Heath draws in a sharp breath before smoothing his features with practiced control.
“Care to explain why the donkey is still in the shed when the whole point is to get her out of here?” he grunts, ignoring Charlie’s jab.
“As shocking as it is, Peaches’s stubborn streak puts yours to shame,” she retorts.
Heath drags his thumb along his mustache, eyes fixed on her. “Or maybe you just don’t have what it takes to get her to comply.”
Charlie puts her hands on her hips. “Let me guess, you’d solve that with brute force?”
Heath smirks, taking a step toward her. “Wrong. It’s all about patience, paying attention to her nonverbal cues, and drawing her in until she can’t resist following my lead.”
I swear Charlie shifts forward, a flicker of interest in her eyes—but it’s gone as quickly as it appeared. “By all means, I dare you to do better. All you’ve got to work with are these soggy things.” She tosses him the bag of cucumber slices, and Heath catches them with one hand.
He tucks the bag into his shirt pocket before side-stepping around Charlie. “Hey there, Peaches. How are you doing tonight?” He slowly reaches out, stroking her muzzle, and Peaches closes her eyes briefly at the touch. “We really need to get you out of here, but I promise I have a nice cozy spot waiting for you at the ranch.”
Peaches stays put despite Heath’s persuasive pep talk, but that doesn’t deter him. This time, he rubs behind her ears, and her nostrils twitch.
“Oh, you like that, sweet girl, don’t you?” Heath croons as he gives her a good scratch.
Charlie and I both stare at him in shock, and I’m convinced we’re witnessing a glitch in the Matrix. This isn’t the broody cowboy I’m familiar with. Apparently, all it takes is a stubborn donkey in trouble to bring out the soft side hiding beneath his grumpy exterior.
He withdraws his hands from Peaches and steps back toward the door. Her ears perk forward, tail swishing, and she trots after him, nudging his arm with her nose in search of more attention.
“Unbelievable,” Charlie mutters.
Heath smirks. “See? All she needed was some gentle persuasion and a firm hand.”
“I’ll show you a firm hand,” Charlie says under her breath as she follows Heath.
She may be irritated by the turn of events, but I’m just relieved that backup is here. Maybe we’ll actually manage to clear the shed without getting caught.
Butterflies take flight in my stomach the second Walker steps across the threshold, all rugged charm in his charcoal-gray deputy’s button-up tucked into his dark-wash Wranglers, and a rope slung over his shoulder. How I wish he’d toss me over his shoulder, carry me to my bedroom, and fuck me until I’m screaming his name. I only lost my virginity a week ago, and I’m already addicted to sex… More specifically, sex with Walker.
When he spots me, his face breaks into a wide grin. “Howdy, sweetheart.”
“Hi,” I breathe.
He crosses the distance between us, pulling me into a hug that nearly turns me into a melted puddle at his feet. I loop my hands around his neck, fingers clutching the hair at the nape of his neck, basking in the safety of being in his arms.
Walker leans back, tipping my chin. “Are you okay?”
“I am now,” I murmur, meeting his gaze.
In the past, I’ve handled most rescue missions alone or with the girls, and Charlie’s right—we’ve always managed without incident. Yet having Walker here brings a sense of peace I’ve never experienced before. It’s a silent promise that I don’t have to carry this burden alone, and the reassurance that he won’t let anything go wrong.
When I step back, I notice Charlie, Heath, and Peaches are no longer in the shed, which means they finally got her out—thank goodness.
I’m about to follow, stopping when I glance back at Walker, my eyes landing on the rope draped over his shoulder.
“How come you brought that?” I ask, pointing at it.
“Figured it might come in handy with the animals, but since you and the girls have that handled, I’ll save it for another night.” He smirks with a glint in his eye. “I do recall I owe you a lesson involving rope.”
I inhale sharply, tugging my bottom lip between my teeth. “That you do, Deputy.”
I’ve fantasized about him tying me up countless times, and the promise that it could happen soon has my heart pounding in my chest.
“Birdie, Walker, are you coming?” Charlie calls from outside, her voice raised just enough to carry.
