The Cowboy's Perfect Match. Cathy Mcdavid

there. The auto-parts store was a regular stop—his truck was in constant need of replacement parts. He liked the specials at the Cowboy Up Café, but the hardware store left a lot to be desired. He bought the majority of his building supplies in north Scottsdale at the home-improvement store.

      Again, she pondered where he got his money.

      “I can unsaddle and put the horses away,” he said when they reached the stables. “You’ve got things to do.”

      Bridget found she wasn’t quite ready to leave. “You sure? I don’t mind staying.”

      “Go on.” He swung down from the saddle and tied his horses to the trailer before leading the other two to the hitching post.

      She marveled at how they docilely followed Ryan, one after the other. It had been like that on the trail. Not a single hiccup or moment of panic the entire time. She couldn’t imagine riding a horse while leading three others. They’d likely start bucking and kicking, and Ryan would have to cut them loose, like when he’d worked for the outfitter.

      “He’s not Superman,” she mumbled under her breath.

      “What’s that?”

      “Oh!” She hadn’t heard him come up behind her and gave a quick jerk. Composing herself, she said, “You’re, um, going to do just fine leading the trail rides.”

      “Bridget.”

      He was suddenly close. Very close. He’d removed his sunglasses and his cowboy hat, and she could see the tiny crinkles at the corners of his eyes. Smell the brisk scent of sunshine and outdoors on him.

      Alarm bells started clanging inside her head. “Ryan, I—”

      “How ’bout you and I have dinner soon? There has to be an evening we’re both free.”

      He was asking her on a date. Expected, she thought, and yet unexpected.

      “I don’t think that’s wise.”

      “Is there a rule against employees dating? Because your grandmother eloped with your staff minister.”

      “No, there’s no rule. That’s not the reason.”

      “Another man? The doctor at the clinic?”

      He had heard Bridget discussing Dr. Hall with her grandmother. “No.” Not yet, she silently added.

      “Then what’s stopping you?”

      “I don’t think we have the same objectives when it comes to relationships.”

      “It’s just dinner.” Ryan’s voice had dropped to a husky level that made concentrating hard.

      “And therein lies the problem.” Drawing on her willpower, she straightened. “I’m not interested in just dinner or hanging out or friends with benefits. I’m looking for a guy who’s ready now to commit to me and to having a family and who’s content making Mustang Valley his home. I don’t believe that describes you.”

      “I understand.” He shrugged, seemingly unfazed by her rejection. “Let me know if you change your mind.”

      With that, he returned to the horses, leaving Bridget in a state of mild shock and annoyed rather than relieved.