The Cowboy's Girl Next Door: A BWWM Cowboy Romance Read Online Free PDF Page A

adventures!” She cautiously smoothed Thalia’s gray mane, and was pleased that the horse gave no resistance, seeming to almost lean into the familiar gentle caress. Claire smiled and patted her softly, then went off in search of Calliope.
     
    The horse had gone into heat the day before they left Atlanta, and Claire had been concerned about transporting her that way. She’d considered waiting a week before leaving, but the stable manager in Georgia reminded her that Thalia’s cycle would likely start shortly after.
     
    Since breeding mares are often transported while in heat, Claire decided it was best to get the move over and done with, and she’d kept her travel plans in place. Calliope had been restless, and balked a bit at the start, but once they’d gotten underway, she’d settled down to everyone’s satisfaction.
     
    Calliope was in her corral. Claire watched as she acquainted herself with the space, nervously trotting around the fencing. She hated that she’d had to transport her this way, but she hoped that in a couple of days she’d be alright. Claire was eager to get both of her girls acquainted with their new home.
     
    Mark, the head of the transport team, came over and leaned beside her on the rail. “Fine horses you’ve got there.”
     
    “Thanks,” Claire replied, her eyes never leaving Calliope as she nervously trotted and paced the boundaries. “And thank you so much for taking such good care of them. The household items could’ve burned up in a crash for all I care; my girls are safe, and that’s all that matters.”
     
    “Our pleasure, ma’am. We’ll be finished up here in about an hour, and then we’ll hit the road. We’ve got a transport from a nearby ranch down south to pick up.”
     
    “Which ranch?” Claire asked.
     
    “Bar None,” he replied. “Need to transport a couple of nurse foals to Safe Harbor.”
     
    Claire frowned at the news. She knew a good bit about the use of nurse mares, and she wasn’t entirely for the practice, particularly since it separated mares and foals at a crucial time for both of them. “Glad to hear they’re taking care of the little darlings, at least,” she sighed. Mark nodded his agreement before adding, “Safe Harbor is a great place, best in the business, if you ask me.”
     
    Claire gave him a small smile, then thanked him again. As he walked away, she thought about her plans for the ranch and for her girls. She wanted to grow, and she wanted them to have good, long lives. They’d never been bred, but that was a vital part of her planning. Breed them with good stallions and slowly build her stable and reputation for quality thoroughbred stock.
     
    She had enough money left from her inheritance to ride it out for a few years while she grew her business, and as she considered her good fortune, she whispered a small prayer to her father. “Thank you, daddy, for everything. I promise I’ll make you proud.”
     
    She heard the beating of hooves and looked toward the source of the sound. There was a horse and rider coming from Bar None. She immediately stood straight, instinctively smoothing the riot of curls she’d put up in a ponytail for the work of the day. She was glad she showered and put on fresh clothes on her arrival; her new neighbors were wealthy and powerful people, and she wanted to make a good first impression.
     
    As they got closer, she could see that the rider was a young man, maybe in his early thirties. The horse was magnificent, and the two of them together against the deep greens of the trees and pastures made her wish, for the briefest of moments, that she was a painter.  She took her phone from her pocket and snapped a few photos. She wanted to remember this view.
     
    The rider was carrying something in his left hand while he guided the stallion with his right. His jeans were tight on his muscular legs, and the blue plaid shirt he wore was simple and perfectly fitted to his chest and arms. His brown hat