by B. J Daniels
“What was that about?” she asked, sounding tired.
“It was a kiss.”
“I’m aware.”
“You looked so good standing there. I wanted to kiss you to see if you still tasted sweet.” She held up a hand as if to stop him from saying any more—as if that was all it would take. He grinned. “You do still taste sweet, in case you were wondering. And for a moment there, you forgot how much you hate me.”
Blaze shook her head, the fire back in those blue eyes. She was always stronger on the fight. “We aren’t getting back together. If that’s what you’re doing here—”
“The judge—”
“Right, the judge sent you. Did I mention that I tried to call him when I was in the house changing?” She smiled. “You look worried.” He shook his head in denial. “He didn’t answer but I left him a message to call me.” Jake shrugged as if it was no concern to him. “You better pray that he says he sent you and that this isn’t some kind of...of—”
“Seduction?” He couldn’t help but laugh. “Both of us hot and sweaty from mending the fences, standing downwind of a dead buffalo? You seriously think that?”
“I know your idea of seduction,” she snapped.
He grinned. “So you haven’t forgotten.”
Blaze shook her head in obvious irritation with him and swung around to reach for her reins. But as she did, he saw her touch the tip of her tongue to her upper lip. He felt heat race to his loins. She hadn’t forgotten how good they were together any more than he had.
As he started for his horse, he sensed something on the wind and turned to see riders coming across the prairie far below them and headed their way. All that was between the riders and them were hundreds of buffalo. At first the riders appeared like a mirage, their horses kicking up snow and dirt. But this was no mirage. The riders were real and they were headed for the buffalo herd.
His heart leaped to his throat. “Blaze, saddle up. Now.”
She turned to follow his gaze and froze for only a moment, before she swung up into the saddle and he did the same.
The masked riders fanned out, riding fast, circling the herd. The sound of gunfire filled the air moments before it was drowned out by the roar of hooves as the buffalo began to move in a wave of a huge dark mass.
“They’re stampeding the buffalo right at us,” Jake said with a curse. “We’re going to have to try to outrun them.” He reached over and slapped the rump of her horse, making it jump forward. “Go!” he yelled. “Go and don’t look back!”
CHAPTER EIGHT
JAKE’S HORSE REARED as if hearing the thunder of the hooves headed toward them. He reined in, calculating how long he had. Blaze had taken off toward the ranch house at a fast gallop, leaning over her horse, the two almost as one. But he knew she would never be able to outrun the herd of buffalo. A horse could get up to thirty miles an hour at a fast gallop. But a buffalo could clock forty when riled, and these cowboys were making sure the herd was riled.
He also knew herd mentality. The buffalo began to react to the threat as the riders continued to fire shots into the air. Once a few of the animals had taken off, more joined them in a chain reaction that now had the whole herd running in his direction.
The once-scattered herd tightened up ranks until it was a clustered moving group. The buffalo came in a dark wave, leaving behind a cloud that rose into the clear November air.
He looked to see Blaze top a rise. He knew he had to move. He’d given her a head start, but with the buffalo thundering in this direction, it wouldn’t be long before they caught her, as well. Did the riders hope to kill them? Force the buffalo through more fence to destroy it? All he knew was that he had to turn the herd. He knew the animals would avoid obstacles if possible since when on the run, buffalo preferred open spaces.
Taking off his hat, he began to wave it as he rode across the front ring of the herd. Some of them began to turn, but others continued running toward the ranch house. At least he’d been able to divide the group.
He swung back, finding himself in the middle of the herd. Riding at an exhilarating breakneck speed with the huge animals all around him, he pulled his pistol and fired it into the air, but the sound was drowned out by the pounding of hooves. Still, more of the buffalo began to break off from the collective as he continued to divide them.
When he had a chance to look over his shoulder, he saw that the riders had turned back and were now racing toward the corner of the ranch where they’d come through one of the gates to get inside the fenced area.
He wanted to go after them, but he knew he couldn’t stop the buffalo run and chase down the men. He cut more buffalo from the herd. The numbers dwindled, and the animals slowed and turned back as they neared the ranch buildings.
By the time he saw Blaze and the ranch house in the distance, only a small group of bison were still running in that direction. He fired his gun as he rode at them and turned them back as well before he slowed, too, and his heart rate settled back to normal.
He felt flushed and couldn’t help grinning. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had to ride like that. He hadn’t had a day like this in a very long time, he thought, remembering his and Blaze’s earlier kiss. Actually he hadn’t had this much fun since the last time he and Blaze were together—and in trouble.
* * *
BLAZE WATCHED JAKE ride toward her with the same sense of awe that she’d experienced the first time she’d seen him on the back of a horse. It had been at a county fair. He’d been riding in a horse relay race between tribes.
The Native Americans rode bareback, making a loop around the arena to leap from a racing horse onto the next one until, several horses later, the winner crossed the finish line first at an amazing gallop. She’d never seen anything more thrilling.
It had been love at first sight. She hadn’t been able to take her eyes off the man. At some point, he must have sensed her, because he’d looked up into the stands, his pale eyes zeroing in on her. She remembered his grin. And his wink. He’d known even then that she was going to be his.
She looked at him now, seeing how completely content he was sitting astride his horse after being caught in a buffalo stampede. “You enjoyed that,” she accused him. “Do you realize how terrified I was for you?”
He gave her that knowing grin and slid off his horse to come to her. “Once I knew you were all right...”
She wanted to slug him for scaring her. Kiss him because he made her want him even more. Make love to him just because being naked in his arms was the one place she felt safe.
“I can’t deal with you right now,” she said and, grabbing her horse’s reins, turned toward the gate that led to the barn. He rushed to open it for her before standing back, his hands raised in surrender, but that damned grin still warmed his handsome face. “Why don’t you let me take care of your horse? It’s the least I can do after upsetting you.”
She shot him a look, about to argue, but fearing she was also about to cry tears of relief that he was safe, she thrust her reins into his hands and stormed away. Tears burned her eyes nonetheless. She had to swallow down her feelings, especially the fear she’d felt watching him ride into that herd of buffalo and the fear that she would never love anyone the way she did Jake Horn.
* * *
THE SHERIFF RUBBED the gray stubble on his jaw as he took in the tracks. “Looks like the buffalo stampeded. Good thing you got them turned when you did or they would have wiped out everything between here and town.”
Blaze groaned. “The point is that five riders purposely stampeded the herd.”
The sheriff poised his pen over his notepad. “Who were these riders?”
“They wore masks,” Jake said.
“I see,” Bud said. “So you don’t know who they were.” He put away his pen and notepad. “Could have been anyone.”
“Wasn�
�t just anyone,” Blaze argued, “and you know it. Why don’t you start by questioning Shane Garrison and his buddies?”
“They knew what they were doing,” Jake said. “They rounded up the herd and ran them at us.”
“That must have been something, that many buffalo headed right for you,” the sheriff said. “I can see why you might be upset.”
“What are you going to do about it, Sheriff?” Blaze demanded.
“Well, you say they were wearing masks? So you can’t describe them.”
“One of them was riding an Appaloosa,” Jake said. “If I can find that horse, then I can tell you exactly who that man was.”
The sheriff chuckled. “You say you were caught in a buffalo stampede and yet you could recognize a spotted horse that one of the men was riding? Doubt that would stand up in court.”
“It wouldn’t have to,” he said. “I would take care of this myself.”
Bud narrowed his gaze. “Now, that would be a bad idea, son.”
“I’m not your son.”
The sheriff sighed heavily. “I’m sorry as hell that your buffalo stampeded, Blaze, but we all know how dangerous they are. Sounds like some kids decided to have some fun with you.”
“The riders weren’t kids.” He met Bud’s squinted gaze and held it for a long moment, meeting the sheriff’s warning look with one of his own.
“I’d be careful, Mr. Horn,” Bud said quietly. “You don’t want to end up in my jail, trust me.” He broke his gaze and stepped away. “I’ll write up a report. If you think of anything else, you just give me a call.” He headed for his patrol SUV.
Blaze started to go after him, but Jake laid a hand on her arm.
With a shake of his head, he said, “You’re wasting your breath.”
“It’s my breath to waste,” she said, pulling her arm free but staying where she was. “That man...” She fumed for a moment. “I’d like to tell him what I think of him.”
“Haven’t you done that already?”
She turned to look at him. “On several occasions.”
“Did it help?”
“Made me feel better.”
He smiled. “Then have at it.” He waved an arm in the sheriff’s direction as the lawman started to climb into his rig.
Blaze shook her head. “We all know who those men were, or at least can take a reasonable guess.”
“At least a couple of the ones we saw at court today whispering together,” Jake said. “Your old boyfriend was one of them. Any chance he owns a big Appaloosa?”
“I don’t know. And what would be the point even if we found the horse?” she asked. “It isn’t like the sheriff would arrest him. They’re trying to get us to leave.”
“That would be my guess.”
“Well, I’m not leaving,” she said with the stomp of one boot as the sheriff drove away.
Jake laughed. “I guess it’s you and me, then, baby.”
She shot him a look but merely sighed. “This could get us killed, you know.”
“I know,” he said, watching the patrol SUV kick up dust as it roared out of the ranch. They’d been lucky today. He feared what the men who’d managed to get away with their stunt today would do next.
* * *
“WHAT THE HELL were you thinking?” the sheriff demanded when his son answered. He could hear the television in the background, almost smell the stale beer. It was LJ’s day off and if his son was anything, he was predictable.
“What?”
“Causing a buffalo stampede out at the McClintock Ranch. Ring any bells?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Like hell you don’t. You were seen.”
“Not likely from that distance since we were wearing masks,” LJ said.
Bud tried to control his temper, but it was damned hard. “Sometimes you don’t use the good sense that God gave you. Jake Horn recognized your horse.”
“My horse?”
“The Appaloosa. It kind of stands out.”
LJ laughed. “So he thinks he saw a horse that looks like mine. Like he could tell the difference.”
“I suspect he can. That was a fool thing to do and what was the point?”
“Maybe we just wanted to put a little fear into them.”
“And if you’d killed them?” Bud demanded.
“You said they were going to be trouble. I just thought—”
“You didn’t think. You’re a sheriff’s deputy. You’re supposed to uphold the law, not break it. You want to lose this job?”
“No. Someday I want to be sheriff.”
“That’s a scary thought.” He considered things for a moment. “This isn’t about Blaze, is it? About getting back at her now that she has a new boyfriend?”
His son scoffed. “I’ve been over her a long time. Hell, I’m marrying Tawny. I couldn’t care less about Blaze and who she is with.”
Bud ground his teeth. He could hear just the opposite in his son’s voice. “LJ, you can’t—”
“I just told you. We did it to scare them, that’s all. It had nothing to do with Blaze except for the fact that she’s trouble, just like you said.”
He sighed. “Listen, no more of this, all right? And keep that damned horse of yours hidden. This will blow over as long as you and your...friends don’t do anything stupid again, understood?”
“I hear ya. But you have to admit her coming back like this with that... It’s like she’s trying to rub it in my face.”
In the background, Bud heard his son open a can of beer and swore under his breath. “She probably thinks the same thing with you being engaged to Tawny. I’m sure she’s seen the ring you bought your fiancée, so I’d say you’re even.” He let that sink in for a moment. “Stay away from the McClintock Ranch and Blaze. You hear me?”
“I hear ya.” Silence, then, “All I want to do is make you proud.”
“You do, son,” Bud said, shaking his head. “Might be a good idea if you stayed close to home for the rest of the day.”
CHAPTER NINE
AS JAKE ENTERED the house later that evening, he heard the sound of Christmas music. Earlier, he and Blaze had made sure there was plenty of water and hay for the buffalo herd. He’d seen to the horses as well before heading for the house.
Now he stopped and frowned, surprised by what he was hearing. Walking into the den, he found Blaze curled up on the leather couch in front of the television. She paused the picture on the screen when she saw him.
“You’re watching a Hallmark Christmas movie?” he said.
“Don’t judge.”
“I’m not. If I make popcorn, can I join you?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “If you’re planning to make fun—”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He headed for the kitchen before she could argue further. He returned ten minutes later with a bowl of popcorn just the way she liked it—mixed with Hot Tamales candies.
She took it, still suspicious. “Thanks.”
“Stop looking at me like I have an ulterior motive,” he said as he sat down on the couch next to her. “I like Christmas movies and popcorn.”
“Since when?”
“Since this is our second Christmas together.”
“We aren’t together.”
“Really? It certainly looks like we’re together,” he said, reaching over to help himself to the popcorn in her bowl.
“You aren’t going to know what’s going on,” she said. “The movie is half-over.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll catch up. It’s about love and the spirit of Christmas, right?” He could feel her gaze on him. “I’m no stranger to love or the spirit of Christmas.”
She scoffed at that and hit Play again. He settled in, watching her out of the corner of his eye. Damn, she was adorabl
e sitting there in a pair of what looked like new flannel pajamas, hugging a bowl of popcorn.
He squinted at the fabric. “Are those buffalo on your pj’s?” he asked in surprise.
She hushed him and whispered, “It seemed appropriate when I realized I would be staying on a buffalo ranch. It was one of those impulsive purchases, all right?”
“You look cute in them,” he whispered back and helped himself to more of her popcorn and candy.
“Why didn’t you get your own bowl?”
He grinned. “I like sharing with you.”
She sighed but gave up her tight hold on the bowl. He snuggled into the couch next to her, smiling to himself. She felt warm against his side. He liked the smell of her and certainly the feel of her. He realized that he was also a huge fan of life’s simple pleasures, like watching a movie with Blaze on a cold November night.
He even found himself interested in the plot and by the time the credits rolled, he found himself almost choked up. He was the kind of man who could appreciate a happy ending. In fact, he was hoping for one himself, even though he knew it was an uphill climb given that he wanted it with Blaze McClintock.
“Go ahead, say something rude,” Blaze said as she turned off the television and handed him the empty bowl to take to the kitchen.
“It was a good movie.”
She turned her gaze on him, studying him as if she’d heard the break in his voice or seen that his eyes were shiny with emotion. “It got to you,” she said, sitting up straighter to study him.
He started to deny it, but then he chuckled and said, “Okay, what if it did? It reminded me a little of us.”
She flopped back on the couch. “And then you go and ruin the movie for me. They were nothing like us.”
“Star-crossed lovers finding their way back to each other. Tell me you didn’t notice the similarities.”
She shook her head. “They loved each other the first time around.”
