Free The Cowboy Code by Christine Wenger Page B

admitted that Brandon didn’t like Cowboy Quest. Danny seemed to like it a little more than before. Even if Danny liked Cowboy Quest a lot, he would still act apathetic to his pals.
    She and Joe were with Rick, one of the more sullen boys. He was a shorter, muscular boy with tattoos all over his body, including some homemade ones on his neck.
    â€œI’m sure you’ve all seen old Westerns,” Joe said, twirling a rope over his head. “The rope is used to keep the cattle moving, and to get strays out of ditches and the like. They aren’t too smart, so they get in all kinds of jams. You have each been given one rope. It’s yours while you are here. Take care of your rope and don’t lose it. It should be tied to your saddle when you’re riding. When you’re not riding, practice with it.”
    Maggie did as Joe instructed and let her ropesoar at the horns on the plastic cow. Perfect shot! Roping was a piece of cake. Rick was struggling, so Joe spent more time with him. They roped from different angles and distances from the cow head, but she always hit her mark.
    As she waited for Rick, she couldn’t help but overhear Quint with Danny and Brandon. “C’mon, boys, you’re not even trying. Now pay attention and stop talking like a couple of old hens.”
    She was just about to say something to Danny when she remembered how Joe had asked her nicely to butt out, that the cowboy staff would take care of discipline.
    Danny halfheartedly roped the cow head, and he didn’t do badly, hitting the mark more often than not. She could tell he cared, that he wanted to do well, but he wouldn’t show it. It appeared to her that Brandon was acting like he couldn’t care less, and Danny was simply going along with him.
    â€œThat’s it for today,” Joe said. “Tomorrow you’ll all get a chance to try roping a calf or two on horseback. Therefore, I suggest that you practice tonight after your homework.”
    Just then the dinner bell rang. Maggie walked to the bunkhouse with the rest of the group, trying specifically to stay away from Joe so the other boys wouldn’t tease Danny.
    â€œHe likes you—a lot,” Danny had said earlier. “Everyone knows it.”
    Looking at Joe, she couldn’t help noticing the confidence in his stance—his muscular thighs, encased in worn denim. But she noticed more than his physical appearance. She admired his patience, the way he never spoke down to the kids, the way he was slowly winning over even the most angry of the lot, with the possible exception of Brandon Avery.
    There were many things about Joe that she liked, but what was the sense of flirting, or taking their relationship—such as it was—to the next level? The two of them were from different worlds, and they each had lives from which they couldn’t—wouldn’t—walk away. Maggie’s life was in New York, not in tiny Mountain Springs, Wyoming.
    But what was she thinking? She’d never have to make that difficult decision because she wouldn’t let her attraction get that far.
    As everyone entered the bunkhouse, Maggie turned to walk uphill to the ranch house, desperate to change her dirty clothes when Danny appeared next to her.
    â€œSome day will you show me that rope trick, Aunt Maggie?”
    â€œSure. Whenever you’d like. How did your roping go?”
    â€œOkay. I did better than a lot of the other guys,” he said with pride.
    â€œGood for you!”
    Danny looked toward the rest of the group, thenback at her. “Some of the cowboys are going to tell ghost stories at the campfire tonight. Are you going?”
    He actually wanted her company? Or maybe he didn’t want her to go to the campfire, so he could be alone with his pals.
    She chose to believe the former.
    â€œWhat would a campfire be without ghost stories? I’ll be there. I’m just going to change clothes and get a