“Ridin’?”
“Sure.”
“In this?”
“It might let up.”
“Aye, but if the road’s so muddy that nobody’s comin’ or goin’, surely that’s not ridin’ weather.”
“Horses can go where trucks can’t. They can take the high road, so to speak.”
“That may be, but I still don’t think—”
“You wouldn’t be trying to avoid that ride, would you?”
“Not at all. I just…” He met her gaze. “Aye. That’s what I’m doin’. I could land on my bum under the best of circumstances. Add in a rain-slicked saddle and I’ll fly off straight away.”
“Would you feel better if we wait for the sun to come out?”
“I would.”
“Then we will.” Clearly his manly pride was at stake and he didn’t relish taking a tumble in front of her. She got that. “Just remember you’re an athletic guy. I have no doubt you’ll be good at this.”
“Aye, right.” He picked up another hay flake. “Time to feed Bonnie.”
“Are you sure that’s Bonnie?” She gave him another chance to reconsider his assumption.
“No other option.”
“Okay.” She brought Diablo his hay and waited for the inevitable discovery.
“Here you go, Bonnie.” Aleck’s voice drifted across the aisle. “Got some hay for you, lass. I…” A moment of silence. “Tansy, somethin’s not right.”
“Oh?” She turned toward him and controlled the urge to giggle. “What do you mean?”
“Bonnie has a tadger.”
“I know.” She cleared the laughter from her throat.
He looked thoroughly confused. “Who would name two geldings Bonnie and Clyde?”
“Olivia.”
“The same Olivia who’s with Trevor?”
“Yes. She always wanted a matched set of bays and she decided in advance to name them Bonnie and Clyde. When she ended up with two geldings, she used the names, anyway.”
“Huh.” He turned back to study the horses. “No wonder you can’t tell ’em apart. My apologies for thinkin’ you’d missed the obvious.”
“Apology accepted.”
He gave her a sheepish grin. “I made a right fool of myself, didn’t I?”
“It was an easy mistake to make.”
“Especially if you’re feeling out of your depth and trying to show off your powers of deduction like some Scottish arse I’m acquainted with. Well played, lass.”
“Thanks.”
“Are all of them geldings, then?”
“All except Licorice and Eclipse.”
He brightened. “Eclipse! I forgot about that wee horse. Where is he?”
“Over here with his mom. They’re my next delivery.”
“I’m amazed I didn’t think of them when I first came in here. I want to see.” He crossed the aisle and peered into the stall. “Look at that.” He said it quietly, as if he didn’t want to disturb the nursing colt. “He’s gettin’ his breakfast. And Licorice is just standin’ there bein’ patient.”
“She’s turned out to be a good mom, even though prior to this she’s been a challenge.”
“She seems mellow enough, now.” He rested his forearms on the stall door. “It’s an interestin’ contrast, with her so black and sleek and him so fluffy and brown.”
“He’s a cutie, for sure. Ah, he’s done nursing. Now you’ll get a better view of his face.”
As if knowing he was being admired, the colt turned, showing off the distinctive white crescent on his forehead.
“It sure does look like the sun peekin’ out from behind the Earth’s shadow. Hey, he’s comin’ over.”
The colt took a few tentative steps in their direction. Then Licorice nickered, and he returned to her side.
“She called him back, didn’t she?” He sounded disappointed.
“She’s being protective because she doesn’t know you. When Rory gets here, I’m sure he’ll take you out in the pasture with them. That’s always fun.”
“I’d like that. Rory thinks it’s pure barry that he got to name this wee horse.”
“Pure barry must be good.”
“Very good. Fantastic.” He shifted his weight and his shoulder brushed hers. “He thought we’d have time yesterday to come to the barn and see him, but that didn’t work out.”
The shoulder brush was probably an accident. Her body reacted, anyway. “It’s been quite a jam-packed schedule ever since you arrived.”
“Fun, though.”
“Pure barry?”
“Aye.” A telltale huskiness in his voice gave him away.
She turned her head and sure enough, he’d switched his attention from the colt to her. She swallowed. “I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
“Oh, I am, lass.” He held her gaze with those smiling green eyes. “Any chance you had a secondary reason for sending Zane off?”
“I might’ve.”
“Then we’d best finish the job.” He pushed away from the stall door and glanced at the wheelbarrow. “We’re almost out of flakes. I’ll get the other lot from the front.”
“Okay. Thanks.” As he walked away, she admired the determined set of his broad shoulders and the shift of muscles in his tight buns. Only three days. Asking for something that would inconvenience strangers wasn’t nice, but that didn’t stop her from wishing for his flight to be cancelled.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A gelding named Bonnie. Aleck chuckled as he went back to delivering hay flakes. He should have seen it coming. Tansy had sent up a warning signal right away—if you say so.
Then when he’d insisted one piece of evidence clinched the deal she’d sent up another flare—are you sure? She’d neatly put him in his place. He’d best not be underestimating that lass. She’d keep him on his toes. And that turned him on.
Feeding the horses was more entertaining and informative than he’d anticipated. He enjoyed stroking their silky necks and they seemed to like a little scratch, too. The work was good exercise. After a while he took off his jacket and hung it over the handle of the wheelbarrow. Next time he returned for more hay, Tansy’s jacket was on the other handle.
Since their wee break spent admiring Eclipse, they’d worked steadily without talking. Didn’t mean he’d forgotten she was there. Just the opposite.
In the silence broken only by the crunch of horses chomping on hay, her footsteps on the wooden floor seemed amplified. When her breathing quickened, the soft inhale and exhale fueled his imagination. After several minutes of that, he was ready to switch from caressing horses to caressing Tansy. Not possible. Yet.
Not long after that, Zane showed up. “I’m done over there.” He started down the aisle toward them. “Looks like you’re coming along fine.”
“Oh, yeah, we’re in good shape.” Tansy picked up another hay flake. “Go get some sleep, okay?”
“Yeah, but if I helped you, then we could all—”
“Zane, you have to be puggled.” Aleck stepped into the aisle and intercepted him. “It’s high time for you to relax.”
“That’s what Mandy said. I just texted her and Rhys is asleep. She’s gonna take a nap.”
“Then why not join her? Tansy and I will be fine here. She knows what she’s doin’ and we’ll call you if we end up in a guddle.”
“I hate to abandon you. Let’s finish up so we can all go to the house and grab some breakfast.”
Let’s not. Aleck lowered his voice. “Please go back without us. We’ll be along later.”
“Huh?” Zane’s brows snapped together. “You must be getting hungry. I’m a fair hand in the kitchen.”
“We’ll wait on breakfast.”
“But—”
“I doubt you’ve noticed, but while you’ve been busy welcomin’ a bairn…” Aleck dropped his voice to a murmur. “Tansy and I discovered… many things in common.”
Zane scrubbed a hand over his face. “Oh.” Then he blinke
d. “Oh. Why didn’t you say so?”
“Tryin’ to be subtle.”
“I’m way too tired for subtle.” He raised his voice so Tansy could hear him. “Aleck’s convinced me. I’ll pack it in. We can turn them out after the rain lets up. Come to the house and make yourselves something to eat whenever you’re ready.”
“We will,” Tansy called out. “’Bye, Zane.” After he left, she laughed softly. “That was funny.”
“What?”
“You told him to scram, didn’t you?”
“I was nice about it.” He delivered another hay flake and took a quick count of the remaining stalls. “Only four left.”
“I’m aware.” She reached the wheelbarrow at the same time he did. “I feel like I’m back in high school sneaking off somewhere to make out with a boy.” She grabbed another flake and ducked into the next stall.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures.” And every time he looked at her he became more desperate.
“I’ve been thinking about your flight out. Why Friday? Wouldn’t Sunday make more sense?”
“It would, but the head of the firm called an emergency meeting for Saturday. One of our biggest clients is threatening to leave and Campbell wants to brainstorm a strategy to keep him.”
“So the meeting was a last-minute thing?” She came back for more hay.
“He announced it a week ago. I’d planned to stay longer, but then this came up and I changed my return flight.”
“He wouldn’t make an exception for a special trip to see family?” She glanced over her shoulder as she continued working.
“Not considering what’s on the line. I wasn’t the only one who had to change plans.”
“You like your job, though, right?”
“Love my job. I’m not fond of Campbell, but this kind of thing doesn’t happen often.”
“Then I guess you’d better go home on Friday.”
“Aye.” He walked into the last stall on his side. “What’s this horse’s name?”
“That’s Strawberry. Kendra put me on him for my first ride out here. He’s very gentle and she wanted to make sure I wasn’t blowing smoke about how much experience I’d had. Now she lets me ride whoever I want, but I’ve stuck with Strawberry. I’ll take him when we go out today.”
“Still rainin’.” Shedding his gloves, he tossed them in the wheelbarrow.
“Could stop any time.”
“But it’s so cozy in here with the rain on the roof. Perfect kissin’ weather.” He walked around it to meet her as she came out of the last stall on her side. “Are we done, lass?”
“Looks like it to me.” She pulled off her gloves.
“I’ll take those.” After she handed them to him, he tossed them over his shoulder.
She grinned and shook her head. “Neither one landed in the wheelbarrow.”
“Don’t care.” Sliding his hands around her waist, he drew her closer. “But now I wish I’d shaved.”
Reaching up, she stroked his beard. “And I’m glad you didn’t. I like it.”
His breath hitched. “So you said.”
“You left it for me?” She held his gaze as she traced his eyebrows with the tips of her fingers.
“Aye.” That butterfly touch was stealing the oxygen from his lungs. He dragged in a breath. “When a lass says I look hot with a beard, only a bloke with a head full o’ mince would shave it.”
She continued to explore his face with the tips of her fingers, sliding them over his cheekbones, brushing them across his lower lip. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Even so, I worry about your fair skin.” He tucked her against his hips. His tadger loved that. The top of her head barely topped his shoulder, yet somehow her body and his fit perfectly. “Makes me wonder if I’m makin’ a mistake, kissin’ you right now.”
“Well, my head must be full o’ mince, because I’m not at all worried about your beard.” Her brown eyes grew luminous. “And I do so want you to kiss me, Aleck.”
Desire slammed into him. “I want that, too, lass.” He cradled her head in one hand and pressed her close with the other. “So much.” He leaned down.
She met him halfway, her eyelashes fluttering closed and her lips parting in welcome. At the last moment, he shut his eyes, too, and sank down on the velvet richness of her mouth.
No rushing. He’d savor each new delight as it unfolded under the coaxing movement of his lips and the gentle probe of his tongue. She snuggled closer and the sap began to rise in his eager body.
Easy, easy. He’d never been this quick to catch fire. Could he bank those flames? Aye. He could and he would. Never mind that she’d undressed a few feet away from him only hours before. Delving deeper into her warm mouth was pleasure enough this morning.
Ah, but the temptation of her plump breasts lured him. Her aroused nipples left a subtle imprint as she snuggled close. Drawing away from the kiss, she dragged in a breath.
His groin tightened and he fought the impulses demanding satisfaction, the hunger pushing him to—
“Touch me.”
His tadger throbbed. “I canna do more than that.”
“I know. I just need…”
Heart pounding, he slid his hand under the back of her shirt. Warm skin against his palm nearly destroyed his already shaky control. He unhooked her bra. “This?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, Tansy.” He found his way beneath her unhooked bra and cupped the tender weight of her breast. “You’re tremblin’.”
“It’s you.” She struggled for each breath. “I’m never like this.”
“Like what, lass?” Caressing her was costing him. His jeans had become a denim vice squeezing his privates. But he’d suffer gladly for the pleasure of stroking her silken skin.
“Wanting…craving…you. Ever since…ever since last night, I—” She paused to drag in air. “I’m obsessed with your mouth. It’s insane.”
“I’m honored.” He brushed his lips over hers.
“More, please.”
“Gladly.” He took possession again, shifting the angle to go deeper. He gave that kiss all he had.
She moaned low in her throat and arched her back, pushing her breast against the rhythmic flex of his fingers. The longer he kissed her, the more he ached. His tadger was in big trouble. When she sucked on his tongue, he almost came.
With another heartfelt groan, she slowly drew away, clearly struggling to gain a bit of control. When she’d put a couple of millimeters between her mouth and his, she paused, breathing hard.
He was in the same shape. He was prideful regarding his lung capacity, developed over years of playing the pipes. But his legendary lungs couldn’t stand up to a hot session of kissing Tansy.
“I’m dizzy,” she murmured.
“Me, too.”
“If we…” She took several more breaths. “If we were horizontal…”
“Wouldn’t help.”
“It would.”
“You can’t breathe better lyin’ down.”
“But you can do other things besides kiss.”
“Is that so?” He’d laugh if he had the breath to do it. “What things?”
“The ones that require a condom.”
“Bold talk.” He nibbled on her lower lip.
“We need to bring it up.”
“Believe me, it’s up.”
“You’re a funny guy.”
“And you’re the most excitin’ woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of kissin’. Standin’ up or lyin’ down.”
“I’d like to try this lying down.”
“I like that plan.” He placed wee kisses over every millimeter of her face. “But I don’t fancy implementin’ it here at the ranch house.”
“Me, either. We need to go to my apartment.”
“Can’t get there now. The road.” He combed back her hair and trailed kisses down the curve of her neck.
“I know.” Closing her eyes, she relaxed against him. “I just…” She mo
aned softly and her breath quickened. “That feels so good. I can only imagine how good it would feel…”
“Everywhere?” He nuzzled behind her ear. He should stop kissing her. Although his mouth loved doing it, his tadger and his baws were in serious pain. Just a wee bit longer and he’d—
Her cell phone rang. “Shoot.”
Much as he didn’t want to, he eased away from her. “Better answer.”
“Yeah.” Gulping for air, she turned to the wheelbarrow and pulled her phone out of her jacket pocket. “It’s Kendra.” She took a deep breath and tapped the screen. “Hi!” She cleared her throat. “How’re you guys?”
Aleck made do with half of the conversation, but it was enough to tell him something was about to happen involving horses.
“You bet.” She nodded and glanced at him. “I have another thought, though. Instead of me leading Diablo to Ryker and April’s, what if Aleck rode him over there?”
He blinked. What the hell?
She gave him a quick smile. “He’ll be fine. He’s an athlete. I’ll bet he’d love it.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“What in the name of all that’s holy are you suggestin’, lass?” Aleck stared at her as if she’d lost her mind.
“You don’t have to do it.” Tansy reached under her shirt and fastened her bra. “But it’s a way for us to end up in my apartment for a couple of hours.”
Oh. “Then I’d best hear what you’ve cooked up.”
“Quinn’s road is washed out and his hardly ever floods, which means Wild Creek’s will be way worse. It’ll be a while before vehicles can drive on either one. All four grandparents are saddling up to ride over here to check on the new family.”
“What about the wee bairn, Noel? Are they bringin’ her?”
She shook her head. “Don’t have to. Cody and Faith made it to Quinn’s last night. They got stuck on his road and had to hike the rest of the way, but they’re with Noel.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“It is, but Rory and Damaris are still in town and they really want to come home this morning. Damaris needs her computer and Rory wants to be here to help with barn chores. The work is more complicated when it rains this much.”
A Cowboy’s Destiny: The McGavin Brothers Page 10