Sharp Shootin' Cowboy (Hot Cowboy Nights, #3)(60)

Haley noted the quick exchange of glances between Krista and Tonya.

“You sure about that Reid?” Tonya asked.

“Yes. We can’t afford to lose any of those foals.”

“You might be overlooking one thing,” Krista said.

“What’s that?” Reid asked.

“Dr. Cooper has to ride.”

Reid scratched his chin. He sported an all-too-sexy amount of scruff. Even with heavy whisker shadow, he was still too damned good-looking for Haley’s peace of mind. She tingled at the recollection of his bristled face between her thighs, then flushed at her dirty thoughts.

“Ever been on a horse, Haley?” he asked. “I admit it didn’t even occur to me to ask you. It’s kind of a given here in Wyoming. Most of us are on horses by the time we can sit up.”

“I’ve ridden a few times before,” she said, not adding that she had only been five or six and it was a pony at the county fair.

“I suppose the other choice would be to take the ATV, but you might have trouble once we hit the woods. If you don’t oppose the notion, it’d be best if you ride. You’re not afraid of horses, are you?”

“No. I’m not afraid. Just haven’t ever been around them very much.”

“We’ve got a string of really gentle trail horses. You don’t need to know much to ride ’em. They carry beginners all summer long.”

“Sure. I’ll ride with you.”

“Good.” He nodded approval. “I’ll get one of ’em saddled up for you.”

“Should I put Red Bird up?” Tonya asked.

“Yeah.” Reid nodded. “I think we’re done with her for the day.”

Tonya followed after him with the Appaloosa.

*

“What’s up with you and her?” Tonya asked as she unsaddled the mare.

“What do you mean?”

“You and Wolf Woman.”

“Her name’s Haley,” Reid corrected. “And it’s none of your business, Ton.”

She heaved the saddle onto a nearby rack and then turned to him, hands on hips. “I think it is my business, Reid. I’ve been pretty patient, but I’m not going to wait forever.”

“I didn’t ask you to. Not this time anyway. Matter of fact, I don’t seem to recall giving you any encouragement at all.”

“No, you haven’t,” she agreed. “But I thought you just needed more time.”

“More time?” he repeated with a scoffing sound. “Eternity wouldn’t be long enough.”

“What do you mean?”

“All right, Ton. I’ll give it to you straight. There’s never going to be another ‘us.’”

“Because of her?”

“No.”

“Then why?” she asked, searching his eyes.

Reid compressed his mouth and leveled her with a stare. “I think you already know the answer to that.”

“Jared,” she whispered. “What did he tell you? I deserve to know.”

“He told me you slept with him.”

Her face blanched. “That son of a bitch. He had no right! It was a mistake, Reid. One that I’ve never repeated, but I didn’t cheat. It happened after we broke up.”

“How long after?”

She turned away and answered softly. “That night.”

“Why Jared?” he asked. “Of all people, why did it have to be my brother?”

“I don’t know, Reid. It just—”

“Happened,” he finished for her. “I get it already.” He heaved a regretful sigh. “Look, Ton, our families have been linked for a long time. I’m willing to put all this behind us if you are. If we’re going to continue working together, I don’t want things to be difficult. Can you handle it?”

“Yes,” she said at length. “I can handle it, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“But you have to accept it.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. “We were always friends first. I’d hate to lose that.”

“Me too, Reid. If you really think Haley’s the one you want, I won’t make it awkward for you. You deserve to be happy. I just hope you’re not making a mistake with her.”

He offered a wry smile. “You and me both.”

*

“That worked out real convenient now, didn’t it?” Krista remarked once Reid was out of earshot.

“What do you mean?” Haley asked.

“You and Reid alone.”

“I came out here on business.”

“You could have sent someone else if you didn’t want to see him,” Krista argued. “My guess is that you did want to see him.”

Haley went on the defensive. “Whether I did or didn’t is none of your concern. Either way, it seems to me that Reid is quite able to look after himself.”

Krista speared her with a resentful look. “You’re wrong there, Dr. Cooper. My brother is very much my concern, and I’m troubled that he’s still hung up on you.”

Is he? Haley’s heart skipped a beat. She really didn’t know what to expect after the way they’d left things.

Krista continued, “He’s a damned good man who’s been through God knows what, and he doesn’t deserve to have you or anyone else screw with his head.”