The sunlight streaming through my bedroom window bore holes through my eyelids and forced me reluctantly awake. I remembered enough from the bar to know that I was driving to Riley’s by noon to meet my horse and get started on training. I already had my water and ibuprofen the previous night so my head wasn’t pounding. I didn’t usually drink much, but the shock of my role as backup cowboy and the drinks it took to get me there was the exception.
Once again I was dazzled by the wide smile and stunning good looks that greeted me when I got to Riley’s. I barely noticed the Heinz 57 with his nose buried in my crotch.
“Go on Scratch, get away—find your own bone, that one’s mine. Go, shoo!” He gestured with his hat and Scratch scampered off. “Sorry ‘bout that, Todd. I never got around to teach
