Lead Me Home. Vicki Thompson Lewis

them in a plastic bag, that would be great.”

      “Sure thing.” She pulled the carrots out of the refrigerator and took a couple of apples from a bowl on the counter.

      “Or I can cut them up,” he said. “I’m sure you’re busy getting lunch ready.”

      “That’s okay.” She got out a cutting board and set to work. “I’m the cook, which probably extends to making treats for the horses. This is for Houdini, right?”

      “It is.”

      “How’s everything going with him?”

      “If we can stay on schedule, I’ll ride him around the corral this afternoon.”

      She turned to him, knife poised in midair. “Ride him already? Sarah told me he’s never been ridden.”

      “Well, today’s the day.”

      His quiet confidence registered on her lust-o-meter. So would his competence if he pulled this off. She continued slicing up the apples and carrots. “You should probably sell tickets.”

      “I doubt anybody would buy them.”

      “I would.”

      “Then I hereby offer you a complimentary ticket to the official riding demonstration featuring Houdini and yours truly.”

      “How will I know when it is?”

      “You might want to come out around four. I’m shooting for that.”

      She scooped the pieces of carrot and apple into a plastic bag, zipped it closed and walked over so she could hand it to him. “It’s only the first day. I’m sure nobody expects you to ride him on the first day.”

      “But I do.”

      She admired his attitude even more than she admired his body, and that was saying a lot. “Understood.”

      “Thanks for the horse treats.” His hand brushed hers as he took the bag.