” His chest heaved. “I see things different.”
Her throat tightened again. “I love hearing that.”
“I love being able to say it. Now let’s shoe us some horses before we start blubbering.”