“Shadow, you make me look like I don’t have any willpower. But I do. I’m strong. Unbendable. Resolute.”
Still chewing he pushed his nose against her neck, and she rubbed his muzzle.
With a few more pats on his side, she picked up her bucket, backed out of the stall and locked the gate. A deep “Howdy,” sounded behind her, and she jumped, a squeal escaping her lips. Swirling around, she swatted at the offender, who happened to be Cord.
“Good gravy! You scared me to death.”
He flinched but sported an unrepentant grin. “Sorry.”
Her hand covered her racing heart, an anomaly related more to his magnetic presence than the sudden surprise. How long had he been standing there? Had he heard her conversation with Shadow? She mustered her sternest frown, the effect most likely diminished by the stray hair that fell across her face. As she blew it out of the way, she scolded him. “You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that. What are you doing here, anyway?”
“I was looking for Gabe.”
“He’s probably still snoozing in his bunk. When I volunteered for the early morning shift for the summer, Gabe and Holden agreed, before I could change my mind.” She carried her empty bucket to the oat bin, trying to avoid direct contact with those deadly eyes. His heavy boot steps told her he was right behind her.
“But aren’t you leading both trail rides and the guest informational sessions? That’s a lot of work.”
“I’ve got to earn my keep.” She dared a glance at him. Big mistake. He sported a blue t-shirt that not only brought out the sapphire of his eyes, but also emphasized his broad shoulders. Her heart kicked into a higher gear.
He leaned his shoulder against the wall. “I’m surprised you’re up so early, since you’re a city girl now.”
“A man who spent the last nine years in New York shouldn’t be criticizing me about living in the city.” She shot a glance over her shoulder, in time to see him wince, and regretted her hasty retort.
“A big city has a lot to offer,” he mumbled.
She shouldn’t make him feel bad about wanting to escape their small country town. She’d felt the same way until a few months ago.
“I’ve enjoyed Dallas since I transferred to UNT from Tarleton.” She forced a positive note in her voice. “There’s always something exciting going on.” She left off the part where dating Parker Brown had made her long to be back home with plain old country folks. After all, just because Parker’s family and friends were snobby socialites didn’t mean there weren’t nice people living in cities. To be honest, she liked everyone well enough until Parker gave her the boot and skinned her pride.
“I guess you’re glad you aren’t still living in Sage Valley, like some of our friends from high school.”
His comment gave her a sense of déjà vu. Where had she heard that before? Nick! Her sneaky big brother was using Cord to get to her. To convince her she belonged in the city.
Well, it isn’t going to work. Nick needs to mind his own business.
“I’m glad I went off to college, but I don’t have anything against Sage Valley.” She stuck a defiant chin in the air, daring Cord to contradict her. “And you can tell Nick to butt out of my life.”
His guilty grimace confirmed her suspicions. “He’s just worried about you.”
“He treats me like I’m ten, instead of twenty-two. He can’t control where I live or who I date.”
“I agree. I’ll tell him so.” Cord accented his words with a sharp nod. “I’ll say, ‘Stay out of Jessica’s life. Whether you like it or not, she’s dating…’ Who did you say you were dating?”
Jess rotated her gaze up to the heavens. “Nice try. But I’m not telling.”
“You wouldn’t be interested in a guy like McCaffrey, would you? I mean, don’t you want to date someone who’s been to college, like you?”
She ought to tell him she wasn’t dating anyone until she graduated. It would put him out of his misery. But where’s the fun in that?
Her theater teacher would’ve been proud of her reaction. She lifted her shoulders high and let them fall, twisting her mouth to the side, as if she were contemplating the pros and cons of dating McCaffrey. “You don’t have to go to college to be smart. And Mason has other assets, if you know what I mean.” She gave Cord a sassy wink, designed to make smoke come out of his ears, and she was pretty sure she succeeded.
“He may be the top bull rider around here,” Cord said, with a sullen expression. “But you can never trust a guy like that. Bull riders have girls hanging all over them.”
“Is that why you signed up for the bull riding event?”
Even with the speckled sunlight mottling his face, she saw red race up his neck to the tips of his ears.
“No,” he muttered.