“It’s a habit. If any were lingering around the gate, I likely scared them off with my squealing tires.” He tapped in the code and the large gate swung open.
“It must be a thrill, surrounded by herds of wild horses all the time.”
“I love it.” He drove through and looked over his shoulder to make sure the gate closed. “And so do they, once they understand that food and water are always available and they’re free to run. Eventually they realize nobody’s gonna shoot at ’em.”
“To think it’s been going for twenty years.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He flicked on his brights and kept his attention on the road in case any critters decided to cross in front of him.
“You must have been so excited when your folks made the decision.”
“It was huge, especially for those of us who were old enough to see how cool it was. Monty sort of got it, but Rio and Greta, not so much. They can’t remember a time when H&H didn’t exist.”
“I remember you telling me the ranch had a sanctuary, but I didn’t appreciate the scope. I imagined a few horses in a pasture, not hundreds living on thousands of acres.”
“My family tends to think big.” He treasured that. Pulling over, he keyed in the code to open the gate into the ranch compound.
“Speaking of your family, where are they? I thought they were ready to leave, too, but we seem to be all alone out here.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s on purpose. They’re giving us time to get settled in my casita.” Which wouldn’t be long now. The buzz of anticipation made him a little shaky as he drove the short distance to his house.
“Good grief. I had no idea they’d hang back.”
“When you live this close together, you learn how to give each other space.” Now he really had the shakes. Parking next to his casita, he shut off the engine and hopped out. Almost stumbled.
By the time he made it around the tailgate to the passenger door, she’d climbed out. The soft glow from the hanging lanterns on his patio touched her hair, her cheeks, the gentle rise and fall of her breasts.
He'd never make it to the barn and back without hauling her into his arms. “Maybe you should go see Fudge on your own.”
“So you can shave?”
“Right.” He’d give it a try, although he might slice himself to ribbons.
“Okay.” Her little smile said she was onto him. “I guess it would be embarrassing to get caught making out in the barn.”
“That, too.”
“Can you take my backpack?”
“Sure thing.”
She came toward him and handed it over.
The light brush of her fingers against his was nearly his undoing. He tightened his jaw.
“See you in a few minutes.” She gave him a quick glance. “Careful with that razor.”
As she walked away, he dragged in a breath. He was in over his head, might even drown. But there was no turning back.
Chapter Eighteen
Jordan quickened her step, eager for a chance to catch her breath and rein in her turbulent emotions. When she’d agreed to this, she hadn’t factored in the seductive nature of the environment.
Five years ago Luis had transformed a nondescript motel room into paradise. What effect would he have when they actually were in paradise?
Laughing Creek had captured her heart the moment she’d driven through its front gate this afternoon. By establishing a sanctuary for hundreds of horses with their large family smack dab in the middle of it, the Bridger Bunch had created something magical.
And she would soon make love to a key player in sustaining that magic, the sanctuary’s resident horse whisperer. Might as well admit the experience would be epic.
