Read With This Ring (Denim & Spurs Book 1) for Free Online Page B

not the time to be thinking about another good-looking man.
    With determination in her stride, she entered the cooler interior of the barn. Sure enough, as Jack stated, Fool’s Gold stood in the aisle.
    “Hello, gorgeous,” she said, stepping up to his head.
    Fool’s Gold was a bay Hanoverian, and she loved him. He had a great temperament. She rubbed his nose before moving down his side to his rear left leg. Her fingers lingered over the “H” brand on his hindquarter. That was done to maintain a public registry of Hanoverian horses and was the American Hanoverian Society’s brand. Jack also had his stable’s brand on him.
    “Foot,” she muttered, tapping his fetlock.
    He shifted his weight, obliging her. Hefting his hoof, she checked the condition of it. Two nails remained embedded so she placed it back down.
    “Not sure what you did, boy, to lose it, but I’ll get you fixed up right quick.”
    Ducking back under the tie, she retrieved her things and got to work. Before long, she stood over her no longer spotless anvil recreating the full support shoe Fool’s Gold needed. Sweat-covered and tired by the time she finished, Finn wiped her brow as she rotated, stretching her back.
    “You’re amazing, Finn. Thank you so much for coming to bail my ass out of the fire.”
    She didn’t start, having known a while ago Jack had returned and sat on a bale watching her. “He’s a good boy. I’m done if you want to try him out.”
    Jack rose and with his loose-limbered gait approached her. She believed with everything within her you could tell a lot of a man by the way he treated his animals. In her opinion—which might mean squat—Jack was one of the good guys.
    He rubbed the stallion’s nose and received a whicker in return. “I’ll saddle him up. You can ride.”
    Her head flew up at his statement, her belly fluttering with excitement. “You want me to ride him?”
    Jack glanced at her but never stopped doling the attention to Fool’s Gold. “Why not? You used to ride dressage. You’re more than capable of putting him through his paces.”
    Excitement thrummed. “I don’t want to mess him up for competition.”
    His chuckle, deep and smooth, flowed from him over her. “I’ve watched you compete, Finn. You’ve got a gentle but firm touch. If you don’t want to ride him, fine.”
    Oh, she did. Brushing her hands off her apron, she removed it, laying it near her tools. Jack’s smile told her he had already known she’d go for it.
    “Load your truck and I’ll saddle him.”
    She did, practically giddy like a schoolgirl, as she hastened to load it all. Catching up with them in the outdoor arena, she settled a hand upon the stallion’s muscled neck.
    “Let me help you up.”
    Soon, she sat upon him and the familiar quiver of being on horseback overtook her. The strong equine between her legs rippled with coiled power. Life didn’t get much better than this.

    Chapter Three
     
    “She’s not here.”
    Dustin shifted his weight between his legs as he stared at Finn’s father. He drummed his fingers along the brim of his black Brumby. Had she stood him up? Perhaps she was playing him as Charlotte had done.
    “Okay,” Dustin said, proud he hid his frustration.
    He turned only to draw up short at the unmistakable rumble of a diesel engine. Instantly he forgot about the man blocking the doorway and focused on the drive. He didn’t know what to feel when he recognized the silver metallic Dually rolling up the driveway. Relief. Happiness. Arousal. Most likely a mix of all three.
    Neither man spoke as the truck parked and the engine fell silent. The door opened and Finn jumped out, a harried expression on her face.
    “I’m so sorry,” she called out, hastening toward them. “I had to do an emergency shoe and…” She trailed off as she dashed up the steps to pause beside him. “I figured if I stopped to call you I’d be even later than if I came home”—she turned to her father—“hi,