Five

MENDING FENCES WAS an ongoing task on a ranch, according to Jensen. Rather than argue with the man, Merle simply accepted the fact. After all, Jensen was the expert and Merle was merely the apprentice.

Apprentice. It had a nice ring.

The late morning sun was strong, beating down on his neck while he hammered nails. By noon, he’d be ready for lunch under his favorite tree and Peggy’s nonstop talking.

He wasn’t blind or too dumb to not notice her seeking him out each day. However, he wasn’t sure if it was because she just wanted someone to talk to or if it was more.

Lost in his thoughts of Peggy, he hadn’t heard her approach on her horse, Daisy.

“Howdy!” she greeted, slowing the horse to a stop.

“Miss Peggy,” he said, squinting one eye as he peered up at her. The sun was behind her head, making her blonde hair shimmer. If she sprouted wings, she’d be an angel. Nah. She was an angel, wings or no wings. “Out for a ride, I see.”

“Yup! Do you not ride? Haven’t seen you on a horse like the other men.”

“Nope. I don’t ride.” He was afraid of the massive beasts. Though he found them to be majestic creatures, they intimidated him.

“You’ll need to learn if you plan to ride in the roundup with Daddy and the other men.”

“I’m sure you’re right.”

“I am right. Want me to teach you to ride? I’m a good teacher.”

He looked back up at her. She was leaning forward on her horse, smiling. He shook his head and smiled back.

“I’m sure you’re a great teacher, but I’ll pass.”

She pouted, and her scrumptious bottom lip called to him. “You don’t trust me?”

“Said no such thing.” He hammered a nail into the piece of wood.

“Have you ever been on a horse?”

He smirked, keeping his head down. She wasn’t going to let this go. The more he got to know Peggy, the clearer it became she was strong and determined. If she wanted something, he had no doubt she’d get it one way or another.

“Nope.”

“I can’t believe it! Well, climb on up and I’ll take you for a ride!”

Merle craned his neck. She was serious.

“Sorry, Miss Peggy, but I’m working. No time for fun and games.”

“Well, nobody said anything about fun and games. This is work. You need to learn to ride a horse if you’re going to be a real rancher. Come on.” She extended her hand.

He hiked a brow. “You want me to ride behind you up there?”

“What? Is riding behind a girl demeaning?”

He chuckled at her sassy tone but didn’t respond as he stared at her. She sure was a pretty thing, perched atop the majestic white beast. Peggy was wearing shorts, a yellow-striped, button-down shirt, and riding boots. From where he was, her pink lips tempted him.

“Merle, I’ll let you sit on the saddle if it’ll make you feel better, like you’re in charge.” She snorted. “I won’t take no for an answer.”

Of course she wouldn’t.

He didn’t want to come across as a pansy. He dusted himself off and set his tools down.

“All right. You win. But let’s keep this short.”

Happiness bloomed on her face, and he liked how it made him feel inside. Before he could say any more, Peggy was off the horse.

It took a few tries, but he managed to get up on the saddle, and Peggy had no problem getting behind him. She took the reins and got the horse moving.

“You okay?” she asked from behind him. He felt her breath on his ear, and his chest tightened.

“Fine.”

“Can I put my hand on your hip, like this?” She latched onto his belt loop.

“Sure.”

She giggled. “Are you nervous?”

“A little.”

“With the horse or with me?”

“Both.” He did not mean to admit that.

“Well, no worries, we’re both gentle.”

His face heated. Was she flirting with him? He felt like she was, but he wasn’t sure.

Peggy pressed her chest against his back, and he told himself it meant nothing. She was merely guiding the horse.

“You doing all right?”

“Yes. It’s sure pretty country out here.”

“It is, especially from up here.”

“The view is quite nice.” So was the company. He wouldn’t let himself overthink, but he sure would like this to be a new beginning for them.