Nick walked and talked to the horse as he touched him. Lucky Joe did fine if Nick just talked to him but when he patted his neck the horse tried to shy away again. “I won’t hurt you Lucky Joe. I want you to learn with me.” Nick kept up the patting on both sides of Lucky Joe’s neck and the horse finally relaxed a slight bit. The horse’s back was the next thing Nick touched, the horse reared up and tried to jerk free but Nick kept his grip firm. “Easy boy, I am not hurting you.” Again Nick repeated the pat on Lucky Joe’s back and the horse reared up again so Nick tried it again and again until the horse just jerked back several steps at Nick’s pat.

  Nick let that go for a while and just walked the horse around and talked while he patted the neck. “You are a good boy. I think you need to meet my girl. She probably thinks you are a handsome devil. Just remember she is my girl.” He said as he came closer to the gate

  “Lindsay, come meet my new friend here. He said he wanted to meet you.” Nick called quietly to her. Lindsay opened the gate and then closed it behind her. “Come over here and pat Lucky Joe on that side of the neck.”

  “Hi Lucky Joe” Lindsay said as she patted his neck. “You are a handsome fella.”

  “See, I told you Lucky Joe. I knew she would think you were handsome. But she is my girl.” Nick spoke quietly to the horse.

  “Lindsay, will you put both hands on his neck and then gently slide one hand down to his back. I have a good hold on him. I want to see his reaction.”

  Lindsay did as instructed and Lucky Joe jerked but didn’t rear up. So Nick had her do it again and Lucky Joe gave the same reaction. “Good boy, that didn’t hurt did it?” Nick crooned to him

  “Okay, Lindsay, head towards the railing and climb up I want to see if he gets distracted.” Nick said

  Lindsay walked to the railing and climbed up to sit down. Lucky Joe followed her movements but Nick talked him back to focus on him. “Thanks Lindsay”

  Nick walked and talked to the horse for about an hour. He walked him back to his stall and fed, watered and groomed him all the while still talking to him. “Good bye Lucky Joe.” Nick called with a final pat to his neck.

  Nick left the stall and rejoined the others. Lindsay reached for his hand as he approached.

  “Nick, I have never seen anything like that.” Colby said reaching to pat him on the back. “It usually takes two men to groom him and hold onto him as he rears up.”

  “I think you were right about someone mistreating him.” Nick commented “I think it can be reversed with time and attention.”

  “Will you take him on?” Colby asked

  “Let me check with David, if he says okay then you can bring him down to StageWest.”

  Dalton interrupted Nick. “David knew about this surprise. He said if you wanted to take on the horse it was fine and there was room in the barn for him.”

  “Then I guess we have a new guest at StageWest. Have him brought down whenever you want. I will do my best.”

  CeCe laughed “Your best? That horse will bow down to you when you are finished. He calmed so much in just the short time you worked with him.”

  Nick nodded and Lindsay squeezed his hand. He hated being the center of attention. “Send his papers down with him; David may want to look them over.”

  “Will do. Thank you for taking him on.” He said moving to shake Nick’s hand. Everyone wanted to see the rest of his pen so they all ventured back into the barn.

  Dalton was walking with Colby a ways behind the group. “How did he learn that?”

  “He didn’t, he was born that way. When we were just little kids maybe six or seven, his dad was working in our barn with my father. They were having some troubles with a horse and Nick walked right up to it and treated it the same way he just did yours. My dad tried to shield him in case the horse got wild again but Nathan, his father, just watched and stopped my father from pulling Nick away. The horse calmed down and our fathers got the medicine on him and bandaged his cuts. Nick then led him back to his stall and talked to him for a long time. That became Nick’s horse and Nick’s career was born.”

  “Wow, he was something to watch.”

  “He mentioned asking my brother about bringing your horse down.”

  “Yes, are you sure your brother is fine with it?”

  “David trusts Nick implicitly and would have said yes without us already clearing it with him. And Nick is right; send his papers down and any other horses you might want David to look over. He is always on the lookout for quality stock and he gives good advice on breeding.”

  “Good advice?” Colby laughed “I know your brother’s reputation, good is a bit understated.”

  “Yes, I know but I didn’t know you knew that.” Dalton replied sheepishly

  Dalton and Colby caught up to the rest of the group. Lindsay was admiring a fine looking horse as Nick looked him over. “He is beautiful Colby.” Lindsay replied as he approached

  “I just got him. His papers read like he will be a fine stud.”

  “Fax his papers to David and we will run some statistics on him. David might have some ideas for you.” Nick said exiting the stall. “If you fax them soon enough and David has a chance to read them, he might tell you to bring him down with Lucky Joe.”

  “When we go into the house for lunch you can look them over and fax them yourself.” Colby replied “Do you all want to ride or eat?”

  Eat then ride. Most everyone agreed so they all went to the house for lunch. Colby retrieved the papers on his horses and handed them to Nick. Nick looked over the bloodlines and recognized a few names. He handed them to Lindsay and nodded that David would like to see these. Colby directed her to the fax machine while Nick stepped out to call David.

  “Hey Nick, how was the surprise?” David said in greeting

  “Great. We are at Colby’s house now. The horse looks salvageable. He also had a fine quality stud that I think you should see. Lindsay is faxing you the paperwork on all his horses right now. If you can look them over and let me know if you want to see any of them, Colby can send them down with Lucky Joe.”

  “I have time to look them over, I’ll call you later.”

  “Thanks David.” Nick said as he hung up.

  Everyone sat down to a lovely lunch and fun conversation. Colby entertained them with stories from his and CeCe’s childhood. “We were pretty close. Our parents shipped us back and forth between houses as they worked on movie sets.”

  After lunch, Colby took Dalton, Nick and Greg out on a ride. Sarah and CeCe couldn’t ride and Lindsay chose to stay with them. They camped out in the shade by the pool and misting system. Colby’s housekeeper kept them supplied with cool drinks.

  “So, Lindsay, tell us how things are with you and Nick. When Sarah told me about you two, I was surprised.” CeCe stated with her wicked sense of humor

  “Things are just fine with Nick and I.” Lindsay returned calmly

  “Fine?” CeCe inquired “Nick is a handsome cowboy, fine can’t be the right word.”

  “Okay, fine is understated. Fabulous would be a better word.”

  “I would say so girlfriend. He melts my shoes and I am a married woman. If he treats you the way he treats those horses, you must end up as a puddle of goo.”

  “I am not answering that.” Lindsay stated as her face turned bright red.

  “You don’t have to sister, your face just did it for you.” Sarah said gently “I am so happy for you Lindsay; Nick is a wonderful guy.”

  “I am very happy with him. It took a long time but we finally found each other as more than friends.”

  “So when is the wedding?” CeCe asked

  “We aren’t engaged yet. He says we need more time. I don’t care, as long as we are happy I can wait.”

  “You glow with happiness Lindsay.” CeCe said “And he does too if you look close. Just like Greg and just like Dalton. We are three very lucky ladies.”


  “Yes we are.” replied Sarah and Lindsay as they toasted each other.

  Lindsay’s phone rang a few minutes later. “Hi David”

  “Hey kid”

  “Did the fax come through?”

  “Yes, is Nick around? He didn’t answer his cell phone.”

  “They are out riding, he is probably out of range.”

  “Probably. Anyway can you give him a message?”

  “Sure.”

  “I just faxed back a couple of scenarios, have Nick look at them and call me back. If he sees what I see, there are some possibilities there for Colby and us.”

  “Okay, I will. I see them headed back now. I will give him the message.”

  “Thanks, talk to you soon.”

  “Good news?” Sarah asked as Lindsay shut her phone

  “Maybe. David sent a fax back; I am going to get the housekeeper to get it for me.”

  “Colby won’t mind, just go get it.” CeCe broke in

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive.”

  Lindsay walked into Colby’s office where the fax machine was and picked up David’s fax. She read it and then walked down to the barn. She arrived about the same time as the guys did. She took Nick’s horse from him and handed him the papers and gave him David’s message. “I’ll take care of him. Why don’t you go read those?” Lindsay stated walking away with the horse. One of Colby’s hands came and took the horse away and removed the saddle.

  Dalton, Greg, Colby and Lindsay walked back to where Sarah and CeCe were sitting. They all moved back to the house for more refreshments. Nick was sitting out by the barn reading through David’s scenarios.

  Nick picked up his phone and punched the number for David.

  “Hey” David said in greeting “You were right. That stud could help him and maybe us.”

  “You want me to talk to Colby and show him the possibilities.”

  “Yes, then have him send down the ones I indicated. I can have them picked up if he wants. I don’t know his operation so you tell me.”

  “I’ll ask. Thanks for this David. I knew that horse was something.”

  “Then you didn’t need me. I trust your judgment. You can read them better than me. I have software to help, you have instinct.”

  “Thanks. Hey, I already told Dalton but I need to talk to you two when we get home without Lindsay knowing about it.”

  “About time.” David said

  “It has only been a little while, don’t start with me.”

  “Uhhuh.”

  “Bye, talk to you tomorrow.”

  Nick hung up and went to find the rest of the crowd.

  Nick found them in the living room and asked to speak to Lindsay and Dalton. “David wants me to talk to Colby, should it be one of you instead?”

  “No.” Dalton replied as Lindsay shook her head no also

  “Okay, I just wanted to be sure.”

  “I’ll stay with you if you want, but this is your show and David wants you to do it.” Lindsay said holding his hand.

  “Thanks, I appreciate the support.” Nick replied squeezing her hand

  “I’ll send him out here.” Dalton stated as he went back to the living room.

  “Colby, Nick would like to talk to you about what he and David found.”

  “Sure, send him in here. I don’t have any problem with everyone hearing it.”

  Dalton went to get them. “He said you could tell everyone all at once.”

  Nick and Lindsay returned with Dalton. Nick had the papers in his hand as he started to discuss the possibilities with Colby. Colby listened and decided to send the horses David requested to StageWest.

  “Colby, David will look over the horses and re-run the statistics and possibles with some fine tuning for what he sees. Then he will contact you and then you can negotiate some contracts.” Lindsay filled in some specifics. “If you want to come to StageWest for that you are more than welcome. Or if we need to contact you here or on the road, we can work that out as well.”

  Colby nodded and was impressed by the Matthews operation.

  Nick spoke up again, “We can arrange for the horses to be transported to StageWest if you would like?”

  “Yes, that would be easier for me.” Colby stated

  “I’ll call David and have him start the arrangements.” Lindsay stated moving from the room. “Do you have any preferences of pick up times?”

  “No, it is up David.” Colby answered “I am home for the next few months. I have to heal my voice a while.”

  Lindsay called up David and he said he would make the arrangements and fax Colby the specifics.

  Lindsay re-entered the room and told Colby to be expecting a fax about the arrangements.

  “Come to Phoenix and stay with us Colby?” CeCe urged “We are home for a few more weeks too; then you can travel to StageWest to see their operations.”

  “That would be fun. I can come in about a week and a half.”

  “Perfect” CeCe replied

  “And come to StageWest whenever you want. You all are more than welcome.” Dalton invited

  They all talked for a little while longer and then moved to the limousine to head back to the hotel. “See you soon Colby.” CeCe said as she hugged him

  “Thank you all for coming. Thanks Nick for looking at Lucky Joe and the rest of my herd.”

  “You are welcome. See you soon.” Nick said shaking his hand.

  The limousine pulled away and Dalton turned to Nick. “Impressive job my friend.”

  “Thanks. Lucky Joe should turn out alright.”

  “Oh, I was talking about the stud. You found him and let your instincts work again.”

  “He was something to look at.” Nick agreed

  “You were something to look at.” Greg stated unexpectedly “Watching you work with Lucky Joe was a sight to see. How about doing that in front of a camera?”

  “No” Nick stated firmly “Not in this lifetime.”

  “Yes.” CeCe replied catching her husband’s train of thought. “You would be great at it.”

  “Yes.” Sarah agreed with enthusiasm “That is a great idea Nick.”

  “No it isn’t” Nick disagreed “I am not a camera person and the horse wouldn’t like it either.”

  “But ..” Sarah started to refute him

  “No.” Nick repeated firmly. “It isn’t anything special anyway; no one wants to watch it.”

  “I disagree” Greg stated “But I respect your decision.”

  “Thank you. It is just my job, nothing special.” Nick repeated

  Lindsay gripped his hand for support and changed the subject. Nick was glad to have the topic of conversation moved off of him. Me? In front of a camera?

  Nick was quiet the remainder of the ride to the hotel and up in the elevator.

  Dalton told Nick and Lindsay to come over in about an hour for dinner. They agreed and went to their suite. Nick hung his hat on the chair and sat down hard on the sofa. He laid back on the sofa and took a deep breath.

  “What’s wrong?” Lindsay asked as she sat on the coffee table in front of him. She reached out and put her hands on his knees. Nick reached down and covered her hands.

  “Thank you for your help today. We made a good team.”

  “You are welcome. Now, tell me what is wrong?”

  “How I handle a horse is nothing special and it certainly isn’t camera material.”

  “Nick” Lindsay stated sitting on his lap and forcing him to look at her. “I can and will tell you until we are old and gray that it is something special. You have a wonderful gift. Horses respond to you and all of us can see that.”

  “So, it isn’t anything…”

  Lindsay clamped her hand over his mouth “Yes it is. Now, tell me what David said.”

  “You heard most of it.”

  “And?”

  “He said that I didn’t ne
ed him, I had instinct to go on. Isn’t that crazy?”

  “No, it isn’t. David sees your gift and instinct even better than those of there today. Your father sees it and is very proud of you. You remind him of his father. That is special.”

  “Can we please talk about something else?” Nick asked “Or maybe not talk at all” he said moving his lips closer to hers. Lindsay smiled and lowered her head to his. “I love you” he said as he broke their kiss a few minutes later.

  “I love you” Lindsay replied

  They went to shower and change clothes then headed to Dalton’s suite for a night of fun with their friends and family.

  Chapter 16

  Monday evening Lindsay had a meeting in town so Nick used it as his opportunity to talk to his family. He asked David and Dalton to the den so he could talk to them.

  Nick was a little nervous so he had to pace the room for a few minutes. David and Dalton were waiting patiently but barely hiding their smiles.

  Nick finally paused and sat in the seat across from them. “I love your sister very much. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Do I have your permission and blessing to marry her?

  “Nick, Lindsay is a grown woman. You do not need our permission to marry her.” David stated “But you do have our blessing.”

  Dalton nodded his agreement “I have watched you two the last few weeks and the change in my sister is amazing. I hadn’t paid enough attention to her the last few months maybe years and she about wasted away on us. Now that we know the reason, we are so glad for the change. I would say welcome to our family but we have been family for years.”

  “I am so sorry I hurt Lindsay all those years. I will do everything in my power to make her happy for the rest of our lives.”

  “We know that Nick.” David replied “So when are you proposing?”

  “Well, I have a fabulous plan for that, but I need everyone’s help so let’s go talk to Sarah, Mama and Dad.”

  Everyone gathered in the living room so Nick could lay out his plan. The plan was dissected and discussed and revised until it was perfect and everyone knew their role and that is was a surprise for Lindsay.

  Early the next morning, Nick slipped into Lindsay’s room while she was still sleeping. He crept closer to the bed and knelt beside it. She was sleeping on her side with her hand tucked under the pillow and her arms cuddling the bear he had given her after her attack.