Free Riding for Love (A Western Romance) by Tina Susedik Page A

to say one word, just utter “hmm” like she knew something he didn’t and he would ultimately pay for it. “Hmm, what?”
    “What happened when you went to dinner with Eve?”
    “We met, had a drink, talked about old times, etc., etc.”
    Rose chuckled. “Oh, I’m sure much more than that happened for you to be this upset.” She held up a hand to stop a reply. “Don’t say you’re concerned about the lawsuit. I’m your mother. You’re a problem solver and taking care of the embezzlement was more than work for you.” Rose rested her chin in her hand and stared at her son. “It’s solving the problem of Eve making you discombobulated.”
    Denton pushed the piece of paper toward his mother.
    “What’s this?”
    He smiled nervously, stood, and paced the length of the kitchen, stove to refrigerator and back again. “Part of a plan to get close to Eve.” He finally settled his backside against the stove, folding his arms over his chest in defiance.
    Rose dropped the paper on the table. “Are you crazy? You can’t possibly do this.”
    “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
    Rose stood and placed a hand on his cheek. “But this is a little drastic, isn’t it? Are you so keen on getting her back you’d go this far?”
    “Mom, I need to find out if what we had as teenagers can be resurrected.” Denton wrapped his arms around his mother and held her close so she wouldn’t notice the tears in his eyes. “I’ve missed Eve for ten years and will do anything to win her back. Anything.”
    “But, dear, how are you going to be able to get through two weeks of riding lessons? Aren’t you still afraid of horses?”
    He laughed, hoping to ease the trip in his heart at the thought of spending fourteen days on the back of one of those giant creatures. But fourteen days spent in Eve’s company sent his heart tripping faster. “Nope.”
    Rose leaned back. She squinted at him.
    “Nope, not afraid.” His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, and he refrained from wiping sweat from his upper lip. “More like petrified, horrified, scared stiff.”
    “Well, you should be, considering what happened the last time you rode one,” Rose said, leaving Denton’s arms and picking up the confirmation for his stay at the ranch.
    “Mom, that was twenty years ago. I need to overcome my fear of horses to spend some time with her, hopefully break through the wall she’s built against me,” Denton replied, trying to convince himself as much as his mother.
    Rose shook her head and patted her son on the shoulder. “Well, you have only three weeks to convince that to your shaking hands, my dear boy.”

Chapter 6
    Eve sat at her desk and read over the list of names for the upcoming beginner’s riding group. With mixed emotions about novice riders, she kept the size small for individual attention. All ten in this group had booked to stay in the cabins. Sometimes the lessons were a mix of locals and guests from as far away as Chicago. The inexperienced riders, most never having been on a horse, left as competent riders. Their accomplishments always made her glow inside.
    The downside of the group was with the few who came to lose their fear of horses. Sometimes getting some of them to touch a horse was a challenge. They were the ones, though, who left the most satisfied and spoke of their success to others. Word of mouth was the best advertisement and worked in her favor. This was the sixth week in a row they were booked solid.
    If it weren’t for the accidents, things would be perfect. At least no one had been hurt, so far. She and Tom had been trying to figure out why anyone would want to harm her or ruin her business. She couldn’t think of any enemies. They’d ruled out customers as the culprits, because it didn’t matter who was here or when they left, the incidents continued. Most of her employees had worked at the ranch for several years. Not counting her father, who still sat in prison, and her lame cousin,