rock and offered her a hand up. “I guess we better get to it, huh, boss?”
“We’re burning daylight.” As they climbed onto their horses, Stella wondered if maybe her father hadn’t been completely crazy to hire Joiner after all.
* * *
BACK AT THE STABLES, they tended to their own horses and then worked with Daisy and the two others Stella had just purchased. One of them was a paint named Picasso, and the other a red quarter horse with a black mane and tail named Dakota. Stella was happy with how calmly they behaved, and was impressed by Joiner’s expertise in handling them. He was obviously a natural with horses. He picked up quickly on everything she showed him about hippotherapy, even if he seemed a little bit bored.
Around noon a car came up the driveway. Stella recognized it from the previous morning as Clint Cavender’s black Mercedes S600 Guard. He stepped out in shiny black leather boots with a matching belt, starched jeans and a black silk shirt that Stella guessed was probably Prada. A black cowboy hat completed the look that screamed rich. But his smile was as down-to-earth as he was.
“Clint Cavender?” Joiner shocked her by speaking his name. She was further surprised when he jumped over the fence of the pen and strode in Clint’s direction, who was just as eagerly jogging toward him.
“Joiner Temple! Is that really you? I can’t believe my eyes.”
Joiner wiped his hands on his jeans and offered his hand to Clint, who took it and pulled Joiner into a bear hug.
“Hey, man, don’t get your fancy clothes dirty!”
“Shoot. I don’t give a dang about that.”
Stella, who had walked across the pen toward them, leaned on the fence. “You two know each other?”
Clint took his hat off to address her. “Hi there.”
“Know each other?” Joiner said. “You mean you’ve never heard of the dynamic duo of Kilgore High School?”
“Can’t say that I have.”
“Oh, well, I forgot we were a little bit before your time.” Joiner clapped Clint on the shoulder. “This guy right here was the quarterback when Kilgore won the state championship, and I was his receiver. We were what you might call football gods.”
Clint blushed.
Stella made a bowing motion. “Oh, forgive me.”
“I believe we were outshone by a little rodeo star who showed up a few years later.” Clint elbowed Joiner. “Her name is the one on the Welcome to Kilgore sign.”
“We were robbed.”
It was Stella’s turn to blush.
“It’s great to see you, man,” Clint said to Joiner. “What brings you back to God’s country? I thought you were traveling the globe on a polo pony.”
Joiner kicked an invisible football. “I was, but polo’s too expensive for a regular cowboy. It would be okay for one like you, though.”
“Too bad I’m no good on a horse.”
“You never were.” Joiner grinned. “You were pretty good with numbers, though, as I remember. Did you finish up at Harvard?”
Stella was learning a lot by listening to them.
“Yes, thank God. I got enough of living in Yankeeland to last me a lifetime.”
“What are you up to now? You live here?”
“I do. I built a house, and I’m running the family business for my dad, and raising my son, Cade.” Clint pulled out his wallet to show Joiner Cade’s picture.
“He’s the one I told you about,” Stella interjected, giving Joiner a look she hoped he’d understand. “I’m excited about having him at the school.”
Joiner nodded in understanding. “Oh yeah.” Then he turned back to Clint. “Well, cool! Maybe I’ll get to hang out with him some. I’m this lady’s new ranch hand.”
They visited awhile longer by the fence and then Clint said, “Well, Stella, I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by to see your operation. But I don’t want to keep you guys any longer from what you were doing.”
“It’s fine. I’m glad you came.”
“Me, too,” said Joiner. “It’s awesome to see you, Cavender.” He turned to Stella. “Hey, Boss Lady, I could finish up while you show him around if you want.”
“Thanks. We do need to keep our donors happy.”
She’d meant it as a joke, but for some reason Joiner’s smile faded. He glanced between the two of them, then jumped back over the fence and into the pen without another word.
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