Barbara Dunlop: A Cowboy in Manhattan

“Put these on.”

The gloves were soft against Katrina’s hands, warm from Reed’s body.

He placed the reins across her palm, showing her how to hold them. Then he backed away, holding a long length of the lead rope while North Star started forward, moving in a big circle.

It took a few minutes for Katrina to realize she wasn’t afraid. A little while later, she felt as if she’d found her balance. And when Reed asked if he could take off the lead rope, she found herself agreeing.

He stayed in the middle of the round pen while North Star, who apparently knew the drill, paced around the perimeter with Katrina on her back.

“You’re doing great,” Reed told her.

She braved a look up from North Star’s back. She smiled at Reed, and he smiled back, strong, sexy and confident.

The sun was high in the sky above him, the snow-capped mountains rising behind, a knife edge against the crackling blue sky. Wildflowers fanned out in the field, and aspen leaves blew in a gentle breeze. Even the cattle looked bucolic grazing on the hillside, while robins, chickadees and bluebirds flitted from tree to tree.

Katrina’s heart lurched, and for the first time in her life, she felt at home in Lyndon Valley.

A pickup’s engine rumbled in the distance, growing closer. The truck pulled into the yard, and North Star glanced over her shoulder, but otherwise didn’t pay any attention to the interruption. A few moments later, Mandy and Caleb appeared and moved toward the fence.

Reed paced his way over to Katrina and North Star, stopping the horse with a hand signal and a low word.

“Probably don’t need an audience yet,” he told Katrina. Then he helped her down from North Star.

She was grateful for his understanding.

Reed took the mare, and she waded her way through the deep, loose dirt, back to the round-pen gate. Mandy opened it, beaming.

“You did it!” She laughed, pulling Katrina into her arms.

“I did it,” Katrina agreed happily.

Reed had been right. North Star was gentle as a kitten, but she felt proud anyway. She hadn’t been scared, and she hadn’t fallen off, and she was actually willing to try it again.

“Caleb and I have been talking,” said Mandy, linking arms as they started toward the house.

A stable hand took over North Star, and Reed and Caleb fell into step behind.

“About?” asked Katrina. She pulled off the leather gloves and twisted her new engagement ring back into place. The band was a stylized tension wave, platinum, holding a round diamond solitaire, with two small emeralds embedded in the outsides of the band.

She and Reed had found it at a funky jewelry store in Brooklyn. Katrina had loved it on sight. An hour later, she had her ring, and Reed had bought into the jewelry business.

“Why don’t we have a double wedding?” Mandy asked in a breathless, animated voice.

Katrina blinked in surprise at the unexpected suggestion.

“Katrina doesn’t want to get married in Lyndon Valley,” said Reed.

“It doesn’t have to be in Lyndon Valley,” Mandy responded.

Reed moved up next to Katrina. He took her free hand and placed a kiss on the back of her knuckles. “I think she wants a New York City wedding. And I’ve promised her anything she wants.”

“We’ll be living in New York City,” Katrina put in. Not that she wanted to get married in Lyndon Valley. But Reed had certainly made one huge concession. She could do the same.

“What about Chicago?” Caleb suggested. “That’s halfway in between.”

Katrina glanced at Reed. She kind of liked the idea of a double wedding with her sister and Reed’s brother. But Chicago didn’t mean anything to either her or to Reed.

“Denver,” said Mandy, with conviction. “It’s Colorado, but with skyscrapers and beautiful parks and five-star hotels.”

“It doesn’t have to be a double wedding,” said Reed.

“I like Denver,” said Katrina, her heart warming to the idea. “It’s a nice compromise.”

“You sure?” asked Reed, concern in his voice.

Katrina let go of her sister and turned to Reed, slowing to a stop, taking his hands and looking deep into his eyes. Her chest was tight, her heart full. “I’m sure,” she told him. “After all, I am marrying Colorado.”

“Yes, you are,” said Reed, drawing her into his arms, holding her close while Mandy and Caleb got farther ahead. “And I’m marrying the very best thing in all of New York City.”

“Our children can ride bareback to the Met,” she teased.

“Or wear a Versace dress to a barn dance.”

“I can’t wait to see that.”

He paused and the sounds of the ranch filled the spaces around them. After a minute, he stroked the rough pad of his thumb across her cheek. “I’m an ordinary cowboy, Katrina. As ordinary as they come. How’d I ever deserve someone as amazing as you?”

He had it all wrong. But she didn’t know how to explain. “You’re the one who’s amazing,” she tried. “And I love you so much.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” He leaned down for a kiss, his voice turning hoarse. “I’m going to love you forever.”

writes romantic stories while curled up in a log cabin in Canada’s far north, where bears outnumber people and it snows six months of the year. Fortunately she has a brawny husband and two teenage children to haul firewood and clear the driveway while she sips cocoa and muses about her upcoming chapters. Barbara loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her website, www.barbaradunlop.com.