“Do you work here?” she asked.
“Not regular, miss,” he said, playing up the cowboy talk to give her her money’s worth as he rode alongside her. “I fill in on occasion when they need another hand.”
This place was the first dude ranch he’d ever worked at. He’d dropped in to let the manager know he was working up on the cattle ranch now, but that he’d really like to move down to the lodge. He’d volunteered that he was up for anything, and this charity event was about as anything as it got. Leading society ladies around on a pony. Hauling tables and stages behind the scenes. Posing for pictures when someone wanted to post a photo of a Genuine Cowboy to a Facebook feed.
Most of the hands hated this kind of work. He loved it. It was a party. He got to hang around with pretty ladies and listen to music and pilfer the occasional fancy finger food. And then he got paid. How could anyone hate that? Plus, if tonight’s gig got his foot back in the door, he couldn’t regret it.
“I’m from New Jersey, but we’re thinking about buying a horse property here,” she said.
“It’s a beautiful place. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love it here. Unless you’re looking for wild nightlife, I guess. We throw a good party, but it’s pretty quiet around Jackson after midnight.”
“Oh, no!” She laughed. “I’m not a party girl. And I’ve always wanted to learn how to ride a horse. So thank you.”
He tipped his hat. “All in a day’s work.”
“So...when people buy a horse, do they hire a cowboy like you to take care of it?” She blushed as she asked it.
Walker winked at her. “That calls for more of a stable hand, miss.” Not that it was the first offer of its kind he’d gotten. “Or a trainer.”
“Oh. Of course. That makes sense.”
“Look at that.” As they rounded the lodge, he pointed toward the Tetons. “You’ve caught the very last of the sunset.”
“Oh, it’s beautiful!” She gasped, her embarrassment forgotten. “Oh, my God.”
“It never stops being beautiful. If you buy out here, you won’t regret it. And we have more riding instructors than we know what to do with. You’ll be a pro in no time.”
“You really think so?”
“Absolutely. Look at you!”
She looked out over the fading panorama, totally relaxing into the horse. Walker did the same. They’d reached the quietest part of the inner yard, past the teaching corral where a gate headed into trails that snaked through the hills.
God, he hoped like hell he could get hired on again here in the spring. But for now, he’d enjoy this one night of going round and round, making people feel special.
“Thank you,” the woman said a few minutes later, offering him a sincere hug before she made way for the next rider.
“Have a good evening, miss,” he said in farewell, then tipped his hat to the next woman. Two hours later, his pockets were overflowing with tips, and Walker was damn near overjoyed he’d been offered this gig. Shit. Even if it didn’t lead to a permanent job, it’d been damn fun and damn profitable.
Now that the charity auction and dinner were done, it was time for the dancing. Walker led the last horse away just as the band swung into a Rascal Flatts song. On his way back, the event manager of the ranch grabbed his arm.
“You’re done with the horses?” she asked, looking over the clipboard in her hand. She’d worked here for twenty years, he’d never once seen her smile and the woman was probably capable of running the whole state single-handedly. “Can you dance?”
“Pardon?” he asked.
“Dance.” She gestured toward the barn. “Two-step.”
“Of course I can two-step.” What the hell kind of cowboy couldn’t two-step?
“Okay. Get in there and mix it up a little. These fancy men don’t know what to do with themselves on the dance floor and their wives want to dance.”
“Sure,” he said, not sure at all. “So I’m still on the clock?”
“Yes!” she snapped as if his stupid question was holding up the festivities.
“And all I need to do is dance with ladies?”
“Jesus, Walker, just get in there already.”