Love Inspired August 2014 – Bundle 1 of 2 by Allie Pleiter and Jessica Keller Ruth Logan Herne Page A
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inches away. But she did it because self-protection was a hard lesson learned.
“You’ve got your life. I’ve got mine. For the moment our paths have intersected while
we both work on a mutually beneficial project. Let’s keep it at that.”
He sent her a look that stammered her heart, and delivered a cockeyed smile, to boot.
“A sandwich it is, then. Although if we happen to be downwind of Willow Creek’s smoker
and you change your mind, I got us midafternoon reservations, and they weren’t easy
to come by, either.”
“But the horses...?”
“Bo Gravinger’s on hand. He said he’ll mind things for us to get a bite. But a sandwich
is fine, too, Liv. It’s not the food near as much as the nice company. That’s a pleasure
right there.”
Her off-rhythm heart swelled at his words. The tone of voice, the tilt of his chin,
the easy smile that worked his jaw just so.
Her resolve went south in a hurry because she’d like nothing better than to spend
long hours relaxing with Jack, eyeing horses, sharing food on a bright summer’s day.
He pointed to the left as he eased the truck and trailer into a parking area off to
the right. “Nice crowd and good potential. Let’s go find us some horses, little lady.”
Adorable, handsome and available.
She’d vowed to steel her heart and emotions against all three. The reality of trying
to do that while checking out beautiful mounts for the Double M rancher and his dad?
Virtually impossible.
* * *
“The two-year-old dark bay stallion.” Liv kept her voice low as they surveyed the
groups of horses surrounding the near paddock. Jack eyed the solid young potential
stud and agreed.
“I was thinking exactly the same.” The fact that they both selected the same young
horse with breeding potential wasn’t lost on Jack. They’d always been on the same
page, back in the day. But that was years ago, and a pile of mistakes since to work
through. “Good temperament, great look, and stands solid.”
“Stunning look, actually,” Liv corrected him. “Not too proud, ready for direction,
anxious to please. If those qualities pass down to offspring, you’ve got a gold-mine
stallion right there. And the contrast of the black mane and tail sweeten the effect.”
“Anyone else strike you today?”
She slanted her gaze up to him with an expression that said yes, something else did
strike her, but it was off-limits and out of reach. Then she settled her shoulders,
climbed the rail and waved to the outer edge. “You’ve got matching bay fillies over
there, a pretty pair and not a bit flighty. Wanna walk around and check them out?”
“It’s a four-horse trailer, so sure. Let’s go.” He reached out and grasped her waist
to swing her down, but when her feet touched the dusty ground, the last thing he wanted
to do was let go. In fact—
“This way, cowboy. And keep your mind on the horses.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned behind her, properly chastised but knowing she only half
meant it. As they rounded the far end of the west-facing corral, the pair of fillies
danced left, then settled as Liv moved closer, crooning. Another interested buyer
shot them a look and gave up his spot near the fence, and when Jack asked the owner
to bring the ladies by, he watched as Liv examined each one. “What’s the verdict?”
She faced him. “Sound. Fine. Pretty. Calm for their age.”
“Their lineage has breed-stock potential written all over it.”
“Is that a problem?”
Jack ran a hand across the nape of his neck, thoughtful. “Time is shorter without
Mom. And the ranch hands are good guys, but it takes a special touch to work with
broodmares.”
Liv had that touch, the crucial elemental mix of gentle but firm direction, the soft
voice horses preferred. She’d helped his mother with the mares often as a teen. But
she wasn’t staying, and how awkward would it be to offer her a job on the ranch? She’d
“You’ve got your life. I’ve got mine. For the moment our paths have intersected while
we both work on a mutually beneficial project. Let’s keep it at that.”
He sent her a look that stammered her heart, and delivered a cockeyed smile, to boot.
“A sandwich it is, then. Although if we happen to be downwind of Willow Creek’s smoker
and you change your mind, I got us midafternoon reservations, and they weren’t easy
to come by, either.”
“But the horses...?”
“Bo Gravinger’s on hand. He said he’ll mind things for us to get a bite. But a sandwich
is fine, too, Liv. It’s not the food near as much as the nice company. That’s a pleasure
right there.”
Her off-rhythm heart swelled at his words. The tone of voice, the tilt of his chin,
the easy smile that worked his jaw just so.
Her resolve went south in a hurry because she’d like nothing better than to spend
long hours relaxing with Jack, eyeing horses, sharing food on a bright summer’s day.
He pointed to the left as he eased the truck and trailer into a parking area off to
the right. “Nice crowd and good potential. Let’s go find us some horses, little lady.”
Adorable, handsome and available.
She’d vowed to steel her heart and emotions against all three. The reality of trying
to do that while checking out beautiful mounts for the Double M rancher and his dad?
Virtually impossible.
* * *
“The two-year-old dark bay stallion.” Liv kept her voice low as they surveyed the
groups of horses surrounding the near paddock. Jack eyed the solid young potential
stud and agreed.
“I was thinking exactly the same.” The fact that they both selected the same young
horse with breeding potential wasn’t lost on Jack. They’d always been on the same
page, back in the day. But that was years ago, and a pile of mistakes since to work
through. “Good temperament, great look, and stands solid.”
“Stunning look, actually,” Liv corrected him. “Not too proud, ready for direction,
anxious to please. If those qualities pass down to offspring, you’ve got a gold-mine
stallion right there. And the contrast of the black mane and tail sweeten the effect.”
“Anyone else strike you today?”
She slanted her gaze up to him with an expression that said yes, something else did
strike her, but it was off-limits and out of reach. Then she settled her shoulders,
climbed the rail and waved to the outer edge. “You’ve got matching bay fillies over
there, a pretty pair and not a bit flighty. Wanna walk around and check them out?”
“It’s a four-horse trailer, so sure. Let’s go.” He reached out and grasped her waist
to swing her down, but when her feet touched the dusty ground, the last thing he wanted
to do was let go. In fact—
“This way, cowboy. And keep your mind on the horses.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned behind her, properly chastised but knowing she only half
meant it. As they rounded the far end of the west-facing corral, the pair of fillies
danced left, then settled as Liv moved closer, crooning. Another interested buyer
shot them a look and gave up his spot near the fence, and when Jack asked the owner
to bring the ladies by, he watched as Liv examined each one. “What’s the verdict?”
She faced him. “Sound. Fine. Pretty. Calm for their age.”
“Their lineage has breed-stock potential written all over it.”
“Is that a problem?”
Jack ran a hand across the nape of his neck, thoughtful. “Time is shorter without
Mom. And the ranch hands are good guys, but it takes a special touch to work with
broodmares.”
Liv had that touch, the crucial elemental mix of gentle but firm direction, the soft
voice horses preferred. She’d helped his mother with the mares often as a teen. But
she wasn’t staying, and how awkward would it be to offer her a job on the ranch? She’d
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