Free The Bull Rider Meets His Match by Jeannie Watt Page B

gave him a sidelong look. “And just so I don’t read anything into it, why do you ask?”
    â€œShe owns the horse Katie rides. Maybe if Katie had some one-on-one, it would help.”
    Annie gave a considering nod. “It might.” She leaned forward, her hands on her knees. “I’m not sure how I feel about asking Lex for special favors after they did me the favor of hiring me.”
    â€œIt’ll be a favor to me, and I have no problem asking.”
    â€œDo you think she’ll do a favor for you? When you were dating Danielle, I think it’s safe to say that she hated you.”
    â€œShe thought I was going to hurt Danielle. She told me that to my face. A couple of times.”
    â€œYou did hurt Danielle.”
    â€œAnd let me tell you, that hasn’t helped things between me and Lex.”
    â€œYou kissed her.”
    â€œShe kissed me. It was short.” Too short . “Like a peck.”
    â€œThat’s not what I heard.” He frowned at his sister, and she added, “Not one version of the story involved a peck.”
    â€œHow many versions did you hear?” he asked wearily.
    â€œAt least three. You know that cowboys gossip like old ladies.”
    â€œUnfortunately.”
    She looked back up at the stars. “I don’t have a clue as to what’s going on between you two.”
    â€œDon’t try,” Grady advised. “And as to favors, I’d be doing the tutoring, but I want to use the horse Katie rides in class, and that’s where Lex comes in.”
    â€œI do not want my daughter in the middle of cross fire between you two.”
    â€œNo cross fire.” He glanced down at his hands, clasped loosely between his knees. “I think it’s important to see if we can address this fear of Katie’s, but you’re her mom.”
    â€œI don’t want her to grow up nervous about horses. She’s already afraid of big dogs.”
    â€œSo I can ask Lex?”
    She studied him as she used to when he was trying to put one over on her when they were kids. Finally she said, “If you think it will help.”

Chapter Six
    â€œYou have to go already?” Danielle’s great-grandmother asked as Lex gathered her purse and jacket. They’d had quite the summit today, during which the proper shade of pink was agreed upon.
    â€œVet appointment,” Lex said, hating to leave Danielle with no backup as the Perry women went over catalogs and fabric samples from various bridal houses. There was definitely a wide range of tastes in the Perry family, and poor Danielle spent as much time protecting feelings as she did trying to choose proper dresses. Originally she’d wanted the bridesmaids to choose their own dresses in any shade of pink they wanted. Her grandmother about fell over, having come from the everything-matching era, and after Great-granny had shown up at the store with the paint chips, they compromised on allowing the five bridesmaids to choose their own styles of dress in the exact same color. Then the fight was on for length. Mom wanted formal length. Danielle wanted tea length. Great-granny, surprisingly, agreed with Danielle, and Grandma was undecided. Lex knew she’d never wear her dress again, so she was all for whatever made Danielle happy and cast her vote for tea length before announcing that she had to go.
    â€œNothing serious, I hope.” Danielle’s mother looked up from where she was laying out ever more samples.
    â€œJust routine teeth floating. I scheduled before I knew we were meeting,” Lex said.
    â€œYou’ve cleared your calendar for the Bozeman trip, right?” All three older Perry women waited for Lex to answer Great-granny’s question.
    Lex smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it.” Who wouldn’t want to travel with three opinionated women to visit several bridal boutiques?
    â€œI’ll see you at work,” Danielle said as she walked