Page 22 of Bucked By Love

His hand slides to my shoulder. He gives me a familial squeeze. “Go on.”

I peel away from him, retreating back to the library. Even with my back to him, I can feel his eyes on me as I go.

18

RANSOM

Mr. Dagney gives me my first task.

“His name is Chaucer,” he tells me. He holds onto the chestnut colored stallion—this huge, powerful beast. “Track record-setter. Won over $2.3 million over his career. His stud fee is nearly $100K. Only one problem.” He pats the horse’s neck. “He won’t stud.”

Chaucer pulls on the reigns, as though offended, and gives his neck and shake.

Mr. Dagney takes a step away, which I find kinda funny.

Never met a Blood Agent who was afraid of horses.

He frowns at the horse, then holds the reigns out for me. “He’s a pain in the ass,” he says. “If you can tame him, I’ll give you more work than you can handle.”

I take the reins. “Yes, sir. We’re gonna get along just fine, aren’t we?”

I pat Chaucer, gentle-like. He puts up his nose, suspicious.

We’ll get there.

My gaze slips beyond the stables. The big Preacher house stands up like a castle towards the entrance. It’s got big, green hedges to separate it from the rest of the farm.

There’s a library on the second floor. Through the big, curved windows, there she is. Claire. All long, blonde hair. Curled up in her chair. Book on her knees.

My fingers twitch. I want to get them in her hair.

As if she can feel my eyes on her, Claire turns, and for a second, our gazes meet.

“Ransom!” Dangey’s voice pulls me out of my fantasy. He jabs his thumb over his shoulder. “Stables are this way.”

19

CLAIRE

Technically, I’m not breaking the rules.

I’m just reading.

I take my book out to the stables and I find a flat bench to sit on. The sounds of ranch hands and horses are a nice white noise as I turn the pages. It’s a beautiful day, and the sunlight warms my bare calves under my dress.

It’s a cute, buttercream dress with tiny flowers stitched in, that I’m wearing for no one but myself.

There’s a thump beside me, and then a hissing sound. I glance to my left. My water bottle is gone.

Another thump and hiss on my other side. Now, my purse has vanished.

There’s a thwip! And before I know it, I’m caught. I glance down. There’s a rope wrapped around my middle, trapping my arms to my sides.

I push my grin into a frown. I twist around. Ransom’s on the other end of the rope, sitting across on the way. My water bottle and purse are at his feet.

“Aren’t you supposed to be working?” I tell him.

“I am.”

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