Page 6 of The Cowboy's Wild Side

Thinking she could probably find what she needed inthe community’s small town, she moved into the bathroom and found a generous tub. As she turned on the faucets, she noticed several jars offering a variety of bath salts. Selecting Lavender, she sprinkled in a generous amount, then turned to stare at her reflection in the oval mirror above the bathroom counter. She looked as tired as she felt. But she no longer felt panic stricken and frazzled.

“At least I can breathe now,” she muttered. “Gino Stallone will never find me here. I just need to figure out what to do next.”

CHAPTER FIVE

It was early afternoon, and Cade McLean was in his tack room when Jack and Diane began barking. Knowing it meant he had a visitor and they’d be racing up to the car, he dropped the damp sponge into the sink and hurried outside. The only person he was expecting was Helen’s friend, a girl named Karen Harper, and though his dogs were extremely friendly they were boisterous.

Based upon what Andy had told him, Cade had expected her to arrive in a Mercedes or BMW, but the SUV that had stopped in his driveway was a Hyundai. He was wondering if it was someone else when a young woman climbed from behind the wheel. As he walked forward, her long, straight, sandy hair fell around her shoulders, and when she bent over to pet the dogs, the top of her simple green T-shirt gaped open exposing generous breasts.

“Your dogs are amazing,” she exclaimed, straightening up and smiling at him.

Begging his stiffening cock to go back to sleep he neared, he tried not to stare at her ridiculously kissable, full pink lips.

“I’m guessin’ you’re Karen. I’m Cade,” he managed, “and those two monsters are—”

“Jack and Diane,” she interrupted with a giggle, “and they’re not monsters. Helen told me about them and they’re absolutely adorable. I wish I had a dog.”

“Why don’t you?”

“I live in a condo…no yard…very busy.”

“Ah, well, one thing I’ve learned, dogs and horses dictate how you spend your time. Busy with other stuff usually goes out the window.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of, but seeing these two I know I’d just love it. Anyway, it’s great to meet you Cade. I don’t know if Helen told you, but my father owns race horses and I’ve been around them most of my life. I’ve just never learned how to ride.”

“Do you know I’m a western trainer?” he asked, thinking the gorgeous girl would probably be more interested in jumpers or dressage.

“Oh, yes, and that’s what I want. I dream about going on endless trail rides. When Helen was telling me about Smoky Hill I was so jealous. Now I’ve seen it for myself and I can’t believe it’s right at her back door.”

“It’s easy to reach from this ranch,” he declared, turning and pointing to the back of his property. “I just follow that ridge and it takes me right to the side of the Smoky Hill forest. Everything’s connected around here. When you’re ready I’ll take you if you want.”

“Oh, my gosh, yes, that would be fantastic.”

“Great. Come and meet my horses and we can talk about the details. I just got four new ones in. I’ll take you there first.”

“Helen told me how you rescue them.”

“Yep. Like I tell people, it saves them and keeps this place goin’. Maybe you can help me with names. There are two chestnuts, a mare and gelding, and a grey I’ve named Moon, then there’s another gelding who’s a paint,” he said as they began walking towards the paddocks. “Do you plan to stay in Smoky Hill a while?”

“I’m not sure,” she replied with what he thought was a worried frown. “It just depends on, uh, some stuff. How long do you think it will take me to get comfortable in thesaddle?”

“If you can come every day, you should be trottin’ like a pro in about a week and lopin’ in two. But it depends how well you take to it, and your fitness level.”

“I work out at a gym all the time,” she exclaimed as they approached the pastures.

“That will help,” he muttered, forcing himself to stare ahead and not at her deliciously curvaceous body. “There they are.”

“Ooh, you can see they’re neglected, the poor things.”

“Yep, but that’s all about to change. They only just came in this mornin’. Any ideas for names?”

“Umm, what about Sally and Sammy for the chestnuts.”

“Hey, I like that. Sally and Sammy!”

“For the black and white paint, I have to give that some more thought, although…”

“What?”

---