While Asher had been gone, Ray had given Beau the once-over, tentatively patting him and telling the pony they were pals and that pals played nicely. A threat or two about showing him up in front of Asher might have slipped in as well.

Ray held up a palm. "I'm good with the...stud." The last thing he needed was a hormonal horse on his hands. "Uh, I mean the stallion?" He turned to Beau, lifting his eyebrows. "Hey, that's something we got in common."