Page 67 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

Miko stuck out his lower lip.

I just stared, mesmerized. It was the cutest damn thing I had ever seen in my life. It was also a gesture I'd never seen him do before. I hoped it meant he was getting more comfortable around me.

I reached out and gently ran my finger across his bottom lip. "Careful," I whispered. "Keep sticking your lip out like that and I'll be forced to bite it."

One of Miko's dark eyebrows went up right before he got a playful grin on his face and then stuck his lower lip out even farther.

I laughed even as I leaned in to bite gently at his lower lip. This more mischievous side of Miko was a delight and I was glad he was finally showing himself.

That little bite quickly turned into something more, making me really glad I hadn't put my saddlebag on Bucky yet. By the time we came up for air, the sun had started to set and it was quickly growing darker.

This time, I knew we couldn't fool around again. Being outside near the main house at night was one thing. Being in the wilds at night was something totally different, and much more dangerous.

"We really need to head back to the house, Miko."

"Hai."

Miko helped me pack up our picnic supplies and then we mounted up. As I steered Bucky back toward the house I warned Miko, "Don't put Sally into a run if you don't have to. In the dark, there is a higher chance of her stepping in a gopher hole or something. It'll take us a little longer to get home, but just take it slow and easy, okay?"

"Hai."

I made sure that Bucky was right next to Sally as we started riding home. We'd been out several times riding the horses, but never at night. Sally was a good horse, gentle and calm, but I was worried she might get spooked and take off. Miko had no experience stopping a frightened horse. He could be seriously injured or worse.

I wasn't about to let that happen.

"Aren't we close to the house?" Miko asked after we'd been riding awhile.

"Yeah, pretty close," I replied. "I can see the lights from the barn."

"Then why aren't there any lights on at the house? It's not that late, is it? People should still be up. There should still be lights on, right?"

I glanced at my watch. "It's a little after seven."

Miko was right. There should be lights on at the house, but even the bunkhouse was dark.

"Could everyone have left?"

I couldn't think of a reason for everyone to leave the ranch. "Yes, but it doesn't make any sense that there wouldn't at least be one light on even if it's the front porch light."

"What about the power?" Miko asked. "Is it on the same circuit as the main house and the bunkhouse? If it's not, maybe there was a power outage or something."

That might explain it, but the growing knot in my stomach said otherwise. Something was definitely wrong in all of this. I just didn't know what that something was.

"Miko, when we reach the main house, I want you to put the horses in the corral and then go hide in the barn. I need to check the main house and bunkhouse."

"I can help," Miko said.

My gut clenched at the very idea.

"Miko, I don't want you in danger." The very thought made me see red. Miko should never be in danger.

"I no want you in danger."

And he'd lost his English again.

"Miko—"

Miko stuck his nose in the air. "I help."

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