Page 28 of Falling for the Maverick

Michelle glanced up at Lucas. “May I pet him?”

“Yes.”

She touched the dog’s head and was bowled over when he placed both paws on her chest. “It’s okay,” she laughed, hugging him. “It looks like we’re going to become good friends.”

“You must have some special mojo because Flash is never this demonstrative,” Lucas said, reaching down and assisting her to stand.

“He knows I’m an animal lover. I have a reputation of bringing home strays that can’t come into the house because my mother is allergic to pet dander.”

“Where do they stay?”

“In the barn.”

Cupping her elbow, Lucas led her toward the house. “Dogs?”

“Dogs and cats. We already had Watson, but then I found Holmes who’s a border collie. I found Prudence as a kitten who’d been abandoned on the side of the road. She was about five months old when she disappeared, and I was devasted because I thought she’d run away. But then she came back with a belly full of babies.”

Lucas laughed aloud. “The girl had an itch she needed scratched.”

“No doubt. She had four kittens, and all of them looked different. I put three up for adoption and kept the orange tabby I named Marmalade, and now they’re both spayed. Pru has taught her daughter to become an expert at keeping the barn and stables free of rodents.”

“I could use a cat, but there’s something about me they don’t take to.”

“Because they probably know you prefer dogs. I like dogs, cats and horses. If you need a mouser, I can loan you Marmalade for a few weeks.”

“Who’s going to take care of her?” Lucas asked.

“Come on, Lucas. Don’t tell me that a big dude like you is afraid of a little cat.”

“I’m not afraid of them. They just don’t like me. Meanwhile I’ve been setting down traps to get rid of the mice. Maybe you should come and stay with me until Marmalade gets rid of the rodents, then she can go back to the Circle C.”

Michelle wondered if he realized what he was saying. He wanted her to move in, even though they’d only planned to meet secretly? “What I can do is bring Marmalade over for a few hours and then take her back home. The only time she’ll stay overnight is when you feel comfortable enough to take care of her. All you need to do is give her food and water.”

“I’m open to you bringing her over. But you have to let me know so I can pick up the traps.”

“I need to warn you. Once she kills a rodent, she’ll take them a certain spot, but you’ll have to bury them.”

“That’s not a problem.”

Michelle did not want to believe that Lucas may have had a fear of cats when he had a dog that was the size of a small pony.

“I noticed that some of your mares appear to be pregnant.”

“They are. Samson was a busy boy even before I got him and the mares from my brother-in-law.”

“Is he the stallion I saw you riding the other day?” Michelle asked.

“Yes. I have to keep him away from the mares when they go into estrous because he’ll impregnate every one of them.”

“But you are running a horse breeding farm, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but I don’t want all my mares pregnant at the same time.”

“Have you thought about putting him out to stud?” she asked.

“If he was pure Thoroughbred I would, but his dam was an Oldenburger. A Thoroughbred-Oldenburger cross produces a versatile horse often bred for harness work. Most of the horses in my herd are American quarter horses, perfect ranch horses. People believe they have more experience with cattle than other breeds. I had a rodeo rider inquire last week about a couple of horses for team roping.”

“Now that my brother is married to one of the famous Hawkins Sisters, I’m certain Remi can spot a good horse for the sport.”