Page 34 (1/2)
“Sure it was If you believe that, I’ve got a piece of oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you” Jasper spat over the porch rail “An’ now Abner Sweeney’s the sheriff Hellfire, Abner’s got about as , here, would make a better law’s ears “Say, did you ever find that shotgun of mine?”
“The one that wasafter your accident?”
“Yeah Daun Hate to lose it”
“Marie said her brother took it Wherever he is, he’s probably got it with him”
“Well, I hope the dirty snake shoots his foot off with it If you find hi out of the rocker, Jasper stood “Reckon I’ll turn in now It’s been a long day Wake me in the mornin’ I’ll ride out with you in the pickup”
“Feel free to sleep in if you’re tired We don’t have to go tomorrow”
“I’ll be fine” He hobbled across the porch, his gait still unsteady The accident—or whatever it was—had taken its toll on the old cowboy There was no guarantee he’d ever be as strong as before
After Jasper had gone inside, Sky sat in the darkness, listening to the night—the drone of crickets in the dry grass, theowl, the muted whinny of a horse in the paddock Sky’s ears and mind processed the sound No alarm there, only restlessness
Over the past few days, he’d spent elding was ress—especially since Sky had discovered the sore e to a snaffle bit see back to ith her horse, Sky couldn’t justify the ti him here
The situation had become aard If Lauren wanted to break off their relationship, that was her choice But so her horse Much as Sky disliked involving Beau, having him contact Lauren would be the sih to set things up If she was busy, or didn’t want to come over, she could always send a ranch hand with a trailer
Leaning farther back in the chair, he propped his boots on the porch railing The dog nudged his hand, wanting to be petted Sky stroked the tangled fur, taking a moment to loosen a cockle burr and toss it off the porch He and Lauren had been good together But that was the way of h, when he thought of all the things he’d wanted—and still wanted—to do with that leggy, red-haired hellion in bed
Muttering a curse, he stood and stretched his saddle-soreof dust and pro another blast furnace day toht, in the larger of the two round pens If things ell, he could get in a few hours of training before he took Jasper out in the pickup
His job was vital to the ranch’s survival This was no time to let any distraction interfere with his work—not Marie and her problems, not the questions about his father, and not even Lauren
Especially Lauren
Garn Prescott propped his bare back against the pillows and clicked the remote The flat-screen TV at the foot of the bed flashed on, lighting up the dark interior of the motel room