Corporate Cowboy. Pamela Bauer

him think what he wanted. There was no way some city guy in a suit was going to get the upper hand on her. He’d learn that soon enough.

      BENNETT INDUSTRIES HAD enrolled fifteen employees in the program. That meant Kacy and her brothers each worked with a team of five. When it was time for the first scheduled activity—the riding lessons—Kacy only counted four people in her group.

      “Who’s missing?” a man named Ed asked, shading his eyes as he glanced to the opposite corners of the corral where the rest of the participants sat on bales of hay awaiting instructions.

      “It’s Mr. Bennett,” Kacy answered, looking at the slip of paper Dusty had handed her only minutes before.

      “I didn’t think he’d be out here with the rest of us,” another man chipped in.

      Kacy looked toward the lodge and felt a twinge of irritation which quickly escalated into a knot of anger when she saw a man walk out of the lodge and head for the pool. She didn’t need a pair of binoculars to know that it was Austin Bennett. Why had the man even bothered to come to the ranch?

      Determined to stay cool with the situation, she said, “Maybe Mr. Bennett doesn’t need a riding lesson.”

      “It’s more likely he doesn’t want one,” someone supplied.

      Ed grinned. “Rumor has it that he wasn’t too gung ho about coming here.”

      “Really?” Kacy stated innocently, knowing perfectly well Austin Bennett didn’t want to be anywhere near the ranch. “But we’re going to have so much fun.” She wiggled her eyebrows as she grinned.

      “Some of us are a little shy around horses,” another guest admitted.

      “There’s no need to be,” Kacy assured everyone. “Riding is an essential component of the work you will do here. And it’s fun. So, I’ll go have a little chat with Mr. Bennett. In the meantime, you can admire Harriet.” She walked over to the fence and lovingly stroked a chestnut mare tied to fence. “She’s a real sweetie. Wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

      “Is everyone going to get a horse to ride?” Ed asked as she started for the pool area.

      “Oh, yes. We’ve enough horses for everyone. Even Mr. Bennett,” she said with confidence before heading toward the lodge.