Free Reuniting with the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

horses and were both nice-looking men. But Cody drew females like a magnet.
    Including her.
    A day and a half spent with Cody. A beautiful kind of torture.
    * * *
    Half of day two at the petting zoo was behind them. Cody would go back to dropping in on Ally at her clinic, but this undivided time together would soon be over.
    Truth be known, his cattle ranch bored him to tears—just as he suspected it would. But he had to make a living without the rodeo. Thankfully, he’d hired a great foreman and hands to run the place for him. Time with Ally was all that kept him sane.
    He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she helped a little girl hold a rabbit properly while the rest of the kids stood in a circle around her. So patient, so gentle with the children and the animals. Her smile went all the way to her eyes. Her laugh all the way to her heart.
    â€œIt’s nice seeing her like that, huh?” Caitlyn squeezed his good shoulder. “The old Ally. I see glimmers of her every once in a while. Usually when she’s with some critter.”
    â€œShe used to be so much fun, so lighthearted and carefree. Now she’s on edge.”
    His tone echoed his wistfulness for the old Ally.
    â€œShe changed after her dad died. If not for her vet practice, she’d probably be a hermit.” Caitlyn brushed her hands down the front of her jeans, removing imaginary fur. “I’m truly amazed she agreed to help with the petting zoo. Usually I can’t get her off her farm unless there’s an animal needing treatment.”
    That was probably part of it. But Cody doubted she was tense with everyone the way she was with him. The kiss still hung between them.
    â€œAt least she still goes to church.”
    â€œYeah, but something inside Ally died when her dad did.”
    â€œI shouldn’t have left.”
    Caitlyn gave him a questioning look.
    â€œI mean, her dad had just died.” Make it sound casual. If Caitlyn figured out his feelings for Ally, she’d badger him to make a move. A move he had no right to make until he figured out what to do with his aneurysm. “I should have stuck around a little longer, put off my career for a while and supported my friend.”
    â€œShe didn’t want you to and if you had, she’d have pushed you away just like she did everyone else.”
    â€œHow can we help her?”
    â€œI think you moving in next door already has. You got her here. And no matter what she says, no one can resist your infectious charm for long.” Caitlyn shot him a wink, patted his arm. “I better get back to horseback-riding duty. I just wanted to check and make sure you’re not overdoing it on that leg.”
    â€œAlly ordered me to sit in this chair by the puppies and kittens, so that’s what I’m doing. She handles the kids.”
    â€œGood.” Caitlyn tousled his hair as if he were a child and turned toward the game area.
    Ally caught him staring. Her smile died. The light in her eyes dimmed.
    â€œOkay, kids.” She clapped her hands to get their attention. “Let’s go see the puppies and kittens over by Mr. Cody.”
    It would take much more than every ounce of charisma Cody could muster to crack the wall Ally had built around herself. And then he’d have to tread carefully on the friends-only path.
    * * *
    Invite the kids in for food, ply them with treats, then make them sit through a mini-sermon. They’d fallen for it both nights.
    But Ally had seen through their plan. It was for the children and their parents. Not the workers.
    In the church parking lot, dedicated members cleaned the game area, deflated the bouncy houses and picked up trash. She headed for the cattle trailer.
    By the time parents and kids streamed out of the church, she’d loaded the horses, ponies and goats and hosed off the corner of the parking lot where the horses had been.
    â€œThere you are,” Caitlyn called. “Mitch and