Page 10 of Mountain Refuge

Maybe not, but his touch had sent a bolt of electricity through her she had no business feeling. The man was her boss, nothing more. She gripped the reins. “Now what?”

“Loosen your grip, or you’ll hurt Daisy’s mouth. She only needs gentle guidance.” He took the reins from her. “Hold onto the saddle horn. I’ll lead you in a circle until you get a feel for her movement.” He led the horse at a slow pace.

Dani tried concentrating on the rhythm, but her gaze kept landing on the muscles rippling through his tee-shirt. She was acting like a silly teenager over an accidental touch. If it hadn’t affected him, it shouldn’t mean anything to her.

“How ya doin’?”

“Fine.”

“Good.” He turned and handed her the reins. “Pull right to go right, pull left to go left, pull back to stop, gentle kick to go. All your movements should be gentle. Don’t hurt my old girl.” He stepped back and motioned for her to circle the paddock.

It seemed simple enough. She could do this. Dani gave a soft kick.

The horse moved forward, then stopped at the paddock railing.

“You need to turn her,” Dylan called out.

“Right.” She tugged.

The horse neighed and jerked its head.

“Too harsh. Be gentle.” Dylan moved forward and patted Daisy’s neck. “She won’t respond well to a rough hand. Think of her as a woman, same as you. A gentle touch always works best.”

She started to give a smart-aleck remark about a man knowing what a woman wanted, but then remembered he’d been married. She gave a softer pull on the rein and grinned as Daisy turned. “She did it.”

“Daisy needs very little encouragement.” He leaned against the railing and crossed his arms.

She could feel the heat of his stare as she rode around the paddock. After the fifth time, he said they’d had enough. Shortly after, the cowbell rang across the property, signaling lunchtime.

Dani slid from the saddle. Her legs buckled under her.

“Whoa.” Dylan rushed forward and caught her. “That happens to newbies.”

“Thanks.” She glanced up, her gaze clashing with his.

~

Wide eyes the color of prairie grass peered up at him. His breath hitched. He steadied her and stepped back as if she were a snake ready to strike.

When he’d helped her into the saddle, his hands being more intimate than he’d intended, he’d stifled a laugh. But this…the closeness…stole his breath. He cleared his throat. “You did good. Real good for your first time.”

“Thank you.” She ducked her head and turned as a camper pulled up to the house. “Oh. My mother is here.”

Spotting Colt and Maverick emerging from the woods, he nodded. “I’ll come meet her in a bit.”

“Okay.” She headed to greet her mother while he marched toward his men.

“Anything?” He searched their faces.

“Definitely footprints not belonging to any of us.” Colt showed him a photo on his phone. “Gym shoes, not boots.”

“A lost hiker?”

“Maybe, but we spotted the tracks by the creek in several places.” Colt’s eyes hardened. “It appeared as if this person was following Dani and the boys. Then, he stopped at the edge of the trees, probably looking toward the house, long enough for his prints to be deeper there than in other places.”

“Definitely watching the house, Boss.” Maverick nodded.

Dylan drew a breath sharply through his nose. It appeared as if trouble had followed Dani to the Rocking W. “We’ll need to set up a guard schedule, but don’t make it look like what it is. I don’t want the women or children to worry. Especially with our camp opening soon.”