Free The Cowboy's Girl Next Door: A BWWM Cowboy Romance by Monica Castle

scene, eyes moving from Claire’s trim jeans to her well-fitted blue blouse. She had rolled up the sleeves, a sleek gold bangle at her wrist, and her mouth, well; he couldn’t keep his eyes from it, her lips lush and deep burgundy. She had dressed for the occasion, too, and he began to wonder if he shouldn’t have opted for the cologne after all.
     
    “Careful, now,” he called out as he approached the trio. “Lacey’ll have all your secrets spread over town in two shakes of a lamb’s tail if you’re too free with her.”
     
    Jasper laughed, but Lacey rounded back. “Jess Randall Hardy, you know I don’t traffic in gossip!” She turned to Claire. “I just find that the townsfolk appreciate knowing what’s happening out here, since some of us are a bit too isolated from the community.” She gave Jess a withering look, and he felt the need to make amends.
     
    “I know, I know, Lacey. Truth be told, I’m glad I’ve got you as a partner. Left to my own devices, I’d be the town recluse, and no one would know if I was alive or dead.” To Jasper, he asked, “Horatio saddled up?”
     
    “Yep. He’s in the corral behind the stables, ready to go. Put an empty saddlebag on him, too, in case any of those blackberries are ready.” He leaned over to whisper in Jess’s ear “I really need Lacey to make one of those cobblers soon.”
     
    Jess chuckled. “I’ll see what I can do.” He looked over to Claire. “Nice to see you, Ms. Robinson. Welcome to Bar None Ranch.”
     
    Claire’s warm smile did nothing to steady his heartbeat. “My pleasure, Mr. Hardy, and I’m so glad to have finally met your wonderful sister. It’s good to know this ranch is in such capable hands.” She winked at Lacey. “Shall we head out?” She didn’t wait for his answer, swiftly mounting the waiting mare and beginning the walk to the corral.
     
    Jess walked alongside them, enjoying his first close-up. She had a fine seat, and her show training was evident. She was regal, and it was easy to imagine her in full equestrian dress. Born to it , he thought as they approached the corral.
     
    “I hope it’s OK that I’m riding Horatio today,” he said as he unbolted the gate. “I wanted you to get to know him, well, the regular him.”
     
    “It’s fine,” Claire said, and Jess breathed a sigh of relief. “Like you said, it’s only natural. Besides, Thalia is still a few days away from coming into season. I think we’ll be OK.”
     
    She watched as Jess swung up into the saddle, and her breath caught as they walked toward her. She bit at her lower lip. She was here to be friendly, neighborly, even, but not to let her heart start taking her in directions that were unproductive. She nudged Thalia forward, and they started toward the orchards.
     
    As they rode, Jess pointed out various parts of the ranch. Claire was impressed at the stables and training fields and the big arena where they hosted horse shows and auctions for the local community. It was a great deal to take in, and Claire began to see the contradictions inherent in Lacey’s earlier interaction with Jess, the brother so eager to keep his life grounded and at home, the sister seeing the potential for greater outreach to the community. The ranch was successful, that was clear, but they had the opportunity to do so much more.
     
    She ventured a question. “Have you thought about running a summer camp here? For kids from the cities.” She looked around at the rolling hills, a lush verdant landscape. “They never get to see this.”
     
    Jess pulled Horatio to a halt. “Now who’s getting into whose business?” His tone was gentle, but Claire could sense she’d struck a nerve, and she proceeded with caution.
     
    “Sorry. I deserved that. It’s just…well, I know what riding has meant to me. I can’t help but want that for others, if that makes any sense.”
     
    “It does, and I didn’t mean to snap at you.” He sighed as they continued their