Page 21 of When a Cowboy Falls Hard
“I do. I like it a lot.”
“So? What is it?”
He flashed her a grin. “Monty.”
Chapter Seven
Monty almost dropped the towel. “You want to use my name?”
“Yup.”
“I’m honored, sport, but there are so many other great names. How about Levi, or Ranger, or hey, Domino might be great for an Appy. Or Chief, since these horses were bred by the Nez Perce.”
“I like Monty.”
He didn’t know what to say. The kid had caught him flat-footed. He’d love to know how Zinnia felt about this turn of events. He’d been so stunned he hadn’t thought to check her reaction.
He did that now, and she looked unfazed. He didn’t believe that for a minute. She’d clearly had time to compose herself.
“Fred and Ginger are settled in.” Graham appeared in the doorway to the stall. “How’s everything going?”
“Just dandy. Tex has informed us of the name you two picked out.” He studied the guy’s expression and took note of the twinkle in his eyes.
Graham held up both hands, palms out. “It was Tex’s idea. He started asking questions about you, so I gave him a little background, told him about Laughing Creek Ranch and the Bridger Bunch. At the end of that, he announced his decision.”
“It’s a cowboy name.” Tex picked up his stool and disappeared. Then he popped up over the wall from his new perch. “For a cowboy’s horse.”
“What’s this I hear?” Marigold walked into the barn bringing the distinctive aroma of brownies. She came over to stand next to Tex’s stool. “You’ve finally settled on a name for your horse?”
“A great name. Monty. You bringed us brownies?”
“I did. Are you naming your horse after our new friend here?” Her voice quivered as if she might be trying not to laugh.
“Yup.”
“Catchy.”
Evidently nobody was willing to talk the little guy out of his choice. Sounded like it had been a long road to get to this point and the happy smile on Tex’s cherubic face was touching as hell. Time to accept this gracefully and hope the kid changed his mind later.
He sucked in a breath. “I think it’s very cool. I’ve never had anybody named after me. Thanks, Tex.”
“You’re welcome. Want a brownie?”
“Sounds awesome.” He glanced toward Zinnia. “Let’s go eat brownies and give Speckles some room to roam.”
“I’m in.” She placed a kiss on her mare’s nose. “I’ll be close by, pretty girl.”
Picking up his jug, Monty followed her out of the stall.
As he put it down next to his case, Marigold caught his gaze. “Any thoughts on when it will happen?”
“Likely in the next few hours, but I can’t pinpoint it any better than that. At least we got her tail wrapped. Now we wait.”
“Can I pass out brownies?” Tex slid off his stool and reached for the container.
“Only after you wash up, buddy.” Marigold lifted it out of reach.
“That goes for the rest of us, too,” Graham said. “You guys go ahead. I’ll fetch a couple of hay bales so we can sit.”
