Rocky Mountain Legacy by Lois Richer

Author:Lois Richer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2009-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“You should have asked me to ride earlier.” Sara grabbed the horn of the saddle, struggling to stay on the horse’s back.

“Why?” Cade leaned over and snatched the rein she’d lost.

“I could have upped my insurance first.” She loved the way he laughed, deep and rich, without restraint. “I hurt in places I didn’t know existed. Much as you’re enjoying my pain, I have to get off or I won’t be walking tomorrow.”

“It’s not that bad.” He swung off his horse, led hers to the dismount stand and helped, actually caught her as she half tumbled from the horse. “Is it?”

“Yes.”

“Uh-oh.”

His concern touched a sensitive spot in her heart that hadn’t existed before. At least Sara didn’t think it had.

“You’d better hit the hot tub.”

The mere thought of jets of water rushing over her sore muscles made her groan.

“Don’t even joke about it.”

“What joke? I have a hot tub. Why shouldn’t you use it?”

Oh, so many reasons came to mind. Like, she was tired and her mouth said things before her brain made sure they were appropriate. Or that she was beginning to depend on Cade Porter way too much. Or that she didn’t want this day to end.

First he’d had that chat with her family, warning them off their matchmaking. Then he’d insisted on riding lessons even after she’d explained how much her parents had spent on riding lessons for her—to no avail. If only she’d known then what she knew now about how wonderful it was to be around a cowboy.

“Sara?” His hand touched her arm, drawing her back to reality.

“Sorry. Daydreaming.” She studied his serious face and smiled. “I’m fine. Really. Or I will be.”

“I’m serious about the hot tub. There are tons of suits. Karen always had someone over. You could soak out the kinks while I shower. Then I’ll warm up whatever Mrs. Brown has left for dinner. What do you say?”

She wanted to say yes.

The family’s incessant questions about the play made mealtimes little more than interrogations. What could it hurt to escape, if only for a little while?

“Only if you’re positive I’m not making more work for you. I know running this place isn’t the piece of cake you pretend it is.”

“Not a piece of cake, but most things go fairly smoothly. I can take a few hours off here and there and not lose the ranch.”

Cade showed her how to care for her horse. Once their mounts were fed and watered, they walked to the house. Sara struggled to keep up, muscles protesting as she climbed the stairs and stepped through the front door.

“There’s a closet back here,” he told her, striding through the kitchen to pull open a big white door. At least a dozen swimsuits hung inside. “Take your choice. You can change in the bathroom here. The towels are on the bottom shelf. Slip on a pair of slippers. The ground is cold.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll open the lid and turn on the jets. Get in whenever you’re ready. I’m going to have a shower.

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