She slapped his hand. “I’m not going into town with you.”
“You’re as ornery as an old mule.” He paused, his heated gaze boring into hers. She liked neither the look nor the silence. “You listen to me, Miss Persnickety. I don’t care what you like or don’t like, I’m takin’ you to town.”
“I—don’t—like.” She ground her teeth with each word.
“Too—darn—bad.” He mocked her. “You have two choices. You can get on that horse willin’ly, or I’ll hog-tie you and put you there myself.”
Her mouth dropped open, and her mind scrambled frantically for several seconds.
He produced a cocky grin. “Time’s up.”
* * * *
JESSE MADE SUMMER’Soptions clear, but the stubborn woman just wouldn’t listen.
He was an honorable man, and when he made a promise, he stuck to it. When he made a threat, it didn’t matter what gender he threatened, he wouldn’t cower, especially before a female.
Horrified whispers and startled gasps from the townsfolk followed their progress as his horse plodded down Main Street. He didn’t have the slightest twinge of guilt. He’d promised to deliver Summer Bennett to her sister, and he was going to do just that. Although, he hadn’t originally counted on surrendering his package hog-tied.
She had left him no choice. Not surprisingly, she protested when he tied her hands and feet, but he quickly remedied that problem. Of course, she’d mumbled for quite awhile with his bandana stuck in her mouth, but eventually, the ride into town became more tolerable. At least she sat atop the horse with a straight back and her chin raised in indignation.
“Well, here we are, darlin’.” He exaggerated the endearment. “Home sweet home.”
As he dismounted, her murderous scowl shot at him. Outwardly, Summer looked rigid, but knowing her, inside, she was burning like the fires of hell. Wisely, he kept his laughter to himself. After tying his horse to the hitching post, he glanced into her heated stare. He’d have to watch his back because this little filly was already plotting revenge.
Nothing he couldn’t handle, though.
What should he do with the little wildcat? No matter how much the thought of leaving her bound and gagged might appeal to him, he didn’t have a choice. He had to untie her.
He straightened and stepped over to his horse, staring up into her angry hazel eyes. “If you promise to be a good girl, I’ll untie you.”
Her eyes widened as she nodded in desperate appeal.
“Your sister is over yonder somewhere. I’m sure she won’t appreciate seein’ you all tied up.”
Summer agreed with another nod.
“It’s nice to see your aunt was able to teach you how to act like a female.” He untied her feet, then lifted her off the horse and set her on the ground. “We’ll get along a lot better now you’ve learned how to cooperate,” he added as he released her hands.
Immediately, she ripped the gag from her mouth and kicked him hard in the shin. “Ouch!” He hopped around on one foot. “Why you li’l—”
“Jesse Slade, you’re nothing but a scum-sucking, mule-headed son of a motherless...goat,” she screamed.
He drew a deep breath and calmed his temper as he tested his leg. “I suggest you quiet down, Summer. If you haven’t noticed, you’ve drawn a crowd.”
“Me?” she yelled. “Why, I haven’t done a doggone thing.”
“Unless you want the whole town knowin’ you’re a shrew, you’d better simmer your boilin’ kettle.”
She hardened her jaw and turned her head, looking toward the curious spectators crowding the boardwalk. Huffing, she crossed her arms over her chest. She pretended to ignore him, but he could tell she secretly watched him tend to the horse. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed her gaze skim over his braced legs, down his thighs. When he wound the dusty rope he’d used to tie her hands, her attention switched to his long-sleeved russet shirt that pulled tightly across his upper arms and chest.
He held himself from grinning openly. His appearance must have sparked an interest in the li’l filly. Of course, he’d changed quite a bit since she’d last seen him.
Summer’s name rang out in the distance, taking her gaze away from him and toward the middle of the street. He wished her attention still roamed over him. The little tomboy looked at him as if he were a real man. She’d never done that before... and why hadn’t Rosie ever looked at him that way?
Summer hitched a breath and scanned the streets for her sister. When she saw Rosie, she clapped her hands.
“Rosie,” she cried joyfully, stretching out her arms as her older sister ran to her.
