Page 12 of Saving Jared

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Whistles,hoots, and clicks surrounded Jared as he soaked in the familiar sights and sounds of their weekly horse drive. Of all the activities the ranch offered their guests, this had to be his favorite. He let his gaze drift over the nearest of the close to thirty guests who had signed up to participate. So far, these seasoned riders seemed to be holding their own alongside the ranch’s cowboys in moving the hundred or so horses from a pasture on one side of their property to another.

A group of chestnut, black, and bay horses ambled past. The beauty and strength of these sturdy Working Western Family Morgans never ceased to amaze him. These easy keepers had good cow sense, but also fit any need from working a ranch to pleasure riding. They were just an all-around great breed.

They were also highly trainable—something Kinsley was currently taking advantage of. She’d even spearheaded a separate breeding program to further develop the desired qualities she was looking for in her therapy horses.

He raised up in his saddle as a flash of color caught his attention.

And on the subject of desired qualities.

It had been a while since they’d had a silver dapple among their foals. The colt couldn’t be more than four months old, with a pale, almost white, mane and dark gray legs. He admired the compact young horse’s easy gait as he kept pace alongside his bay mother. This one bore keeping an eye on.

“You’ve got a bit of attitude on you, don’t you?” He chuckled as the colt proudly tilted his head on his well-arched neck and twitched his high-set tail. “Ah, and a showoff too.” He’d make a good addition to the family’s personal rides.

Willa would look magnificent sitting astride him one day. He kept watch on the colt and frowned as it trotted away. It didn’t matter what he’d been doing the last couple of days, Willa seemed to spring to mind.

He relaxed back into Chaz’s saddle, his body humming with a new sense of anticipation. Willa would be back home in a few hours.

He let out a deep breath. Willa and home. Using those two words in the same thought shouldn’t bring him so much pleasure. They just did.

But knowing she would be just down the hall from him brought up all kinds of problems. First of which was, would they take up where they’d left off?

He huffed. Chances were doubtful.

Leaving her bed while she’d slept had been an impulsive decision. And it had been one he’d questioned until he’d finally heard her bedroom door open and close a couple of hours later. What if he’d stayed? A humorless, huffing laugh left him. If he had, he could almost guarantee the self-control he’d been hanging onto by a thread would have snapped.

Thankfully she’d dozed off in his arms right after she’d come apart for him. It had helped stave off his temptation for more. God, having her in his hands had been…

He adjusted himself in his saddle and ignored the hardening of his cock.

If only he could’ve clearly seen her face—her body. The darkness had precluded any of that. But her sounds of pleasure had told him everything else he’d needed to know. Mainly that she was just as passionate as he’d secretly imagined. And for hours after he’d gone back to his own room, he’d relived those few precious moments when she had been all his.

Holding a sated Willa in his arms had been a heady experience. And one he wouldn’t mind repeating—frequently. But if it was repeated—and that was a big if—it would be intentional. Not like what had happened in the early Tuesday morning hours.

It hadn’t been a loud cry or scream that had caught his attention when he’d left his room to get a glass of ice water. Her low moan of distress had stopped him in his tracks. He’d probably been standing outside her door for at least a minute debating on what to do when her whimpered cries for her parents had driven him to open it and silently make his way to her bedside.

Everything after he’d sat and lifted her trembling body into his lap had since been permanently seared into his brain, leaving him with one thought. When could he make her fully his?

He scrubbed a hand over his face. What was he thinking? Nothing else could happen between them. And somehow, he was going to have to find a way to let her know without coming off as a complete jerk.

At least not any more of a jerk than she probably already thought he was.

“Yoohoo! Mr. McComb.”

Jared pulled his gaze and attention toward the feminine holler of his name. The Owens’s. He waved at the older couple riding side by side toward him and settled himself more firmly on Chaz’s back. This was the fifth year Charles and Althea Owens had been on the Big M Ranch Experience.

“How are you doing today?” Jared called out to the two retired schoolteachers as they drew their horses to a stop beside him. The portion of the heard they’d been overseeing continued moving on around them.

“Wonderful,” Mrs. Owens said loud enough to be heard over the clopping of hooves and whinnies. “We think this year has been our best visit yet.” She said that every year. But hopefully it was true and meant his family was doing something right. “This is always our favorite part of the week. It’s so invigorating.” She reached over and patted her husband’s arm, winking as she said, “Isn’t it dear?”

A slow grin spread over Mr. Owens’s lined face, while a look of pure heat filled his hazel gaze. He took his wife’s hand. “Very invigorating.”

Well, okay then.

Jared cleared his throat. “I’m so glad y’all are enjoying yourselves.” In more ways than one it seemed. But, good for them.

“We are.” Mr. Owens threw another grin at his wife. “And we’ve already booked our visit for next year.”

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