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“But we’ve got a crew working at the house with the moms starting tomorrow, and my cousins and I are up here and around the ranch working on repairs, so don’t think I’m using you for free labor.”

“Your granddad already enlisted my help,” she said, looking around a final time, feeling a sense of peace along with the thrum of anticipation. “It will be fun to help plan and decorate for a party.”

“It’s going to be a lot of physical work.” He seemed amused by her statement. “This is cowboy country.”

“Yeehaw.” She flexed her bicep. “I may be a city girl, but I got muscles.” Hopefully, he didn’t ask her which city.

“I’m looking forward to seeing more of those muscles at work and at play.” He kissed the top of her head.

Such a sweet gesture.

“It’s a short ride to the barn. If you’re up for it, I’d love to take you to dinner.”

The public part of their romance.

Ditch the inner sarcasm. You spread your own rumors this morning.

She looked around again and spotted the sprawling farmhouse not too far away. “This would be a fantastic events space if you want when you all settle down here,” she said. “You’ve got the massive, picturesque barn, several outbuildings. You could build a guesthouse up here or expand the little cabin for agrifarming vacations or…”

“Forget it.” He boosted her up onto the horse. But his voice was heavy and dark, and his expression shuttered. Where did he go again? He certainly didn’t seem like her game-playing cowboy.

“I thought you were the baddest cowboy around,” she tried to tease him. “You’re going to allow one of your cousins to scoop you?”

To her relief, his eyes lightened, and the tension in his expression, which had been withdrawn, eased.

“Never been beat yet.”

“Keep your streak and your dreams alive, cowboy.”

Chapter Nine

Taking care ofthe horses was companionable. Bodhi had worried he’d run into Bowen or Beck in the barn. It was a dumb worry. He didn’t want to hide Nico, but he didn’t feel ready to share her—which was even dumber because the whole point was to show off the building relationship.

She was fun to be around. Quick. Thoughtful. Fascinating. She also cared for Midnight. She talked to him. Stroked him, and he was already leaning hard into her in an attempt to elicit more strokes.

Couldn’t fault the horse there. He had excellent taste. Midnight had not been his choice for Nico. But Granddad knew horses and Granddad knew people. He’d taken Nico’s measure and made the correct pick. Nico could not only ride, she communicated with the horse, persuaded him. And that lifted Bodhi’s heart more than he wanted to admit.

She even cleaned Midnight’s stall, added new bedding and changed the water and provided feed and asked if she should help with the other horses. Bodhi alternated between pleasure and dismay. Nico was temporary, a means to an end. She wasn’t supposed to feel perfect or permanent. He couldn’t dream about permanent anymore.

“So when’s my first roping lesson?” She’d found a rope draped over a hook, and she experimentally gathered it up in her hand.

“Look at you giving me ideas,” he said, giving a final pat to Cash.

“I hope so.”

Bodhi laughed. That rope’s a little stiff for a beginner.” He closed Cash’s stall door and stalked toward her.

“I like stiff,” she said innocently. “Do I make a knot like a noose?”

“Girl—” he stifled a snort “—you are going to get into all kinds of trouble.”

“I hope so.” She held on to the rope even as he tried to take it. “I want to learn. It could come in useful someday.”

Bodhi laughed. “I better be saving up for your bail money.”

“Who said you’re not the one I’m going to tie up?”

“Well then.” He pushed his hat back on his head a little. “I better teach you proper technique.”