The Reluctant Rancher by Patricia Mason, Joann Baker Page B

early, sleep eluding him yet again. He’d come back to the house for more fencing supplies. The great stallion snort ed and paw ed the hard packed earth beneath at the sound of his owner’s sharp tone.
    “ Take it e asy, boy. ” Luke soothed the anxious horse.   He took the bridle in a firm grip and reached into his pocket.   Withdrawing another large chunk of carrot, he hesitated before feeding the animal.
    “ Well, don’t just stand there. He motioned her forward. Since you’ve already spoiled the others, you might as well learn how to feed him. ”
    Mary eagerly held out her hand.   “ I thought you said to stay away from him? ”
    “ Only when you’re by yourself.   And don’t get smart with me, lady. ” He straightened out her fingers and placed the carrot in the flat of her palm.   “ Feed him like this. Otherwise you might end up missing a finger or two. Lucifer likes to bite. ”
    He stroked the velvety muzzle as the horse picked the treat from her hand.   “ Did grandpa tell you about the accident? ”
    Mary shook her head, giggling as the horse’s lips tickled her palm.   Despite Luke’s warning, Lucifer ate with surprising delicacy.
    “ He came out to feed this beast and got pinned against the stall.   He’d fed him a hundred times before, but Lucifer is unpredictable at best. ”   He looked her straight in the eye and said again, “ S tay away from him unless I’m with you. ”
    Their eyes held for long seconds until she nodded in agreement.   “ Which horse can I ride? ”
    Taking a blanket from the wall, Luke saddled the red sorrel.   “ We’ll go with Lady Jane for now.   If you’re a very good girl, I might take you out on Lucifer someday. ”
    “ Oh, goody, goody.   The master has spoken, ” she muttered under her breath.
    “ What? ” Luke asked, having heard   every word.
    “ Nothing, ” she said, smiling sweetly .
    He threw her a knowing look and positioned the left stirrup. “ Put one foot here and swing yourself over her back. ”   He gave her a boost . H is hand   linger ed   a bit longer than necessary on the soft curve of her derriere.
    “ Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. ”   Once seated, Mary clutched the saddle horn with both hands and he saw a small glimmer of fear appear in her gray eyes. He paid no attention to her protest and led the horse slowly from the barn.
    “ Relax, sweetheart.   Feel the movement of the horse. ”   He watched as she accusto med herself to Lady Jane’s gait. They took several turns around the corral before Luke let out the rope, spurring Lady Jane into a faster rhythm.
    Before long, the rain which had threatened all morning came with a vengeance . Luke reined in Lady Jane and help ed Mary dismount.   His fingers gripped her waist and her loose   shirt bunched beneath his hands.   He frowned as he realized she used her clothing as a shield to hide herself from the world.   And   from him.   Instantly he imagined her draped in something clingy and silky.   Revealing.
    “Come on. ” He pulled her into the dryness of the barn. Within min utes he had Lady Jane unsaddled, rubbed down and back in her stall.   He leaned against the rail as he removed his hat. A quick shake of his head dispelled the drops of rain that had gathered. Outside, the rain fell in sheets , hitting the metal roof of the barn.   The hay in the loft muffled the sound, cocoonin g them in a world all their own.
    He watched for several minutes as she rubbed her arms against the chill in the air.   Finally he tugged her into the V of his splayed legs and moved her hands out of the way. His body tightened as he noted the contrast of the color of their skin and the compatibility of their sizes.   He had always felt uncomfortable around Debbie and most of the other women he dated.   As if at any moment he might break them in two if he held them too hard.   He had never once allowed his passion to become uncontrollable for fear he would