Free Wyoming Sweethearts by Jillian Hart Page B

Sean and Julianna at the fence. The horse had poked her head through the wood rungs and buried her rather substantial-size face against Julianna’s stomach and chest. The mare leaned into the little girl with obvious need.
    “She likes me,” Julianna breathed, holding on tightly to the animal so dirty it was hard to make out her original color. “I like her, too.”
    “So I see. You are friends already.” She laid the palm of her hand against the horse’s sun-warmed neck, hoping the animal could feel in her touch that everything was going to be all right.
    “I’m going to help the vet.” Sean reached over to brush a strand of hair from her eyes. The stroke of his fingertips was brief but tender. Her breath caught, but he didn’t seem affected. Calm and collected, he movedaway, his gait confident and easy, his movements athletic and sure. He ducked between the rails and paused to reassure the horses before he moved a step closer.
    Maybe it was her imagination, but the sunshine seemed to brighten all around him.
    “I feel sorry for Julianna’s dad.” Eloise swung up on her good leg and settled into the saddle. She patted Licorice’s neck and tightened the reins to keep him from sidestepping. “The girl refused to leave Dusty’s side.”
    Julianna had named the mare because she was so dusty. The two had bonded and as soon as they’d arrived back at the inn, the horse lumbered down the ramp and ran straight to the child. They were inseparable. Fortunately, the chef had sent a picnic lunch out to the stable for everyone working on the new arrivals, so the girl had gotten lunch.
    Eloise reined Licorice around. “I don’t know how Adam is going to get Julianna back home to New York.”
    “I overheard him saying the same thing.” Sean eased into his saddle, although Hershey wasn’t too sure about a new rider. The big bay gelding danced in place but didn’t discourage the seasoned rider who commanded him with a gentle hand and reassured him in low tones. “I think it was love at first sight.”
    “You are definitely right.” She tugged the brim of her hat lower to cut the sun’s glare. “That is the most dangerous kind of horse love. I don’t recommend it as I’m still in the midst of it.”
    “Me, too. It’s one love that has no end.” He felt the gelding’s hesitancy. The animal kept looking around, searching for someone long gone. He laid his hand on the gelding’s neck, so the horse could feel the comfortof his touch. “You did nothing wrong, buddy. Are you going to be all right?”
    The horse’s sigh was answer enough. He plodded along but his feelings didn’t seem to be into it. Poor fellow. Larks twittered on branches and jays squawked from the fence line as he guided the horse down the sidewalk, trailing Eloise. She sat straight and tall in her saddle, graceful as always and her long hair trailed in the wind.
    “Where should we go?” she asked over her shoulder.
    He pressed his heels lightly to bring Hershey alongside the other horse. “Do you know what sounds good after that lunch we had?”
    “An ice-cream cone?”
    “How did you know?”
    “A wild guess.”
    “Proof great minds think alike.” Of all the ways he’d seen Eloise, and he’d liked every one, this had to be his favorite view of her. Astride a horse, she was carefree and relaxed, girl-next-door wholesome and unguarded. On the back of the horse, she seemed less restrained, less careful. Maybe it was because she didn’t need her cane to move through the world. She dazzled in a modest, genuine way he could not describe with words but could feel with his soul.
    “I’m sorry to tell you this, Sean, but a great mind? You? I don’t think so.” Humor crinkled attractively in the corners of her eyes.
    “Ouch. That’s hard on a man’s ego.”
    “I would think your ego would be used to it by now.” Dimples bracketed the demure curve of her mouth. “If it’s any consolation, my mind isn’t great either. Just