they were smiling. “Since when did White Lodge’s newest vet delve into horse psychiatry?”
“Since the time Sadie told me about Chief, Jarod’s stallion. He had a harem when he ran wild in the mountains. That got me thinking.”
A burst of full-bodied laughter broke from him. “Maybe by the time the rodeo’s over, we’ll find out Firebrand and Sunflower have become inseparable.”
She grinned. “You have to admit it would be amazing. I’d write it up in the Journal of American Veterinary Medicine. At our last stop, I noticed Firebrand sniffing around Sunflower’s dung. Did you know feral horses like yours are fascinated by the dung piles of other horses?”
He tried not to laugh, but couldn’t help it. “I have to admit I didn’t.”
“It’s true. Dung and urine from other herds act as newspapers from one herd to another. Just what is communicated through urine and dung is unknown, but it may communicate how healthy the herd is, what mares are in season and even what types of food is available in the area.”
“Let’s be thankful her heat cycle ended after September. Otherwise, we’d know it by now.”
Liz laughed gently. “Never fear. When I compete at the wrong times, I give her a medication so there’s no problem. So...if these two get interested in each other, it won’t be because of hormones.”
Connor eyed her thoughtfully. “Just pure chemistry.”
“Wouldn’t that be something.” She sounded bemused.
“Indeed it would.” But his mind wasn’t on the horses. The woman seated across from him had drawn his attention. She wore her usual braid, but it lay forward over her shoulder, brushing against her flushed cheek while she drank her coffee. He could pick out the sun streaks in her light chestnut hair.
The collar of her tan Western blouse lay open at the throat. It came to him she had no idea how truly lovely she was. There was nothing artificial about her. If she wore makeup right now, he couldn’t tell. She didn’t need it.
“More chili?”
He handed her his bowl. “Please.”
“You don’t know how happy it will make Mom to hear you liked it.” She got up from the table, giving him a profile view. Liz had to be five foot seven, with a supple body filling out her blouse and jeans in all the right places. With those long legs, she made quite a sight astride her horse during a competition.
His thoughts flicked to Reva, who was five foot four and more voluptuous. But she didn’t move with the same grace as Liz, who was in fabulous shape from working and riding horses all her life.
Connor wouldn’t be a man if he hadn’t noticed, but it had always been at a distance. His grandfather had begged him to stay away from the Corkin ranch so there’d be no trouble. He had obeyed him, effectively putting Liz out of reach over the years.
Since then, she’d become a doctor of veterinarian medicine. No doubt she’d have to work years to pay off her loan for medical school. Besides the gold buckle, she’d win the big money, so maybe she could buy a new truck. More than ever he wanted her to be able to take those prizes home. No one deserved them more than she did. The relic she’d been driving was on its last legs.
He was glad she’d come with him. The storm hadn’t let up. It could snow another hour or two, but they and their horses were safe and cozy inside the trailer. His mood had been dark for the past few months despite his wins, but right now he felt a lifting of his spirits and liked the feeling.
Connor got to his feet and took his dishes over to the minikitchen. “What do you say we give the horses a little exercise now?”
“I can see you’re dying to find out how they’re getting along.”
“Aren’t you?”
She flashed him an intriguing smile before putting on her parka and gloves. Her black cowboy hat came last. After he put on his gear, they walked out into a white world. The snow wasn’t coming down as hard, but it was steady. Like a child, she put her head back to catch some snowflakes on her tongue, reminding him of his youth. He hadn’t had this much fun in a long time.
Connor opened the back of the trailer and they walked inside. Both of them spoke in low tones to their horses as they led them outside for some exercise. After they’d gone a distance, they stopped.
“It feels like we’re in wonderland.” She half laughed the words. “Look, Connor. Did you see what Sunflower just did when Firebrand smelled her breath?”
He couldn’t say that he had because he’d been looking at the expression of delight on her face. “What did I miss?”
“Sunflower’s head lifted in the air and she lowered her ears. See how she’s chewing on the air? That’s a submissive gesture in front of Firebrand because she recognizes his higher rank. Her foal-like behavior is so sweet. I think they really do like each other!”
Connor patted his horse’s neck. “Is that true, buddy? Are you falling for Sunflower?”
A nicker came out of his horse, followed by one from hers.
“I swear he understood you!”
“Maybe they’ve been giving each other tips.”
Her amused gaze met his, sending an emotional response through him he hadn’t expected. How was it that Liz had been his neighbor for twenty-six years, yet it had taken until now to start seeing inside this attractive woman who he already knew had the heart of a champion?
“You mean about racing?”
“And other things...”
Gentle laughter escaped her throat. “You think they’re making plans for after we leave them alone for the night?”
“Something like that. Firebrand hasn’t been around such a fetching little mare in a long time. Being gelded doesn’t mean he’s forgotten anything.”
Her eyes sparkled through the falling snow. “Come to think of it, Firebrand’s Spanish heritage is pretty exciting, with those horizontal zebra stripes on the backs of his forelegs. His coloring is unique, even among ferals. It gets a female thinking.”
He moved closer to her. It brought the horses closer together. “And here I thought it was only the male who was a leg man.”
“You’d be surprised what captures the attention of the female.”
“What else, for example?” he drawled.
“Oh, the white star on Firebrand’s forehead and his dorsal stripe. And he’s a powerful size. Makes a female feel protected. Notice how she’s been scratching him on the rump with her teeth? She likes being around him.”
“He likes a good scratch.”
Her arched brows lifted. “Well, he’s getting one. Amazing she knew where he itched.”
“Lucky him. Who would have thought being stuck out in the back of beyond during a blizzard he would find such bliss?”
