“You are gorgeous.” Ellie stroked the mare from her forelock to her muzzle along the white blaze.
The horse lipped her palm with her soft muzzle, tickling Ellie and making her laugh. She really needed to go riding again. She’d been so busy she hadn’t gone to her parents’ ranch to climb into a saddle and set out for a Superstition Mountain trail.
Ellie turned to Tucker to see him watching her. The way he looked at her made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. She was far from it, but she loved the attention. She wanted to ask him if he’d like to ride with her, but instead said, “I wish I had a treat to give her.”
Tucker slid his fingers into his right front pocket and held up his closed fist. She opened her hand, and he dropped five sugar cubes on her palm. “In case you want to share with any of the other horses.”
She grinned at him. “Thank you.” She slid four cubes into her pocket, then offered the dappled mare the fifth one. “Here you go, sweetie.” The mare took the treat, then bobbed her head as if in thanks.
The horse in the next stall whickered as Ellie and Tucker walked to the stall. The gelding was pure white from mane to tail.
“Aren’t you the fancy man?” Ellie held out a cube in one palm while patting his thick neck.
The gelding snorted and lipped her palm, and the sugar disappeared as Ellie stroked him. “I bet you beat all the other horses in the arena.”
He bumped his head against her arm, asking for another treat.
Tucker rested his forearms on the stall door. “You’re good with horses.”
Ellie flashed him a smile. “I’ve been around my fair share.” She gave the horse a last pat on his neck. “See you, big guy.”
A knight dressed in a suit of armor hurried in with his squire, who led a roan that walked as if missing a shoe.
The knight gave them a brief nod. “My horse threw a shoe. I need to take one of the backups.”
“I’ll call the farrier.” Tucker nodded toward the second stall they’d stopped at. “Take the gray.”
The stableboy removed the roan mare’s costume as the knight took the dappled gray out of her stall. They put the red costume on the horse and secured it.
Tucker took the reins of the roan. “Good luck.”
The knight climbed onto a wooden step stool, swung his leg over the back of the horse, and seated himself in the saddle. At his urging, the mare, looking proud in her costume and raring to go, trotted out of the shed.
“I need to call the farrier.” Tucker smiled at Ellie as he drew his phone out of his pocket. He selected a number from contacts and brought the phone to his ear. “Got a moment?” A second later, he told the farrier about the shoe and that the horse was needed for the fair. Tucker finished with, “Great, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He slid his phone back into his pocket. “That’s taken care of. Now we have to hope none of the others lose a shoe and end up lame.”
She looked at the five remaining stalls. “Which one is injured?”
Tucker nodded toward a stall on the other side of the shed. “The black gelding.”
Ellie moved in that direction. “You poor thing.” She stroked the majestic horse. “I bet you don’t like missing all the action.”
She went still as she realized she’d lost track of time. She pulled her phone out of her dress pocket and saw it was already four p.m. “Oh, my gosh. I’m late.” She met Tucker’s gaze. “I have really enjoyed spending time with you. I’m sorry I have to rush off like this.”
Tucker looked disappointed, then smiled. “I’ve had a great time, Ellie. If you have a moment, I’d like to give you my number, and you can call me.”
“I’d like that.” She returned his smile, then followed him to an area full of horse tack and jousting equipment. He found a pencil and a grimy notepad. He jotted down his information and handed it to her.
She glanced at the neat, masculine printing and slid the paper into her pocket. “I’ll give you a call later this week.”
He gave a nod. “Sounds good.”
Impulsively, she hugged him, then darted back before he could return it if he wanted. “Thank you for rescuing me.”
She whirled and hurried out of the shed and through the crowded fair. Her mother had an injury to her right leg and couldn’t drive, so Ellie had promised to take her grocery shopping.
That was ten minutes ago. Her mother was German and had always insisted on punctuality, so she wouldn’t be thrilled about waiting another fifteen minutes for her to get to the family ranch outside of King Creek.
