Page 38 of A Cowboy to Call Her Own

“I’m afraid I cannot offer any clarity on tack.” Kelley chuckled and dumped a bag of unshelled pistachios into a bowl. “I haven’t ridden in years.” Not since she tumbled off her horse in the parade.

Asher paused mid-sentence and watched Kelley too closely.

But that was old news and not worth discussing now. Besides, food was her focus these days. Kelley quickly opened the cabinet and pulled out a cookie sheet then grinned. “However, I can tell you that once these nuts are toasted and crushed, they will bring the most satisfying crunch to the overnight oats in the morning.”

“Well, big sister, your horse-riding hiatus is finally coming to an end,” Frannie announced and swiped a pistachio from the bowl. She opened the shell and popped the nut into her mouth, then grinned. “Laura-Beth and I want to re-create our Heart of a Horse float for the parade this year.”

Not that one. Did no one but Kelley remember what happened that year? Kelley cracked shells off pistachios in swift succession, dropping nuts onto the stainless-steel cookie sheet one after another. All the while, she worked to keep her expression relaxed, not strained.

“Our heart float represented us the most,” Frannie said, seemingly unbothered by Kelley’s silence. “Our tagline was Three Sisters. One Bond. We each represented the three traits of a champion horse. Spirit, speed and strength.”

Yet, Kelley did not have the strength to keep herself in the saddle when her horse spooked and tossed her to the ground. She lost her nerve to try again. And then her parents divorced not soon after and Kelley had retreated to the kitchen. It was there with her grandpa that Kelley discovered her passion for cooking, which only gave her another solid reason not to get back in the saddle. She hedged, “I think we should discuss this when I get home later.”

“You can’t back out, Kels.” Frannie tossed another pistachio into her mouth and crunched down. “You promised to participate in front of the whole town. I was there. So was Asher.”

Kelley glanced at Asher.

Asher stirred the large round ice cube in his bourbon and considered her. His gaze was thoughtful, his expression contained. Yet, his shoulders looked sturdy enough to back her up. His arms steady enough to hold her until she got over her unease at riding again.

Surely, in Asher’s embrace, she could not be weak. Still, she was stronger now on her own. How could she not be? A cowboy rescue was not what she needed. But Asher, well, she could fall… No. There were too many reasons not to fall for him.

The fact remained she had given her word to be in the parade and would not go back on it now. Strength would not sway Frannie or Laura-Beth. That meant Kelley just needed to outsmart her sisters. Same as she would her heart.You’re off the hook, cowboy. Kelley said, “Let’s just talk later at home.”

“Fine.” Frannie kissed Kelley’s cheek then said, “Now, I’m taking Owen to Whistle Bend Bluff. Can you believe he hasn’t seen the view from the bluff yet?”

“Some people like to stargaze, Frannie, rather than go to an overlook with a view of the racetrack,” Kelley teased.

“You can’t fool me, big sister. I know your secret,” Frannie said playfully.

That her heart was fickle and she feared already falling for a city cowboy? Kelley held her breath.

“I know full well that Whistle Bend Bluff is one of your favorite spots in town.” Frannie laughed and pulled Owen toward the back door then called out, “Don’t think you can fool me.”

The back door slammed shut.

Kelley only really needed to fool her heart. The one that was beating faster given that she was alone with her cowboy.At last.

Asher sipped his bourbon and eyed Kelley over the rim of the cocktail glass. “Is she right about the bluff?”

Kelley got busy shelling more pistachios and admitted, “The overlook has quite a stunning view at sunset. And if you linger awhile, there will be too many stars to count. It is like the sky is lit up with unlimited dreams. All I ever wanted to do was catch one.”

Asher’s gaze softened and he leaned back against the counter. “So, you’re a stargazer, then.”

“More like a firefly chaser,” she said, her words wistful. “My grandpa told me lightning bugs were dream catchers and wish granters.” She tapped the lid on an empty Mason jar and continued, “I would make a fairy garden in one of these and then catch fireflies to put inside.”

“And did your wishes get granted?” he asked, his tone casual, his gaze tender.

“Well, Drew Carson asked me out for my first ever date in the ninth grade,” she said and waggled her eyebrows. “I’d been wishing for that for months. I talked him into going to the bluff.” It had seemed fitting to have her first date and possible first kiss at the overlook where she spent so much time imagining it.

Asher smiled and asked, “Was the date everything you dreamed it would be?”

“It was supposed to have been,” she confessed and wrinkled her nose. “But Drew discovered he was highly allergic to Kentucky bluegrass, and we never made it to the bluff. We ended up turning back halfway on the trail and heading to the store for allergy medicine. It was a tie who apologized more. Him or me for forcing him to go out there.”

“That’s…” Asher’s laughter spilled out. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s funny now.” Kelley’s laugh joined his and she added, “But not so much at the time.”

“Tell me Drew conquered his bluegrass and took you back out there,” Asher said. “For a first date redo.”