Buchanan's Pride by Pamela Toth Page B

guide the calf, and then she walked Jewel slowly away from the bog. The rope became taut and the cow bellowed again. Duke barked, but Leah ignored him as she watched John and the calf.
    â€œOkay,” he shouted as the calf came loose of the bog like a cork from a bottle and slid on its back to firmer ground. After a stunned moment, it ran to its mother, who nuzzled it anxiously and then began cleaning it with her long pink tongue.
    Waiting for the calf to begin nursing, Leah heard a muffled shout. She redirected her attention just in time to see John go down in the mud, face first.
    She couldn’t help herself. A whoop of laughter escaped before she could clap her hand over her mouth. With an expression of disgust, John levered himself back up. The sight of him made her laugh harder as she pulled a towel and her canteen from her gear. Something broke loose inside her, a combination of relief that the calf appeared to be okay and the giddy reaction to John’s comic expression of mingled dismay and wounded male pride.
    Leah doubled over helplessly as he got to his feet and advanced on her. Too late she realized his intention. Dropping the towel and the canteen to the grass, she tried to dodge him, but he scooped her into his arms and turned back toward the bog.
    â€œNo,” she gasped, still laughing, “we’ll get stuck. Put me down.”
    For a moment, she didn’t think he would. Then, with obvious reluctance, he set her back on her feet. Leah retrieved the canteen and wet the towel. As she stood holding out the scrap of fabric, John walked slowly around her in a circle. He began to chuckle.
    â€œYou’re filthy,” he said. “I hope you’ve got more towels.”
    Leah glanced down at the one in her hand and then back at him. The mud was already beginning to dry, hardening and cracking around the edges. He looked as though he’d been dipped in chocolate. She smiled.
    John shook his head. She giggled. Finally, he threw back his head and roared with laughter. For several moments, they hung their heads, hands braced on dirty knees, and howled like two hyenas as the cattle, the horses and Duke looked on with benign puzzlement. Winding down, Leah took the towel and managed to wipe most of the mud from his face. Gazing at her intently, he did the same.
    When they were done, the air seemed to crackle between them. John’s gaze drifted to her lips. Involuntarily, Leah parted them slightly as she stood trapped by his stare.
    His head dipped and then he caught himself. Abruptly he blinked and straightened. The moment shattered, Leah took a stumbling step backward.
    â€œEven with a dirty face, you’re pretty,” he said in a low, rough voice.
    Stunned, she could only stare helplessly. She was covered with mud and he thought she was pretty?
    â€œYou’re crazy,” she exclaimed gruffly when she’d found her voice.
    His grin was fleeting. “If I’m crazy, then I guess you can’t hold this against me.” Lowering his head slowly, giving her time to protest, he pressed his cool lips against hers in a gentle kiss.

Chapter Four
    J ohn hadn’t known he was going to kiss her until he did, and for just a millisecond, her mouth yielded under his. As her lips softened and heated, a groan worked its way up his throat. She pressed her hands to his chest and he lifted his arms to wrap them around her. Then her body stiffened in his embrace and she pushed against him.
    â€œNo,” she murmured.
    Heeding her halfhearted protest, John dropped his arms and let her go. Her eyes were wide, her cheeks flushed. Her mouth—dear heaven—her mouth looked sweet enough to devour in one more long, wet, drugging kiss. Unable to resist, he tipped his head again.
    â€œUh, this isn’t a good idea,” Leah said breathlessly.
    He frowned. It seemed like a great idea to him.
    Leah glanced around, and reason smacked him like a blow from a two-by-four as he