Page 37 of Wrangled

We trotted over to the stable. Paul’s eyes widened as we approached. In the paddock, Butch and Zeeb were talking with Declan, and a few feet away, Teague was with another guest. That had to be Garrett.

Butch and Zeeb broke off from their conversation to stare at me, and I gave them my most cheerful smile. “Morning, boys.”

Zeeb grinned. “And a good morning to you too, boss.” Then they resumed talking.

Paul gave me a cautious nod. “Hey boss.” Then he addressed Toby. “So, how was it?”

Toby beamed. “It was great.” He stroked Lightning’s neck. “Great horse too.”

Paul opened his mouth to say something else, but I got in first.

“Whose decision was it to put Mr. Merrow on Lightning?”

All conversation dried up, and the only sounds were the birds chirping in the bushes, and the screech of buzzards circling overhead.

Paul swallowed. “Well, someone suggested it last night… And then Toby asked… And Lightning clearly took to him, so…”

One glance at his startled expression had me regretting my sharp tongue.

I held my hand up. “It’s okay. They’re obviously a good fit. MaybeIwas the one at fault, insisting no one else ride him.”

Judging by the shock on the faces of my ranch hands, anyone would have thought I’d just informed them of the Second Coming.

Toby broke the silence. “Does that mean I can ride him again?”

Paul looked at me for a response.

I nodded. “Sure. And just so we’re clear, you’re okay to go out alone.” The thought of meeting up with him again sent a shiver through me.How long has it been since I even noticed another man?

My mind went back to where I’d found Toby.

“One more thing, Mr. Merrow…”

He arched his eyebrows. “I thought we were past being polite.” His gaze locked on mine. “Call me Toby.”

Those eyes…I was grateful to be sitting on Rusty. If not, I think my knees might have trembled.

I smiled. “Okay, then,Toby—”

“And what do I call you?”

My heartbeat quickened. “Mr. Thorston. And I do have one stipulation, with regards to your solitary rides out. Don’t go any further than the creek where we met.” I wanted to say,And stay away from the cabin, but that would have aroused his interest.

And now that I’d set a boundary, I waited to see if he’d question my decision. When he said nothing, he went up in my estimation. Toby’s maturity only added to my overall impression of him.

There was definitely something about him that made me want to know him better. I watched him ride Lightning toward the fence where he dismounted, and I smiled. A man who treated horses with such regard…

Toby Merrow was improving by the minute.

I rode Rusty toward the mounting blocks, and clambered off him. Paul led him and Lightning toward the stable. Teague was still standing by the fence, talking with Garrett.

“So I guess this means you’re going back to the house now,” Toby stated in a flat voice. He stood with his thumbs tucked into the waistband of his jeans, and whether intentional or not, my gaze was drawn lower. I jerked my head up in a hurry. The guy was perfect. Good on a horse, not too hard on the eyes, sassy enough to grab my attention, considerate…

Before I could respond, Butch strolled towards us. “Hey, San Francisco. I guess you were telling the truth about knowing your way around a horse.”

“I reckon so.”

Butch grinned. “No Gucci shit today? Oops, my bad. I see you’ve decided to slum it in Nordstrom.”