Werewolves of Forever 06 - Wild Lust by authors_sort Page A

rental land didn’t include a barn, but she did remember seeing a shed behind the house.
    She clucked to the animal as Reese had done to his horse and pulled on the right rein. She’d figured out that using a horse’s reins was similar to using a car’s steering wheel. Pull left to go left and right to go right. Going forward and backward were different, but so far she hadn’t had to go in reverse. Fortunately, the horse heeded her instructions and carried her to the back of the house.
    The structure she’d remembered was less of a shack and more of a lean-to. Although the sides looked flimsy enough to collapse under a good wind, the structure appeared to have lasted many years. Both ends of the lean-to were open with one board crossing the opening on the far side. The horse would be crowded inside, but at least he’d have shelter. Urging the horse forward, she got as close to the lean-to as possible then pulled back on the reins.
    She glanced down at the ground. “That sure is a lot farther down than I remember from the first time.” But the first time, she’d had Reese to concentrate on, and falling into his arms hadn’t taken any courage.
    The horse dropped his head to the ground then lifted it back up to crane its neck around to her. His dark eyes stared at her, and his message was clear.
    “Okay, okay. I’m working on it. Just give me a minute.” But the animal was right. She had to get off his back. Putting the ball of her foot into the stirrup, she lifted her bare ass off the saddle then swung her right leg over the rear end of the horse. She was on the ground and letting go of pent-up air easier than she’d dared hope.
    She met the stare of the horse dead on. “See? I bet you didn’t think I could do it, did you? But I made it all the way home and got off in one piece.”
    The horse shook his head as though disagreeing with her. “Okay, so you helped. So tell me, Mr. Smarty-pants, how do I get the saddle off you?” She yelped when the horse stomped his foot. “Hold your horses, if you’ll pardon the expression. I’m working on it.”
    She studied the saddle, bending over to peer at the straps running along his belly. After a few tries of pulling one strap then unbuckling another, she let out a whoop of victory. She took hold of the saddle and tugged. The saddle and blanket under it weighed more than she assumed, and she shrieked as the bundle sent her falling backward onto her butt.
    The horse nickered then blew out its nose. “Funny. Just yuck it up, big guy, and see if you get any water and food tonight.”
    Picking herself up and dusting off the twigs and dirt that stuck to her bare skin, she took the reins and led him inside the lean-to. She ducked under the board, getting out the opposite end, then looped the reins around the board.
    She patted the horse’s nose, enjoying the soft fur against her palm. “I’m sorry I dragged you along for the ride, but I’m sure Reese will be along shortly to take you back home to your comfy stable. Until then, I’ll fill a big bucket with water and grab some apples for you to snack on.”
    Daring to get closer, she pressed her cheek against the horse’s face. “I wish men were as easy to understand as you are.”
     

     
    “Damn it, Reese. What were you thinking? Or should I ask what were you thinking with?”
    Blane tracked his hand through his hair. Sometimes he wondered if Reese and he had really come from the same fertilized egg. His brother was more serious yet more apt to go and spontaneously erupt, throwing common sense and well-thought-out plans to the wind. Just like he’d done with Charlie.
    “Back off, bro. It was time to lay our cards on the table.” Reese handed his credit card to Dutch, one of the town’s few fairies and a full-time mechanic, then confirmed that Charlie’s rented truck would be delivered to her doorstep later tonight. “Besides, she’s getting a free repair out of the deal.”
    “Don’t remind me. The rental