A pang pierced Tracy at the thought of being separated from Cash. She slipped her leg between his and snuggled closer. “Gee, I hope you don’t get lonely on your overnighter.”
He grinned at her. “I won’t if you sneak into my tent like last week.”
“Done.”
Cash rolled on top of her, and she eagerly spread her legs for him. “Wanna sparkle before the sun comes up?”
“Yes, I’d stay in this bed with you all day.”
“Don’t tempt me, spitfire.”
Tracy lost herself to Cash’s lovemaking. She savored his every nibble to her neck, each touch that tingled all the way to her toes. He kissed his way across her breasts and down her tummy. As his tongue circled her belly button, his hands cupped her fanny, lifting her to his lips. When he’d first introduced her to this most intimate of kisses, and every time thereafter, she nearly lost her mind from the ecstasy. This morning she clutched the sheets and moaned his name as rapture seized her body, heart, and soul. Cash rolled to his back, and she lovingly kissed his hard inches before saddling up for the ride she wanted only with Cash.
And oh, how they rode.
“Yeehaw!”Cash whooped and tossed the lariat.
In the saddle on Captain, Cash lassoed another good-sized calf on the first try. He bailed off his horse and Martyman handed him the branding iron. Mean Pete held the animal as Cash pressed iron to cowhide. When released, the calf jumped up and trotted off, in the long run, none the worse for wear. Cash swung himself back into the saddle and lassoed the next calf.
“Yeehaw!” Tracy hooted, standing outside the corral while waving a dainty fist over the Elsa hat on her pretty head. Dude and Crockett flanked her like guard dogs.
“Go, Cash!” Jacob yelled and filmed.
Cash flashed a grin at Tracy. Brains and body, the woman oozed smart and sexy. Never had he enjoyed roping as much as he did today with this one-of-a-kind redhead cheeringhim on. For a couple more days she was all his. Then what? As much as he’d like to, he couldn’t just toss a rope around her and tie her to him.
“Taught him everything he knows,” Coop called, only half joking as he stood on the other side of Tracy and Crockett.
The Australian sheepdog and German shepherd barked as the guests surrounding the corral clapped and shouted their appreciation of the show. Cash, atop Captain, took off his hat and placed it to his chest in thanks. Martyman and Mean Pete bowed. With the show concluded, Cash rode to Tracy. As he neared, Tracy stepped up onto the bottom rail of the corral. He leaned down, swung an arm around her, and kissed her. The crowd hooted and hollered even more. Wow! That had never happened before—because never before had there been a woman whom he’d kissed in front of guests. He held Tracy all the more tightly and she placed a hand to her hat to keep it from falling down her back. Since the first night they’d made love, they’d been inseparable. The more they made love, the more Cash could not get enough of her.
Kellie rang the chow bell for lunch and with a chuckle against Tracy’s lips, Cash let her go. He rode Captain out of the corral, dismounted, and with a pat to the horse’s mane, turned him over to Larry. The branding done, the cows in the corral would be taken to graze and driven back home by Coop, Martyman, and Mean Pete after lunch. Even though Sam, Jeff, and the wranglers had finished packing for the overnight camping trip they always let the guests line up for meals first. But within minutes, all were feasting on Kellie and Cristen’s delicious beef barbecue sandwiches, coleslaw, potato salad, and baked beans. Cash, Tracy, Coop, and Sam were joined at the table in the back corner by Martyman and Mean Pete.
Mean Pete, who lived on Chase’s ranch with Katy and was a stepfather to her sixteen-year-old son, Finn, said, “It’s nice to see you again, Tracy. My beautiful wife, Katy, said she enjoyed meeting you.”
“Thank you,” Tracy said. “Katy is a sweetheart. She spoke highly of you telling me what a great dad you’ve been to Finn.”
“Finn’s father was in the Army and died when his parachute failed to open,” Mean Pete said with respect in his voice. “I love our boy, Finn, like he was my own flesh and blood.”
“I’ve been where Finn was,” Tracy said. “I write and illustrate children’s books for kids who have faced similar struggles but find hope and a happy ending like Finn.”
Cash smiled to himself noting how Tracy had captured the attention and admiration of every man at their table. “Tracy lost her mom and dad in a helicopter crash when she was little. Her grandparents raised her.” Cash heard and saw the appreciation around the table for this accomplished young woman deepen. He wondered what a happy ending looked like to Tracy.
“Thank you.” Tracy smiled and then to Mean Pete she softly said, “Katy told me how you met on Triple C-Central.” Her turquoise eyes widened as she’d heard some facts about Mean Pete and Katy’s introduction which had been under terrifying circumstances. But they’d survived and thrived. “Knowing you were coming to Triple C-East today, the first thing Katy said to me was that Mean Pete would be one of the nicest people I’d ever know. And she was right.”
“Aw, shucks,” Mean Pete said shyly. “Thank you, Tracy.” Then looking at Cash, he said, “I like this girl, Cash.”
“Me too,” Cash said and winked at her. “Mean Pete, I remember you saying that same thing about Katy the day she happened to use your phrase of batshit crazy.”
“Yes, sir.” Mean Pete grinned. “I knew Katy was my girl right then and there.”
Martyman said, “Tracy, I hear you’re headed to Triple C-West tomorrow.” Marty and Cash’s Aunt Rachel lived near Mean Pete and Katy. “To interview Chloe and Derek?”
“Yes,” Tracy replied. “Chloe is taking me on a tour of the original house and the new bed-and-breakfast she and Derekbuilt. Then Derek said he will introduce me to the Percherons he trains for law enforcement.”
“Let’s saddle up, everybody,” Jeff called from the far side of the café. “Wagons are ready to roll.”
“Ready to rock and roll, spitfire?” Cash asked Tracy.
“Count on it, big’n bad.”
