He put the horses through their paces, getting them to trot and lope in a circle by swinging a lead rope in a circle over his head. The chunky brown mare named Mama was undeniably in charge. She might be a lamb when Lizzie or the other kids rode her but as far as preserving order among this small herd, Mama was a force to be reckoned with.
Within ten minutes, Quinn had made a number of important discoveries. Pancake and George Clooney didn’t like to be separated and stuck together unless forced apart. Stargazer refused to lead with her left—though that might not be a problem as the students never loped the horses. Chubbs became agitated when approached from behind. Gidget’s one flaw was a choppy gait. Then again, her rider last night had laughed when rocked from side to side.
Concerned most about Chubbs, Quinn examined him from nose to tail, expecting to find a sore hip or abscessed hoof. Something Chubbs felt the need to protect. What Quinn found gave him cause for concern. The old gelding wasn’t entirely blind, but he did have some vision loss. That alone wouldn’t drum him out of the therapy program, but the staff should be made aware and take necessary precautions.
None of the therapy horses were particularly good-looking. A couple were overweight, including Mama. On the positive side, they were a dependable, reliable and trustworthy lot. Perfect babysitters.
Quinn leaned his back against the corral railing. Sweat soaked his shirt, causing it to cling to his skin. Removing his cowboy hat, he knocked it against his leg to dislodge the dust.
What he’d give for a cold glass of water to quench his parched throat. This was hot, hard work. Still, he wouldn’t trade it for a million dollars. Quinn had considered returning to the rodeo circuit when he was first released. This was the better choice. Easing slowly into post-prison life made more sense than plowing full steam ahead without having any direction.
Turning, he caught sight of Cara, who, after yesterday, was officially his boss for the three to four hours a day he spent with the mustang sanctuary and therapy program. Closing the gate behind her, she wended her way toward him, petting a friendly nose here and there as the horses meandered over to greet her.
“A little warm to be out here,” she said.
“I’m about done.” He nodded at Chubbs. “Did you know he’s partially blind?”
“I didn’t.” Cara evaluated the horse with crossed arms and a narrowed gaze. “Are you sure? He doesn’t act blind.”
“Haven’t you noticed he dislikes being approached from behind?” Quinn demonstrated, using Mama.
“I have but I didn’t associate it with partial blindness.” Cara nodded approvingly. “How’d you know?”
“I had a blind donkey before. It’s easy to overlook.”
“You rode a donkey?”
“I roped a donkey. Easier to use them than calves when training a green roping horse. They don’t spook like calves or tire as easily.”
Quinn and Cara discussed the other program horses until she asked, “Is there any chance you can swing by the tuxedo rental store this week for your fitting? The wedding’s going to be here before you know it.”
“Sure. No problem.”
“Thanks.” Her eyes twinkled. Getting married looked good on her. On his cousin, too.
Quinn had grown up with both Josh and Cole back in California. They were more like brothers, having lived in the same town and within miles of each other. But he’d always been a little closer to Josh. Seeing him about to get married to a great gal and become a father for the third time cheered Quinn, as did Cole’s relationship with Violet. It made him believe there was still good in the world.
As far as Quinn was concerned, no one deserved to be happy more than his cousins. They’d suffered a lot, having a father who’d abandoned them at a young age and then being raised by a bitter, angry mother. Obtaining co-ownership of the ranch when August died last fall didn’t make up for years of neglect.
Finding their future at Dos Estrellas did. It had changed them. Given them an entirely new outlook. Maybe the same would happen to Quinn.
Feeling his pocket vibrate, he plucked out his cell phone and frowned when he didn’t recognize the number.
“Excuse me,” he said to Cara, stepping away and answering. “Hello.”
“Quinn? It’s Summer. I hope you don’t mind my calling. Cara gave me your number.”
“No, it’s all right.” He glanced at Cara, who smiled guiltily. Apparently, she’d guessed the identity of his caller. “What’s up?”
“I know it’s short notice, but my boss had a cancellation this afternoon. He said he’d be glad to talk to you, if you can be here by four.”
Was it a coincidence he got off work at three thirty?
Cara gave him a what-are-you-waiting-for wave, confirming his suspicions that she was in cahoots with Summer.
“Thanks, but I—”
“I’m sure Martin can help you,” Summer insisted.
Quinn paused.
Her long sigh carried across the connection. “I’m being pushy, and I shouldn’t. Finding your daughter is your business.” She sighed again. “Sometimes I overstep. It’s a bad habit.”
He pictured her sitting at her desk, multitasking while they talked because she was probably a doer and a go-getter. His counselor in prison had been the same way. Except she wasn’t nearly as pretty as Summer and was about thirty years older.
“Fine.” He heard himself agreeing even before he’d decided. “See you at four. Can you text me the address?”
“Of course.” She sounded surprised, then pleased. “I’ll tell Martin. See you then.”
Aware of Cara’s stare, Quinn saved Summer’s number to his contacts before clearing his screen, silently chiding himself while he did. What reason would he have to call her?
“You planned this,” he said to Cara, acting madder than he was.
“I did give her your number when she told me why she wanted to call.”
Quinn grabbed the lead rope from where he’d hung it on the corral post and hooked it to Mama’s halter. Cara tagged along when he led the mare through the gate. As expected, the other five horses trailed behind them.
“Come on, Quinn.” Cara squeezed past Mama. “She likes you, and I think you like her, too. In fact, I’m sure you like her.”
Did being his cousin’s fiancée automatically make Cara his friend? One with rights to butt into his personal business?
Quinn ground to a halt. The horses did, too, bumping into each other and jerking their heads back.
That was the problem with happy people. They wanted everyone else to be happy, too, and went to great lengths to accomplish it.
“I’m not looking for a girlfriend, Cara. Besides, Summer can do a whole lot better than me.”
“She’s not like that. She accepts everyone for who they are. No judging.”
Quinn didn’t doubt it. Nonetheless, he said, “I don’t want to hurt her.”
“What makes you think you will?”
He groaned. “She needs someone who can step up. Be there for her and Teddy unconditionally and without hesitation. Someone who doesn’t come with his own set of problems and can put them first. I’m not that man. And after what I’ve been through, I may never be him.”
This time when he started for the stall, Cara didn’t go with him. She stayed behind, apparently stunned into silence.