Next, Rafe showed her how to use the body brush to get what the currycomb missed. Belle seemed to enjoy the long, sweeping strokes. What the currycomb had loosened, this brush swept away. Angie sneezed when some dirt flew up her nose.
“Here.” Rafe handed her a red bandana. “Get used to sneezing in
here, especially if you’re sensitive to dust and pollen. Horses carry all kinds of things in their coats.”
She wiped her nose and face. Grime dirtied the crimson of the bandana. She looked down. Rafe had been right. She was filthy. She shook her head. Older clothes tomorrow.
With the finer bristled finishing brush, Rafe showed Angie how to clean the horse’s face, ears, and throat, and then do the body again to give her a radiant sheen.
“Time for grooming spray?” Angie asked.
“No grooming spray.” Rafe took the finishing brush from her and examined her job. “It’s not necessary, and it sometimes makes the coat slick. Not a good thing for beginning riders.”
“I’m not exactly a beginner.”
“You’re close enough. Personally, I don’t think horses need any of those products on their hair or skin. I don’t like hoof ointment either.” He handed her a damp sponge. “Clean around her eyes and muzzle. How do her eyes look?”
“They look fine to me.”
“No tearing or anything?”
“Nope.”
“Good. Belle seems to be in excellent health. She’ll be ready to ride tomorrow.”
Excuse me? “Tomorrow? What do you think I got up for today?”
“For a lesson. You learned how to groom your horse before a ride. Sorry, but it took a little longer than I expected. I figured you’d know how to groom. I’ve got stock to feed and then a couple errands I’m running for Chad.”
“But how am I supposed to learn to ride if you don’t—”
“Teach you? Honey, I taught you what any good instructor would on your first lesson. Be here at six sharp tomorrow. We’ll get her groomed faster, and I’ll have more time to get you up on that horse. Today’s lesson is over.”
“But—”
Rafe walked out of the barn, his jeans loosely moving around the curves of his muscular ass. Left her standing in Belle’s stall, the sponge still in her hand, watching him walk away.
And wondering what that ass looked like without the covering.
* * *
“Hey, Annie.” Rafe entered the office of Annie McCray, the town veterinarian and the wife of the oldest McCray brother, Dallas.
“Hi there,” Annie said in her spicy New Jersey accent. “How’re you doing, Rafe?”
“Good. Tom texted me and said he forgot to leave you the rent check. I can write you one now if you want.”
“No problem. Just have him leave it tomorrow.”
“Okay, thanks. Chad needs some antibiotics for a couple of the steers. Said you’d know which ones.”
“Yep, I’ve got them right here. They just came in an hour ago.” She pulled a package out from under her counter and wiped her brow. “Sheesh, it’s hot.”
The late August day was balmy, but not overly so. “You feeling all right?”
“Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just flashing a little just like the first time. I guess you haven’t heard the news. Dallas and I are expecting again.”
“Really? Congratulations. Catie is expecting too.”