Page 40 of Micah

“Two, with mayo, please. Dad always keeps some bottled water in the fridge, so we’ll take a few bottles with us and I’ll graba blanket. I’ll meet you at the porch steps in a few minutes,” he said as he ran his hand over her ponytail then he kissed her forehead and walked out the door.

Taking a deep breath and smiling, she yanked opened the fridge door then took out lunchmeat, cheese, and bread then made three sandwiches. Looking around, she found a bag to put everything in, along with two apples. She grabbed four bottles of water then walked out onto the porch and sat on the steps to wait for Micah.

Truly not a hat person, she suddenly hoped he found her a hat because that sun was beginning to beat down hard. Looking toward the barn, her breath hitched when she saw Micah walking out, leading two horses.

“Oh, dear God,” she murmured as she looked at him.

He hadn’t been lying. Hewasa cowboy at heart. His straw cowboy hat sat low on his forehead, shading those beautiful eyes but she could still see the stubble on his lower face, jaw, and neck. Her gaze traveled down his tight blue T-shirt, over his pecs, flat stomach, and then tried to stop on his belt buckle. She couldn’t stop her eyes from going lower for all the money in the world. His jeans fit him like a glove, cupping his sex. The pant legs were bunched up around the ankles of his distressed cowboy boots and his feet kicked up clouds of dust as he strode toward her.

She’d been in such a hurry to leave that she really hadn’t paid much attention to the way he’d been dressed. Oh, she knew he had jeans and cowboy boots on but now with that cowboy hat sitting on his head, she now saw him as a cowboy. He raised his head and looked at her and she knew right then, she’d fallen in love with him.Shit! Shit! Shit!

Stopping the horses nearby, he grinned at her and her heart slammed against her ribs.

“Come on, get in the saddle, and I’ll adjust the stirrups,” he told her motioning her forward. “When was the last time you rode?”

“This morning,” she said laughing.

“I meant a horse,” he growled then grinned.

Patsy laughed.

“Last month. I go to Bella’s every Sunday in the spring and summer to ride whether she goes or not.”

She pushed herself up and walked to the horse then handed him the bag and bottles. He took the items and put them in the saddlebags on his horse. She put her foot in the stirrup and tried to lift herself up but couldn’t get the momentum then she suddenly felt Micah’s hand on her ass and he gave her a shove. Once in the saddle, she narrowed her eyes at him.

“Did you just cop a feel?”

“Yes. Yes, I did.” He grinned at her. “Here, take this hat.”

Taking the hat from him, she looked at it then at him. “Whose is this?”

“Brandy’s. Cookie’s daughter.”

“Really? Have you taken rides with her?”

“Actually, I have.” He paused. “She’s twelve.”

“You’re such a dick,” she muttered making him laugh.

“Did you just say I have such a dick, or I am one?” he asked as he adjusted the stirrups for her.

“Both.” She laughed.

She winked at him then watched as he walked around his horse and vaulted onto the saddle. She glared at him when he glanced over at her.

“What?” he asked.

“The way you just vaulted into the saddle.”

Micah chuckled. “I told you, I was riding before I was walking. Let’s go. It’s a little bit of a way up there but the pond is a nice spot for a picnic.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

“It’s about an hour and half ride. That’s why I wanted to know if you’ve ridden lately. I wouldn’t want you to get saddle sore.”

“But then you could massage it for me.”

“I can do that anyway. Let’s go, pixie. Daylight’s a-wasting.”

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