She turned and looked back out the door. "She thinks I'll never do it on my own." She sighed. "Maybe she's right. I'm always cutting off more than I can chew."
He rubbed her back gently. "You'll make it. Don't lose faith in yourself."
She smiled up at him. "You know, you're the first person to tell me that. It feels good."
He frowned. "That's terrible. Everybody should have someone to share their dreams with. His fingers worked at the tenseness along her back. "You know," he spoke slowly. "I always wanted a ranch too. I wanted to put native wildlife on it. You know, like buffalo, pronghorn, and Doll sheep - wildlife native to the United States. That's what got me started saving money." He sighed. "I almost forgot about it until you started talking about the horse ranch."
She stared out the door. "I think it's a wonderful dream. It sounds like a lot of fun - and expensive."
He laughed shortly. "Yeah, I got sidetracked, though. Then it didn't mater much."
His fingers were gently massaging the muscles on either side of her backbone - warm and relaxing. She closed her eyes. The barn smelled of fresh hay, oats and molasses.
"It's so peaceful this time of year," she said sleepily. "I feel fat and lazy."
He chuckled softly. "Well, you're not - either one."
His fingers slipped under her shirt, warmly working at the muscles in her back. "I've got an idea."
She stiffened, resisting an urge to tell him to remove his hand. After all, it would have been perfectly acceptable if she were in a swim suit and he had been applying sun lotion. They were fully dressed and he was merely rubbing her back. Besides, it felt delightful.
"What?"
"Why don't I bring Ed up here and stable him? I've been spending all my free time up here anyway, and that way you could give him some exercise when I'm not here. I'd pay you."
His fingers were working up her back, relaxing every muscle. She sighed deeply. "I'd be glad to keep him here, but I don't want any money."
"Nonsense. I pay to board him now."
His hand slipped to her side, gently exploring upward until it reached her breast. Her heart pounded and she rolled over on her back, dislodging his hand.
He smiled down at her. "Besides, I've been neglecting him lately. Another filly has caught my eye."