Page 55 of Promised to the Cowboy
Evie notices. “You’re good with her,” she says.
Falcon’s gaze remains on the mare. “I’m not doing much.”
“That’s why you’re good with her.”
His eyes lift briefly to Evie. Surprise passes across his face before he gives a small nod. “She doesn’t like anyone coming at her head. And she watches the doors.”
Evie looks toward the wide stable entrance, then back at the mare. “Waiting for an escape route.”
“Looks that way.”
“How long has she been here?”
“Since last night.”
“And you’ve been with her the whole time?”
“Most of it.” Falcon lowers his hand slightly as the mare’s head comes down by an inch.
Evie looks at him more closely then, as though reassessing the quiet veteran I mentioned on the tailgate. “Thank you for staying with her.”
Falcon shrugs. “She needed somebody here.”
The answer is simple. Unshowy.
Exactly the kind of answer that earns Evie’s trust. I see it happen. Not all at once. But enough that Falcon becomes something other than another large, unfamiliar man in a barn.
Evie turns back to the mare. “Does she have a name?”
I shake my head. “Not one she responds to.”
Evie purses her lips thoughtfully. “Okay. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.”
Falcon offers her the lead rope.
Evie shakes her head. “Not yet. You keep it.”
He doesn’t question her. He simply loosens his fingers around the rope another fraction, making sure the mare feels no pressure from either end.
Evie doesn’t reach for her. Doesn’t even look directly at her.
She simply steps closer and stops a few feet away, giving the mare all the space she could want.
“Hey, sweetheart,” she says softly. “You’ve had a rough time, haven’t you?”
Her voice is low and easy, carrying no expectation.
She talks about the weather, about breakfast, about how Maggie will probably insist on feeding her an extra slice of pie at lunch.
Complete nonsense. But it isn’t the words that matter. It’s the patience.
She waits.
Falcon waits too.
The mare watches Evie with wide, uncertain eyes, every muscle held tight.
Long seconds pass. Then one ear flicks toward Evie’s voice.
