Page 9 of When a Cowboy Falls Hard
“Her son is a problem for you?”
“Not a problem, exactly.” He traced the rim of his mug with one finger before glancing up again. “I’m just not ready for….” Potential scenarios swirled in his head. “So much could go wrong.”
“Zinnia probably feels the same. I did when I was a single mom.”
“But Dad changed your mind?”
“Ha. He was as scared as I was. We each had three kids to raise. Neither of us wanted a relationship.”
“Then how did he end up at that mixer where you guys met?”
“He only went because Tia Kat and his mother begged him to take them so they could have a night of dancing.”
“Why were you there?”
“My friend Beth convinced me that we’d just have a fun evening. I missed dancing so much that I agreed but I backed out at the last minute. She guilted me into it by saying I’d promised.”
“Obviously I’m glad you both went. I’ll bet Greta and Rio are really glad. They wouldn’t exist if you hadn’t met that night.”
“As my mother used to say, estaba escrito, it was written.”
“If this is written between me and Zinnia, it’s clearly meant as a joke.”
“You were kind of funny, mijo. When you gasped, I almost lost it. I’ve never seen you react that way to a woman.”
“I never have. I wish I’d been better prepared.”
“Better prepared or better protected?”
“Maybe both.”
She laid a hand on his arm. “I get it. When I danced with your father I felt completely out of control. That’s not me.”
“Not me, either.” He grimaced. “I probably shouldn’t have agreed to help with her mare.”
“There’s no way you would’ve said no. Speckles is in a strange place and she has to get through her first foaling with an unfamiliar vet. You’re the perfect person for that situation.”
“That’s what I’ll concentrate on. Thanks for reminding me of my priorities. The animals come first. They’re the most vulnerable.”
“Are you going to let Zinnia pay you?”
“No.”
“If you want to create some distance, maybe you should let her pay. Doing it as a favor will put her in your debt.”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that.”
“We’re paying her and Graham to shoe the horses. Graham likes us, but he’s never offered to do it for free.”
“True.”
“If you charge her for taking care of Speckles, you’re keeping the relationship on a professional basis instead of a personal one.”
He gazed at her. “You’re one smart lady, mamacita.”
“Yes, I am.”
“I should get going.” He drained the last of his coffee. “Luis asked me to check out the mustang he just brought in for training.” Pushing back his chair, he stood. “Thanks for helping me get my head on straight.”
