Claiming the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 7)

I head to the facility where my parents and Kaitlyn train horses. The boarding stables are right next door, and I like to stop in to see them when I have time.

Right now, I need to keep my mind occupied before I do something I’ll regret—like barging into Kane’s house and tearing his lips off hers.

“Hey, Sailor. How are ya, buddy?” I greet the brown-and-white spotted Appaloosa.

Once I grab a few supplies from the tack room, I put a halter over his head, then attach the lead rope. “C’mon, let’s go.”

I guide him to the grooming area and clip him in place. He huffs and stomps a hoof.

“Relax, I’m not gonna hurt ya.” I let him smell the bristles of the brush before starting on his neck.

I slowly make my way down his back and over his hip. Thoughts of Hadleigh take over, and it’s like my mind summons her because moments later, she walks in.

“You’re here late,” she says once she’s close.

“You too,” I say, focusing on Sailor.

“Yeah, I watched a movie with Kane.”

“Why are you here then?”

“What do you mean?”

I meet her eyes. “If you were watchin’ a movie with Kane, why are you out of his bed already?”

She winces before straightening her stance. “I tired him out, and he fell asleep, so I decided to go for a drive.”

I grunt, and she smirks.

Little fucking liar.

“You act like a dick, I’m gonna respond like one,” she retorts.

“I’m not a dick,” I mutter, rounding behind Sailor.

“So what are you doin’ here? This isn’t part of your chores, and it’s late.” She steps closer, grabbing another brush and working his mane. We’re standing next to each other, and I fight the urge to pull her close.

“Just clearing my head,” I admit.

“Oh…” Her arm freezes, then she turns and looks up at me. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. Do you want me to leave?”

I shoot her a look. “As if you ever listen to a thing I say anyway.”

She chuckles, and the sweet sound makes me smile.

We stand in silence for a minute, and I clear my throat as I continue brushing Sailor. “I wanna be more involved with the horses, but Kaitlyn’s the golden child who gets to train instead of doing bitch work, so I get stuck with it.”

“Have you told that to your dad?” she asks. “Or your mom?”

“No. They never take me seriously, so why would they start now?” I shrug.

“What’s the harm in telling them? I’m sure they could use more trainers.”

“That’s not exactly what I wanna do…”

She glances at me, then grins. “Okay, so tell me.”

“You heard of stud horses, right?”

“Yes, of course,” she confirms.

“I want to be a stud master,” I say with a smirk, and she lifts a brow. “I’d like to have a fleet of stallions to rent out to owners trying to breed their mares. Of course I’d need to have a selection with pedigrees for people to choose from, and contracts would be involved, but I know it could be successful. I wouldn’t need a ton of extra room, just a corral and a boarding barn. The breeding fees could bring in extra money for the ranch. Plus, it would be mine to manage and focus on.”

“Knox, I love that idea!” She beams. “Why haven’t you said anything? Your family would fully support you.”

I shrug again because I don’t have her confidence when it comes to this stuff. “I’m not sure how my parents and sister would feel about me joining their thing. Though I’ve thought about renting out Kaitlyn’s Arabian stallion show horses for extra cash.”

Hadleigh cracks up. “She’d kill you. But seriously, it’s a good idea. Why not vocalize them?”

I blow out a breath and put the brush in the bucket. “I’ve thought about it. Dozens of times.”

“You’re scared of rejection,” she confirms.

“Just drop it, Hads. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

“Not happening. This isn’t the Knox I know. You’re loud and demanding, and you make sure everyone knows who you are. Why is this any different?”

“Perhaps you don’t know everything about me.”

“Yeah, I’m startin’ to figure that out.” She sets her brush down, then stares at me.

“I’m going to walk Sailor to his stall and wash up. You wanna wait for me?” I ask, hoping she says yes.

“Sure, I’ll put the supplies back for you.”

Once Sailor’s settled, I lock his gate, then scrub my hands in the sink.

As I make my way to Hadleigh, my thoughts go wild of Hadleigh with Kane tonight. I’m dying to know if Kane touched her like I’ve touched her. I shouldn’t fucking care, but hell, it’s eating me up inside.

I find her in the tack room organizing things. She turns around with a small smile.

“Did he make a move on you?” I blurt out.

Hadleigh licks her lips, taunting me with every stroke of her sweet tongue. Then she places her hands on her hips.