Cassie's Cowboy Crave: Witness Protection - Rancher Style (Sweet Montana Bride Series) by Krey Kimberly

Author:Krey, Kimberly [Krey, Kimberly]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Candle House Publishing
Published: 2013-12-22T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Shane smiled as he watched the joy on Cassie’s face. He was warmed by the laughter bubbling in her throat as the calf licked at her hand with its long, pink tongue.

“It’s so cute.” Her smile faded as she added, “Can’t believe its mother died.”

Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, Shane drew his thoughts back to the mother cow in the barn, the one whose calf had died just a few hours ago. “I just hope this works. If it does, we’ll be killing two birds with one stone.”

He pulled the truck around to the side of the barn before taking the calf from Cassie. “How about making us a few sandwiches,” he suggested, knowing she wouldn’t want to see what he was about to do. “You can take the truck back to the house.”

Her blue eyes met his, a flitter of understanding showing there. “Sure. Should I make some for the ranch hands too?” She slid into the driver’s side.

“Naw,” Shane replied a little too quickly. Last thing he needed was the ranch hands harassing him about Cassie’s inability to make a decent sandwich. “The guys packed a cooler this morning,” he added, “they’re good.” Shane had the sudden urge to smooth the furrow of her brow with his thumb. Instead, he reached down to help her bring the seat closer to the wheel. “See you in a few,” he said.

Cassie gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Okay.”

Shane sped through the dreaded task of skinning the dead calf. The two were close enough in size; he should be able to pull it off. At least long enough to trick the mother.

Once he was finished, he tied the dead calf’s coat onto the motherless calf. After scrubbing up at the sink, Shane let the little animal into the bin with the cow who’d lost her baby.

The truck’s loud growl sounded alongside the barn before shutting off.

“Come on in,” Shane hollered.

He hadn’t anticipated Cassie would change her clothes, but there she was, dressed in denim pants, a plaid, button-up shirt, and those cowboy boots he’d been dying to see her in. What used to be a low ponytail at the nape of her neck was now a loose sort of bun up high on her head. A few dark strands hung free to frame that perfect, heart-shaped face of hers.

Shane cleared his throat. “Uh, you’re just in time. Come here,” he said, patting at the barrel next to him.

Cassie strode over, the sun casting her lengthy shadow across the barn floor. She lowered herself onto the barrel, eyes set on the calf as it walked wobbly toward the larger animal. Shane leaned forward, resting his elbows onto his knees as he watched.

The small calf prodded the udders with its nose. The mother turned her head, backed up a few steps, and sniffed at her new visitor. The little thing sniffed in return, stretched his neck, and after a few torturous seconds, managed to latch on.

The muscles in Shane’s arms and shoulders tightened as he leaned closer, waiting for confirmation that it had really worked.

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