“I thought Benny was Dick,” Quinn said.“I was saving you.”
“That’s very sweet.But Benny is not Dick.Benny is my wrangler.”
“And Fred’s the foreman,” Benny said.“He’s got a beard.”
“Thanks for the info,” Quinn said.“If he happens to show up at your door tonight I’ll know who he is.”
Jo glanced at Benny.“So I’ve figured out that Quinn is here because you’re here.But why are you—oh, my God!”She threw back the covers and jumped from the bed.“I’ll bet it’s Clarise!”
Benny nodded.“It’s Clarise.Fred sent me.He said you told him to get you if it was time.I didn’t know you had a movie star in your house.”
“He’s not a movie star, Benny.His name is Quinn.But I want to be with Clarise.Thank you for coming to get me.”
Emmy Lou snapped into action.“Foaling time.I’ll make coffee.”Shouldering the shotgun, she headed downstairs.
“I’ll go help Fred,” Benny said.He glanced at Quinn.“You sure look like a movie star.Sorry I kicked you in the?—”
“It’s okay, Benny.”Quinn had figured out the guy was somewhat of a lightweight in the brains department.Quinn almost felt bad for scaring him, except that he had a kick like a mule, which took the edge off Quinn’s regret.
“I’ll just go downstairs, okay?Keeping a wary eye on Quinn, Benny eased out the door and pounded down the stairs.
Quinn climbed off the bed, suddenly aware that he wore only his briefs.“I, uh, really thought?—”
“I’m sorry he kicked you.”Her gaze drifted to that part of his anatomy.“Are you… okay?”
“I’ll live.”In fact, as she continued to look him over, his injured parts became full of life.
“I imagine you will live, at that.”She looked at him with amused tenderness.“You thought somebody was about to do me wrong, didn’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“So with no weapon, and having no idea what you might be up against, you came charging in here to protect me?”
“Yeah.”
Her gaze warmed even more.“I haven’t had a man risk his own safety for my sake in a long time.It feels nice.”
His pulse started to hammer.
She sighed.“We’d both better put on some clothes.My mare is about to foal, and I want to be there.”
He was encouraged by that sigh and the interest in her brown eyes.“Of course.”
“It’s worth seeing, Quinn.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”With one last look into those wonderful eyes of hers, he turned and headed out of the room.“Meet you downstairs in two minutes.”
ChapterNine
The birth of a foal always stirred Jo’s blood, but with Quinn leaning over the stall door in rapt attention, the event seemed more emotional than usual.No doubt she was still affected by their encounter in her bedroom.The picture of Quinn standing there in his briefs would stay with her a long time.She’d never realized bankers could look like that.About her only experience with bankers was Mr.Doobie at First National in Ugly Bug.She’d never seen him in his briefs, but she could imagine it wouldn’t be pretty.
Quinn, on the other hand, had made her tremble and quicken with desire.If she hadn’t had Clarise on her mind...
“Get ready.I think we’re close,” Fred said.
“We’re ready,” Jo said.She and Benny stood behind the mare’s rump, available to help deliver the foal, if necessary.Fred stood by her head, stroking her neck and talking to her in the gentle way he had with all animals.Some people were intimidated by Fred’s size, his bushy gray beard and his gruff manner.Jo had known him since she was a kid, and when she’d inherited the ranch from Aunt Josephine she’d been thrilled when Fred had offered to stay on.
Unfortunately, his arthritis made riding painful for him, which left certain ranch chores strictly to Jo and Benny.That was how she’d ended up accepting help and advice from Dick, who’d even loaned her a couple of his men during roundup.But there had been strings attached.Actually more like steel cables attached.She’d felt shackled by Dick for way too long.Having Quinn step in tonight and torque Dick around had soothed her soul.
