Page 34 of Country Winds (King Creek Cowboys #9)

L eeann McLeod leaned back against the corral and rested her arms on the rail as she watched the truck coming up the drive to Carter’s home, a cloud of dust roiling behind it.

“That must be the farrier.” Leeann glanced at her brother. “Have you met him?”

“Nah.” Carter shook his head. “Tyson recommended the guy since old man Winters retired.”

Her gaze followed the black Ford as it pulled up to the barn and stopped. “If our brother-in-law recommended him, he’s got to be good.”

“Yep.” Carter headed toward the truck, which had a shell with double doors in the back instead of a tailgate. Lucy, his Border collie, followed at his heels.

Leeann pushed away from the corral and followed. Her brothers were all well over six feet tall and had long strides. She never had been able to keep up.

The driver’s side door opened, and a man stepped out. He reached inside, brought out a cream-colored Stetson, and settled it on his head before turning to meet Carter.

As her brother greeted the cowboy, Leeann came to a complete halt, her heart skipping a beat. Damn, what a man.

He was at least six-four and about the same age as Carter, but the man was much rougher and tougher looking. She’d always had a thing for bad boys, and he had that look about him—sinfully sexy.

She swallowed, straightened her posture, and started forward again, her gaze raking over him from head to toe. He had a trimmed beard and mustache—she loved men with beards. He was a big cowboy who looked like he’d be made of pure muscle, not an ounce of fat.

A jean jacket covered his broad shoulders, and he wore a faded pair of Wranglers that stretched across his powerful thighs. His belt was reddish-brown tooled leather with a big silver buckle. She wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d rodeoed when he was younger.

Dear Lord, he’s hot.

The cowboy greeted the Border collie as she walked toward them.

When she reached them, the man turned to her and touched the brim of his hat. “Howdy, ma’am.”

Her belly fluttered. “Hi.” She held out her hand. “I’m Leeann McLeod.”

“Porter Gann.” He clasped it, and the warmth of his callused hand heated her through. “A pleasure.” His gaze held hers for only a moment, and he gave her a brief smile before turning back to Carter.

His hazel-green eyes were gorgeous, and that little smile weakened her knees. Holy crap. She’d never had this reaction to a man.

She checked his left hand and was happy to see he wasn’t wearing a ring. That didn’t mean he was free, but it gave her hope. She’d never chased a man, but there was always a first time.

Carter inclined his head toward the barn. “Applejack’s in there.” He tossed Leeann a smile. “The gelding is my sister’s horse. She keeps him here since she lives in town.”

Porter glanced at Leeann before falling into step with Carter and heading toward the barn. Leeann trailed behind, enjoying the way Porter’s Wranglers hugged his great ass.

She stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets and followed them into the barn, where Applejack waited patiently. He was such a good horse—she’d had him for six years.

“Beautiful palomino.” Porter ran his hand over the gelding’s golden coat and greeted him. “You are one fine-looking boy.”

The horse whinnied and bobbed his head, and Leeann smiled.

After spending a few moments letting Applejack get to know him, he checked the horse’s hooves. He turned to Leeann. “All four hooves could use new shoes. Do you want the one replaced or all four?”

Her skin tingled as he focused on her. She loved that he wasn’t asking Carter since Applejack was her horse.

“All four, please.” If the horse needed it, then that’s what she should do. A side benefit was that the task would keep him here a while longer than if he was just replacing the shoe the palomino had thrown.

He gave a single nod. “I’ll be right back.”

She watched him go and fanned herself. “Now that is a man.”

Carter chuckled. “Do I need to screen him to make sure he won’t take advantage of my little sister?”

“Don’t you dare.” She playfully swatted at him. “I can do my own screening, thank you very much.”

“Uh-huh.” Carter made a disbelieving sound.

She eyed him. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

He raised his eyebrows. “Seems to me the last several men you dated we should have chased off.”

With a groan, Leeann looked at the rafters and shook her head. “Do you have any clue what it’s like to have five brothers? You McLeod boys haven’t liked anyone that Jill, Haylee, and I have dated.”

“Until Tyson and CJ.” Carter still looked amused. “Those girls finally got it right.”

“Mind your business.” Leeann sniffed and raised her chin, even though she was amused.

Porter returned. “I’ve got everything ready. Let’s bring him out.”

Leeann took Applejack by the bridle and led him out to Porter’s truck. The back doors had been opened. Inside was a workspace with a metal tool chest, a portable forge, and other tools of the trade.

“I’ll leave you to it.” Carter indicated the corral to the right of the barn door. “I need to get to work. Holler if you need anything.”

“Will do.” Porter nodded before turning to his truck.

Lucy trotted after Carter as Leeann called out to Porter, “I’ll be right back,” and she hurried to the barn for something to sit on.

Porter was wearing leather chaps when she returned with a small, three-legged stool. Damn , but those chaps framed his assets nicely. He set to work, lifting Applejack’s front left hoof, which was currently shoeless. He settled the hoof onto a short stand he’d taken out of his truck.

She perched on the stool. “How long have you been a farrier?”

Porter kept his gaze focused on his work as he scraped and cleaned the foot. “Some sixteen years now.”

“I’ve been around horses all my life.” Leeann watched him remove debris from inside the hoof. “I’ve always found it interesting to see farriers shoe them.”

He focused on his task, cutting out the excess hoof wall.

“You’re not from around here.” Leeann shifted on the stool. “Where did you come from?”

For a moment, he worked on the dead sole before answering. “Montana.”

This man wasn’t going to give up anything easily.

She rubbed her thighs through the tough fabric of her jeans. “So, you were a local farrier?”

After finishing with the sole, he picked up a pair of nippers and started trimming the hoof. “I worked the rodeo circuit.”

A light wind blew tendrils of loose hair around her face. “What made you decide to move to Arizona?”

He paused and blew out his breath before continuing. “You ask a lot of questions.”

She grinned and braced her forearms on her thighs. “I’m hoping to one day make a living at being curious.”

He paused again and looked at her. “And what do you want to do?”

Tingles ran over her skin as he focused on her. “I’m a writer, which involves a lot of curiosity and questioning.”

“Never thought of it that way.” He grabbed a rasp and worked to even out the bottom of the hoof.

“So, you didn’t answer my question.” She leaned forward. “How did you end up here?”

He sighed. “You’re not going to give up.”

She grinned. “Nope.”

“My folks passed away, and I took in my adopted sister.” He continued to rasp the hoof. “Ashley is sick, and we moved here to be close to her specialist.”

Leeann deflated. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”

He met her gaze again. “No worries, Leeann. It’s fine.”

The way he said her name made her feel gooey inside. “How old is she?”

“Twelve.” He adjusted the hoof on the stand. “Ash is a good kid.”

Leeann cocked her head to the side. “I imagine going from single and alone to having a young girl as your ward is challenging.”

This time, when he looked at her, a glint of amusement was in his eyes. “Who says I’m single and alone?”

Heat flushed through her, and she felt mortified. “I’m sorry. I just assumed since you were going around the circuit.”

The corner of his mouth quirked into a grin. “I am single, and I was alone, so you’re right, it’s a challenge.”

He focused on the hoof again and started rasping the outside.

Males. Leeann put the heel of her hand to her forehead. Heaven, help me.

But she was thrilled to know he was single. He hadn’t lived in the area long, so she was hopeful he hadn’t found anyone who interested him.

“Has Ashley started school?” Leeann asked. “What year is she in?”

“Sixth grade.” He released the horse's leg, and Applejack put his foot on the ground. “She’ll start back after the holidays.”

“The middle school is close to the hospital where I work.” She watched him set an anvil on a stand. “The schools here have great ratings.”

“You said you’re a writer.” Porter put on gloves and used long tongs to insert a horseshoe into the portable forge. “What do you do at the hospital?”

Wow, he’d asked her a question. Progress.

“I’ve worked there for eight years as an X-ray tech.” She pushed her ponytail over her shoulder. “I am so ready to leave my current career and write full time, but it’s like they say—don’t quit your day job until you know you can make a living as an author. My goal is two years.”

He pulled the red-hot glowing horseshoe out of the forge. “How many books have you published?”

“My first one comes out next month, the week after Christmas.” She watched as he pounded and shaped the horseshoe on the anvil. “I have a three-book contract with a New York publisher.”

He set the horseshoe into a metal container and carried the bucket to the horse. Applejack swished his long white tail. “You must be excited.”

“I am.” She lit up with excitement with what was to come, feeling giddy. “I can’t believe it’s finally coming out.”

“Congrats.” He gave her a sexy quirk of his lips before picking up Applejack’s leg and put the horse’s hoof back on the stand.

That little smile caused her belly to swoop. “Thank you.” She put her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands.