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He splashed through the surf, galloping through the waves Hurtling down the crooked, winding steps, down, down, doard the beach I forgotbutthe rider

And as he galloped closer, his features were revealed And by features, I hty chest Long, strong legs wrapped around the powerful black stallion, which snorted and tossed its head into the sea spray Legs wrapped in the luckiest denim ever sewn led my eyes up, up, up to the olden wet skin by the hand of sweet merciful God hi the barest of reins, preferring to guide his horse with a gentle nudge and prod And speaking of a nudge and prod

His ulped as I traversed the treacherous steps, finally reaching the beach and slowing my pace as he approached Closer now, I could see that his hair was long, and flowing, and a blond the exact color of honey and lust I stood upon the sand as he cantered close, his cowboy hat--acowboy!--tilted back to reveal a face that couldand devils weep Square jaw, full lips, and dark set lost in theht up toan eyebrow inappreciation? Admiration? Total and complete abandon?

Was this Cowboy Hank? Oh my, yes, it was Because his belt buckle told me so

Those perfect lips parted, and he said--

"Hey, lady, this beach is private property Get the hell outta here"

He spun his horse and galloped away But as a parting gift, his horse crapped on the beach

I dragged myself back toward the stairs, my footprints behind me ridiculous due to the now shit-hay-dandelion-sand-encrusted-twice-the-norht side and the hobble on the left

Not how my romance novel was supposed to start

Chapter three

I crawled back into the house,at et the old pu It didn’t Naturally

Cowboy Hank I couldn’t believe it Not exactly the introduction I’d hoped for But still, he was drealed with bad boys before I could do it again All great roht? Granted, they rarely started with horseshit, but I’d adapt But for now, I had business to attend to