“Well, it’s been five years and he still gets red, so imagine what he was like when he heard the rumors.”
“Let’s give the man some credit. From a father’s standpoint he wants to protect his daughter. No man wants to hear that his daughter had been taken advantage of by some naughty body shots or by a loser man.” He heard her sigh.
“So, you heard about Brad Santiago too?” Her eyes were on him, piercing him with blue lasers.
The horses moved together on the path that would take them to the west pasture. “It’s amazing what you can find out on Google these days.” The temperature rose and the sun beat down. The light breeze was a welcome. He had a feeling his natural body heat regulation was off kilter with Melly riding next to him.
“That is old news. Brad and I did bounce back and forth for a while, but we’re over for good. The curtain has been drawn on that scene of my life. My father is afraid I’ll jump back into a relationship with Brad, or someone like him, but then again, every man I meet is Brad from Dad’s standpoint.”
“Again, try to think of it from a father’s point of view.”
“Are you going to defend him forever?”
He shrugged a tight shoulder. “I’m only going to say it as I see it.” He scratched his neck. “While we’re at it, do you mind if I call you Melly? Or do you prefer Melissia?”
“You seem comfortable with my nickname so you might as well continue to use it.”
“At least I feel better knowing you didn’t give me a false name.”
“Pfft. Now why would I do a thing like that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe keep me from finding you online.”
“A cop like you has your ways.” She smiled.
“There’s something I’m real curious about. Did you really leave all this just to spite your dad?”
“Now did I say I did it to spite him?”
He caught her gaze. “That’s not what you said?”
“I left because I needed to spread my wings, get some independence under my belt. My father will always say that I left Shy Brooke. Difference of opinion. Potato and potahtoh.”
They reached the gate to the pasture and he slipped from the saddle to unlock and open it to allow her through. He walked his gelding in, locked the gate, then climbed back into the saddle. He squeezed his legs to bring the horse to a trot and once he caught up to Melly, he slowed to a cantor. “I think the whole idea is that you left.”
~~~**~~~
Melly enjoyed riding the mare. She squeezed her thighs and Jewels obeyed, trotting into the pasture. A part of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and take off at a sprint, but she wanted to relish the scenery too. Pulling back on the reins gently, coaxing Jewels to slow as she looked over at Nix who was still wearing a grin that made her nipples bud like the first flowers of spring. She wondered if the thin shirt hid her excitement, but she didn’t dare look.
Swallowing the tightness in her throat, she said, “I’ve missed riding. I can’t believe I hadn’t been out here since moving back.” She patted the horse’s neck. “She’s amazing.”
“I agree.” Nix’s deep, rich voice sent the butterflies in her stomach into a frenzy.
Daring a glance at him, she caught the wild glint in his smoky blue eyes and the grin that beckoned her like a lighthouse to a lost boat. He wasn’t referring to the horse, that was obvious. Why did she allow him to do this to her? It boggled her mind. Yet, she didn’t have any control when he was near. This angered her because she needed to keep her wits about her. And the fact that she carried his child made this situation even more off balance.
She reminded herself that an attraction for him was normal. After all, he belonged on the cover of a cowboy magazine. She’d been attracted to a lot of men and the lure didn’t last long, and just like those times, Melly would get over it. When the time came when she would tell him about the baby, they’d come to a solution to make this situation bearable. There were many parents who weren’t married and made co-parenting a breeze. Lifting her chin, she smiled. “You look like you own that saddle.”
“I’m still on the ranch working and riding as much as time allows me. I haven’t seen any holes or issues with the fence, have you?”
“Nope.” They rode in silence as they examined the entire fence surrounding the pasture. Once they were back through the gate, Melly wanted to feel the wind. Giving Jewels a gentle kick, the horse understood and took off at a gallop, but not too fast. Melly didn’t want to take any chances with the baby. Leaning into the horse’s neck, they dashed across the field, tall reeds whipping across the horse’s legs and the wind on her face. The feeling was good, liberating. She wanted to forget all her troubles for the moment, remember what it was like to be the girl who had no worries or cares. She set aside her father’s doubt and criticism. Her pregnancy. The irritating temptation for Nix Cade. All of it in exchange for the satisfaction that only a ride could give.
She didn’t even care that her hat flew off and her hair thrashed across her cheeks. Or that she’d be combing out tangles for hours that evening. Nothing that a brush and extra conditioner wouldn’t take care of. As a child she liked to get out here on the land and ride like the wind. Today, she would choose to not beat herself for not being perfect.
Chapter 6
NIX FELT A kick to his gut. Melly was a vision of beauty with her long hair floating in the wind, the sun catching the red highlights. He could only watch, mesmerized by her beauty. He shifted against the leather, wishing his body would relax some. Before she got too far ahead, he sent his gelding at a pace to catch up to her. She’d already rounded the trees and had reached the other pasture, then slowed her horse to a trot. He came up beside her. Her breasts lifted with each heavy breath she took. “Feel better?” He certainly didn’t.
“Much. Sometimes a girl just needs to feel the wind in her hair and the saddle between her thighs.”
Her words were said in complete innocence, but the vision his mind conjured was everything but guilt-free. If he didn’t stop allowing his mind to take control and wander down paths it didn’t belong, he was going to be a walking blue-ball before the month was up. “Don’t wear yourself out. We still have a lot of distance to cover. Wouldn’t want you to get a sore bottom before the days done.”
She flipped him an irritated expression. “Don’t worry about me, cowboy. You forget that I grew up on a ranch to?” Her eyes dazzled in the sunlight.
“Whatever you say, darlin’.” He tipped his hat and took the lead. She was probably right. He shouldn’t worry, but he did and that concerned him.
She rode slightly ahead as if she couldn’t allow him to lead. Her chin was set in a challenging tilt. “I think you’re just worried that I’ll outride you,” she muttered, but he heard her clearly.
He laughed. “I didn’t know this was a competition, sweetheart. Must be in your blood.”
“I do have my daddy’s blood. I don’t appreciate being treated like the little woman who might get faint if she overexerts herself.” Her shoulders tightened.
“Melly…”
“I get it from my father enough and now you’re here giving me the same lectures that he would. Please understand where he doesn’t. I’m a strong, capable woman.”
“I hear you. I can see your strength and no way in hell would I try and contain it, but in my defense, I’d tell anyone, even my brothers who haven’t been in a saddle for a while, the same thing.” Maybe he was stretching that a bit too far, but he didn’t want her to feel as if he were trying to stifle her. If he’d learned anything from his Ma, it was a man should never attempt to strip a woman’s independence or power. Truth was, Melly’s determination and strength were some of the reasons he found her exciting…a challenge. Desirable.
Giving him a cocky smile, she sped up, leading her horse further ahead and he didn’t mind one bit. He’d let her think she’d won the battle. Watching her fluid motions in the saddle, how she communicated easily with the mare, he could see
she was proving a point. She had spunk. Fortitude. Melly made a gesture with her hand and turned Jewels who pranced as if she understood something wasn’t right. He rode up and saw the break in the fence. What he didn’t say aloud was that it looked like the break had been done by something other than livestock. He’d seen enough breaks that he felt certain someone had broken the top rail by climbing over it. The splinters of wood were laying on this side of the fence. He scanned the fields as far as he could see but saw nothing except unoccupied space.
“You don’t happen to have a hammer, a few nails, and wood in that pack do you?” She lifted a brow. Now that her hat was missing, her hair lay in wild, tangled waves around her flushed cheeks. He was overcome with the desire to kiss her, to make her plump lips plumper with his own.
“No. We use the radio to call Randy and his crew will come and fix the break. It takes a team, sunshine. You’ve made a good point though. Never too soon for you to learn how to mend a break in the fence. I’ll make the radio call and while we’re in this pasture, we’ll check the cows and look for any disease or issues.”
Before he finished speaking with the foreman, Melly had made her way across the pasture to the cattle and was sliding from her saddle. He noticed how she walked a little stiffer. He smiled. Yeah, she had saddle soreness already.
Pushing the radio back into the loop on his belt, he trotted the gelding to where Melly had hitched the mare on the fence, slid out of the saddle and secured the reins. “You know what we’re looking for?” he yelled to her.
“Not entirely, but I’m hoping it’ll be obvious,” she said. “I’m thinking, we have a lot of head of cattle, many are pregnant, and without the equivalent amount of hands we need. Instead of hiring more ranchers, maybe it’d be best to sell some of the cows. We could always invest the money we get from the sale into a better irrigation system. Randy told me it was top on the list of priorities.” When he didn’t respond right away, she stopped, turned and caught him in her curious expression. “Well?”
“I haven’t had a chance to look at the ranch’s financial situation, but I don’t think you’re hurting any. The worst thing a rancher can do is plunk all their money in modern equipment and forget the most important thing to running a place. That, sunshine, is help. You want to keep your focus on the future. A lot of ranchers tend to expand and not relinquish their numbers. Another hand would certainly take up some of the slack and since Randy is retiring—”
She spun so fast it made him dizzy. Her eyes glazed. “Randy is retiring?”
Nix shrugged. Fuckity-fuck. “You didn’t know?”
“How would I unless I’m informed?”
“Maybe Randy has decided to stay on longer because you’re here.”
“Right.” She shook her head. “Or this is just another way that you and my father are keeping me out of the loop.”
Although Nix was completely innocent of her accusation, he still felt a stab of guilt. Melly was smart enough to realize Randy was her biggest asset when it came to running Shy Brooke. She also had to know it’d be hard to replace him. The man was a walking knowledge bank of the ins and outs. “I have nothing to gain by keeping you out of the loop. Anyway, come on, you should have guessed Randy would eventually want to hang up his spurs and enjoy the sunset from somewhere that’s not here.”
There was a long hesitation. “I-I guess, but he’s been like an uncle to me. Imagining this place without him…I-I just can’t.”
Nix nodded, completely understanding. “You’re facing what many owners face. It’s never easy, but you’ll get through this.”
“I have a lot riding on this,” she admitted.
“I know you do.” And so do I.
“Dad’s expecting me to fail.”
“Let’s not backtrack, sunshine. You won’t. You have a great group of men who know this ranch like the back of their hands. I’m here too. Randy won’t leave you high and dry. He’s good people.”
Melly glanced back at him, one corner of her mouth played with a smile. “Why are you really here, Nix?”
“What do you mean? Carson asked and here I am.”
“I think you know that’s not what I meant. Don’t you have something you’d rather be doing? A case to solve? A woman to cuddle?” She looked up at the sky, shielding her eyes from the sun’s rays. “I’m sure that badge ain’t just for looks.”
Remembering he’d promised Carson not to tell her he’d joined Hawks, Nix took a moment to think his answer through. She was perceptive. “I’ve solved a lot of cases and as far as a woman…well, I don’t have anyone to worry about.”
Her gaze was on him again. “You’re forgetting about me.” Her eyes twinkled.
His heart skipped a beat. The intimacy of her words struck him, almost knocking his feet out from underneath him, but he quickly recovered. Dragging his gaze across the cattle, he needed to change the subject. “Like you said, some signs of illness are obvious. Watch for labored breathing, coughing, nasal and eye discharge. There are some other, less clear signs to watch for too. Depression is common in sick cattle. If their heads are down and their ears are tucked back that could be a signal that they’re sick. Also, watch for laggers. Cattle tend to stick together and if one is hanging back, it’s usually because the sickness has made them grumpy and slower. A trick that my Pa taught us is that if a cow has respiratory sickness, he won’t eat and starts to look gaunt. When a full cow walks, it’ll have a tight stomach. A sick cow’s stomach will bounce.”
“What happens when we find a sick cow?”
“It will be quarantined away from the others, and once he’s had a chance to relax a bit, it’s important to take his temperature. But even if his rectal temperature looks normal, it should still be kept under close observation for at least forty-eight hours, just in case.”
“After we’re done checking the fences, what’s next?” She weaved her way to stand on the outside circle of cattle.
“Although we don’t have any cows that appear sick, we do have some that are needing separated because they’re close to birthing.”
“I know this one,” she said with a proud smile. “They’re utters no longer have any wrinkles and lay at an angle, and they have disappearing pelvic ligaments.”
“Sometimes the pelvic muscles can be deceiving, but the enlarged nipples will never lie.” Swallowing hard, he nodded to the horses. “How about we get back in the saddle and finish up the fencing. The higher that sun is, the hotter it’ll get. We need to have those cows moved before it gets too hot.”
~~~**~~~
“You’re home, baby. Free as a bird,” the woman said from the doorway of the camper.
“About. Fucking. Time.” He looked around the cramped space. “But is this all you could manage?”
She sashayed her way across the narrow path to where he sat on the sofa and leaned over him. “Better here than in a cell. You didn’t have this in prison.” She straightened and dragged the neckline of her shirt down to expose her bra-less breasts.
The man made a loud slurping sound with his tongue and reached out to roughly squeeze one firm, double D. She squealed in irritation and took a step back, slapping his wrist like a mother correcting a child. “Be gentle. It took me three years to save up for these.” She snapped her shirt back into place.
“Sorry, baby. Why don’t you come sit on daddy’s lap.” He snickered while patting his thigh.
She crawled over his lap and kissed his neck but sensed his agitation. Pulling back several inches, she sighed. “What’s wrong, baby? You’re home. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. I thought we could celebrate.” She rolled the tip of her tongue along the curve of her bottom lip and rolled her hips in a circular motion.
He gave a small shrug of his shoulder. “Baby, it was unfair what happened to me. I served seven years in the fucking joint. Do you know what it’s like in there? Hell no, you don’t have a clue. Bitches like you were raised with a silver spoon in your mouth.” His face twisted and he plopped
back against the cushion of the worn couch sending her sliding off his lap.
She blinked, but quickly recovered. “Let me make it up to you.” She leaned in, slid her hand inside his pants and grabbed his crotch, but he was as limp as a wet noodle. Not the romantic evening she’d planned for his first night home. With a huff, she stood and strolled to the mini bar, shook out a cigarette from the pack and lit it. Inhaling deeply, she blew a smoke ring and looked at him. “So then, what? You ain’t into me any longer?” She snapped up a brow.
He laughed, pushed off the couch and made his way to her. He palmed her nape and dragged her in, nuzzling his nose in her hair. “Baby, fate brought us together. It was your sweet letters that kept this man’s head on straight.” He wrinkled his nose. “Why the fuck did you start smoking? You know they’re cancer sticks and I can’t stand them,” he growled.
“Waiting for the man of your dreams is difficult. I needed to wrap my mouth around something.” She grinned and took another long puff.
“A slut like you trying to tell me you didn’t spread those sweet thighs for every Tom, Dick, and Harry in this fucked-up town?” he sneered. “Those tits are too juicy not to have a warm mouth devouring them, and I bet you’ve had your mouth wrapped around more than a cig.”
“Fuck you.” She started to slip around him, but he fisted her hair and pushed her hard, the edge of the counter cutting into her ribs, but she didn’t show any fear.
“Point is, are you still mine?” His dark, soulless glare burrowed into her.
“Always.” She liked him like this. Never before had she gotten so wet so quick.
He licked her from jaw to temple. “I call dibbs.” He grinned and reached up under her teeny skirt, cupping her bare, warm pussy. “I know how you like it. Rough, right baby?” He thrusted two fingers into her. “Mm. Hot and fucking wet. Let’s see if we can make some of those lusty promises come true. I jacked off to your words until my cock was raw. Now I have you in my hands.” He licked his lips.
Seized by the Lawman Page 7
