Cowboy Seeks a Horse Whisperer by Marley Michaels
Jesse
“You do remember we’ve got a ranch to run, right?” Beau says from beside me in the parked truck. “Chores to do. Cattle needin’ shiftin’ and all that.”
“I’m well aware,” I say, my hands on the steering wheel, gripping it like it's the edge of a life raft and I might drown without it.
“OK. So, just get in there and ask her.”
We're parked outside Kendra’s veterinary clinic, and all I've managed to do so far is stare in through the window like a creeper, watching Kendra talk to the receptionist, a girl called Molly whose family has been visited upon with tragedy in recent years. Last I heard, the poor girl is working two jobs just to keep her siblings fed. She’s proud and doesn’t accept much help from the community, but her struggle doesn't stop her from living life to the fullest though. It’s admirable, and her strength and courage have been an inspiration to many.
“You know, maybe I don’t need a wingman. Maybe I should just wait until she's back at the ranch next week. I can ask her while we're tendin’ to Buster.”
“And chicken out like you did this for the entirety of last week even though I stood by to support you like you asked me to?” Beau huffs out a laugh. “I don't think so. You’ve wasted enough time here. We’re askin’ today, and this time, I’m holdin’ your wussy hand, ya big baby.”
“Fuck off. I asked you to be my wingman. Not to insult me,” I grunt before scowling. “And I’m not a baby.”
“Then quit actin’ like one and get your ass in there. She’s s’posed to be your soulmate. She’s gonna say yes, ya baby.”
“Quit it.” Releasing a huff, I pull at the door handle and push my way out of the truck, slamming the door while Beau gets out with an amused smirk on his lips. “Don’t say it again,” I say as I walk past him. But he can’t help himself.
“Baby.”
I glower at him over my shoulder and head straight for the clinic’s front door before my indignation disappears and my nerves flare again. Beau’s right, I had more than enough time to invite Kendra to the Lion's Lair each time she came to check on Buster this week. But I couldn't manage to get the words out. Every time I got her attention, those big brown eyes of hers swung my way and rendered me mute, leaving me stuck there simply marveling at her beauty and her skill, unable to say much more than a few syllables at a time. Since Beau’s been witness to each failed attempt, his tales of seeing me squirm and hesitate around a woman when I’ve always been the bold one has been an unending source of amusement to my brothers. I kinda feel like kicking my own ass over it, cause if it was any of them acting like a gormless wonder around a girl they like, I’d be giving them as much shit as Beau just gave me and then some.
Then again, there’s a hell of a lot riding on me getting things right with Kendra. And since I’ve never been any good at relationships, the pressure to woo and win her over, as well as figuring out how to build a life with another human being, is weighing on my mind more than I anticipated.
It's not that I never wanted to meet someone and settle down someday, it’s just that I've never had the inclination to seek it out. Now I know that it’s because my One hadn't made it to the mountain yet. After forty-two years on my own, I’d resigned myself to being alone, the ranch destined to be my lifelong partner. But now, knowing about the Call and meeting Kendra, all of a sudden, I don't want to fuck around or be alone anymore. That in itself is a mind-blowing, head-spinning proposition.
Reaching the front of the clinic, I reach out and open the door, the bell above it jingling as I push through. Beau jogs a few steps behind me, hooking his fingers in mine like the cheeky bastard he is.
“Fuck off,” I hiss under my breath, flicking his hand away as he chuckles to himself. He may be the quietest one out of all of us in a group, but one-on-one, he’s a shit-stirrer extraordinaire.
“Jesse,” Kendra states as soon as I step inside, turning around from where she was conversing with Molly and flashing me one of her jaw-dropping smiles. “I didn’t think I was seeing you today.” I stop walking and open my mouth. Except nothing comes out.
“We were helpin’ out at the supply store for a pinch and thought we’d stop by,” Beau says to thankfully fill the silence. “Who’s your friend?” Beau’s eyes move toward the tiny Molly whose fingers twirl the end of her braids as she looks at him with interest in her hazel eyes.
“Oh, this is Molly. She’s our weekday receptionist. Molly, this is Beau, one of Jesse's brothers. He works up on Eagle Mountain Ranch too.”
“Nice to meet ya,” Molly says, grinning wide and reaching a hand out over the counter to shake Beau’s. “I think I’ve seen you with your brothers at the Lion’s Lair a few times. You boys are mighty fine line dancers.”
Beau laughs and drops his gaze, a touch of heat creeping up his neck that doesn’t go unnoticed by Kendra or myself. We exchange a knowing glance.
“We do OK,” he says.
“Is everything OK with Buster?” Kendra asks as soon as we lock eyes. I barely hear her words over the thumping of my heart, but somehow manage to nod and answer.
“He’s fine. Great, even.”
“Oh, so you’re here about the calf then? Isn’t the mother bonding with her?”
“No.” I laugh and shake my head. “They’re doing great too. Back with the main herd, actually. We stopped in for an entirely different reas—”
“You should come dancin’ with us next Friday,” Beau says over the top of me, completely stealing the air from my sails and asking the wrong girl.
“That would be awesome!” Molly says, her eyes lit up. “Kendra, you need to come too. I don’t think you’ve had a single night out since you got to Eagle Mountain.”
“Dancing?” Kendra glances at Molly and then back to me. “Um, OK. If that’s OK with you, of course.” She directs that last part to me, and I can’t help but grin.
“It’s actually what I was hopin’ to ask you before my usually quiet and reserved brother jumped in and did it for me.”
“Just say thank you,” Beau says with a wink. I roll my eyes but laugh.
A massive grin spreads across Kendra’s face as she watches the exchange. “You came here just to invite me out next week?”
My hand floats up and rubs the back of my neck sheepishly. “Well, yeah. I know I’ll see you plenty before then...and it’s nothin’ fancy...just a few drinks and some dancin’ with my brother in tow. But I thought since Buster is settlin’ and after all your hard work...I wanted to thank you…my treat.”
Her teeth press into her bottom lip like she’s trying to control her smile and she nods. “I’d love to come dancing with you, Jesse Barnes.”
“OK.” My chest swells like I’m a little kid getting a little league trophy just for showing up. “Well, I’ll see you Monday. But I’ll pick you up at eight next Friday, OK?”
Her grin widens. “I’ll be ready and waiting.”
“And so will I,” Molly adds, leaning across the counter and beaming with an expression that’s bigger than all of ours put together. Seems she’s suddenly real sweet on my boy, Beau, and from the way he’s looking at her, the feeling is mutual.
I bite back a laugh before making a move to leave, just as my old high school English teacher Mrs. Murphy walks in with a gorgeous malamute on a lead next to her. “I’ll let you get back to work. See you at the ranch, doc.” Kendra nods as she turns her grin to her patient. “Nice to see you again, Mrs. Murphy,” I say as Beau and I make our way back outside, this time I’m walking a bit taller. In fact, I’m damn near walking on air, I'm so happy.
“Smooth, bro. But that wasn’t so hard, was it?” he says once we’re on our own.
“Not at all since you did the askin’ for me. I said wingman, not takeover man.”
He shrugs and holds his hands out. “You were bumbling like an idiot, and you got yourself a date, and I got myself a dance partner. It's a win-win.”
“Definitely didn’t miss that,” I say as we reach the truck and hop inside. “Very uncharacteristic of you too. Sure you didn’t get some of the thump, thump electric zap action when you shook Molly’s hand?”
Beau scrunches his face up. “A thump-thump what now?”
“Nothin’,” I say, laughing to myself as I start up the truck and put it into reverse. “It’s just good to see you comin’ out of your shell a bit, that’s all.”
He grins. “Maybe I picked up the confidence you lost, Mr. I..uh...just...kinda...think you’re real pretty,” he teases, earning a punch in the arm. “Ow.” He rubs it and laughs.
“Still feelin’ confident?” I ask, shifting gears to pull out of the parking lot and onto the main road.
“Sure am.”
“Well, if it’s mine you got, I think I’d like it back now. After all, I just got a girl to go out with me and I didn’t even have to ask.”
Beau laughs. “If that’s how you need to spin it, brother, I’m all for it. Point is, we both have dates next Friday night. It’s gonna be a good week.”
“That it is, brother,” I say, steering us back toward the ranch. “Good things are definitely comin’ our way.”