Winning the Cowboy's Heart

“We’re not going to talk about you,” Regan assured her with a half smile.

Kylie couldn’t quite erase the “yeah, sure” look from her face.

Regan stepped out into the hall, pulling the door shut behind her, and met Will at the glass entryway a few feet from her room.

“Are you trying to keep me from buying a horse?” she asked without bothering to say hello.

Will tilted his black hat back, allowing her to see his eyes without the shadow of the brim. And they were nice eyes—not Kylie’s deep brown, but blue-gray.

“That would be rather presumptuous of me.”

Regan let out a snort. “Yes. I agree.”

“Been talking to Kylie?”

“Yes.”

Will’s gaze shifted to the door of the room behind her. He paused before he brought his attention back to Regan.

“I am not trying to keep you from buying a horse. I am trying to keep you from making a mistake.”

Incredible. “And who are you to decide whether or not I’m making a mistake?”

“I know the horses in this community. But more than that, I know the people selling them.” His expression was impassive. “I know a mistake when I see one.”

Regan narrowed her eyes. “And just why do you know so much?”

“Because I’m a deputy brand inspector. If it has four legs and eats hay, I’m probably involved in the sale.” His eyes went back to the door. “Do you think I could have my daughter?”

Regan didn’t budge. “Why was Broomtail a mistake?”

“She’s a very unpleasant mare most of the time.”

“Most of the time? But she seemed…” Regan’s voice trailed off as several aspects of her experience with Broomtail began to make more sense—the mare’s lethargic attitude, followed by a display of impatience. Charley glancing anxiously at his watch.…

Will saw that she’d caught his meaning.

“He gives her enough tranquilizer to make her less cranky and more salable. We had a chat the other night. I don’t think he’ll be doing it again in the near future.” He gestured to the classroom. “My daughter?”

Regan moved to her door and pulled it open, her mind still working over the Broom-tail issue. Kylie stumbled out a bit too fast, but the brand inspector didn’t seem surprised by his daughter’s sudden appearance.

“Let’s go,” he said. He met Regan’s eyes for a brief moment as he pushed the glass door open. Kylie slipped out under his hand and Will followed, letting the door swing shut behind him.

Regan gave her head a slow shake. It sounded as if Kylie was right. Her dad had rescued her.

“WERE YOU EAVESDROPPING on us?” Will asked as he put the truck in gear.

“I couldn’t hear through the door.

“I’ll take that to be a yes.”

“Dad,” Kylie said seriously. “I like to know what’s going on, if it concerns me.”

“It didn’t concern you.”

“Yeah. I figured.”

“How?”

“You guys didn’t even look at me when I went by.”

Will told her to knock off the eavesdropping, but he was impressed. His kid was observant, which was why she was good with horses. She could read cues. It was a valuable skill, one she seemed to be more talented at applying to people than he was. A bit of her mother coming through there.

“Something wrong, Dad?”

Will shook his head, keeping his eyes on the road.

“What are we eating tonight?”

He gave the standard answer. “Beef…”

“It’s what’s for dinner.” They spoke in unison, mimicking an old ad slogan from the Beef Council.

One of these days she’d probably grow tired of the games and routines they’d started when she was younger, but he still had a few years left. He hoped. Kids seem to grow up so fast.

“Anything else?”

“No,” he said facetiously. “Just beef.”

“Good. I was tired of vegetables, anyway.”

“How was school?”

“You didn’t hear from anyone, did you?” It would have been funny, if she hadn’t been serious.

“No.”

“Then it was fine.”

“Kylie.”

She grinned. “Gotcha.”

He rolled his eyes, wondering if he was ready for the approaching teenage years. Somehow he didn’t think so. He was still debating how to handle certain matters that would have to be cropping up soon. He wasn’t squeamish about girls’ growth issues, just uninformed. Okay, maybe he was a little squeamish. He was hoping he could get Beth Grant, Kylie’s best friend’s mom, to help with that part of Kylie’s upbringing. It wasn’t exactly fair, but neither was growing up without a mother. Father and daughter both had to do the best they could.

He pulled to a stop in front of the house and reached over the back of the seat for the bag of groceries.

“I see carrots.”