Dakota pushed open the door and a whoosh of cool air enveloped her. She stood in the foyer, allowing the door to close behind her. The house wasn’t as large or extravagant as the ranch house on the Terry Hill property, but it was still gorgeous. The rustic tones made it feel homey and safe. To her right was a large entertaining room with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams. Ceiling-to-floor windows at the far end let in the evening sunset. Her breath caught in her throat.
Her uncle and aunt’s place might be large and impressive, but it didn’t have the view Hickory Hollow had. She weaved around a console table and between the couches. Gazing out the large windows, she marveled at the fire in the sky. A grey-blue melted into red-orange and finally the brilliant yellow near the horizon.
Dakota rubbed her arms. If every night was like this, she wouldn’t mind staying on a ranch. She loved working with animals but working out in the middle of nowhere didn’t interest her.
A slow whistle behind her caused her to jump. Brady came to stand beside her, placing his arm around her shoulders. “Sure is pretty, isn’t it?”
Dakota rolled her eyes and shrugged out of his reach. “I’m here to have Cobalt looked at, Brady. I’m not interested in anything more.”
He raised his eyebrows, folded his arms, and smiled at her. “Are you sure about that? I can be pretty convincing.”
She gave him a disgusted look. “I’ve heard.”
Brady laughed. “Really? Who’s spilling my secrets?”
Dakota folded her arms and focused on the darkening sky. He was cute, and a charmer, but she wouldn’t be one of his conquests. “It’s no secret. Just don’t think that you can lump me in with all the girls you’ve chased. I’m not available.” She peeked at him out of the corner of her eye. “We probably should get to bed. If you can see Cobalt early in the morning, then I can get out of here.”
Brady continued to study her. “Sorry, that won’t be possible.”
Dakota dropped her arms and faced him. “What? You said you could look at him tomorrow. Why am I even staying here if you won’t give him a checkup?”
He held up his hands. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t see him, I said I can’t do it early in the morning. Everyone is heading out tomorrow morning for an event over at Whiteshoe Ranch. I’ll be helping them out so they can get out of here on time.”
She fought the urge to get angry. Taking a look at her horse wouldn’t take that long. “Aren’t you the ranch’s vet? It’s not your job to help the others get their work done.”
“Actually, I’m now co-owner of this ranch. If something doesn’t get done, it’s on me too.”
A flicker of admiration lit inside her. He was willing to roll up his sleeves to help his ranch get going for the day; she didn’t know many owners who’d do the same. That is what they hired a crew for.
She nodded. “After they’re done, then.” She turned around and took a few steps, calling over her shoulder, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Heading straight, she heard him holler after her. “On your right.”
Dakota backed up, turned down a hall to her left, and found the stairs. She hurried up the stairs and to the room he’d said was available. Opening the door, she turned to shut it and flipped on the light. It was a modest room with a daybed, dresser, and antique vanity. Sheer drapes framed the large window. Crossing the room, Dakota opened the window, allowing the cooled night air to breeze through. She opened the dresser drawers and found a handful of clothing items.
Holding up a t-shirt and some yoga pants to her body, she was pleasantly surprised to find they were close to her size, maybe only a little on the loose side. She peeled off her own clothing and changed. Things could be worse—she could have been back on the road, having to make the trip again tomorrow.
After she pulled the comforter aside, she climbed in under the crisp, cool sheets. It was just going to be one night. She could hang out at Hickory Hollow for one night.
Chapter Three
Brady plucked the rag from his back pocket and wiped the sweat from his brow. His crew had left a couple hours ago, but he hadn’t had a spare minute. Morning chores took longer than expected. Then he got a call to the ranch a few miles away. A poor calf got his head stuck in some fencing and was thrashing too much for the owner to get him out.
Then it was lunch followed by a slew of last-minute appointments for ranchers who drove in before the storm was going to hit. Brady exited the stable and came face to face with the furious visitor.
She glared at him, her hands on her hips, feet apart, and charcoal eyes that shot fire. “I have been looking for you all day. Every time I see you, you’re running off somewhere else. You need to see Cobalt so I can get him loaded up and out of here.” She pointed to the sky. “Look, that storm is coming in hot and I don’t want to be out driving in it.”
Brady chuckled. “That storm is hours away. You’ll be fine.” As if in direct contradiction, the grey clouds above them rumbled and a flicker of light flashed a few miles off.
“See? I’d bet my left foot it starts to rain in the next thirty minutes. And if I’m right, there’s no way my truck and trailer will make it back to Terry Hill without incident.”
“Fine, let’s go check on Cobalt,” Brady sighed.
Dakota pushed past him and entered the stable. “He’s in here.”
Brady spun on his heel and followed her inside. “What is Arthur so worried about again?”
She opened her mouth but he cut her off.
“Oh yeah. He’s not worried, he just wants a real vet to verify Cobalt is ready to compete.”
“I am a real vet,” she seethed. “I do everything you do, but I prefer less invasive care.”
Brady winked at her. “Whatever makes you feel better.”
She growled and flung open the stall door, motioning him inside. “For the life of me, I don’t know why he values your opinion so much. You’re not any better than the rest of us.”
Brady cocked a brow at her. “He values my opinion because I am the best. I graduated at the top of my class with the highest marks. I have a knack for these things.” He knelt down and put pressure on Cobalt’s legs, watching for any reaction from the beast. Lifting each leg up and putting it down a few times, he was pleased Cobalt didn’t favor any limb. Even while rotating the horse’s hip, he didn’t react. While inspecting Cobalt’s neck, he glanced at Dakota.
“Remind me when he was injured.”
Dakota smirked. “Five weeks ago.”
Brady raised his brows and returned his attention to Cobalt. “Didn’t he experience a moderate strain in his last event? That should take at least eight weeks to heal.”
“I know.”
He stood back and examined Cobalt. “Well, I can’t finish my exam without having him turn a loop in the corral. Let’s get him saddled and you can take him around.”
Brady left the stall to grab a saddle and returned in time to see Dakota fixing Cobalt with reins. He heaved the saddle onto the horse’s back and they led him out of the stall, down to the other end of the stable. Just as they were about to leave their cover, sheets of rain fell from the sky. The once grey-blue sky was now covered in dark grey clouds. The flickers of lightning had turned into larger flashes.