Page 38 of Wrangled Up

When Christian’s step sounded, both women looked up. Letty was a slip of a woman, probably ninety pounds, just as she was ninety years old. Her white curls were worn in a short wreath around her happy face.

“Come on in here, boy, and get some of this good food.” She lifted a pot off the stove. Claire took it from her and spooned some white gruel into three bowls. A fourth bowl was set in the center of the table filled with nuts, raisins and dates. Christian fought to keep from making a face.

“Is that toast up yet?” Letty asked.

“Heard it a second ago.”

“I’ll just butter it.” Christian watched the woman smear a yellow streak of butter across the toasted bread without a care to cholesterol or healthy living.

Christian grabbed a cup of coffee and drew a scalding sip into his mouth, wishing he could make a run for the door and avoid their idea of a good breakfast.

Claire placed his bowl in front of his chair and sank to her own with a smile. “Smells like home, Letty.”

“That’s the point, girl. Can’t have you up here working so hard on nothing more than cold pizza.”

Christian’s stomach clawed at his insides at the mention of pizza.

Smiling, Claire scooped up some raisins, nuts and dates, and spooned them onto her oatmeal. “It’s a nice day. We should get all the horses out into the yard and give them a good bath.”

He struggled to keep from eyeing her. What he wanted was to give her a long, luxurious bath, taking care to soap every delicious inch. When he and Tucker had lockedher between their bodies in the shower, it had practically blown his mind. He’d never be the same man.

Letty drifted to the table with a plate piled high with toast. A jar of homemade grape jam set near his elbow. Maybe he could manage toast if he drowned it in jam. He hurriedly took the plate from her and pushed her chair out so she could sit.

Claire beamed at him.

“Loved grooming the horses in my day,” Letty said, spooning up her oatmeal plain.

Christian selected two pieces of toast dripping with butter and spread jam liberally over them. “Never gave a horse a bath, but I’m willing to try. What we need to do first is find the food and water stores.”

“Seems to me there would be a spring around here somewhere,” Letty said. She turned her head to look out the window. “Find the low ground and that’s where your spring will be.”

Claire caught his eye, hers twinkling. She took a big bite of oatmeal and sighed. “Tastes delicious, Letty.”

The older lady bobbed her head as if it were on a spring. “Soul food. Try yours, young man. Got a whole pot here to stick to your ribs.” Letty reached across the table and squeezed his biceps appreciatively. Claire ducked her head, hiding a grin.

When both women looked away, he spooned a hefty dollop of oatmeal onto his napkin and folded it into a wad. Yes, just like a child, but he didn’t care. If it kept him from having to eat it, he was willing to stoop to immature levels.

He hammered his toast and shoved away from the table. “I’ll just go hunt up that spring so I can fill the water tank. Claire, I’ll meet you in the barn.”

“I’ll let the chickens out first and see to Boom Boom.”

He started toward the door but stopped dead at her words. A smile spread through his gut and rumbled from his chest. “Excuse me?”

She polished off her oatmeal. “I said I’d let the chickens…” Her eyes flared with understanding. “Oh, Boom Boom.”

“I take it that you’re referring to Tucker’s alpaca?” He could barely trap his mirth behind his lips. He couldn’t wait for Tucker to hear hercall his animal Boom Boom, like some seedy pole dancer.

He dumped his dishes into the sink and his soggy napkin filled with oatmeal into the trash. On the way out of the kitchen, he lightly squeezed Letty’s shoulder. “Great breakfast, ma’am. Thank you.”

She beamed. “I’ll save this oatmeal for you for later!”

God help me.Catching Claire’s gaze, he winked. Slowly. Suggestively. Getting her up against the barn again was on the top of his to-do list. He took his time letting his gaze travel over the tops of her breasts to the narrow indentation of her waist, then the flare of her hips.

She shuddered.

Satisfied that he could get her as heated as she did him, he gave her another wink and headed outside.

Breakfast had cut into his work time, so he’d have to hurry to catch up. He didn’t want to be stuck out here, slinging manure all day, when he could have Claire beneath him. Could be moving within her.

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