Free To Tempt a Cowgirl by Jeannie Watt Page A

clientele.”
    Gabe looked over at Paul. “Tell you what—give me a day to think about it. I have another horse to look at later today, then I’ll call and let you know.”
    Paul pushed off from the fence where he was leaning. “All right. I’ll hold her until tomorrow for you. After that...” He shrugged.
    “I understand. Thanks.” Gabe started for his car and Marti fell in step. “My offer stands even if you don’t buy Molly. I have a few open slots in my schedule and I’d be happy to work with both you and your new horse.”
    Gabe stopped at the car. “I appreciate the offer. Thank you.”
    “Anytime.” She patted the top of his car, then stepped back as he got inside. Gabe drove away thinking it was too bad he couldn’t take her up on her offer. He had a feeling that Marti could teach a guy a lot.
    * * *
    “ I ’M FULL UP .” Dani felt a ridiculous pang of regret as she said the words, but facts were facts. “Eight horses, eight hours in the workday.” She smiled a little. “Not counting all the other things I have to do.”
    “I understand.” Gabe spoke matter-of-factly, but she’d caught the flash of disappointment in his expression. Well, one thing was for certain—if Kyle had indeed stopped by to “check him out,” Gabe didn’t hold a grudge. “I can give you the names of other trainers in the area.”
    “I’d appreciate that.”
    “What kind of horse did you buy?”
    “A dark brown horse.”
    “Breed?”
    “Quarter horse?”
    “Gender?”
    “Female.”
    “What do you know about horses, Gabe?”
    “Not a lot.” He smiled disarmingly. “I want to learn.”
    “Do you ride?”
    “I don’t have a lot of experience, but I have ridden.”
    She studied him askance for a moment. “Do you plan on learning to ride better?”
    “That’s the next step.”
    She couldn’t help smiling. “Do you have a checklist?”
    “A mental one.” He shrugged one shoulder. “I can’t help the checklist. It’s the way I’m wired. And I like horses, but never got a chance to learn to ride well. It’s not easy for a guy my age to get back into it.” He smiled a little. “Since we have a small amount of history, I thought of you.”
    Something about the way he said the last words made Dani very aware of, well, him. His effect on her, which wasn’t the effect she was looking for right now. “If I had one less horse...”
    “Again, Dani. Not a problem.”
    “Do you want me to get you those names?”
    “I already have one. Marti? She offered to train the horse and give me lessons at the same time.”
    “You’ve met?”
    “At the place I bought the mare.”
    Dani forced a smile, said nothing. Gabe smiled back and she realized he was truly disappointed. It was all she could do not to say, “Sure. Another horse. Why not?” But she couldn’t. She was too busy.
    It wasn’t until he’d driven away and the rooster tail of dust had settled that she admitted the truth to herself. It wasn’t all about being too busy. When you started a new business, you made sacrifices. It was something about Gabe Matthews himself and the gut-level attraction she felt toward him. That and a sense that he was showing one side of himself in order to protect another. A sense that he had trust issues as deep as hers.
    A sense that he was a guy with deep secrets.
    The last thing she needed in her life was a guy with secrets, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she was drawn to him.
    Moth to flame. No good ever came from that.
    * * *
    “ M ARTI’S NOT EVIL . She’d just hard to be around.” Dani took a sip of her coffee, Gina’s treat, since Dani was sharing her break with her after the morning rush at the café.
    “No. She’s evil,” Gina countered.
    “How so?”
    “I was at a meeting last night of the Eagle Valley Days fund-raising committee chairmen—”
    “You’re a chairman?”
    “I’m in charge of the silent auction, thanks to my mom.” She made a face that indicated that she hadn’t