Page 34 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

A long moment later, the rifle boomed. The buck sprang into the air and then dropped to the ground, his legs thrashing for several seconds before he lay still. The .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge had done its job well.

Elated, Taylor, who had been knocked back onto her haunches by the recoil, high-fived Colt and then threw her arms around his neck.

He hugged her, unable to quell his body’s sensual response to having her tucked close to his chest. His heart raced, and warmth swept through him. Tingles rippled down his spine as she kissed his cheek.

“I got him, Colt,” she said in an excited voice as she began to rub her shoulder. “Man, that thing has a kick. It nearly knocked me flat.”

“It’s the cartridge you used, but I like them because one drops an animal in a heartbeat.” His body yearned for hers, and he quickly quashed the need.

“Let’s go take a good look at it. Then I’ll get the truck.” Wind tore at them as they climbed down the metal ladder to the ground. He took hold of her arm, and they angled down into the little valley where the buck lay.

She’d hit the animal high in the neck. “Great shot, Taylor.” He put his arm around her and gave her a squeeze.

“Thanks, but I was aiming back closer toward the shoulder,” she said with a sheepish grin.

The wind had pulled most of her hair from her ponytail and it blew across her face. He brushed it back and said with a voice raised to be heard over the noise of the storm coming in, “It was still a good shot, woman.”

Suddenly, huge drops of rain splatted onto their shoulders. “Damn, let’s get you back to the blind,” he yelled and grabbed her arm. They took off at a run, but it was no use. Rain sheeted down from the angry clouds as thunder boomed around them.

He urged her up the ladder first, following close behind so that he could catch her if her feet slipped on the wet metal rungs. She opened the door, and the wind blew it from her hand, slamming it with a loud bang against the side of the blind. He boosted her inside and grabbed the door, dragging it shut behind him as he rolled himself in. Rain pounded against the metal roof, creating a raucous din.

The temperature had dropped a good ten degrees in the last half hour, but they had come prepared with coats and gloves. Thank God they hadn’t worn them outside. He said, “You’re sopping wet. Why don’t you take that shirt off and put on your coat? I’ll turn my back while you do it.”

Teeth chattering, she nodded.

He turned and imagined the wet T-shirt sliding across her damp body as she drew it over her head. Despite himself, a hot flash of desire shot through him. He rolled his eyes, incredulous that his mind would take advantage of their situation.

A few seconds later, Taylor said, “You can turn around now.”

He’d brought a thick blanket for her to kneel on at the window, and he fetched it now. “Let me dry some of that water from your hair.”

She stood quietly, head bowed, as he rubbed the blanket briskly over her head, capturing her long, thick hair as he did so and squeezing the rain from it. Her hair was in wild disarray when he finished, but it was halfway dry, and he was sure she’d be more comfortable.

He laid out the blanket on the floor to dry as she reached up and touched her hair.

Her eyes grew wide, and her jaw dropped. “My God, I must look hideous.”

He chuckled. “You look just fine for someone who ran through a tsunami.”

She laughed and raised her voice to be heard over the noise of rain pounding on the roof. “Can you believe how hard it’s raining out there? I can’t see five feet past this blind.”

“The worst thing is, I’ll have to field dress that buck in this if it doesn’t stop raining soon.” Because of that, he hadn’t removed his wet shirt. He sat down and leaned against the wall of the spacious blind, which was designed to easily accommodate six hunters. Food plots had been planted on the east and west of the blind, and three hunters could hunt per side.

Taylor came and sat down beside him.

“Thirsty?” he asked. “I brought several bottles of water with me.” He reached for the backpack he’d tossed into the corner when they’d entered earlier in the day. “And I also have some trail mix and a few granola bars, if you’re hungry.”

She sighed and leaned her head back against the wall. “Not right now. Thanks.” Then she said, “Damn, this noise is deafening. I don’t think it’s letting up at all.”

“Nope,” he said loudly in a disgusted voice. “I see warm guts in my future.”

She cracked up. “Is it harder to clean a deer when it’s lying on the ground instead of strung up?”

“Yes, but it’s not so bad. Just more awkward, I guess.”

Thirty minutes later, he slapped his knee in frustration. “Looks like I’m fixing to get wet.”

“Do you have to go out there? Can’t it wait?” Taylor asked, her face drawn into a worried frown as thunder boomed even closer than before.

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