The Bull Rider's Homecoming by Jeannie Watt Page A

reminders of where her priorities were centered for the next several years. As far as Trace Delaney was concerned, she was simply Annie Owen. Sister. Mom. Chauffeur to injured parking lot fighters.
    Annie turned off the ignition and opened her door as the twins spilled out of the passenger side. “Hi,” she said as Trace approached, congratulating herself on sounding so amazingly normal and unaware of the fact that he looked like he’d just stepped out of a hot cowboy Pinterest board. “Thanks for catching the horses.”
    â€œI didn’t know what you wanted me to do ahead of time, so I brought the horses in—except for that gnarly gelding. I couldn’t see any reason to have him in the corral.”
    â€œSnuff?” Annie asked on a laugh. “He’s Lex’s dad’s old horse. He runs the pasture in pretty much the way Lex runs her farm.”
    â€œI noticed.” He smiled easily, meeting her gaze and holding it for a few long seconds. Annie wondered how she remembered to breathe. He’d been sexy in the bar, but in the light of day...
    A tug on her sleeve snapped her back into mom-mode. “Can we catch Daphne and Lacey?”
    â€œGood idea,” she said, shifting her attention to Katie and Kristen. The girls exchanged happy looks and headed for the tack shed as Annie followed.
    â€œI hung the halters on the fence,” Trace called.
    The twins didn’t look back, but they instantly changed course as they spotted the halters hanging from the fence posts. They climbed the fence rails to take the halters down and were back on the ground by the time she and Trace caught up with them.
    The old mares were already ambling toward the gate before the girls got it open. “It’s a good sign when the horses come to the riders,” Trace said.
    â€œThey have a good relationship. And the mares get a lot of loving out of the deal.”
    And he was supposed to be hiding out in his house while they were there, not standing next to her, smelling all delicious. Anyway, that had been the impression she’d gotten when he’d extended the invitation—pre-drink. Had the drink changed things?
    Annie pushed her ponytail over her shoulder and chanced a glance at the man. Trace smiled a little and then Annie turned her attention back to the girls and called, “Watch the lead ropes, ladies.” She looked back at Trace, a matter-of-fact tone in her voice as she said, “Lex doesn’t like the lead ropes dragging in the dirt. She had the girls wash them in a bucket of soapy water the last time.”
    â€œShe runs a tight ship.”
    â€œThe girls loved it so much they want to wash lead ropes every time we come.”
    â€œWell, they can certainly wash lead ropes today if they so desire.”
    â€œWe probably won’t have time for that.”
    â€œTight schedule?”
    Annie gave Trace another sidelong look before focusing back on the twins, who were leading the mares back to the gate. “I have a lot to catch up with on Sundays, so as much as I’d like to avoid my chores, I probably shouldn’t.”
    â€œI wish I had that problem.” Annie frowned at Trace and he said, “I like to keep busy and Lex didn’t leave me much to do.”
    Annie laughed. “You should come by my place.” She regretted the words the instant they left her lips. He really shouldn’t come by her place. She cleared her throat. “Keeping up with the laundry is a two-man job sometimes.” Her attempted save sounded lame at best.
    How was it that she’d held her own last night in an unfamiliar environment even as she became more and more aware of how attracted she was to him, but now, in the light of day, in a familiar environment, she felt so self-conscious?
    Maybe because of that dream you had about him last night?
    Annie felt color creeping up from her neckline. She couldn’t remember the particulars, but there was