Once they arrived at the stables, just a stone’s throw from the Worths’ main house, Callie got out of the car and crossed to the corral to take a look at half a dozen horses.
“Not those,” Tagg said. “They’re too high-strung.”
Callie could tell that already, just by their stance, the way they held their heads and the way they seemed too aware of their surroundings. Like they were ready to bolt any second. Callie nodded. “They’re spirited.”
“Our best cutting horses,” Tagg said, nodding in the direction of another corral behind the stable. “Over here.”
Callie followed Tagg as he marched over to another fenced-off arena. He opened the gate and entered. At least six horses were scattered about. He waited for Callie to walk through the gate and then closed it behind her. Upon entering, a few of the horses lifted their heads, giving them a casual perusal before going back to grazing. The others didn’t seem to notice them, or if they did, they didn’t seem to care.
“I think we’ve found our candidates,” Callie said, approaching a light chestnut mare whose coat gleamed under the afternoon sun. The horse looked healthy and didn’t seem to spook easily. Callie knew enough to move slowly, especially when advancing on an animal that didn’t know you. “Hey, girl,” she said. “What’s your name?”
Tagg strode to her side. “This here is Sunflower. She’s done her part on the ranch.”
Callie studied the horse. She had kind eyes. “She’s what, ten or eleven?”
Tagg nodded. “She’s eleven.”
Callie stroked along her nose, all the while looking into Sunflower’s eyes. “She might be a good choice. She’s not too tall, either, and she’s a good age. I’d like to spend some time with her. Maybe take her for a ride. See how she does out in the open.”
“Good idea.” Tagg nodded. He walked toward a black gelding with four white socks and a long white stripe along his nose. “This here is Tux.”
She grinned and acknowledged, “Because of his black-and-white coloring.”
Tagg stroked the horse’s mane. “Yeah. He was so fine in his day. He’s about twelve now. I used to ride him when I came home from the rodeo. He’s got a lot of life left in him.”
Callie walked over to Tux, admiring him. “Do you trust him?”
Tagg looked the horse over and nodded. “About as much as I trust any one thing. Which sometimes isn’t all that much. I want to take him out and see how he does.”
Callie wondered about Tagg’s comment. Was he only speaking about horses? Or did he have other issues with trust. “Today?”
Tagg glanced at her. “No, not today. Since Clay’s put me in charge, I’d better get back to Penny’s Song before too long. We’ll have to do it another day.”
“Okay.” Callie glanced at the rest of the horses in the corral and found some to be far too old and lazy, some to be a little bit too jumpy. Tagg agreed, doing a calculated assessment, much the way Callie had.
“Let’s take a quick look in the stable,” Tagg suggested. “Might as well see them all while we’re here.”
Callie followed behind Tagg and wished she’d been a little quicker in her stride. Because the view from here was too darn good. His dark hair, jutting out from under his hat and curling at his nape, made her wish she had free reign to run her fingers through those thick strands. Wide shoulders tapered down to a waist that accented slim hips and a perfect male butt. Taggart Worth fit into his jeans like nobody’s business.
With an unsteady breath, Callie sighed as she moved from bright sunlight to near darkness inside the stable. It took a while for her eyes to adjust. Once they did, she spotted Tagg inside a stall beside an old mare. She looked gaunt and weary. “This here is Sadie. She was … mine.”
Tagg looked at the mare with admiration and devotion. Something soft and warm tugged at Callie’s heart. She’d never seen Tagg’s emotions so raw, so real. His eyes gleamed with pure love. He spoke softly to the mare, stroking her, and Callie kept her distance for the time being, allowing the two of them to reconnect.
After a moment, Tagg added, “She’d probably be good around children. She’d welcome the attention and I think the kids would love her.”
The way you do, Callie wanted to say.
“She’s not too long for this world.” The horse nuzzled his neck playfully, looking more alive.
“She heard that. She’s gonna prove you wrong.”
He glanced at the mare. “Maybe. We’ll try her out and see how she holds up.”
Callie stepped closer to Tagg, removing the distance between them. “The horse I had growing up is gone. I wish I still had her.”
“Oh, yeah?”
Callie spoke softly. “I was only eight when she was born. I watched her birth. I’d seen other mares foal, but this time it was special for me. I knew the little filly entering into the world that day would be mine. My daddy promised and I had to swear to take care of her myself. I was eager to do it. When she struggled up on those skinny little legs to take her first steps in the barn, I cried. It was love at first sight.” Callie smiled and glanced at Tagg.
He’d moved closer to her, too. She saw another gleam in his eyes. This time aimed at her. Sadie moved back a step but the slight rustling of straw didn’t interrupt, didn’t suspend the intense look on Tagg’s face. It didn’t stop his approach. “Tell me more.”
“Her name was Jasmine. Named after the fairy-tale princess. I had visions of flying off on a magic carpet with her.”
Tagg smiled. “Or she’d fly you around on her back.”
“A little girl’s daydreams can’t be messed with.” She relished the smile Tagg offered her. He was so darn handsome … still her fantasy man.
The light was dim in the stable and cool enough when she’d first walked inside, but now the stable heated up and familiar musky scents of earth and straw closed in on her. She stood toe-to-toe with Tagg. “I don’t suppose you had daydreams.”
Tagg seared her with a hot glance and arched his brow. “I’m having one now.”
She looked at his mouth with longing. She wanted him. She always had. “So am I, Tagg,” she said, breathless.
Tagg reached one hand out and pulled her close. She flowed easily toward him. His mouth came down on hers in a rush of heat. Instantly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and put everything she had into returning the kiss. Weeks of yearning, desire and uncertainty all rolled up into one ignited when his mouth met hers. A deep rugged groan escaped Tagg’s throat and fueled those flames as their bodies brushed. The magnetic pull was something neither could fight. It was just there, driving them closer.
Tagg deepened the kiss, opening his mouth and wetting her lips with his tongue. She parted for him immediately, inviting his tongue inside her mouth. Holding her breath, she prepared for the onslaught, the intense mating that swept fiery heat through her body.
Tagg pulled at her hips, jutting them up against his. His erection pulsed between their clothes, solid and strong.
“Oh,” she moaned, barely able to breathe. She gave herself up to him, to the power of his kiss. She went weak-kneed and Tagg’s strong grip was all that held her upright. He put his arms around her waist and then in one quick move, removed the rubber band from her hair. The strands