As I walk toward the barn I realize that today marks my ninth day on the ranch. Despite all the hard work and slanging matches with Lars, I’ve loved it. I’ve also started to meet a few of the other employees, and thankfully, not one has heard of Tamara Honeywell. It’s been a nice change.

Deep in thought, I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear a man’s voice call, “Howdy.”

Expecting to be alone in the barn, I take a startled step back. “You scared the bejesus out of me,” I say, still clutching my chest.

A sandy-haired, slim man about my age grins widely. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to.”

“Are you the new groom?” I ask uncertainly. I was expecting Lars to hire a female farmhand after our realization that Thunder doesn’t do well with men.

He looks sheepish. “Not really. I’m just supposed to hang around and help you if you need it. Lars says you’ll mostly be doing your own thing.”

I smile at the eagerness he exudes. “All right, I’ll work on doing my own thing, then.” Taking a step away from him, I head in the direction of Thunder’s stall.

To my amusement, he follows me like a lamb.

“So, is it true that you’re famous?” he asks after a moment. His voice is awed and it irritates me.

I’m not famous. I’m just a poor girl from Chicago trying to pay off a nasty loan shark. I put the halter on Thunder and start leading him out. “Yeah, I’m basically a godess in Los Angeles,” I say dryly. The phrase is egotistical and I hate hearing it come from my lips.

His brow furrows and I can tell that I have put him off me.

It saddens me a little that I have to behave in such a way, but those are the terms of my job.

“I really don’t care if you're famous,” he says.

“Then why’d you bring it up?” I ask as I grab hold of Thunder’s lead rope and tie him to a post in the grooming bay the way I’d seen the other farmhands do. I notice that Thunder isn’t going crazy around him. He only looks slightly weary.

“I was just curious,” he says, raising his hands defensively.

I grab the soft bristle brush and begin running it through Thunder’s mane. Though I’ve only ever done it twice before, I’ve watched how Thunder reacts to each of the strokes and do only the ones he enjoys.

“You’re excellent at that,” he says from so close behind me that I jump.

I whirl around. “What is your problem, buddy?” I ask irritably. I don’t need another James.

He takes a few steps back and looks at me mournfully. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean nothing,” he mumbles.

“Just keep your distance, please. You’re going to spook the horse.” Although, the truth is, Thunder seems all right with him. It’s me who’s finding his good-natured invasion into my personal space annoying.

“All right. I’ll just wait right here then,” he agrees amiably.

I sigh. “Look. You can tell Lars I really don’t need a babysitter. I’ve been working with these horses on my own every day for the last nine days, and I haven’t done anything stupid or messed up yet.”

He tips his hat in that charming way cowboys do. “Pardon, ma’am, but with all due respect, I’m being paid to keep an eye on you, so I need to stay by your side. I really hope you understand.”

“What do you mean you’re being paid to keep an eye on me?” I demand, my hands on my hips.

I must look fierce because he takes an involuntary step back. “I am technically a farmhand. I repair fences and work with the chickens. I’m good with chickens, but I’m being paid extra to watch you.”

“What do you mean by ‘watch’?”

“I’m not allowed to leave your side,” he admits uncomfortably.

“What?”

His eyes widen. “I’m just doing my job.”

“Did Lars ask you to spy on me?” I ask.

He squirms. “No, ma’am. I’m just supposed to keep you safe.”

“If he’s trying to shirk his own duties by hiring you…”

His eyes widen with alarm. “No, ma’am. He’s trying his hardest to be with you, but it’s tough for him to find time in his schedule.”

“Yeah, because feeding and milking cows take so long,” I say sardonically.

His eyes widen. “He does far more than that, ma’am.”

It is obvious where his loyalty lies.

“I haven’t had one chance to ride my horse yet, so he really needs to get his ass out here.”

He clears his throat. “I wish there was something I could do for you, ma’am, but my job is to make sure you don’t do nothing…er…” he scratches his cheek, “irregular.”

I groan with frustration and turn back to Thunder, my brush strokes ferocious. On the second stroke, I stop and take a deep breath. This is not me at all. I’m never horrible toward perfect strangers. Yes, I’m furious with Lars, but I shouldn’t take it out on this poor kid who’s just trying to do his job, or this beautiful horse that I love. I kiss Thunder’s neck and say a silent apology, then turn around with a smile on my face. “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. Let’s start again. I didn’t get your name.”

“I’m Butch,” he says, looking relieved and extending a hand toward me.

“Is that a common name in these parts?” I ask, taking his hand. It’s rough with calluses, but his shake is firm and he doesn’t hold my hand longer than necessary. I decide I like him. We just got off on the wrong foot. “I’ve never met anyone—other than a German Shephard—named Butch.” I grin to show that I’m not being malicious.

He grins back. “It’s way more common than Tamara,” he says.

“Oh yeah?” I wonder how common the name Cass is around here.

“I think your accent’s real neat,” he says bashfully.

“Thank you, but your accent is very different. You’re not from around here either, are you?” Except for Lars and Emma Jean, everyone else I’ve met in Montana speaks with a slight accent that almost sounds like a southern drawl, but less potent. It suddenly occurs to me that maybe Lars is not from Montana either.

“You betcha I’m not from these parts. I’ve got itchy feet. They’ve taken me all over the country. I’ve been in Georgia, Texas, Utah, Kansas, Colorado, Iowa, Wyoming, and North Dakota. I was going to work here for six months then move on, but I kinda like it here and I guess I’ll stay on for a bit.”

“Me too. I kinda like it here too,” I agree with a big smile in his direction. I feel like I have to make up for my previous behavior, more so now that I know that we’re in a similar situation. He’s not acting like a celebrity to pay off loan sharks, but like me, he’s an outsider.

He smiles back.

“You know,” I begin, “we should hang out sometime. Maybe we can teach each other something.”

For a second, Butch looks unsure of himself. “Yeah, we could hang out,” he says as if he’s trying to act cool.

I take a step toward him. Crap, he doesn’t realize I'm being friendly and not flirtatious. “Butch,” I say seriously, “I’m not interested in you in a romantic way.”

Butch casts his eyes downward and takes a deep breath. It’s clear he’s disappointed, but then he chuckles. “That’s good,” he quips, “because I’m not into high fallutin’ city slickers with curves for fuckin’ days.”

My tense muscles relax with relief. “And I’m not into judgy, douchebags with laughing eyes.”

“I’m real pleased to meet you, Tamara Honeywell,” he says, smiling.

“Why?”

“I like having attractive friends. And you are hot,” he says with a wink.

I laugh and nod my head. “Okay, here’s to friends. I need a friend around here anyway. Who’s better than a skinny chicken expert who is meant to watch out for me?”

Butch leans against Thunder’s stall, and the huge horse reacts by getting onto its hind legs and neighing. Butch jumps away and clears his throat in an attempt to act natural.

I smile and walk toward Thunder. “Are you scared of him?”

“How come you’re not?” Butch stands well back and allows me to lead Thunder into the main part of the barn.

“I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve seen a horse in person. I’ve always thought they were beautiful, but never interacted with them.” I pet Thunder’s nose and tie him to the fence post outside the barn. “Do you want me to show you what to do? You can’t get over your fear from over there.”

“I’ve heard bad things about this horse,” he says nervously.

I laugh and extend my hand toward him. “I promise I won’t let him hurt you. You’re the first man that Thunder has allowed near him, so that’s a start. It’s good for him.” I can’t help but wonder if it’s because of the gentle, almost feminine vibe to him that makes Thunder tolerate being around him.

He shakes his head. “Nah, I’ll pass,”

“Come on, Butch. It’s really not that bad. Just try it.” I cajole.

When he just stares at me, I pull the guilt card. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course I trust you, but I don’t know about this.” His tone is semi-persuaded, but I know I need to go a step further.

“I thought we could be such good friends, but you won’t even help me to tame my horse?”

“You know I would if I could,” he says, taking a step in my direction.

All that’s left is pity. “But you can.” I lower my head and drop my shoulders, taking in a deep breath and petting Thunder solemnly. I’m not Tamara, but hell, my acting is top notch right now. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it,” I mumble.

“Fine.” He sighs and cautiously comes toward me.

I look up at him and smile. Thunder doesn’t react as Butch approaches, and I bite my lip anxiously. Will Thunder take to Butch the way he took to me?

He comes even closer and Thunder remains stationary, not bothered by his presence. I’m amazed by the fact that Thunder isn’t reacting negatively toward Butch. “You’re doing great,” I say encouragingly. Am I encouraging myself or Butch? I’ve only been around these animals for nine days, but I feel connected to them. Am I ready to be responsible for someone else as well as myself and Thunder?

“Just pet his snout. He won’t hurt you,” I promise. I don’t know if he’ll get anxious about being touched, but he’s tied to a post. He won’t be able to do any damage while restrained by a rope.

“Okay,” Butch mumbles, reaching his hand out. He doesn’t touch the horse’s head, though. Instead, he hovers for a moment then begins to pull back.

I grab hold of his hand and place it on Thunder’s face. He jumps slightly, evidently surprised by the close contact and my forceful gesture, but he doesn’t attempt to break free. Instead, he wiggles his fingers on Thunder’s snout and the horse snorts nervously and swishes his tail. Butch looks at me and smiles with an awed expression.

“What the hell is going on here?” Lars says from behind us, startling Thunder and making Butch and I leap apart in shock. I jerk my head toward him, baffled as to why he sounds so livid.