Branding the Wrangler's Heart by Davalynn Spencer

Author:Davalynn Spencer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

On the third morning, the clock in Whit’s head woke him to the tuneless racket of Buck snoring. Snorting was more like it. The kid gagged like a choked bull.

The roundup’s second day had gone much like the first, and Whit hoped today would be their last. In fact, he did more than hope, he prayed. He’d smelled rain on the breeze the last two nights and didn’t want to get caught in a storm today.

He pulled on his pants and boots, knotted his bandanna and tucked in his shirt. He kicked Perkins’s bunk on his way outside. “Get up. Daylight’s burnin’.”

Wasn’t burning, wasn’t even smoldering, but by the time the kid made it to the kitchen it would be. They had farther to ride today and needed a fast start.

He gathered three horses, checked their hooves, saddled them, and led them to the hitching rail behind the house. The square light of the kitchen window pulled at his belly and his heart as he watched Livvy at the stove doing what she did best. One of many things, he grudgingly admitted. She was definitely full of skill and surprises. Maybe he’d get a few moments alone with her before Baker and Buck showed up.

But he’d not be apologizing for his earlier behavior. He was justified in his concern for his men, for the cattle. For her. They were his responsibility. Hauling a woman in to do a man’s job was not. Lucky for her it had turned out all right.

Lucky for him.

He pulled his hat off, stepped through the back door and into the warm, yellow light.

She looked up from the stove, a pleased expression tilting her mouth in a pink curve. “Good morning.”

“Mornin’.” So far, so good. He straddled a chair.

“Coffee?” She brought the pot and two mugs to the table, set one before him and filled it with the dark, steamy liquid.

He nodded his thanks and took the cup in both hands, pulled the hot brew through his lips. “Hmm.”

She poured another cup and sat down.

He glanced at the stove.

“Don’t worry. Breakfast is ready. I’m waiting for everyone to show up so we can all eat at once rather than in shifts.”

She had pulled her long hair back into a single plait. He felt a twinge of disappointment. “Your grandfather not up?”

She sipped. “He’s up, but moving slow.”

A faint trace of liniment mingled with the coffee’s strong aroma. He leaned toward her and sniffed. “Did you rub him down?”

She blushed like the sky at dawn and hid behind her mug. Two laughing eyes peered over the top. “I was a little sore myself after two days, so when he fell asleep last night, I stole in and borrowed the bottle.”

He chuckled at her admission. Another surprise. “I guess you might be. How long has it been since you rode?”

“It’s been awhile. There was no riding on our last visit for Mama Ruth’s funeral.”

The memory stripped the smile from her eyes and replaced it with sorrow.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.