The Trouble With Cowgirls. Amanda Renee

again.

      “And stronger,” Lucy said as she withdrew from him, resting her hands on her lap.

      “Don’t forget wiser. Although that might be debatable on my part right about now.” Lane laughed at the irony of his own words. He attempted to will himself off the porch and back to the bunkhouse without success. This was a mistake.

      “What am I doing wrong?” Lucy asked while gazing out into the fields before them.

      Lane wondered if it was a rhetorical question or if he should answer. “In regards to what?”

      “Everything. My daughter misses her father and hates me because I moved us to America. My new job’s a bit overwhelming and I have feelings for you that I’ve never been able to get rid of.”

      Lane blew out a breath. “I see you haven’t lost your brutal honesty. Do you really want me to answer your question?”

      “Go for it.” Lucy’s eyes connected with his and for a moment, he envisioned kissing her.

      Lane turned his rocking chair toward her. “For starters, I think all kids hate their parents.” He reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, allowing its silkiness to slide through his fingers before retreating. “You could move her to the other side of the world or make the wrong thing for breakfast and probably get the same reaction. We did it. Our parents did it. It’s human nature. Carina’s had a lot more to deal with than most kids her age. Please don’t get mad at me for asking, but have you considered a child psychologist to give her someone neutral to talk to?”

      “I tried that in Italy but all she did was sit in the chair and stare at the wall. She refused to talk. When Carina shuts you out, you’re shut out. I haven’t found a way to get through to her yet. I hear her talk to the animals all the time, but I’m sure that’s because she can say what she wants to them and they won’t repeat it.”

      “Talking to animals sounds like normal childhood behavior to me. Lord knows I did it.” Lane welcomed her willingness to confide in him about Carina, but he couldn’t help wondering why she wasn’t talking to Ella instead of him. “Learning your new job will take some time. You’re not going to want to hear it, but this is exactly why people apprentice for this position.”

      Lucy sighed and shook her head.

      “Hey, you asked.” He might want Lucy to give up her job, but not if it meant her giving up on herself. “Look at how long I’ve been doing this—and according to your cousin, I’m still not ready. It’s not going to be easy. I’m not saying you can’t do it—I’m just saying you need to focus on one particular task at a time. I don’t know what they taught you in school, but, honey, this job takes years to learn and decades to master. You can’t squeeze it into a couple of training sessions.”