Cinnamon whinnied and pranced to her right. Twisting sideways, trying to see the rattler, Tracy’s right foot slid out of the stirrup. Her hat fell off and hung down her back on the cord as she slipped precariously to the left in the saddle. Reining Captain up beside her, Cash pulled Tracy across his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she clung to him, shaking.
“Is Cinnamon safe?” Was Tracy’s only concern. “Or did she get bitten?”
“I think I killed it before it could strike her,” Cash said. Both their hearts were pounding. “You were brave,” he praised, holding her close.
“You’re an excellent shot,” Tracy said, staring down at the headless rattlesnake.
“Yeah.” Cash closed his eyes and kissed her. She hugged him even tighter, kissing him back. He loosened his gripand said, “Let’s make sure I was fast enough.” Cash let Tracy slide to the ground and then he dismounted. He checked Cinnamon, confirming she had not suffered a snake bite. He picked up the rattler by the tail, held it out, and looked at it. “Diamondbacks start mating in late July, so even though this is early July there could be others nearby.”
“Eww.” Tracy grimaced, staring at the snake. Then reaching for her phone, she said, “Jacob would want me to take a picture for the magazine.”
“Make a note that we don’t kill nonvenomous snakes here on the ranch because they take care of barn mice and other rodents,” Cash said. “But it’s not illegal to kill a rattlesnake in Colorado. Especially one about to strike. I’ll skin this guy and make a hatband for your hat.”
“No way.”
“Yes way.” Cash chuckled. He coiled the reptile into a circle, pulled a red bandana out of his saddlebag, and tied the snake in it. Hanging the bandana over the saddle horn, he asked, “Ready to ride?”
“Yes.”
They mounted and rode to his ranch. Beau was busy in the shop with customers and none of the wranglers and guests were back, yet. It was quiet as they unsaddled the horses and brushed them. Making sure the stallion and filly had fresh water and plenty of hay, Cash glanced at Tracy. She may have been afraid of horses on Monday, but today she had both arms around Cinnamon’s neck. Tracy’s long copper waves blended with the filly’s deep copper mane. The beautiful writer gave the pretty horse a kiss on the side of her face and suddenly, Cash could not imagine anyone but Tracy riding Cinnamon. They were both new to the ranch, had victoriously survived a near catastrophe, and seemed to go together. Tracy stepped out of Cinnamon’s stall, which was right next to Captain’s and turned to Cash. When her full lips curved up, her smile reached her turquoise eyes.
This woman flipped every switch in Cash’s system to red-hot and rock-hard.
“Didn’t I say I’d turn you into a cowgirl?”
With a pat to Cinnamon’s mane, Tracy gave him a saucy grin. “I think you said, ready or not you were gonna teach me toride.”
Sexual electricity zinged in the two-foot expanse between them.
“We’re halfway there.” Cash’s voice was husky. “C’mere.”
“You come here, big’n bad.”
“You ornery little spitfire.”
Cash snared her wrist and yanked her to him. She giggled all the way. Her arms twined around his neck and he felt her breasts slide up his chest as she stood on tiptoes between his booted feet. When his lips touched Tracy’s, her tinkling laugh turned into a soft moan. His hands flattened to her back and all he could picture was teaching her how to ride in his bed. Her lips left his and she stepped from between his feet.
“I should go work on my article.”
“I need to skin that snake and work on preparations for the barbecue,” Cash said. “But Cristen’s in the café, so let’s rustle up something for lunch first. Sounds good?”
“Sounds great.”
Cristen waved as they approached, already busy working on the supper meal. She offered to make them lunch and Beau, catching a break between customers, joined them. BLTs with chips and iced tea hit the spot. Cristen told them there would be a variety of pizzas, pasta with meatballs, breadsticks, and fresh salad with blackberry pie for dessert. As they ate, they told Beau and Cristen about fishing, camping, and the rattlesnake. After lunch, Cash walked Tracy to her cabin and then reluctantly headed to his home office.
The picnics were a tradition these days. They used to be held on Triple C Ranch-Central, but as marriages and kidscame along, that had changed. Memorial Day picnic was on Triple C-Central, Fourth of July on Triple C-East, and Labor Day on Triple C-West. In any event, the celebrations were a fairly well-oiled machine at this point and everyone pitched in to help. The beef came from Chase’s ranch, of course. Family, friends, and neighboring ranchers all brought side dishes. There would be live music, as always, and Cash was picturing a dance or two with Tracy.
Cash glanced at the clock in his office and headed to his master bedroom for a shower. Stepping out of the shower and wrapping a towel around his waist, he left the bathroom and crossed the bedroom toward his walk-in closet.
“Cash?” came the voice of a redhead outside his bedroom. “Hello? Cristen let me in.”
Not the redhead he wanted. Hell. Cash’s smile turned into a frown.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Tracy couldn’t stop smiling.
“Grandma, thank you for the early birthday wish,” Tracy said into her cell phone.
