3. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
A very poured herself a mug of tea.
Rex eyed her.
She sighed. “You know you’re not allowed around the horses unless you’re on a leash. If Justin and Will go riding, you’d be in the way.”
Her dog glanced over at Tiffany, the ranch’s comfort dog, then glared back at his mistress.
Said mistress sighed. “Tiffany’s trained to be around the horses. Stop glaring. This is a contest of wills you will never win.”
“Win what?” Kennedy, the owner of the ranch and head psychologist breezed into the kitchen. “Oh, did the kettle just boil?”
“Yes, would you like me to make you a cup?”
Kennedy waved her off, then set about making her own cup of Earl Grey. “Did you say Will ?”
Avery bit her lip, eyeing her boss. The statuesque brunette had a figure to die for, deep-brown eyes that always shone, the sweetest personality—when she wasn’t pissed, and the sharpest mind Avery’d ever met.
“Yeah…Rex was just telling me how much he enjoyed his time with Will, the new client.” She’d managed to gleam his name…but not much else.
Kennedy gazed out the kitchen window into the backyard. She had a perfect view of the riding ring. “Well, didn’t take much to convince Justin to get on a horse.”
Avery rose, mug in hand, and joined her boss in gazing out the massive window.
The winter sun shone brightly against the snow. Almost glaringly.
Two figures sat on horses as they made their way around the riding ring. Justin was on Sugar while Will rode Fallon. Fallon was normally Kennedy’s horse. She and Sugar were the largest of the four retired show horses. Sienna and Briar were likely still tucked in the warm stalls.
Tiffany chuffed.
Kennedy pivoted to the dog. “You want out?”
The yellow lab cocked her head.
“Okay, fair enough. I think you need a coat.”
Tiffany’s tail wagged.
Rex sat up and whimpered.
Avery rolled her eyes. “Seriously?”
Kennedy laughed. “If you put our teas in thermal mugs, I’ll get the pooches dressed.”
Although she would’ve taken either job gladly, Avery liked getting the drinks organized. Made her feel useful. Not that she felt awkward. Or at least not often.
Their boss did an amazing job at keeping everyone feeling like they contributed. Avery was pretty much grateful every day to have such an amazing job.
After the women donned their coats, boots, scarves, and gloves, they headed out, pooches in tow.
To Rex’s annoyance, he was on a leash. He tried pulling. Once.
Avery halted.
Rex glanced at her. Then he hung his head and moved back to her side. They resumed their journey, and he didn’t try to pull again.
Rainbow, Kennedy’s sister, greeted the women as they made their way into the stables.
Avery kept glancing over at the two men. She might or might not have noticed what a great seat Will had. Or what a perfect ass the man possessed. Or how truly confident he was on the horse.
“Hey, I didn’t realize you’d be out.” Rainbow continued to brush Briar’s shiny coat. “I would’ve saved Fallon for you.”
Kennedy waved her off. “No worries. This is an impromptu visit.”
Rainbow eyed Avery. “Checking out the new guy.”
Avery felt heat rise in her cheeks. “No, nothing like that. Rex needed fresh air. Right, baby?”
Her pup purposely ignored her.
Tiffany came trotting into the building after obviously having done her business. First, she rubbed against Kennedy, then she went to Rainbow. The dog truly had two mistresses and was content to split her time.
Kennedy was happy to use her for the therapy sessions while Rainbow appreciated the company. The woman kept the ranch going—taking care of the horses and the property in general.
Looks-wise, the sisters couldn’t be more different. Rainbow had long, blue-black hair and the palest blue eyes Avery’d ever seen. So did the other six Dixon women. Kennedy, the eldest, was the only one who didn’t have black hair and blue eyes. Everyone in the large family joked she’d been the daughter of the mailman. Totally untrue, of course. The Dixon parents, Brian and Moonshine, loved each other. Would have to, what with eight daughters.
Rex rubbed against Avery. “You need to pee?”
He sniffed the air indolently.
“I’ll take that as a yes .” She said the word on a laugh. “Let’s go.” She offered a quick wave to her friends before guiding Rex out of the stable.
The dog made a beeline for the fence railing. He sniffed, then indelicately lifted his leg, christening the pristine white snow.
“Oh, seriously?” Avery’d always sworn she wouldn’t get a dog who lifted their leg. But when she’d seen Rex at the shelter, her heart melted and she realized how he peed didn’t matter. Not when she could give a loving home to such a special dog.
The men approached on horseback, and Rex perked up.
Traitor . He’d spent all of thirty minutes in Will’s presence, and now he thought they were friends.
“Hey, little buddy.” Will’s face split into a grin. “You miss me?”
Rex woofed.
Justin chuckled.
Avery, completely exasperated, rolled her eyes.
“Oh, sorry, ma’am. Should I be staying away?” Will met her gaze.
She caught a twinkle in those chocolate-brown eyes. His black hair peeked out from under his tan cowboy hat. Tall, dark, and handsome indeed .
“Not at all. You go wherever the spirit moves you.” God, did I really just say that? “I mean—”
“I think he knows what you mean.” Justin cocked his head.
“Right. I’m going to take Rex inside.”
“Is he cold? It’s a brisk day.”
Another one of those killer smiles from Will.
Rex yipped.
Avery exhaled. “My dog is way too smart for his own good.”
“Well, I hope to get to say goodbye before I leave.”
Justin chuckled. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
“Great.” Will nudged Fallon forward.
Avery glanced down at Rex. “Are you going to come, or are you going to make me drag you?” She wouldn’t actually drag him. But she’d be annoyed.
The dog shrugged, then headed in the direction of the house.
Rainbow and Kennedy actually lived on the property while Avery, Justin, and Denise worked there. Healing Horses Ranch always had more clients than they could handle—and yet they managed to fit just about everyone into the schedule.
So what’s Will’s story?
Oh well, she wouldn’t ask, and Justin wouldn’t divulge.
Her curiosity would just have to go unfulfilled.