Page 110 of Stables

Her brows knot as her head swivels across the sea of black Angus. “I, I don’t think they are—”

My hand moves to her neck, tugging her over so I can taste her doubting lips. “I told you, I’m keeping you.”

Letting her go is difficult, even with Sophia’s audible groan.

When Char’s jaw drops, her mouth making a perfect “O”, I know I have to move away. Every time she does that, I keep thinking of ramming my cock down her throat.

Hell, she has me hard again.

“Dix!” Mason yells from the other side of the sorting chute.

“Yea?” I turn Shadow to trot over to him.

Mason drapes his gloved hands over the rail and looks up at me with a squint. “Blue’s been calling you. Said he needs to talk to both of us and Char. I told him this afternoon would be fine, we should be done for the day faster than I thought.” He glances towards Char. “That mare of hers has made short work of these yearlings. I ain’t never seen ‘em get sorted out that fast before.”

A warm bow of pride rises in me. “That’s all Char. She foaled that mare. She has a helluva an eye for stock, and the talent to draw out their instincts.”

“If only she had that eye for men,” Mason says quietly, then winks at me.

“Fucker,” I grumble.

His finger circles, gesturing towards me, then her out in the paddock cutting a young steer from the herd. “Don’t screw this up, we need good horses.”

“Uh huh.” They aren’t even in the top ten reasons I’d keep her.

But it does make me feel even luckier to call her mine.

Chapter 31

Char

I feel like I’mliving in a dream world. Paisley is with people who care for her, I get to do what I love, and I have the sexiest man alive to keep me safe and warm.

If only the lurking menace of Matt wasn’t out there.

Once the last of the cows are sorted, I let a very sweaty Juniper move over to the shady section of fence where Lori and Libby are sitting in lawn chairs sipping lemonade while Paisley plays in the dirt with some toys between them.

Jack sits on Lori’s knee, his green eyes widen as he watches me.

“Paisley, do you want to come with me to the barn?” I don’t know how she’ll do once she can’t see me anymore.

Her grubby cheeks turn and she holds up a ball, then a small truck. “No, Mommy. I stay, please.” The “l” disappears

Libby grins up at me, then wraps her lips around the straw in her cup and takes a long swallow. “Girl, I need all the cold drinks justwatchingyou two out there!” Her fingers wiggle me away. “Go. Let him curry combyoudown.” She giggles, then winks at Lori, whose cheeks turn bright red.

They probably match mine.

Mason ambles up behind Lori, pinning his hat to his head, he lifts her chin as he bends over, making both of their faces disappear behind the broad rim.

Libby fans herself, then laughs when Paisley mimics her.

When Mason stands, he glances up at me, then towards Sophia and Dixon as they ride up. “Blue will be here in a bit, he said he had some news for all of us.”

I hope whatever he has to say is positive. It’s been hard not to think of how much Whiskey could have benefited from today’s work.

A billow of steam rises from the branding lot where Sawyer and Ford run a hose over the flames.

Maybe I should have them spray me off so I can spend some promised time with Lori and Libby before Blue gets here.

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