The Littlest Wrangler by Belinda Barnes

Author:Belinda Barnes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Kelly swatted at the offending object tickling the end of her nose. It skittered down the side of her neck.

“Mama night-night.”

“Not for much longer.”

She opened one eye a crack and saw Will standing beside the bed. Behind him, James grinned, twirling a feather. “You planning to sleep the whole day away?”

“It’s daylight.”

“It usually is when the sun’s up.” He glanced at his watch. “Actually it’s noon.”

She bolted upright in the bed. “It can’t be. Noon?”

He placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s all right, Kel. It’s Sunday. You don’t have to go in to work today. How about a picnic?”

“A picnic? Today?”

He winked at her. “Yep.”

“Where?”

“In the backyard.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

“You’re on. Will and I are running into town to get some fried chicken and all the fixings. By the time you’re showered and dressed, we’ll be back. Meet us in the backyard when you’re done.”

He sent her a devastating smile. A jolt of excitement shot through her, reminding her of how often in the past James would do spur-of-the-moment things like this. It was one of the things she’d always loved about him.

She answered his smile with one of her own. “I can’t wait.”

Will climbed onto the edge of the bed and gave her a sticky kiss. James helped him down, then stood for a long moment looking at her, staring at her mouth as though he wanted to kiss her, too.

And though Kelly knew she shouldn’t, she wanted it, as well.

Finally Will broke the spell by catching James’s hand and jabbering something about the horses.

When the pair left, closing the door behind them, Kelly threw back the covers and hurried through her shower. Foregoing makeup, she braided her hair and donned jean shorts, a T-shirt and sneakers.

Thirty minutes later she joined them in the backyard. James had placed the sack of food in the center of a blanket spread out on the thick carpet of grass. Will’s squeal from across the yard drew her gaze to her son who rode on James’s wide shoulders. They stood at the corral fence, petting Matilda.

Rushing over, Kelly gave James a smile as she hugged Matilda. “I haven’t been able to ride very much with school and all. I’ve missed it.”

“I can’t believe you still have this old nag.”

She turned back to face him. “Like I said before, she’s family. I love her. She may not have the stamina of a younger horse, but she has heart.”

Matilda nuzzled Kelly’s shoulder which earned her another pat.

When Kelly turned back, she found James staring. “What? Do I have mud on my face?”

“No, just thinking how much I’d like to bury my face in your neck like Matilda, wondering what you’d do if I did.”

The prospect made her temperature rise, but she didn’t want to ruin his efforts to make the day enjoyable. “I’d hose you down.”

The wicked gleam in his eye warned her of his intent. She squealed and ran.

James took off after her, not really trying to catch her, because he still had Will on his shoulders.

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