Page 4 of When a Cowboy Falls Hard
“Is Speckles an Appaloosa?”
She nodded. “Leopard Appy. She’s a sweetie. I really appreciate this, and to be clear, I’m paying you.”
No, she wasn’t, but he wouldn’t say that now. “Okay, but let’s discuss the details later. The horses heard you drive up and they’re getting antsy. Ready to meet them?”
“Can’t wait.”
“I need to excuse myself from the walk-through today,” his mom said. “Adam and I have something to discuss before he heads into town. Monty, would you come on up when you’re done? We could use your input, too.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, and Graham.” She turned in his direction. “Can you guys stay for lunch? I was planning on it since we always do that, but if you and Zinnia?—”
“Lunch would be fantastic. Theoretically we’ll finish earlier with two of us, but I’ll be giving Zin additional background as we go along. I’m guessing we’ll be done around one or one-thirty.”
“Okay, then. Text me when you’re winding up and I’ll get things started.”
He grinned. “I’ll call you.”
She rolled her eyes. “I keep forgetting you’re stuck in the Stone Age.”
Monty swallowed a laugh. His dad used to tease Graham about this. Evidently his mom had taken up the cause.
“It’s impersonal.”
“Practical.”
“My fingers are too big for those itty-bitty keys.”
“My boys manage it.”
“They’re young. More flexible fingers.”
“Spence managed it.”
“That man could’ve made the sun stand still if he’d put his mind to it. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not Spence. I’ll call you.”
She sighed. “And I could be up to my elbows in something or other and can’t answer.”
“I’ll leave you a message. I don’t need my fingers for that.”
“Eres muy terco, Graham Harrison.”
“That’s what makes me special.”
That earned him a chuckle. “See you and Zinnia for lunch.”
After his mom left, Monty led the way to the barn for the traditional walk-through. Graham liked to start that way, particularly in the spring when he hadn’t seen the horses for almost three months. In the past, Monty’s dad had accompanied him.
Now it was Monty’s job, and this time the extremely tantalizing Zinnia would be making the rounds with them. He prayed that the familiar routine would override his current attack of lust.
“I’ve been so curious about this barn.” Zinnia paused before the open doors. “My uncle told me your sister and brother-in-law have an apartment in the hayloft.” She glanced up at the solid panel that covered what used to be the hayloft doors.
“They sure do. Did Graham tell you about the Beaver Bunch?”
“He did! Those little critters sound awesome. Like something out of Disneyland.”
“Exactly what I thought when I first saw them on New Year’s Day.” Monty latched onto a safe topic. “Cole hits a switch, a platform rotates and out pop three animatronic beavers playing music.”
