“Evenin’ ma’am,” Henry said, tipping his hat as he quietly walked up next to her.

“Good evening, Mr. McBride,” she said, briefly turning toward him. “Looks like he’s trying to settle in.”

“Yes ma’am,” Henry nodded. “He has quieted down some. I’d still pity the fella that takes the first ride on him, though. I expect it won’t be a pleasant one.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Jessie shrugged. “He might just surprise you. I’ve seen horses a lot worse off than him that did just fine when someone first got on their back. No bucking or carrying on at all.”

“I have, too. But usually it was because they’d been drugged up or because someone had tired ‘em out first in the sand wash before getting on.”

“Well,” Jessie nodded knowingly. “I’d be willing to bet this horse doesn’t pitch any kind of fit whatsoever the first time someone gets on his back. Even without having to tire him out or drug him.”

The possibility of what Jessie proposed seemed silly to Henry, even impossible, and he unknowingly shook his head and smiled at the thought of it. “I’ll be honest with you, ma’am. If I had somethin’ to bet, I’d dang sure take up that.”

Jessie turned back to the colt and stood quietly for a few seconds. “Maybe you do,” she said without looking back at him.

“Ma’am?”

“Maybe you do have something to bet.”

Henry had no idea what she was referring to, and turned to her as if questioning what she meant.

“You know the ranch is closing soon, right?”

“Yeah.” He still wasn’t sure where she was going with all this.

“Okay. Do you have another job lined up?”

“No, ma’am.”

“All right then.” She turned to him. “I’m going to need someone to give me a hand with things during the off season. Would you be interested?”

“Well,” Henry smiled. “My other prospects ain’t lookin’ real good right now. I guess I could see clear to…”

“Okay then,” Jessie interrupted before he could change his mind. “Here’s the bet. I’ll give you the same deal you have now. One hundred dollars a week plus room and board for as long as you want to stay and work. If this horse bucks or pitches of fit of any kind the first time someone gets on him, I’ll pay you double for the entire time you’re here.” This brought a very small smile to Henry’s face. “Now,” she continued. “If he doesn’t pitch a fit or buck, you work for the next whole month for free. How does that sound?”

“Are you sure you want to do that?” Henry’s smile was bigger now.

“The question is…” Jessie was smiling now, too. “Do you want to do it?”

In the distance, a coyote howled and the colt suddenly jumped and ran a small circle before stopping and giving a loud warning snort in the coyote’s direction.

“I believe I could see my way clear.”

Jessie looked at the horse and smiled knowingly before turning back toward Henry.