"Thank you," she beamed, stepping up to him and throwing her arms around his neck. "I love—uh—that you're going to be here."
"Me too, Princess," he murmured, loving the feel of her body against his. "What about you, Queenie. Do you wanna go back in your paddock? That bad man has probably left by now."
"Yep, he's gone," Heath declared, walking into the barn. "That was quite a show. You'll be happy to know I video'd the whole thing, and it's just as well I did, but, uh, this naughty mare doesn't have a halter on. After that display don't you think that might be a good idea?"
"He's right, Theresa," Josh said firmly. "I should've told you the minute I saw you. Put a halter on."
"I'll just take her back to the paddock."
"With a halter and lead rope," Heath repeated, lifting one off a stall door. "Here."
"Okay," she said with a sigh, slipping it over the mare's head. "I'll be right back. Come on, sweet girl. I think you're a total superstar. Just ignore them."
"Man, oh, man, Josh, you sure are gonna have your hands full with that pair."
"I already do, and I'm real sorry about what happened."
"Josh, I gotta say, I've been around horses since I was a kid, and I've never seen anything like that. Your mare was gonna kill Duke Palmer. And Theresa, no experience, supposedly terrified of horses until she met your mare, walked right up and stopped the chaos. I'm both dumbfounded and confounded. Has Queenie ever shown signs of aggression like that before? She jumped over that fence to go after him! I'm still shakin' my head."
"I almost got into a fight once, and yeah, she did, but Queenie's not like a horse. I mean, she is, but there's more to her. Way more. She took to Theresa right off, and as you know, their connection was mutual. I honestly don't know what to make of her, but I've stopped tryin' to figure her out. I just consider myself blessed that she picked me."
"She picked you?"
"Oh, yeah. For sure. I'll tell you the story one day."
"How old is she? Do you know anything about her background?"
"Both good questions, but you won't like the answer to the first one. I have no clue about her age. As to her history, nothin' there either."
"But her teeth. Surely you can read her age from her teeth."
"Go ahead and try. Have your vet try."
"No sign of a Galvayne's groove?"
"Not yet, and they haven't changed since the day I got her. It's as if she has a magic elixir of youth stashed away somewhere. Anyway, I'm real sorry, and unless that creep comes back, I don't think you'll see anything like that again. Speakin' of Duke, what were you sayin' about the video?"
"Yeah, the video. I don't know if that jackass is the one who spiked Theresa's drink or not, but he's a slimy sonofabitch. He tried to tell me he'd taken a fall when Queenie chased him and his back and knee were hurtin. Said he was off to see his doctor."
"No shit. What a scumbag."
"Yep. I told him this place had security cameras if his doctor needed to see them. That shut him up. He hightailed it outta here real quick."
"I'll bet he did."
"I'm goin' back to the house. I've still got a pile of work with my name on it, but I'll see you later. Oh, by the way, I saw you ridin' Chuck. Real glad to see that."
"He was fine. That bitless bridle will be good for him. He'll be a bit sensitive about his mouth for a while, not 'cos of any pain, just memory."
"Yeah, I figured. I'm gonna have to have a talk with Carly about all that when she's better. I told her to wait," he muttered, staring at the ground, then raising his eyes, he added, "I know you're a full-time trainer with your own business, but do you have time to give me a few hours a week until Carly's back up? Sandy's fine, but she's just an exercise rider. Carly and Andy are my trainers."
"No problem. My busy times are late afternoons and weekends. I school the horses in the mornin, so there's a lull in the early afternoon, speakin' of which, I'm gonna go back to Tall Tree tomorrow. I've got a business to run."
"That's up to you, but I'd talk to your police friends before you do. Get all the facts."
"Theresa said the same thing."
"Yeah, this is a time to play it smart, not be impatient."
* * * * * * * * * *
Closing the file folder, Tom Lewis smiled triumphantly, then picking up his luxury items one- by-one, he savored their smells. He'd smoke the cigar as he drank the whiskey, then devour the rich chocolate treats over the course of the evening.
"This win could be one of the most satisfying of my career," he murmured, reaching for his desk phone. "Wanda? Come in to my office."
"Now, sir?"
"No, five minutes ago."
"I'll be right there."
Pulling out his stop watch he clicked the top, watched the second hand move, then clicked it again when the knock came on the door and Wanda poked her head in.
"Hit the chair."
"How hard?"
"You're spending too much time around me," he said with a chuckle. "Are you doing anything tonight?"
"No, sir."
"You are now. There's a thermos in my souvenir cabinet. Fill it with coffee, decent coffee from Maureen's cafe, not the shit we have here," he ordered, pulling out his wallet and handing her a fifty-dollar bill. "Buy whatever obscene cakes you want, and don't scrimp. They may have to last us a while."
"Yes, sir," she said excitedly. "May I ask?"
"Yep, when we're on our way. And your response time has improved by three-seconds. Keep it up and pretty soon you'll be walking through that door before I hang up the phone."
She stared at him for a moment, then rolling her eyes, she headed out. He was irascible, impossible, demanding and difficult to please, but she wouldn't change a thing about him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
During dinner Andy and Salvo had continuously watched the video of the remarkable scene, and Salvo had emailed the footage to himself, exclaiming he wanted to upload it on to YouTube.
"This would go viral. We'd make a bunch of money."
"And get our asses sued," Heath remarked. "Sorry, Salvo, but I don't want Dream Horse Ranch to become famous for out of control horses trying to kill guests."
"No-one will know this happened here, and we don't need Duke Palmer's permission to put it up. I know about this stuff, and you can't really see his face—well—except for that moment when Queenie drops her head and starts snorting. He looks like he peed his pants."
"Maybe he did."
Carly had made the quip, then started giggling. A series of rude comments followed until Theresa began clearing the table. Though she had enjoyed making fun of the vile Duke Palmer, weariness had set in. She needed a shower, and to crawl into bed for a long snuggle with her cowboy. Salvo and Josh helped her clean up, and they were soon heading to their cabins in the Land Rover.
With the small shower stall in the cabin unable to accommodate two people, Theresa showered first, and climbing between the sheets, she let out a heavy sigh and sank into the mattress. The long, dramatic day had finally come to an end, and surrendering to a long yawn, she closed her eyes.
"Josh?" she mumbled, suddenly aware of his body against hers. "I must have fallen asleep. I'm so glad you're here."
"Me too. I have a surprise for you, but you're probably too tired."
"I don't think a girl is ever too tired for a surprise," she purred, moving her hand across his chest and down his muscled arms. "I love your body."
"The feelin's mutual."
"What's the surprise?"
"You're exhausted. It can wait."
"No, I don't want to wait."
"You're sure?"
"I am absolutely, one-thousand percent, positively sure."
"You have to close your eyes and keep them closed, no matter what."
"Ooh, I like this already."
"I didn't hear a promise."
"I promise to close my eyes and keep them closed, no matter what," she said, squeezing them shut.
"I'm gonna roll back the b
edcovers, and you're gonna bend your knees up, then lock your hands together behind your head."
"This is a lot of work for a surprise."
"Bendin' your knees and puttin' your hands behind your head is a lotta work?"
"It is at the moment."
"You wanna stop?"
"No!"
Slipping from the bed, Josh moved across the room and opened his overnight bag. When he'd packed his clothes he'd also picked up a few of his favorite toys. Retrieving an oddly-shaped, very thin, vibrating tube with a remote control, and a seagull's feather, he returned to the bed.
"Lift your hips, Princess." Grabbing a pillow, he stuffed it under her hips as she raised herself up. "Stay just like that," he said softly, sliding his fingers into her pussy. "Already so wet? How did that happen?"
"Being naked with you makes me so hot. Ooh, that feels wonderful."
Slowly pushing his finger into her womanhood, he searched out her ultra-sensitive area and softly massaged. Listening to her grateful moans, he began testing for pressure sensitivity, then withdrew and picked up the tube.
"Why did you stop?"
"Your surprise is coming."
Placing the tube at her entrance, he observed her face as he cautiously moved it forward. At the first gasp, he paused, then continued until the slim device was fully inserted.
"How does that feel?"
"Strange, but good, really good."
"All you need to do is feel. Are you ready?"
"I have no idea. What are you going to do?"
"Nothing if you don't relax and accept."
"Sorry."
"Take a deep breath and let it out. There you go. This is going to feel different, but very quickly there will be incredible pleasure."
Picking up the remote control, he moved the setting to low and pressed the power button, then taking the seagull's feather, he danced it against her clit.
"Josh, Josh, ooh, Josh. What's happening? Oh, that's, that's…"
"Ssh, ride it, Princess," he softly crooned. "You won't come yet, you'll just ride the wave."
"That tickling, it's so bad and so good. I feel…," she mumbled, but as the sensations swept her away, her voice trailed off.
Wrapping the fingers of his free hand around his rigid cock, he stroked himself as he watched. Color was filling her chest and neck, her breathing was quick, and her soft cries sounded more like a song than moans of pleasure.
"I need to come," she suddenly bleated. "Why can't I come? I need to. I need to."
The feather against her clit, and the thin tube vibrating against the magic spot on her inner wall were just enough to keep her on the edge.
"I know, babe," he purred. "Be patient."
"I can't, I really can't."
With a knowing smile, he stopped the attention to her clit and increased the intensity of the vibrator to medium, but as she arched her back and held her breath, he turned the dial back down to low.
"Please, I'm begging you," she gasped, "I'll die if you don't let me come."
"We can't have that," he crooned, softly rubbing his finger against her clit. "Very soon. Just give me a moment and enjoy the sweet torture."
She moaned loudly, but slipping from the bed, he returned the feather to his bag and pulled out a fresh package of condoms. He'd stopped at the pharmacy on his way back to the ranch, thinking the quick trip into the store only a small risk that offered a much needed reward. Ripping off the condom wrapper, he slid the thin membrane over his cock and returned to the bed.
"How much do you want me?"
"So much," she whimpered. "More than I can say."
"I'm going to slide inside you, but you have to be very still, then you're going to come very, very hard."
"I know, I can feel it."
"Princess, you have no idea."
Placing himself against her entrance, being careful not to dislodge the placement of the narrow vibrating tube, he slowly pushed forward. As the divine sensation pulsed against his cock, he picked up the control and moved the dial to medium. Her immediate cry joined with his deep groan, and though he couldn't thrust, he didn't need to. As he lowered his mouth to draw in a nipple, the unique device rocketed them into their orgasms, not mighty eruptions, but ongoing scintillating waves of intense pleasure. Even after Josh had released and his flaccid member rested inside her, the delicious spasms continued to ripple through his body.
But he had to bring her multiple orgasms to an end, and reluctantly lifting his mouth from her breast, he reached for the remote. As he lowered the speed, her cries lessened and her taut muscles eased, then switching it off, her body finally fell limp. Slipping from her depths, he carefully withdrew the tube and moved the pillow from under her hips.
Floating on a soft, pink, fluffy cloud, Theresa had never known such intense pleasure or sublime bliss. When she felt the covers move across her, she realized her hands were still behind her head.
"What was that?" she mumbled, unlocking her fingers and moving her arms down.
"Just a little something I invented."
"You invented?"
"Yep. Go to sleep, Princess."
"Will you show it to me?"
"In the mornin'."
"Why? I mean, why did you invent it?"
"Horse trainin' doesn't pay real well unless you hit the big time. Now go to sleep."
"You are amazing," she whimpered, and though more questions buzzed through her brain, those became her last words as she surrendered to the sandman.
* * * * * * * * * *
Behind the wheel of an unmarked black Ford Explorer parked on the shoulder of the road just past Tall Tree Farms, Captain Tom Lewis was enjoying a blueberry muffin.
"You're thinking this is a waste of time," he remarked. "I can hear the grumbling between your ears."
"We've been here five hours," Wanda replied.
"Six."
"Six?"
"Six. I let you nap for an hour. You thought it was five minutes."
"Shit."
"Rats come out at night. You have to be patient. I sat on the second floor of a warehouse waiting for a suspect for three days."
"Did he ever show up?"
"He was already there," Tom said with a chuckle. "When we switched shifts with the team who'd been there before us, we missed him."
"You're kidding?"
"Nope, but we got him coming out."
"I feel like I've been sitting in this car for a week," she muttered. "You're sure about this."
"I hope that was a statement and not a question," he said briskly, then suddenly glanced in the rearview mirror. "Well, well, I do believe the vermin has surfaced."
"Is the car driving into Tall Tree?" she asked, turning her head to look out the back window. "It is! Thank God. Now what?"
"Now you stay put."
"What? Where are you going?"
"To take a walk on the wild side. Don't go anywhere."
Heart pounding, Wanda watched him jog across the road, but with no streetlights, and only a crescent moon, he quickly disappeared from view.
"He knows what he's doing," she muttered to herself, then quietly added, "I hope."
Fifteen minutes felt like an hour, and when his tall form reappeared striding confidently across the field, she almost cried with relief.
"Is everything okay?" she asked as he slid back behind the wheel.
"Any reason it wouldn't be?"
"What were you doing?"
"Here," he replied, handing her his phone.
"I'm looking at a map."
"Correct. And soon a red dot will appear and start to move."
* * * * * * * * * *
An hour later, across the street from Josh's house, Detective Steve Yates was reading a book while Jack Collins watched porn on his iPad. They'd been there for almost seven hours, and yawning heavily, Steve closed his novel and leaned back his head.
"I don't think he's coming home."
"Yeah, you might be right," Jack agreed.
<
br /> "Let's call it a night. I need to sleep, bed bugs or no bed bugs."
"Fifteen more minutes."
"Why?"
"That's how long this movie has left. I want to see how it ends."
"Uh, you know how it ends," Steve retorted. "The guys will shoot their wad and the girls will scream in ecstasy."
"Not this one. I think Rhonda's going to spank Julie for borrowing her pink bra. I've got to see that."
Closing his eyes, Steve silently counted to ten, asked God why he had Jack as a partner, then decided to nod off.
Neither of them noticed a man step from a car that had stopped halfway down the block. Nor did they see him amble towards Josh's house, jump the fence and move around to the back.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sitting astride Queenie, Theresa was galloping across a lush green meadow, but the verdant grass gave way to a thicket. The mare slowed to a trot, then a walk as she entered the trees. Birds were singing, and the sun shone through the canopy of branches, but when they came out the other side, she saw a horse trailer. The doors were wide open. There were no shavings on the floor, and no hay in the feed compartment. Shards of wood and broken glass littered the ground, and in the distance she could see The Horseshoe Tavern, though one side of the building appeared to be distorted.
"Queenie, why did you bring me here?"
"You must tell Josh what you see."
"Theresa. Wake up. Theresa."
His voice seemed far away, then suddenly her eyes popped open.
"Josh?"
"You're safe," he said softly, holding her tightly. "It was just a dream."
"I have to tell you…"
"You can tell me in the mornin'."
"It can't wait," she said urgently, shifting in his arms to look up at him. "Queenie said I have to tell you and I don't want to forget."
"Okay, Princess. If it will help you go back to sleep."
"We were in a field surrounded by trees. There was a trailer, but it had no shavings on the floor or hay in the feeder. I don't know why, but that's important. On the ground were these wooden boards. Not big, but thin strips. Broken glass too, and across the field I could see The Horseshoe Tavern, but the side of it was sort of bulging. Do you have any idea what that means?"
To Catch A Cowboy (Hunks and Horses Book 2) Page 17