a fuckin’ player the day I laid eyes on you.” He skewered me with his rage. “A pair of despicable human beings is what you two are. I want no part of it. Stay outta my business. Both of you.”
Easton stormed off, and Knox gave both Josiah and me a death glare before following him like a shadow.
When they were gone, I glanced at an all too smug Josiah. “What just happened?”
“Jealousy. I wouldn’t have thought East would go for—” He sized me up and down. “But it figures.”
“What? No. Stop. Finish the sentence. Put all the words in there. I know you can do it.”
Josiah’s grin widened. “Did he say no? East always says no.”
“What are we talking about?”
Josiah hummed like I’d answered. Another long perusal up and down my body was followed by a defeated sigh. “You have my number.”
Then the mysterious reporter strutted away, heading inside a building with a sign out front that read Jasper Times.
I couldn’t get on the highway fast enough. Edmonton was calling my name. Leaving Jasper and her strange community behind was a relief.
And I adamantly ignored the faint twinge in my chest when I realized I’d never see that sexy cowboy again.
Chapter Ten
Easton
“Be careful on that fence. I don’t have time for trips to the hospital for broken bones.”
Regardless of my concern, I couldn’t wash the wide grin off my face as I watched Percy, pretending to ride a horse as he straddled the wooden gate to the pasture. He swung an arm above him like he carried an imaginary lasso as he yee-hawed and bounced.
The kid was full of energy this morning.
“I can’t slow down now, East. I’ll lose the bandits. I’m the fastest rider this side of the mountains.”
I snorted. “That y’are. But you’ll be the saddest rider if you fall and hurt yourself.”
“I won’t fall.”
“Famous last words.”
“They’re invincible at that age,” the woman with four children beside her said, a pleasant and understanding smile on her face. “How old is your son?”
I flinched. “Oh, he ain’t mine. Just likes to hang out here from time to time.”
The woman accepted my answer as she continued to watch Percy play.
“I found the smaller sizes,” Chrissy said, coming out of the equipment barn, two helmets dangling from her hands. “Someone didn’t put them away yesterday. Here you go.” She handed the two helmets to the two youngest kids who’d come with the woman.
The boy and girl put them on, and Chrissy helped them tug their straps tight.
“It’s pinching,” the girl whined, sticking a finger under the strap.
“You have to wear ’em good and tight so they don’t come loose when you’re riding,” I explained. “You’d be surprised how they bounce around on your head otherwise. Need to keep ’em snug so your noggin’s safe.”
The girl’s mother nodded. “Just like a seatbelt in the car. No arguing.”
All four kids were geared up and ready to go, the mother included. The oldest was about fourteen while the youngest, the small girl, was probably Percy’s age.
“Chrissy will take you on a beginner trail for the first twenty minutes so you can get the hang of it, then she’ll take you along the ridge ride. It’s quite a scenic route and not too challenging. Y’all ready to find a horse?”
My enthusiasm earned me a few hoorays from the kids and a smile from their mom.
Since July had begun, the weather was warm enough we’d moved the mounting blocks outside the barn and into the yard. It was less claustrophobic. Plus, with the few staffing cutbacks I’d made recently, it was easier for the trail guide to get everyone mounted. We didn’t have extra hands to pull the horses inside.
“I’m going to grab my gloves and helmet. I’ll be right back,” Chrissy said, rushing back into the equipment barn.
“No problem. I’ll get ‘em started. Percy, follow me. We gotta rally a few mounts for this family. You gonna help me?”
“Yes!” He jumped down from the fence and raced to my side, launching himself into the air when he was a few feet away. I caught him with ease and tossed him over my shoulder as we headed toward the pasture. Percy giggled and dangled upside down the whole way. When I set him on his feet again, his face was red from the rush of blood, but his glee shone.
I plopped my hat on his head, and it fell into his eyes before he adjusted it.
“Okay, cowboy, let’s go round up a few gentle rides.” I