Rode Hard, Put Up Wet (Rough Riders #2)(28)

“Yeah, but I didn’t realize you meant all day.”


“You should have.” He stood. “Look. How about if you take a nap while I finish up some other things in the barn?”


“I suppose I’ll be napping in your bed?”


“Would that be so bad?” He couldn’t look at her as he waited for her response. It’d be just like him to screw this up from the get-go.


“Yes. No. I don’t know. What am I doing here, Carter? Even you have to admit this whole situation is just plain…weird.”


“I ain’t gonna admit any such thing. This feels right. I can’t explain it but on some level you must feel it too or you wouldn’t be here.” Vowing to keep it light and easy, he hefted the bag over his shoulder and gave her a cheeky grin. “Come on. I’ll tuck you in.


Maybe after your nap you won’t be such a cranky pants.”


“Was that a crack at my age, McKay?”


“If I promise you milk and cookies afterward will you stop pouting?”


A frustrated noise left her throat. A swish of lace brushed his calf as Macie pushed past him.


He snagged her arm. “Hey. I was kiddin’.”


“It wasn’t funny. Do you know how many people look at me and then treat me like I’m twelve? I thought you were different.”


“I am.”


“Never mind. Let me go.”


Carter felt the air whomp from his lungs. “I’m sorry. I was bein’ an ass. It won’t happen again.”


“Forget it. Just let me go.”


“No.”


“Please.”


“Please what?” Carter dropped his bag and crowded her against the trailer. “Please you? That I can do.” She fought him until he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.


Jesus. Her mouth was so warm and soft. Her opposition evaporated when his tongue breached her lips and slid inside. Lord almighty he loved the way she responded to him.


He allowed the kiss to stay just a shade shy of demanding. He kept his hands on her head, rather than making a play for the breasts he’d been dying to touch.


Macie broke the kiss and his grasp. “Stop.”


“Why?” he whispered against her lips.


“I won’t have you blaming me because you didn’t get any work done today.” She ducked under his arm. “I’m sure I can find the bed on my own.”


He watched as she scooted inside and slammed the door in his face.


Well, hell, she’d certainly put him in his place. Maybe he didn’t have to treat his muse with kid gloves after all.


Chapter Twelve


“All accounted for,” Gemma said.


“Were you worried?”


“Yeah. Some of the new mommas bolt with the herd during thunderstorms and leave their babies alone to fend for themselves. Usually I find at least one dead calf. Then I gotta listen to those mommas bawling in the pasture and calling for their baby. Never get used to that sad sound, so I’m glad not to be dealing with that today. Got plenty of other stuff going on.”



Cash punched the clutch and shifted. “I’d planned on cuttin’ hay this afternoon, but it’ll be too wet. Not that I’m complainin’ ’bout the moisture. It’ll have to wait at least a couple of days.”


“So what are you going to do?”


“Thought about workin’ with that two-year-old. Is he halter broke?”


“Barely. Ornery thing runs whenever he sees me with a halter. And I’ve been so busy this year I haven’t had time to work with him.” She expected him to wince. Not training a horse was as bad as not taking proper care of one.


“I’d sure like to take a crack at him.”


“By all means.”


Cash stopped the pickup and Gemma hopped out to open and close the gate. He parked in front of the house and sauntered back to where she waited by the water pump for the bucket to fill.


“What are you doin’ today?” he asked.


“Thought I’d clean the horse trailer. Why? Did you need me for something else?”


She hoped he’d say yes, that he needed her naked. Right now.


“Nah. I’m gonna round up that roan.” He unlatched the door to the horse trailer, which housed the saddles, blankets, halters, bridles and other horse paraphernalia.


Whistling, he unhooked a blue nylon halter and draped it over his shoulder. “See you in a bit.”


Hiding her disappointment, Gemma focused on sweeping and scrubbing. But while she was cleaning, she couldn’t help but obsess on what had happened last night.


Or rather, what hadn’t happened.


Cash had been quiet on the drive to Beulah. They’d left right after he’d talked to Macie, and Gemma didn’t know if that was the reason for his introspective mood. She didn’t push, figuring if he wanted to talk to her about it he would.


Once they’d arrived at the Nelson ranch to look at the bucking horses, Cash stepped up and handled every bit of the financial negotiations. The crusty old rancher even dropped his price by a couple of hundred bucks. Gemma knew she wouldn’t have had the same results if she’d come alone.