Page 21 of The Cowboy Who Looked Again

“Yeah.” Smiles stepped back, glanced at Misty again, dipped his hat, and then brushed by them. “I better eat before it gets all boxed up.”

“Yep.” Link went in the opposite direction, his hand automatically curling around Misty’s and bringing her with him. She didn’t pull her hand away, and in fact, she adjusted her hand in his so it fit perfectly.

Outside, the heat rushed at them, but Link pointed over to the glorious, red-coated horse that stood in the shade. “There she is. Morning Sky.” The dogs who shadowed him had found a patch of shade near the horses too, and Link had more introductions to make.

Misty pulled in a breath. “She’s beautiful.” She looked at Link with glee in her expression. “Did you ride her here?”

“Nah,” he said. “She came with Copper, the bay back in the bushes there.”

“Oh, right. Copper’s yours.”

“That’s right.” Link pulled her closer. He wanted her to be his, but he didn’t dare say so. Mitch would’ve. Maybe a lot of men would’ve. But Link didn’t know how. “Hey, Sky.”

The horse lifted her head at the sound of Link’s voice, and both Dusty and Rio got to their feet and came closer. “Hey, guys.” He grinned down at the dogs. “This here’s Misty. Misty, these are the canines who seem to think I can’t do anything without them right at my heels. The blue heeler is Dusty, and the collie is Rio.”

Misty did drop his hand then as she dropped into a crouch. “Hey, you guys.” She lavished love onto his pups, and Link wasn’t surprised when Rio tried to lick her face. She giggled and dodged, and when she straightened, Link pulled her into his embrace.

“I have missed you so much,” he whispered.

“I am so sorry about everything,” Misty whispered back.

He pulled back enough to see her, the breeze playing with the long ends of his hair. “What are we doing?”

Before she could answer, at least five dogs started barking, including both of his. Link jumped back as Dusty and Rio darted past him and Misty and toward Uncle Cactus’s dogs. He’d had a plethora of them over the years, and he currently had his German shepherd and both of his chocolate labs with him.

The barking ceased as the dogs formed a sniff-chain, tails wagging mightily. Link chuckled at them, and then raised his eyes to his grumpiest uncle.

“Did you know they’re feeding everyone in there?” Cactus asked.

“Yes,” Link said. “You didn’t know?”

The growly frown on his uncle’s face said that no, he didn’t know. “Aunt Willa was helping to coordinate the schedule,” Link said, his voice trailing off at the end.

“I’ve been helping Duke up at Rhinehart for a couple of days,” Cactus said. He finally looked over to Misty. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean?—”

“This is Misty, Uncle Cactus,” he said. He took her hand in his. “My uncle Cactus, who is the most polite cowboy this side of the Rockies.”

Cactus said nothing for a moment, and then it seemed like a light bulb illuminated his whole being. “Oh, Misty. Sure. Great to meet you.”

“Likewise,” she said as she shook his hand.

“They’re boxing up lunch for dinner leftovers,” Link said to his uncle.

“My word.” Uncle Cactus continued to grumble as he marched away from Link and Misty, but Link only smiled after him.

“I think you’ve had enough introductions for one day,” Link said. “And I have to get back to work.”

“Okay,” Misty said easily. “Horseback riding at seven.”

“Yes,” he said.

“You remember I’ve never ridden?” she asked, and she seemed a bit nervous.

He swept his lips along her cheek, wanting so much more. “I remember, beautiful. I’ll see you later.” And then he forced himself to walk away from her, whistle to his dogs, and lead his horses back to the stable.

Then he had to get down to the equipment shed and check on the oil for his daddy. “At least he wasn’t on the ranch to meet Misty today,” he muttered to himself. But he’d have to formally introduce her to his parents soon enough, especially if she was going to be staying mere seconds down the lane from where they lived for much longer.

Chapter Eight

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