After lunch, Badger climbed in Ryker’s big black truck. “Why’d you invite Hayley to go ridin’?”

“You don’t want her to?” Ryker backed out and pointed the truck in the direction of the ranch.

“I’m happy to have her along, but I sure didn’t expect you to be.”

“It might be my only chance to ask her how she sees this thing playing out.”

“Hey, no, that’s not fair. You can’t invite her to the ranch so you can grill her.”

“I won’t. I’ll be gentle. But I’m damned curious as to whether you two have an end game in mind.”

“I can’t speak for her, but it seems simple to me. After the holidays are over and we’ve both left town, she informs her parents that it didn’t work out.”

“Will you communicate with them?”

“Will I need to?”

“It would be classy if you sent a note saying how much you appreciated getting to know, them, sorry it didn’t work out, blah, blah, blah.”

“Did you do that when you and April broke up? You said you were close to her folks.”

“Yes, I was close to them, and no, I didn’t. I was eighteen and stupid. I wish now I’d done that. They’d treated me like a member of the family and then I just blew off the relationship because I’d broken up with their daughter. I’m lucky they didn’t hold it against me when I showed up ten years later.”

“I won’t be showin’ up later, but I see the kindness in that plan. I’ll take it under advisement.”

“Hm.”

“What?”

“Sounds like you’ve decided against moving here and working with me.” The disappointment in his voice was obvious.

“Oh, hey, no! I haven’t made that decision. I suppose if I moved here, I would be showin’ up later, possibly having contact with her folks. Didn’t think of that.”

“You had me worried for a minute. I can tell you’re not totally sold on the idea, but I’m hoping you’ll give it more time to percolate.”

“I will, Cowboy. That’s only fair after you invited me out here to share in your family’s Christmas.”

“I wanted you to come. It was mostly so you could meet my family, see the plane and consider whether you wanted to make the move. But I also thought you might want an excuse not to spend the holiday with your folks.”

“I most certainly did. And they gave me grief for makin’ that choice.”

“Par for the course, right? Have they ever approved of your choices?”

“For the first eighteen years I didn’t get to make many.”

“Not surprising.”

“There was this one time when I was ten. We went out to dinner at some five-star restaurant. I don’t think it’s even there anymore. I decided to be brave and order the catch of the day.”

“You? The person who even hates tuna?”

“I don’t know what got into me that night. I must have wanted to prove I could be as sophisticated as they were. It worked. They were impressed as hell until the meal arrived and I refused to eat it. Grossest thing I’d ever seen.”

“Can you estimate how long that golden feeling of approval lasted?”

“Probably thirty minutes, tops. It was probably closer to twenty.”

“That’s it? The only time you can remember them showering praise on you?”

“There might have been others, but that’s the only one I remember for sure.” He gazed out the window.

“That sucks.”

“I know.” And their judgement regarding him wasn’t likely to change so he’d rather not think about it. “Do you realize how much unoccupied land there is in this area?”

“That’s the beauty of Montana. Lots of space.”

“And you like that feature.”

“Love it. I’m surprised you don’t. Think of all the space around you when you’re piloting a plane.”

“Up there you need it! Otherwise the pilots would constantly be runnin’ into one another.”

“I personally think you need it at the ground level, too. I couldn’t live in Atlanta.”

“Yes you could. It’s about acclimatin’.”

“You think I could change?”

“Sure.”

“Then so could you.”

“Yeah, but how long would it take? All this empty land freaks me out. When I was drivin’ into town last night, surrounded by mostly darkness and a few scattered clusters of lights, I felt like it could be the ocean rollin’ around out there.”

“I’ve had that thought. Doesn’t bother me but I guess it bothers you.”

“I’m just used to lights, buddy. And people. And traffic.”

“I understand that. But in Atlanta, you can’t get a view of snowy mountains from the air.”

“That’s a fact, Cowboy. That’s a fact.”

Ryker folded his arms over the steering wheel and glanced at him. “So tell me. If you didn’t know what you wanted to do when you got out, why didn’t you stay in?”

“Same reason as you. I heard your voice in my head ‘splainin’ why you’d decided to leave at the ten-year mark. Younger guys comin’ in were a split-second faster. That gap would only get wider as time went on. I didn’t want to be the idiot who stayed in too long and got somebody killed because I’d lost my edge.”

“Didn’t consider a desk job?”

“Just kill me now.”

“So here you are.”

“Here I am. And I don’t know what the hell to do next.”

Ryker took a deep breath. “I apologize if I put the pressure on. I want you to throw in with me. Your money’s already here, so why not you? But I need to give you time.”

“Thanks.”

“It would be way simpler if you hadn’t gotten yourself tangled up with Hayley.”

“Probably. But it’s what I do.”

Ryker laughed. “At least you admit it.” He turned off on the dirt road leading to the ranch. “I can’t wait to get you into a Western saddle. You’re gonna love it.”

An hour later, Badger was acclimating his ass off. Tacking up a horse in Montana didn’t bear much resemblance to what he’d been used to at his favorite riding stable in Atlanta.

A Western saddle seemed more appropriate for lounging poolside than riding across the snowy fields of Montana. He used the time before Hayley arrived getting acquainted with Winston and learning how to saddle him. He couldn’t get over the weight difference between this saddle and the English ones he was used to.

He settled it on Winston’s broad back and the horse grumbled. “Is this extra weight hard on him?”

“I suppose it could be if the saddle doesn’t fit right,” Ryker said. “We make sure it does. Don’t mind his grumbling. He just likes to comment on everything. He likes it if you comment back.”

“Is that right, Winston? Are you a talker, buddy? If you are, we’ll get along like grits and gravy. I’m a talker, too.”

Winston snorted.

“Yeah, I get that reaction a lot. Time to strap you in, Winston, ol’ boy.” He tightened what he called a girth but Ryker called a cinch. The horse groaned. “I know how it is. I felt the same every time I buckled myself into the F-15. But once you get belted in, you can take off like a rocket.”

Ryker chuckled. “Winston’s days of taking off like a rocket are behind him. You can get some good speed out of that horse, but you’ll have to work up to it.”

“Ah, no worries, Winston. We’re not plannin’ on enterin’ the Kentucky Derby, are we? It was just a figure of speech.”

Winston snuffled and bobbed his head, making his bridal jingle.

“I like this horse, Cowboy. We’re bondin’ over here.”

“I can tell.” Ryker had already saddled his horse, a long-legged bay called Jake. He lifted a saddle onto Strawberry, named for his strawberry roan coat.

“Did he come with the name Winston?”

“Nope.” He reached under the roan’s belly and grabbed the cinch. “His name was Winner, but after listening to him talk for a month or two, I suggested Winston, after Winston Churchill. I was studying World War II in school.”

“I like it. How about Jake?”

“Zane named him after one of his high school friends who moved here from Tennessee. Since Jake is part Tennessee Walker, it seemed appropriate.”

“Another Southern boy? Is he still in Eagles Nest?”

“No, but they keep in touch. Jake is Zane’s favorite horse, but since he’s busy over at the raptor sanctuary, I get to ride Jake. Didn’t think about letting you have him since he has that Southern vibe. Want to trade?”

“No, I do not. Me and Winston have made a connection, haven’t we, Winnie?”

The horse gave a low chuckle.

“Damn straight we have.” Badger scratched underneath Winston’s butterscotch and white mane. “Always did want a horse.”

“That’s something you have in common with Hayley.”

“Oh, we have plenty in common.” The sound of a car’s engine told him she was headed down the ranch road.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. In a way, I’m sorry that…well, never mind.” He gave Winston a pat and walked over to meet Hayley as she parked her rental car next to Ryker’s truck.

She climbed out wearing jeans, running shoes and a heavy jacket. She clutched a canvas hat in one hand. “This isn’t nearly as fetching as yours, but it’s what I could scrounge at the house.” She put it on and tightened the string under her chin. “It’s my dad’s fishing hat.”

“You look cuter’n a speckled pup.”

She laughed. “You silver-tongued flatterer, you.”

“Where I come from, that’s a compliment.”

“Where I come from, it isn’t.” She patted his cheek. “But you meant it to be.”

He started to give her a kiss and then remembered Ryker knew the truth about this charade. “Guess I don’t have to kiss you.”

“Guess not.” She held his gaze for a moment before looking away. “This is so exciting for me! I never imagined I’d get to ride on this vacation.” She started toward the barn. “Which one do I get?”

“The strawberry roan.” He fell into step beside her. “Appropriately named Strawberry.” He should have just kissed her.

“He’s gorgeous. They all are.”

“I’m riding the Paint. That’s Winston. And Ryker’s riding Jake.”

“I can’t wait. I might be a little rusty in the beginning, but once I get going I’ll be fine.”

“At least you’re used to that kind of saddle.”

“You rode English?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You should be fine. I think it’s probably harder to go from Western to English. Hey, Ryker! Thanks for saddling my horse for me.”

“Happy to. Great hat.”

“It was either this or a knit one with earflaps, which wouldn’t do much to block the sun. Are we ready?”

“Sure are.” Ryker gestured to the horse he’d just saddled. “This is Strawberry.”

“So Badger said. I can’t thank you enough for inviting me.”

“You’re most welcome. Need a hand up?”

“No, thanks. I’ve got it.” She accepted the reins and mounted in one fluid motion. “Ahhh. I love seeing the world from the back of a horse.”

“Me, too, Hayley.” Ryker smiled up at her. “The only thing better is seeing it from the cockpit of a plane.”

“I couldn’t say since I’ve never done that.”

“You should try it sometime.”

Badger was amused by Ryker’s quick turnaround. After his initial blustery reaction to this caper, he was charmed by Hayley’s zest for life. He wasn’t the only one.

He looked at Badger. “Okay, flyboy. Mount up.”

“Aye, aye, cap’n.” He swung into the saddle and Winston groaned again. “Sorry, Winnie. I shouldn’t have had the chocolate cake for dessert.”

“But wasn’t it great?” Hayley neck-reined Strawberry away from the hitching rail. “I have to have it every Christmas. Which way, Ryker?”

“I thought we’d take the trail Zane uses when he’s releasing one of his raptors. It’s real pretty.”

“Then lead on.” She glanced at Badger. “Do you want to fall in behind him? After all, this was supposed to be a ride for you two. That way you can talk. I’ll just meander along behind and enjoy the scenery.”

He shook his head. “Ladies first.”

“Should have known you’d insist on that. By the way, you look great on that horse.”

“Winston would make anyone look great. He’s a showy animal.”

“He is, but—”

“You two coming or not?” Ryker turned in the saddle. “We’re burning daylight.”

“On our way, Cowboy!” Badger winked at her. “We’ll continue this discussion later.”

Her blue eyes sparkled and her cheeks turned pink. “Counting on it.”

Yeah, he absolutely should have kissed her a while ago. Surely he’d have another opportunity. If not, he’d make one.