The Second Word

Ruby Keel can shoe a horse through bad behavior, a packed arena, and a brother who thinks a Last Ride is a reasonable idea. At thirty-three, she has earned her place at the Cottonwood Circuit Finals, and she plans to keep it. Then Mason Lawson walks into her barn in a clean shirt. Wade's pickup man for nine years kissed Ruby behind the chutes two years ago, said her name, and left the rest unsaid. Now he's back asking for her help with a colt, and he's at Wade's table again.

Eight weeks from now, Wade wants to ride the gray mare that hurt him. Mason says he'll pick him up. Ruby says she won't watch.

The work brings Ruby and Mason shoulder to shoulder: iron, hooves, coffee, and the things he knows how to do while the answer waits. She wants the words after her name. He has to decide whether he can finally give them to her.