Cowboy Seeks a Horse Whisperer by Marley Michaels
Jesse
I'm quick to shift the bale of hay out of the way so I can grab Kendra’s hands and help her to her feet. It all happens within seconds, and I react without thinking, also not thinking when my arm wraps around her middle and I hold her tight to my side once she's upright. “You OK?” I ask, brushing her wayward curls away from her eyes and picking a piece of straw out of her hair.
Her brown eyes stare up at mine, surprised and unblinking as she nods quickly, a bright pink blooming in her cheeks. “I... I'm fine. I think. Buster, on the other hand...” Her expression morphs from wonder to worry as she turns to the stable where Buster is still stomping and scraping at the wooden floor, groaning and huffing out his breath. Seems all that hard-won ground we gained is flying out the window. But that single, unexpected moment has also made me realize two things. That the woman in my arms has very quickly become important to me, and that this Mountain Call thing Gandalf was spouting on about at the wedding might actually be real. I can feel the blood pumping beneath my skin, and every time I touch her it's like my nerve endings are screaming for more.
It's exactly how Miller described it when I spoke to him last week. I didn’t go into great detail because I’m not quite ready for that conversation yet, but I needed to know what he felt when it hit him, and what his brothers had described when they felt it too. And all of these symptoms I’ve been feeling whenever I’m around Kendra match up with everything Miller and his Homestead brothers felt when the Call came their way. I can’t keep thinking this might go away when it’s right here staring me in the face. And knowing that has me as spooked as Buster right now, so the horse and I can relate on that level at least.
Tearing myself away from Kendra’s beautiful face, I release her and move toward the stall, trying to quiet the crazy that’s thrumming inside my ribcage with a deep and steady breath. “You're OK, boy,” I coo, keeping my voice real low and gentle while holding out a hand so he can see I mean him no harm. “You’re OK. No one’s here to hurt you.”
His wide eyes move from side to side, watching me warily while he looks for some way to escape. Years working with horses tells me he feels afraid and trapped, and I know this boy wants to run as far and as fast as he can. And as much as I’d love to let him out into the corral so he can have a good run, he doesn’t have enough meat on his bones for that just yet. So he needs to stay right here where we can watch over him and get him healthy again. And I tell him as much. Talking to my animals is something I’ve always done. I think it’s something all cowboys do because not only do they listen without judgment, it also seems to solidify your bond and help the animal to understand that you’re in this together. Every relationship is built on trust, and this is no different. Buster’s trust is just a little tenuous right now, but I know that with Kendra on our side, he’ll be living his best horsey life in no time.
“Here.” Ellie-Mae presses a carrot into my palm. “Try this. They’re my horse, Mama Bear’s favorite.” She directs that last part at Kendra, who nods.
“Good idea,” Kendra whispers. “He’s very food-driven.”
“Him and me both,” Ellie replies with a slight laugh. Their exchange makes me smile, and something about their soft laughter helps Buster too. His snorts soften to sighs and he steps forward a little, his head going up and down as he moves back and forth like he wants to believe us, but he’s afraid.
“Good, boy,” I say, showing him the carrot. “You want some?”
He zeros in on the carrot, moving his mouth like he’s licking and chewing, telling me he’s contemplating it. But his trust in people is so shot that it’s like he just can’t bring himself to come near me again after getting a fright.
“It’s OK. I’ve got all day, buddy,” I say, keeping the carrot outstretched to him. “I can just wait here until you’re ready to come eat. I mean, my arm’ll get real sore. But I’m willin’ if you are. How’s that work for ya?”
He blows out some air and lifts his front leg like he’s going to step closer.
No one speaks behind me, but I can feel them willing him mentally to come back to us, and after a solid ten minutes of just standing there and talking him down, Buster finally takes that step that allows him to stretch out and take the carrot from me. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so wide in all my life. “Well done, Buster,” I say, trying not to hoot and holler in my excitement. “See. We’re buds, right? Working together.”
He responds with a sigh, and I take that to mean he agrees. Then we give him a moment of peace, heading out of the barn for some fresh air.
“Wow!” Kendra grasps my arm and beams up at me. “That was amazing, Jesse. I mean, you almost don’t need a horse whisperer when you can calm him like that.” She releases me and spins on the heel of her boot, twirling happily and making me laugh in the process. She’s so fucking beautiful.
“Calmin’ a hot horse is just par for the course, doc. I do it automatically. But don’t think for a second I’m lettin’ you go. I need you, doc. You can’t leave me now.”
“You need me?” she asks, making me wince internally and kick myself for coming on too strong and sounding like I’m planning to trap her in a dungeon somewhere. If I keep talking like a psycho, I’m gonna scare her away before I even figure out what this all is.
“Well, we need you.” I clear my throat and look to Ellie-Mae for help. She’s smirking, like she thoroughly enjoys watching me flounder. I glare at her, and she quickly drops the smirk and steps into sister mode.
“Yeah. All of us need you here, Kendra,” Ellie adds with a nod. “Especially Buster.”
“I see,” Kendra says, and I can’t tell if she’s disappointed or relieved. I kinda hope it’s disappointment, for my own ego at least. “I mean, I get it. I’m here for the horse.” And for me… I wanna say, but I don’t. I have to take this nice and slow.
“And you’re really helpin’ me out here. I’ve never had to heal trauma in a horse before”—not to mention I’ve never experienced this Mountain Call thing either—“and since you’re a vet and a certified horse whisperer, it means you're the whole package in this situation. I’d rather have an expert and do it right.”
“The whole package,” Ellie-Mae adds unhelpfully. I shoot her an exasperated look because she’s making this awkward. Actually, I’m making this awkward. I don’t know if I’m trying to hold Kendra at arm’s length until I understand how the Call works, or if I’m trying to tug her into my arms and keep her like I’m some caveman without the ability to deny my basal instincts.
Needless to say, I’m confused as fuck.
Barely a week ago, I was the same guy I’ve been for the last forty-two years, working on the ranch with my brothers and having a great time while doing it. I’m a man who’s filled with confidence and knows exactly what I’m doing and why without ever second-guessing myself. But with Kendra, I barely even feel like I know how to be a cowboy, and that’s the only thing I’ve ever been. Yet in the space of a few days she’s turned my world upside down and topsy-turvy and I can’t seem to work out which way is up. I’m always a moment away from saying or doing something dumb. I need a map or something. Or a compass that isn’t my dick because I know what it wants.
“OK. Well, I should probably get back in there to work with Buster again then,” Kendra says finally, jerking her thumb back toward the barn. “I'm guessing you have somewhere you should be, Jesse?”
“Ahh,” I start, looking to Ellie-Mae for yet another save. I can’t fucking remember what the work schedule is.
She lets out a sigh. “He’s supposed to be workin’ with Miller and Beau in the side paddock taggin’ calves. You know they drop daily once the summer starts, Jesse Barnes. Spendin’ all your time here playin’ with your new horse ain’t helpin’ the ranch run now, is it? If you hurry, I doubt they’ve left yet. I’ll keep Kendra here company while you work. Don’t you mind us girls.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say, silently thanking her with my eyes. She responds in kind, then I turn to Kendra. “I’ll come back and see you when I’m done, if that’s all right?”
She presses her lips together and nods. “If Buster can spare me.”
“OK,” I say with a smile, tilting my hat before I step back and head toward the calving shed where I'm sure I’ll find Beau and Miller getting the Gator ready to take out. Ellie-Mae was right in saying I was supposed to be helping them. However, they’re only half expecting me since they knew Buster was having a hard time last night, and he’s my priority right now. But it seems this Mountain Call is becoming an even bigger priority faster than I’d expected. Knowing the way I’m feeling is exactly how Miller described the Call means I have a hell of a lot of questions that need answering. Like, what do I do now? And what happens if it turns out she doesn’t like me back? Most of all, will I ever be able to speak to her without this growling, overwhelming need where all I want to do is drag her into my bed and keep her there? I’ve spent all week hoping that part of it would calm down, but every time I’m even close to her, my dick is like, hello! and I have no control over it. I’m beyond freaked out here—and I never get rattled, so that’s saying something. Maybe a day of working while picking Miller’s brain will hopefully set me on the right path. Because while I don’t understand what’s happening or even why it happens the way it does, I do know something for sure—I can’t ignore this anymore, and I really don’t want to fuck this up…whatever it is.