OLIVER: WESTERN CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE (Blackwater Canyon Ranch Book 2) by Cindy Stark Page B

with a length of rope in his hand. His lips moved, but she was too far away to hear his words.
    She gathered her red hair and secured it with a band into a ponytail as she walked. When she reached the white fence, she climbed up and sat on top of it to watch. She wasn’t quite sure of Oliver’s goal, but it looked to be interesting.
    “Come on, buddy. This won’t hurt a bit.” Oliver murmured as he stepped closer to the animal. When he was a few feet from the colt, he lifted the halter.
    The young horse realized his intention and skittered away, vocalizing his rebelliousness.
    Daisy chuckled as Oliver frowned.
    He shot a quick glance in her direction and tried again.
    “Maybe he doesn’t want that around his neck,” she called when he missed for the fourth time.
    He turned to her with an agitated look.
    “I’m not making you nervous, am I?” Excitement flared when he narrowed his eyes.
    “No.” He turned his back to her and stepped slowly toward the beautiful horse.
    She smiled. He might say her presence didn’t affect him, but his actions proved otherwise. That knowledge brought her more satisfaction than it should have.
    Oliver made another attempt and failed again.
    “It’s obvious that whatever you’re trying to do, that horse doesn’t want any of it,” she called out.
    He turned and stared at her with a long hard look. Before she knew it, he strode toward her sending puffs of dust up behind his heels as the colt headed in the opposite direction.
    “Oh, shit,” she whispered. She’d woken the beast. Even though she’d done it on purpose, a thrill rushed through her.
    When Oliver stopped, he was only inches from her knees. His nearness made her dizzy, and she held tighter to the fence so she wouldn’t fall.
    He tilted his head back and glanced up at her. “It’s called horse training. Ever heard of it?” Sarcasm echoed from each of his words.
    She smiled. “Doesn’t look like there’s a whole lot of training going on.”
    He rested his hands on the fence next to her thighs. “Looks like you haven’t been around long enough to know.”
    Moisture evaporated from her mouth. Damn if he didn’t have the sexiest eyes. “I guess I should stick around for a while then.”
    “That’s right. Watch and learn.” He turned away.
    “Wait.” She reached for him, but he’d moved farther away than she’d realized. Her actions were enough to tip her forward, and she released a soft cry of surprise as she tumbled forward.
    Before she could hit the ground, he caught her, pulling her against him, allowing her to steady herself and not eat dirt.
    The feel of his chest against hers emptied her lungs. She met his gaze as her pulse galloped like a stallion inside her. Whatever silly attraction she had for him reared, demanding to be noticed.
    “Thank you,” she said, sounding breathless. Her breasts pressed against him as she inhaled.
    A sexy smile crossed his lips. “Careful or you’ll hurt yourself.”
    She tried to clear the seductive thoughts from her mind, but couldn’t. He was so big, so strong, and she wanted to wrap her arms around those wide shoulders and taste his kiss.
    He stepped back, but instead of moving away, he gripped her waist with his large hands. She sucked in a surprised breath as he lifted her into the air and set her back on the fence. She grabbed the rail, trying to gain purchase, and he held tight to her until she did.
    “You good?” He tipped his head, asking for her affirmation.
    “I’m good.” After that brush with his hard body, she was more than good. Despite the annoying attitude he had at times, she couldn’t complain at all about that encounter.
    He stayed in front of her, one hand burning her thigh, watching her expectantly.
    “What?” she asked after a moment.
    “You asked me to wait.”
    Another few seconds passed before she realized what he meant. “Oh. Yes. I wanted to let you know I’ve decided on our evening of refined culture.”
    He grinned, twisting