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launched herself upward, knowing Goldie would lunge to the right just like she had every time so far.
    But this time, she didn’t.
    And Lexi went sailing over the horse’s back, landing in an awkward heap on the other side.
    Before she had time to get back to her feet—or to even quite figure out what had happened—Gunnar was beside her, his eyebrows furrowed in concern.
    “Are you all right?”
    Lexi shook her head, mortally embarrassed. “Pretty sure Goldie and I are maybe not meant to be.”
    “I’m really sorry.” Gunnar reached down to grasp her hand, pulling her up without looking like he needed to expend an ounce of effort.
    “It’s not your fault. I think I give off a vibe.”
    Gunnar laughed. “Oh, really?”
    “Yes.” Lexi brushed off her jeans and tried not to limp in her new boots as she stepped away from Goldie. “This is pretty much how it goes for me and horses.”
    “I see.” He nodded sagely. “Sounds like you’re definitely cursed.”
    “Oh, I’m cursed, all right.”
You don’t know the half of it, buddy.
    “Well, it just so happens that I’m pretty good at breaking curses.” Gunnar raised his eyebrows under his Stetson, and Lexi swallowed hard. Oh, she’d just bet he was. But if he knew the real curse she’d been talking about, he’d be walking the other way fast in those damn Wranglers that cupped his ass so perfectly.
    He’d want
nothing
to do with
that
curse.
    “Hey, you know what?” He glanced at his watch. “I have a different idea. I’ve gotta run into town for a few things. Want to ride along? I can show you around a little. Not sure when you’ll have time to get back down there once the guests arrive.”
    Lexi took a deep breath. “Are you trying to save me from Goldie? Or Goldie from me?”
    “Neither.” He laughed. “Once Goldie’s in a mood, she doesn’t snap out of it very easily, so I don’t want you to spend your first morning here fighting with an elderly mare who’s being a royal pain. And I do actually have a couple of errands to do in town. Wouldn’t mind company, if you want to come.”
    Lexi realized Gunnar was totally giving her a free pass on the riding thing for today, without calling her on the faking-it part. She should really just accept his offer and be thankful she wasn’t currently getting dumped on her butt in the corral.
    “That sounds great, actually.” She unbuckled her helmet, ready to head back to her cabin to change.
    “Excellent.” He turned toward the stable, leading his horse. “Just get Goldie there untacked and bring her back in.”
    Lexi froze as he walked away, and when she turned slowly to look at Goldie, the darn horse bobbed her head like she was laughing, then trotted to the other side of the corral.
    Oh, it was going to be a long summer.

Chapter 6
    “So do I get to hear about all of Carefree’s ancient secrets and crazy people while we’re here?” Lexi smiled across the truck cab at Gunnar, who braked gently at the end of the highway exit ramp. In total opposition to yesterday’s driving, he’d been a perfect gentleman today.
    His eyebrows pulled together. “Who told you we have either of those?”
    “Every town has them.”
    “Huh.” He stepped on the gas, and Lexi looked out her window, afraid maybe she’d offended him. But then he continued. “Well, let’s see. Craziest person in town’s probably old Mrs. Speltzer. She lives up Juniper Street there with her five dogs. But she came by her crazy honestly. Lost both sons in Afghanistan a few years back.”
    “Oh. God.” Lexi pressed her lips together. “That’s awful.”
    “Then there’s the guy who lives three miles west of town in a little wooden shack not much bigger than an outhouse. Pretty sure
his
crazy is an act, though. He just hates people, so he acts like a raging schizophrenic if anybody comes near.”
    “Nice.”
    Gunnar raised his eyebrows. “You asked.”
    “Touché. How about the normal people? Want to tell me