Mountain Mare Read Free Page A

horse. “But, c’mon.”
    â€œNow the herd’ll get through for sure,” Hal Ryden said, and though he was joking, Sam heard areal welcome in his words. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to have you here to help.” His smile took in both girls.
    Apparently he hadn’t heard Linc’s remark about her, Sam thought. When Ace finally lifted a front hoof as if it were heavy as an anvil, then followed her with grudging steps, Sam took a better look at the man who’d been Dad’s boyhood pal.
    Hal Ryden stood at least six feet tall. He wore a black Western shirt with tiny teal-colored script that read RYDEN RODEO CO ., but everything about him said he was a real cowboy.
    His walk gave him away.
    Sam couldn’t explain how Hal Ryden could stride with loose-jointed grace and hard-hammered stiffness, but Dad moved the same way. So did Jen’s dad. That buckaroo’s gait came from thousands of hours in the saddle and a few being thrown from it.
    Hal Ryden had the broad shoulders and raspy voice of Gram’s favorite actor, John Wayne, but the warmth in his manner, as he led them closer to camp, was all his own.
    â€œSamantha, honey, step over here closer to the fire so I can get a better look at you.” Hal Ryden didn’t add another word, but he hesitated.
    Had he been about to say she looked just like her mother?
    Instead, he touched Ace’s neck with admiration.“Nice-lookin’ pony, from what I can see. Got a mind of his own. Clever, is he?”
    Sam glowed at the compliment. Hal Ryden’s job was handling horses and cattle, and even he thought Ace looked smart.
    â€œWay too clever,” Sam said, liking the man already. Then she realized she hadn’t introduced Jen yet. “And so’s my friend—”
    Hal Ryden’s laugh interrupted. “You’ll have to excuse me,” he said, patting Jen’s shoulder. “Askin’ after a horse before a young lady? That’s unforgivable.”
    â€œNot at all,” Jen said politely.
    Sam could see Jen’s manners were switched on high, despite the hour and where they were. Jen’s respect for Hal “Ride ’Em” Ryden showed in the reverent way in which she extended her hand to shake his.
    â€œI’m Jennifer Kenworthy, and I’m pleased to meet you.”
    â€œJennifer’s dad is my foreman.” Sam had almost forgotten Linc was there until he cut in.
    â€œJed Kenworthy is a good man,” Linc continued. “Jennifer here is a dandy little rider, too, and that palomino is full of cow sense, even though she’s a little skittish. I’m sure they’ll both do the Gold Dust Ranch proud.”
    Sam actually blinked in surprise. Linc Slocum’s compliments were so rare, she felt suspicious. Thatmight not be fair, but when Jen met her eyes, Sam knew she’d had the same reaction.
    â€œI’m sure they will,” Hal said. “Now, why don’t you go on and get yourself some breakfast, then saddle up, Linc?”
    â€œWell…,” Linc said, hesitating.
    â€œYou go on, now. I need to talk business with my new hands.”
    Looking as if he felt a little left out, Linc gave his belt a determined lift. The silver buckle pressed a fist-sized dent in his belly. He cleared his throat.
    When the rodeo contractor showed no sign of changing his mind, Linc made the best of his banishment.
    â€œThanks, Hal,” he said. “Your crew serves up some fine meals.” He sniffed the air. “Yessir, I plan to eat so much of that maple-smoked bacon, you’ll be wantin’ to check me for a curly little tail.”
    Hal Ryden stared after Linc Slocum, then bumped back the brim of his hat.
    â€œLadies, you know that man. Where does he get those sayin’s of his?”
    Sam shrugged. “I know why, but I never thought about where,” she said, and looked to Jen.
    â€œIt’s mystifying,” Jen said.