Page 20 of Seized by the Lawman

“Let’s not backtrack, sunshine. You won’t. You have a great group of men who know this ranch like the back of their hands. I’m here too. Randy won’t leave you high and dry. He’s good people.”

Melly glanced back at him, one corner of her mouth played with a smile. “Why are you really here, Nix?”

“What do you mean? Carson asked and here I am.”

“I think you know that’s not what I meant. Don’t you have something you’d rather be doing? A case to solve? A woman to cuddle?” She looked up at the sky, shielding her eyes from the sun’s rays. “I’m sure that badge ain’t just for looks.”

Remembering he’d promised Carson not to tell her he’d joined Hawks, Nix took a moment to think his answer through. She was perceptive. “I’ve solved a lot of cases and as far as a woman…well, I don’t have anyone to worry about.”

Her gaze was on him again. “You’re forgetting about me.” Her eyes twinkled.

His heart skipped a beat. The intimacy of her words struck him, almost knocking his feet out from underneath him, but he quickly recovered. Dragging his gaze across the cattle, he needed to change the subject. “Like you said, some signs of illness are obvious. Watch for labored breathing, coughing, nasal and eye discharge. There are some other, less clear signs to watch for too. Depression is common in sick cattle. If their heads are down and their ears are tucked back that could be a signal that they’re sick. Also, watch for laggers. Cattle tend to stick together and if one is hanging back, it’s usually because the sickness has made them grumpy and slower. A trick that my Pa taught us is that if a cow has respiratory sickness, he won’t eat and starts to look gaunt. When a full cow walks, it’ll have a tight stomach. A sick cow’s stomach will bounce.”

“What happens when we find a sick cow?”

“It will be quarantined away from the others, and once he’s had a chance to relax a bit, it’s important to take his temperature. But even if his rectal temperature looks normal, it should still be kept under close observation for at least forty-eight hours, just in case.”

“After we’re done checking the fences, what’s next?” She weaved her way to stand on the outside circle of cattle.

“Although we don’t have any cows that appear sick, we do have some that are needing separated because they’re close to birthing.”

“I know this one,” she said with a proud smile. “They’re utters no longer have any wrinkles and lay at an angle, and they have disappearing pelvic ligaments.”

“Sometimes the pelvic muscles can be deceiving, but the enlarged nipples will never lie.” Swallowing hard, he nodded to the horses. “How about we get back in the saddle and finish up the fencing. The higher that sun is, the hotter it’ll get. We need to have those cows moved before it gets too hot.”

~~~**~~~

“You’re home, baby. Free as a bird,” the woman said from the doorway of the camper.

“About. Fucking. Time.” He looked around the cramped space. “But is this all you could manage?”

She sashayed her way across the narrow path to where he sat on the sofa and leaned over him. “Better here than in a cell. You didn’t have this in prison.” She straightened and dragged the neckline of her shirt down to expose her bra-less breasts.

The man made a loud slurping sound with his tongue and reached out to roughly squeeze one firm, double D. She squealed in irritation and took a step back, slapping his wrist like a mother correcting a child. “Be gentle. It took me three years to save up for these.” She snapped her shirt back into place.

“Sorry, baby. Why don’t you come sit on daddy’s lap.” He snickered while patting his thigh.

She crawled over his lap and kissed his neck but sensed his agitation. Pulling back several inches, she sighed. “What’s wrong, baby? You’re home. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. I thought we could celebrate.” She rolled the tip of her tongue along the curve of her bottom lip and rolled her hips in a circular motion.

He gave a small shrug of his shoulder. “Baby, it was unfair what happened to me. I served seven years in the fucking joint. Do you know what it’s like in there? Hell no, you don’t have a clue. Bitches like you were raised with a silver spoon in your mouth.” His face twisted and he plopped back against the cushion of the worn couch sending her sliding off his lap.

She blinked, but quickly recovered. “Let me make it up to you.” She leaned in, slid her hand inside his pants and grabbed his crotch, but he was as limp as a wet noodle. Not the romantic evening she’d planned for his first night home. With a huff, she stood and strolled to the mini bar, shook out a cigarette from the pack and lit it. Inhaling deeply, she blew a smoke ring and looked at him. “So then, what? You ain’t into me any longer?” She snapped up a brow.

He laughed, pushed off the couch and made his way to her. He palmed her nape and dragged her in, nuzzling his nose in her hair. “Baby, fate brought us together. It was your sweet letters that kept this man’s head on straight.” He wrinkled his nose. “Why the fuck did you start smoking? You know they’re cancer sticks and I can’t stand them,” he growled.

“Waiting for the man of your dreams is difficult. I needed to wrap my mouth around something.” She grinned and took another long puff.

“A slut like you trying to tell me you didn’t spread those sweet thighs for every Tom, Dick, and Harry in this fucked-up town?” he sneered. “Those tits are too juicy not to have a warm mouth devouring them, and I bet you’ve had your mouth wrapped around more than a cig.”

“Fuck you.” She started to slip around him, but he fisted her hair and pushed her hard, the edge of the counter cutting into her ribs, but she didn’t show any fear.

“Point is, are you still mine?” His dark, soulless glare burrowed into her.

“Always.” She liked him like this. Never before had she gotten so wet so quick.

He licked her from jaw to temple. “I call dibbs.” He grinned and reached up under her teeny skirt, cupping her bare, warm pussy. “I know how you like it. Rough, right baby?” He thrusted two fingers into her. “Mm. Hot and fucking wet. Let’s see if we can make some of those lusty promises come true. I jacked off to your words until my cock was raw. Now I have you in my hands.” He licked his lips.

“For you.” She spread her legs slightly to give him better access.

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