Chapter 2: Ducking the Cougar

Chapter 2: Ducking the Cougar

Cole Caldwell mentally rolled his eyes for what felt like the fiftieth time that morning. Meredith Wagner was a cougar in the classic sense, with her platinum blonde hair and her designer nose. And designer breasts, he imagined.

Not that he imagined her as a habit. She was a good fifteen years older than he; he'd just turned twenty-seven the month before. Even so, she was in great shape. It was a wonder what you could do with a personal trainer and a plastic surgeon on speed dial.

"Now Cole, you must allow me to take you to lunch before you head back to the country," Meredith purred.

He shook his head. "I told you, Mrs. Wagner, I'd prefer to get Dahlia back to my place before dark, give her a chance to get used to my barn and the surroundings."

"Call me Meredith," she insisted, placing a well-manicured and diamond-bedecked hand on his arm. "We've been over that. But seriously, you have to eat something. You might as well do so at Layton's expense." Her laugh was throaty.

Layton, her husband, was CEO of some Fortune 500 company or other, and was away on business just now, a fact Meredith had mentioned multiple times since Cole had arrived at the luxury stables housing Meredith's new Appaloosa mare, Dahlia. The stables were part of the massive property Layton had purchased as a wedding gift for his bride.

Cole had been called in to see what he could do to train the horse. Meredith claimed that Dahlia was wild, refusing to allow anyone close enough to properly groom her, let alone saddle or ride her. In the hour he'd been observing the horse, Cole noticed a slightly nervous demeanor, particularly when Meredith approached her. But the horse didn't strike him as wild.

"The sooner I get her back to my place, the sooner we can get your horse straightened out," Cole replied, more patiently than he felt. If he didn't know better, he'd wonder if Meredith hadn't mistreated the animal on purpose, just to have the excuse to call him over to Carmel Valley.

Two years earlier, he'd been contracted to help train an Arabian Layton Wagner had given Meredith for their first wedding anniversary. The woman had behaved anything but the grateful, loving newlywed, making it obvious that she'd more than welcome Cole to her bed during her husband's frequent absences.

Apparently, following the horse's month-long stay at Cole's ranch, Meredith had opted to sell the Arabian anyway. Now she had a new project for him.

"Alright, if you insist," she pouted. She stood back and watched as Cole coaxed the Appaloosa into a soft rope halter. He murmured encouragingly to the white and brown spotted animal, guiding it into his vintage blue and white trailer.

"You're still using that old trailer, I see," Meredith sniffed. "The least you could do is let me buy you a new one. My horse is used to the finer things in life."

Cole grinned as he closed and locked the trailer's tailgate. "She's a horse. She doesn't much care what she rides in, as long as she's warm and fed. Besides," he patted the trailer's side, "I love this thing. Fixed it up myself."

Realizing that she hadn't succeeded in seducing him, Meredith had shifted into employer/employee mode. "See that you take good care of my Dahlia. And I'll be out there in a month to check on your progress." She sniffed dismissively. "See to it that she's ready."

He touched a finger to the brim of his straw hat. "Yes, ma'am. See you in a month." He swung up into the cab of his silver F-250 and headed down the drive. In the side mirror, he could see Meredith watching him leave, her hands on her hips.

Heading south on 101, he thought back over his conversation with Meredith. She was a piece of work, that one. But she could afford his fee. And she had wealthy friends who also owned horses.

His business was doing just fine. He'd built his reputation as a horse trainer one satisfied client at a time, and he was well-sought-after for his expertise with difficult equines. But he never wanted to turn down work.

Judging by the few minutes he'd interacted with Dahlia, he knew training the horse would be a simple process of gaining her trust. She was a gorgeous animal, too. He wouldn't mind having an Appaloosa of his own.

He laughed to himself. He gathered more strays. Horses, dogs, cats, chickens… Anything that wandered onto his ranch and needed a home. His sister Beth often teased him about his menagerie.

Near San Lucas, he headed east on 198 toward his ultimate destination of Tulare County. Thankfully, the ride between his ranch and Carmel Valley avoided I-5 almost completely. He'd cross under it at some point, but when he was hauling horses, he preferred to stay on less traveled roads.

An hour later, though, as he approached the Interstate, his stomach rumbled. Maybe I should have let Meredith buy me lunch. He snorted to himself, rolling his eyes. Nope, it would definitely be better not to encourage that one.

Just beyond the I-5 overpass, there was a truck stop frequented by truckers and travelers alike. Being a truck stop, Cole knew it had oversized parking that could accommodate his trailer. A quick stop for a hot burger and fries sounded like just the thing. He signaled right and pulled into the parking lot, heading for the far side where a half-dozen semis were parked.

He opened his door and slid down, pausing to stretch his stiff legs and back. He locked the truck and headed back to the trailer where Dahlia stood in the left side of his two-horse trailer.

"How ya doin', girl," he murmured, opening the tailgate and climbing inside. He ran a hand up her spotted right flank, noting the way she flinched, leaning away from his touch.

"Such a good girl. We'll be there soon." He pulled a carrot out of his pocket and offered it to her. The horse munched it enthusiastically. Cole smoothed his hand across her jawline while she was distracted. "Good girl."

Satisfied that Dahlia was faring well enough in their travels, he alit from the trailer, closed and locked the tailgate, and headed into the truck stop for a bite of lunch.