Sunset Seduction - By Charlene Sands Page 0,60

sheepish look. “Who’s gonna settle me down?”

“Molly.”

Ward chuckled.

“I’ve got this, really. I’ll make sure the horses are fed and stabled for the night.”

He looked at her like a child opening an early Christmas present. “Thank you, Audrey. I’ll be sure to stop by the house on our way to the airport so Hunter can say a proper goodbye to you all.”

“Darn right you will. I’ve gotta give Hunter a big hug and some tips on college life.”

Audrey walked with Ward arm in arm outside the barn doors. She watched him get into his truck, start the engine and drive along the road that led to the main highway.

Jewel brushed against her legs and she glanced down at her cat, who had pretty much taken over the Slade house perimeter. “What are you up to, Jewel?”

Meow.

“Same as usual, I see.”

Audrey finished up her chores and then strode over to the other barn to see Trib. It was her daily outing, and she was thrilled to see the horse really beginning to relate to her. He no longer shied away when she opened the half door of the paddock and Jewel jumped up. The horse was turning the corner in the trust department and Audrey couldn’t be more pleased.

Jewel took her seat on the ledge of the half door and looked for her new friend. Then the cat meowed and glanced at Audrey curiously. Audrey scanned the paddock. Tribute wasn’t in his stall.

In her haste to convince Ward to head home, she’d forgotten about Trib and apparently so had the foreman. Now, as she walked outside and peeked around the corner of the barn, she saw Trib standing on the far end of the corral, blending into the shadows under an oak tree.

“There you are,” she said congenially.

Trib spotted her and snorted. He could make this hard for her, or he could make this easy. “Come here, boy,” she called to him. “Gotta get you settled for the night.”

The horse gave her a stubborn stare and didn’t budge. “Are you kidding me,” she muttered under her breath. Apparently Trib was going to live up to his nickname of Tribulation today.

Jewel’s nose nudged her leg. “Would you look at our friend over there,” she said to her cat. “I think he wants me to come get him.”

The horse whinnied softly and took a few steps forward, toward them. Audrey smiled. “He does. He’s telling me to come get him.”

Audrey knew he was ready. He was giving her his trust. Over the past few days, she’d made incredible progress with him. She had to thank Jewel for some of that; the two had become cautious, but endearing friends.

She didn’t waste another second. This was an opportunity to really earn her keep around here. She was being paid to do a job, and with Ward gone, and no one else close enough to the stallion to bring him in, she knew she could do it.

Trib would cooperate.

She felt it in her bones.

The horse took another step closer, then stopped and watched her. “I’ll be right there, I’m coming to get you, Trib.”

She quickly walked into the barn, grabbed a handful of sugar cubes and gathered up a bridle and lead rope.

Jewel seemed bored with it all and began swatting at flies buzzing around the feed bags in the barn. Audrey left her there and walked back outside.

Taking measured steps, she kept her eyes on the horse as she made her approach with the rope and halter in one hand and a fistful of sugar in the other.

Now out in broad sunlight, away from the dark and light shadows Trib appeared friendly and amiable. She walked within a few feet of him and put out her hand. “Here you go, boy.”

He craned his neck forward and brought his mouth to her hand, nibbling away at the sugar until it was all gone.

“I’ve got to get you home,” she said softly. Steadily, she fit the rope halter over his head and adjusted it under his chin. Trib stood still and allowed her to fasten the five-foot lead rope to the harness.

She gave his mane a soft pat. “Okay, we’re almost ready. You’re doing fine.”

With great care, she led him forward toward the barn, all the while talking quietly and calmly to him.

Midway to the barn, she caught a glimpse of a cowboy at the fence post.

Uh-oh.

“Audrey. What in hell are you doing?” Luke spoke quietly enough not to spook the horse. But his angry tone was unmistakable.

Refusing