Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“Lady,” he greeted me, lifting one leg to rest it on the bench beside me. “Enjoy the show?”
“Absolutely.”
He chucked Oreo under the chin. “Brought a friend, I see.”
“He needed some air.” I fanned myself. “Although it’s pretty damn hot right now.”
He threw back his head in laughter. “You’re good for my ego, darlin’.”
“Just telling it like it is.”
“Rachel figure us out?” he asked mildly.
“Yes.”
“She got a problem with it?”
“Not really.”
“Good.”
“Were you looking for me, or just happened to end up here?”
“Well, I came for the friskies, but the show was pretty good too.”
He paused before taking another drink. “Friskies?”
I waggled my eyebrows.
He laughed again. “Ah, friskies.” He licked his lips. “You didn’t get enough last night?”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
“Well then, today is your lucky day,” he murmured. “Neither did I. I’m heading to the creek to cool off. If you want to join me…” He trailed off.
“I don’t have a suit.”
“Neither do I.”
“Oh. Oh.” I stood. “I have to put Oreo back.”
He leaned close, his breath on my neck. “You do that, Lady. I can only handle one little pussy at a time, and frankly, I’m rather addicted to yours.” He straightened. “I’ll grab the ATV. Hurry.”
He didn’t have to ask me twice.
The next day, I went with Luke and his men, filming the day as a ranch hand. I insisted I was fine to ride Dusty again, and I made Luke laugh as I swaggered close to the horse, tipping my borrowed cowboy hat at her. “Ma’am,” I drawled. “It’ll be my pleasure to ride you today.”
I gasped as Luke stood behind me, lifting me into the saddle. “I had my own pleasure last night,” he murmured.
I grinned down at him. “And this morning,” I replied pertly.
He smiled, his dimple showing. I loved that smile. It was rare, and it felt like mine. Even if it was just temporarily so.
I helped herd the cattle, staying close enough to film but not get in the way. It was a beautiful day, the sun high, the breeze light. I caught as much as I could with my camera, both as video and stills. Jeff guided me, showing me how to hurry a stray cow along, nudging them in the right direction. I stopped to watch Tim repair a broken pipe, amazed at how quickly he worked. Luke suddenly tore past, bending low over the saddle as he and Maverick covered the ground fast. I was mesmerized as he used his lasso, catching a horse that had gotten away from the stable earlier and was wandering. He trotted back, sitting high in the saddle, grinning.
“Stubborn little filly,” he said. “She does this a lot. Likes her freedom.”
“What’s her name?” I asked.
He winked. “Lady.”
I had to laugh.
I spent the rest of the morning following different hands, filming, asking questions, making notes. I got a good idea of what tasks a guest could be part of and which they should not be allowed to partake in. After lunch, I was back in the saddle, pleased that I wasn’t as sore as I’d worried I would be. Luke came alongside me. “Okay, Sammy?”
“Fine,” I assured him. “Getting used to it.”
“You can call it quits anytime.”
“I’m fine.”
“I don’t want you sore again.”
“Worried I won’t be able to handle your stallion later?” I asked.
He glowered, his gaze becoming dark.
I rolled my eyes at him. “I said I’m fine, Cowboy.”
“Stubborn.”
I tugged on the reins. “Stop fussing.”
“A section of the fence broke the other night, so we’re heading to fix it. Nothing much to see. Jeff has the supplies and is heading there on the ATV.”
“I want to come. Maybe I can help. And no, not via ATV. I’m fine.”
He shook his head but stopped arguing. I followed him, still filming, the vistas so beautiful. I had no idea how I was going to choose which photos or videos to put in the ads.
When we arrived at the damaged section of fence, Jeff and Luke got to work, resetting the broken post and fixing it. I filmed them working with the intricate wire, seeing how the nasty metal dug into the gloves they wore. A piece was frustrating them, the space small. I stepped closer. “I can help.”
Luke glanced up. “No.”
“My hands are small. I could reach it better.”
Jeff grunted. “She’s right. This whole piece is going to be a bitch.”
Luke sighed. “Did Rachel give you gloves?”
“Yes.” I dug them from my bag.
“You wear gloves. This wire will cut your skin easily.”
He showed me what to do, and I carefully took the heavy pliers, following his instructions.
“Perfect,” Jeff praised.
I met Luke’s eyes.
“Good job, Lady.”
“I learned from the best. Now I have to do this all the way down?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, you can do whatever. No need to watch over me.”
Jeff went to the next section, leaving Luke with me. He watched me do the next two joins. I was slower than Jeff, but I did them.