Page 28 of Back in the Saddle

Who is this?

The reply came almost instantly, which he didn’t expect.

The woman who did NOT force you to kiss her.

His smile widened, as his thumbs moved at a record speed to type:Ah. Caroline, hi. I have a proposition for you: a date. And not just any date, but one of your choosing.

He watched the screen like a hawk as the three dots appeared.

How genteel of you.

A low chuckle rumbled deep in his chest.I told you I was a gentleman.

His heartbeat picked up as he stared at his phone. The seconds it took for another message to pop up felt like hours.

I think you’re a cocky cowboy. Do you know Robbers Cave State Park?

Hunter cocked his head as he wrote:I grew up here. Of course I do. Great views, decent hiking trails. Though I must say, I didn’t take you for a nature lover.

He breathed in and out, waiting for her reply. Why were his palms sweatier than they had been outside by the paddock? The inside of the barn was cooler than the unforgiving noon sun.

The phone vibrated in his hand.

Oh, Hunter. You don’t know anything about me.

He chewed on his bottom lip.I know more than you think.

Yeah? Like what?

Hunter leaned back against the beam, exhaling sharply. Staring in the distance, he watched Dallas peering over his stall. He smiled at the horse, even though he knew it must’ve looked silly.

When he gathered his thoughts, he started typing:You likereading fiction because working in a scientific field sharpens your logic too much during the day. You like to escape into another world. You’re Irish, as we’ve established,but you grew up in Scotland. You have a good relationship with your father. You have good taste when it comes to whisky … And men, since you’re going to go out with me.

He sent the message, pushing his hand through his damp hair. His mouth was dry.

So, you have me all figured out, huh? P.S. I was right about the cocky cowboy label.

Hunter smirked at the phone as he got up from the stool. He typed as he walked towards the tack room, where they had a mini fridge stocked with water bottles.

On the contrary, these are just things I’ve noticed. I hope to uncover a lot more of them on our date, in Robbers Cave State Park, if that’s where you want to go. How is Sunday for you? P.S. Happy to be the cocky cowboy if that label comes with another kiss.

The bottles rattled in the door as he opened the fridge. He grabbed one of them, unscrewed the cap and took a large gulp of water. The immediate cooling sensation ran through him, sending a shiver down his spine.

He set the bottle on top of the fridge, reading Caroline’s reply.

Careful, Hunter. Or else I’ll assume you’re all talk and not much more. Sunday’s fine. What time?

Eight o’clock.

In the morning?!

He chuckled to himself.Yes, Caroline. If you want to go walking, we need to set off earlier before it gets too hot.

That isn’t a date. It’s a torture.

It’ll be fun, I promise.

I’m going to hold you to that. See you Sunday morning. Send me the pin for the parking spot?