Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“Is he like an assistant to you?” Cole inquired.
JB grinned up at him. “More like a paid summer intern. Danny is a nephew of one of our ranch hands. He’s planning to study business management so he can manage a ranch this size or bigger one day. He’s working for us this summer to learn all the ins and outs of the business.”
“He’s eager.”
“And smart. By the end of the season, he’s gonna know this whole place better than me.”
“JB,” he started, lowering his voice. “Are you sure I’m not too heavy for Dopey?”
The cowboy looked up at him, eyes shining and lips trembling as if he were barely holding back his loud bark of laughter. He sucked in a rough breath and cleared his throat. “You are just the most adorable thing. I had to say it.”
Cole rolled his eyes, hating the heat burning his cheeks. He knew he shouldn’t have asked, but he didn’t want to hurt Dopey either.
“Sorry. To answer your question, you’re fine. Dopey has handled far more weight than you with ease. Dopey doesn’t get the exercise that he should because he doesn’t like to gallop. He’d much rather mosey his way across a field, mowing down the sweet grass as he comes to it. Not great for our cowboys, but fantastic for a leisurely trail ride.”
A moment later, Danny was darting to them, a dark-brown cowboy hat clutched in one fist. He handed it up to Cole. It was a little on the tight side, but it would help keep the sun out of his face.
“Normally, I’d hand over a helmet, but we really are staying at a quiet walk on this ride. You should fine. Unless you’d rather…”
Cole shook his head. “Nope. I think I like the hat better.”
“Yeah, me too.” JB agreed and then suddenly broke off eye contact. He had Danny bring Cole and Dopey out into the yard while giving Cole more instructions on how to hold the reins, how to direct the horse, and most importantly, how to stop the horse. After one last check on the length of the stirrups and the placement of Cole’s feet, JB swung up into the saddle of his horse with a practiced ease and led the way out of the yard and into the field.
Cole breathed deep and gave Dopey the tiniest of nudges. And God love him, the horse actually started walking after JB and Bandit. Another nervous laugh left Cole, and JB twisted around to grin at him.
“I’m riding!” Cole shouted, not caring how much he sounded like an idiot.
“You are. Just relax in the saddle. Move with the horse.”
Cole shifted slightly, relaxing by small bits while trying to get his hips to move with the movements of the horse. Not the easiest of things, but it felt like it would come with practice.
They didn’t talk as JB led them away from the business of the ranch and into the open fields. The horses walked past fenced areas filled with horses and cattle, all of them making noises and moving along the fence, but Dopey didn’t pay any of them a bit of attention. That wonderful horse kept moving steadily along a few paces behind Bandit. Yes, Cole might love this horse.
As they topped a low rise, JB motioned for Cole to come up alongside him. He gave Dopey a nudge to keep him moving and then a light pull on the reins to stop him beside Cole.
“How are you feeling?”
“Good. Weird, but good.”
“The stirrups good? They need to be let out a little?”
“No, I think everything is good. You were right. Dopey has everything under control. He knows what’s going on.”
JB chuckled. “Yeah, he’s a good horse despite getting stuck with a bad name.”
Cole leaned out to look at the horse’s profile. Dopey still looked sleepy but also maybe content with where he was in the world. “I don’t know. He seems like a happy horse.”
“That he is. He’s got a good life on the ranch. Knows where he can get his treats.” JB turned his gaze away from Dopey and out toward the horizon. “I thought we’d ride out for about half an hour and then ride back. An hour ride is a good first ride. Though I’d suggest hitting the hot tub tonight. You’re gonna use muscles today that aren’t accustomed to the workout.”
Cole nodded. “Sounds like a good idea.”
JB nudged Bandit forward and Cole did the same, only this time he rode beside his companion rather than behind him.
“The first day of my retirement from the Army, I spent it in the saddle. I didn’t think anything of it. I’d been riding since I could crawl.” JB paused and shook his head. “I could barely walk the next day, I was so damn sore. The hot tub will be your friend.”