One Wild Cowboy and A Cowboy To Marry. Cathy Gillen Thacker

      “You’re right, she is watching my every move. Unfortunately, her curiosity is more than a demonstration of interest—it’s an expression of fear.” He met her eyes. “A horse doesn’t bother to investigate something that it is not afraid of. A horse isn’t curious unless it harbors some uncertainty. And that underlying fear can make a horse unpredictable.”

      Emily watched Dylan pick up one hoof. Ginger bucked slightly and wrested her leg from his light, testing grasp.

      Dylan went back to stroking Ginger all over. When she was calm, he tried again, picking up her foot. Again, she resisted but he didn’t back down.

      And on and on it went, until at last Ginger gave in and let Dylan touch and rub and inspect all four feet without complaint.

      “Now you try,” Dylan said, while holding on to the lightweight training halter on Ginger’s head.

      Emily—whose only experience had been with the tame-from-birth quarter horses her father bred and trained—moved away from the wall.

      Ginger eyed Emily warily while Dylan murmured soothingly and stroked her face. She pricked her ears and lifted her head slightly, inspecting Emily with her dark, soulful eyes. She seemed to be waiting to see if she could trust Emily as much as Dylan.

      Emily took her time, just as Dylan had. Murmuring softly, she explained every step she took, every move she made. Ginger reacted in kind, calmly allowing Emily to pet her all over. Then finally, tenderly nosing Emily’s hands, before gently nuzzling her face.

      “I think she’s in love,” Dylan said softly.

      I think I could be in love, Emily thought. With both of you. If I were foolish, that is. Good thing I’m not.

      The mustang wasn’t hers to keep, and neither was Dylan. Ginger had a home to go to—when she was trained. Dylan already had a home of his own; he’d made it clear for years now that he didn’t want to share it with anyone.

      Nothing about that seemed to have changed.

      Emily shrugged off the compliment. “She knows kindness when she sees it.”

      Dylan slipped outside the gate and came back with two apples. He tossed them to Emily. “Reward her.”

      She did.

      Dylan returned Ginger to the paddock with Salt and Pepper, then strode back, praise in his eyes. “Now it’s time for me to reward you,” he said, flashing her a sexy grin.

      Emily knew what quickly sprang to her mind, despite their new just-friends status. Afraid she would get herself in just as deep as she had the night before if she didn’t watch it, she warned herself to slow down. She put up a staying hand. “You really don’t have to do that, Dylan. Just being able to spend time with Ginger is thanks enough.”

      “You don’t want to owe anyone anything? I don’t want to be beholden to anyone, either.” He looked at her, his mind clearly made up. “So I’m taking you to dinner as payment. It’s up to you to say when and where.”