My mind whirls. “Gosh, your negotiating skills are top notch. Have you thought about becoming a lawyer?”
“What’s a lawyer?”
“A person who can talk their way out of any problem.”
She smiles wide. “That sounds fun!”
“Exactly. We should probably research the best schools to get you on the fast track.”
Her head tips in that cute way. “But I’m only in kindergarten.”
“It’s never too early. Education is important.” I almost snort at myself. It’s only by some crooked miracle that I even managed to graduate high school. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about Ronnie’s future.
And she seems equally concerned about mine. “You need to learn how to ride a horse.”
“Right now?”
“Yes.” She stamps her foot again. “Greta needs exercise. You can’t just let her sit around. That’s a waste. Do you want Daddy to sell her?”
“No,” I grumble. “I just really think—”
“Frannie,” she states in a firm tone. “Put your boot in the stirrup.”
She’s beginning to sound like my gynecologist and we’re not on speaking terms. That reminds me to find a replacement. But I digress. Again.
“Promise you won’t let go?”
Ronnie smacks her forehead with both palms. I’m just that exhausting. But there’s a more important matter at stake.
“You let go! She might run away.” I point at where the lead rope is hanging limp from Greta’s halter.
“She’s not moving. Look.” Ronnie waves her empty hands at Greta. The mare doesn’t so much as swish her glossy tail. She’s worthy of that outrageous price tag.
“But you dropped the rope. I’m not sure I can trust you once I’m up there,” I retort.
“Don’t be a chicken!”
I drop my jaw at her audacity. “Your prissy pants have no place here. This is my first time and I’m nervous.”
She’d look sympathetic if it weren’t for the exaggerated flare of her nostrils. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. I warmed her up for you.”
“I’m not sure what that means.”
Ronnie huffs again. “Greta is a good girl. If a kid can ride her, so can you.”
Well, when she puts it that way, I’m acting like a wimp.
I take a deep, calming breath. When that doesn’t work, I flip my hair back and square my shoulders like the heartless criminal James Keller raised. It’s just a horse. I’ve conquered much scarier challenges.
This dreamscape I’m caught in is about trying new things, such as letting the grumpy single dad dick me dirty in the barn after dark. My horizons are spreading like my thighs. A shiver zips down my spine at the reminder. Yes, that was delightful.
And there’s no reason to limit myself now. I can pretend to be a cowgirl. It fits right in with my role as a nanny. No problem.
The little girl gasps. “Frannie! What happened?”
My head whips around, searching for the culprit. “Where?”
“On your neck!” She stabs her finger at me. “You’ve got boo-boos.”