Riding Hard

“Thanks. I really appreciate it. I keep most of my supplies in my truck, and it’ll be parked beside the house. Tracy, if you have any problems at all, call Drake. He’s an excellent vet.”

Drake had been so busy having his feelings hurt that he hadn’t seen that coming. Tracy hadn’t either, judging from the way her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.

“You’ll need my number, then.” He enjoyed saying it, even if she didn’t enjoy hearing it.

“Uh, yeah, I guess I will. But I’m sure nothing will happen.”

“Probably not, but just in case, you’d better take it. Call or text anytime.”

“Right.” She scribbled the number he gave her on her order pad.

“Then we’re all set.” Regan beamed at them. “We might stay a couple of extra days, if that’s okay with you two.”

You two. Drake was amused by the way Regan had neatly linked them up. Tracy probably hated it. “I’m fine with y’all staying longer,” he said. “How about you, Tracy?”

“Uh, sure. Just let me know in advance so I can adjust my hours. Listen, I’d better get back to my customers. Drake’s burger and fries should be up by now, too.” She quickly made her escape.

Drake wasn’t ready to let the issue go. “I could have handled all of it,” he said in a low voice. “I believe I told you that the last time you asked her.”

“I know, and I was keeping you in reserve if she had other plans. But she said yes, probably because she needs the money for school. I figured she did.”

“Oh, you’re paying her.” Drake felt better. “I didn’t realize that.”

“We’re absolutely paying her. We paid her last time, too. There’s a lot of work involved. I wouldn’t expect anyone to do it for free.”

“I would’ve.”

“And that’s one of the reasons I didn’t want to ask you. I knew you wouldn’t take any money for it, and Tracy will.” Regan studied him. “You do realize that I’m not mad at you anymore, right?”

“Yeah, I do.” His chuckle sounded hollow. “Sadly, I’m still riddled with guilt.”

“Well, hell, dude. Get over it.” Regan tossed a peanut in his mouth.

“Believe me, I’m trying. Taking care of your place for free while y’all are gone would’ve helped, but I get why you asked Tracy. I wouldn’t want to deprive her of a chance to earn extra money.”

“And I hoped you’d be her backup if she has any issues. Legally I can’t pay you since you’re not licensed in Wyoming, but I know you don’t care about the money.”

“Nope. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll keep an eye on the medical side of things, but you do realize Tracy hates the thought of having to call on me.”

“She won’t hate it if one of the horses gets sick. Everything went fine last time, but we were only a couple of hours away if she’d needed us. Frankly, I wouldn’t have agreed to a cross-country trip if I couldn’t count on you in the event of a problem.”

“I’ll surely do that. But now I wish I hadn’t told you that I think she’s hot.”

“Why?”

Drake looked away. “Because I don’t want you to think I’ll take this as a golden opportunity.”

“Good God. You are not only riddled with guilt, you’re drowning in it. You and Tracy are consenting adults. I like you both. What happens between you has nothing to do with me unless you scare the horses.”

Drake glanced over to find Regan grinning. “I promise not to do that.”

“Then everything else is up for grabs.”

Drake didn’t think so. Tracy had a poor opinion of him, and it would take a miracle to change her mind.

2

AS THE NOONDAY sun beat down on her, Tracy stared at the pregnant Appaloosa that the sad-looking cowboy had insisted on unloading despite Tracy’s protests. She was a striking mare with a Dalmatian-like coat. Her mane and tail mixed strands of black and white into a soft gray. Tracy instantly wanted to take in this lovely creature.

But her instructions from Regan and Lily had been crystal clear. Just like the first time she house-sat for them, she wasn’t supposed to accept any animals while they were gone. “I’m sorry.” She kept her tone friendly but firm. “I’m not authorized to admit any animals this week. Perhaps you’d like to come back at the end of the month when the owners are here.”

“Can’t wait that long, ma’am. I can’t feed her no more. I’ve run through the money I got from selling my stud and I can’t find work.” The man could have been anywhere from thirty to fifty years old, but he’d obviously lived a hard life judging from his weathered skin and resigned expression.

“I wish I could help, but—”

“I came this close to selling Dottie to a guy in Jackson, but he wouldn’t have treated her right. I’m beggin’ you to take her.”

“If she’s valuable, and I can see that she probably is, surely you can find someone you trust who would buy her.”

“No time. Got an eviction notice for the place I rent yesterday. I’m out of feed for Dottie and out of options. I heard about this rescue operation and figured it was my last hope to put her somewheres she’d be looked after.”

Tracy heard the desperation in his voice. This wasn’t some jerk who’d grown tired of his responsibility. The man genuinely loved his mare and was terrified something bad would happen to her because he’d lost the ability to provide for her.

Last time Tracy had taken care of Peaceful Kingdom, all twelve of the barn’s stalls had been occupied. But Regan and Lily had worked hard to adopt out the young and healthy horses. Six of the residents were so old and feeble they’d live at Peaceful Kingdom forever. Two others needed to learn some manners before they’d be ready to go. Four stalls stood empty.

It wasn’t her place to fill even one of them. She’d be acting against orders if she did. But this situation tugged at her heart. She met the cowboy’s gaze and made her decision. “I’ll take her.”

His shoulders dropped and his eyes grew suspiciously moist. “Thank you, ma’am. Thank you.”

His gruff tone choked her up a little, too. “Let me get the form for you to fill out.” She hurried back to the house and returned in a flash with a clipboard, an intake form and a pen before doubts could change her mind. She held them out to him. “We need some information for our records.” Regan and Lily would understand. They had to.

If possible, he looked even more miserable. “Sorry, ma’am. I can’t.”

For a split second she thought he was refusing to fill out the form, but then she realized he was illiterate on top of his other problems. “No worries. I’ll do it. Just tell me what to write.”

The man’s name was Jerry Rankin. He’d bought Dottie as a foal ten years ago, when times were good for him. Once Tracy started asking questions, Jerry offered all sorts of details that weren’t on the form.

When he’d been blessed with steady work, he’d bought an Appaloosa stallion with plans to start a breeding operation. His wife had handled the paperwork, and all had gone well. They’d bred the horses and sold three foals. But then his wife had died after an illness that ate up their savings, and he’d lost his job.

When Tracy finished filling out the form, she glanced up. “Can you sign your name?”

“My wife taught me that much.” He took the clipboard and pen and painstakingly wrote his name in awkward block letters.

“Thank you, Mr. Rankin.”

“Jerry’s good enough.”

“Jerry, then.”

“I surely do appreciate this.” He handed over the lead rope, but the mare stayed right by his side. Then he dug in the pocket of his worn jeans. “I ain’t got nothin’ but change, but I’ll give you what I—”

“No, no. That’s okay. You keep it.” She felt like offering him money, instead. “I don’t know if you’ve checked into this, but the county has programs if you find yourself...a little short.”

He nodded. “I know. I might consider that.” He returned the coins to his pocket. “Much obliged to you for taking Dottie. That’s a load off my mind.”

“You’re welcome.”

“She’s a good horse.”

“I’m sure she is.”

He stroked the Appaloosa’s nose. “You be a good girl for the lady, you hear?”

The mare turned her head and nudged his chest.

“I know. I’ll miss you, too. It’s for the best.”

Tracy swallowed a lump in her throat. “Mr. Rankin...Jerry, she’ll be right here. If things should start looking up for you, you can come and get her.”

He touched the brim of his battered cowboy hat. “That’s right nice of you, ma’am.” His voice grew husky. “I’ll...I’ll keep it in mind.” He stroked Dottie’s nose once more and started for his truck.

“We’ll take good care of her,” Tracy called after him.

He didn’t respond other than to give a brief nod.

The mare turned her head to gaze after him. Then she nickered.

Tracy feared she might start bawling. Apparently she wasn’t cut out for this kind of work. She hoped that dealing with people problems turned out to be less emotionally difficult than dealing with animal problems. Otherwise she wouldn’t be a very effective psychologist.

Dottie nickered again as the truck and trailer pulled through the gate.

“Come on, girl.” Tracy rubbed the mare’s silky neck. “Time for a cozy stall and some oats. I’ll bet you haven’t had any of those in a while.” She exerted firm pressure on the lead rope and Dottie followed her obediently to the barn, proving that she was, as Jerry had said, a good horse. Tracy settled her into an empty stall at the far end of the barn and gave her the promised bucket of oats. The mare ate them greedily.

“Okay, this was a good decision...I guess.” Tracy leaned on the stall door and watched the mare. She was a good-looking horse, the color of rich cream with a rump speckled in black.

“The thing is, Dottie, I know nothing about prenatal care, and I’ll bet you could use a few vitamins and minerals.” Gazing at the horse’s extended belly, she realized she didn’t know how far along the mare was. It hadn’t been on the form, but she should have thought to ask, anyway.

She considered her options. She could call the vet in Jackson, who would charge a pretty penny to evaluate the mare and prescribe vitamins. She’d been instructed not to accept any animals, so adding an expensive vet visit seemed wrong when she could get the same services for free. All she had to do was call Drake Brewster.

Yeah, right. So easy. Just call up Mr. Gorgeous-But-Untrustworthy and ask him to give his professional opinion on the pregnant mare she’d just taken in against Regan and Lily’s specific instructions. She wondered if Drake would mention that she’d overstepped. Probably not, considering his history. Talk about overstepping. He’d written the book on it.

Still, she knew Regan and Lily would want her to call Drake instead of the vet in Jackson. No question about that. If she phoned Drake, he’d come right over. The guy didn’t seem to have a full schedule. And he’d be very nice. Charming, even. Of course he was charming or he wouldn’t have been able to talk Regan’s fiancée into going to bed with him.

At least, Tracy assumed that’s how it had gone. She couldn’t imagine a woman cheating on Regan unless she’d had too much to drink and had been wooed by a master of seduction like Drake Brewster. Tracy was outraged by what he’d done. She was disapproving, scandalized and...so embarrassing to admit, titillated.

Face it, the man was breathtaking. She’d heard his disreputable story before he’d ever walked into Spirits and Spurs. Everybody in town had, and they were all ready to give Drake the cold shoulder and condemn Regan’s fiancée in absentia. But when Drake finally did come into the bar, Tracy forgave Regan’s fiancée immediately.

Not many women would be able to resist a full-court press by someone who looked like that. Those sleepy green eyes and a smile full of equal parts mischief and sin would make short work of any girl’s virtuous resolve. Pair those attributes with broad shoulders, slim hips and coffee-colored hair with a slight tendency to curl, and you had the promise of intense pleasure wrapped up in one yummy serving of manhood.

She certainly didn’t want to be attracted to him. God, no! Too bad. She was, anyway. Her line of defense had been a cool, distant manner. Apparently it had worked, because he thought she didn’t like him. Actually, he was right about that. She didn’t like him, or more precisely, she didn’t like the kind of person who would betray his best friend.

Yet whenever Drake came within five feet of her, she tingled. At the three-foot mark, she burned. She’d made sure he never got any closer than that, because she didn’t want to find out what would happen. She was afraid she’d turn into a hypocrite.

So calling him about the mare presented a problem. She’d have to keep her distance when he showed up. No one would ever need to know about her inconvenient case of lust. She’d taken in the pregnant mare, and consequently she had to do the next logical thing and summon Drake.

Pulling her phone from her pocket, she located his number. Her pulse accelerated at the thought of talking to him. That was the other thing about Drake. He had a voice like aged bourbon, complete with the soft drawl of a man born and raised in Virginia. It was a bedroom voice if she’d ever heard one. He sounded like effing Rhett Butler.

He answered quickly. “Hey there, Miss Tracy. Problems?”

She hadn’t counted on the effect of his voice murmuring in her ear, and she felt chills down her spine. She brought the phone to waist level and punched the speaker button. “Not a problem, exactly. I took in a pregnant mare today.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I couldn’t turn her away. The guy is down to his last dime, but he refused to sell her to someone he thought might mistreat her. He chose to bring her here instead of taking the money, which he obviously needs. He’s being evicted and he has no job.”

“Did you give him a job?”

His compassionate suggestion impressed her. “No, but that’s a fabulous idea. Obviously I can’t hire him, but Regan and Lily might. That’s assuming we can find him again. We have no permanent address or phone number. Just a name.”

“In a place where everybody seems to know everybody, that should be enough. How far along is the mare?”

“I didn’t think to ask. But I assume she needs special care, and I didn’t want to bring the vet down from Jackson and incur extra expense.” She paused to see if he’d volunteer his services.

“She might be fine for a week or so.”

Damn him, he was going to make her ask. “She might, but I would feel terrible if she or the foal had issues because I didn’t give her what she needs. Besides, it would be nice to know her approximate due date.”

“True, but Regan can figure that out when he gets home.”

Tracy’s frustration grew. “What if she’s ready to pop?”

His laugh was like warm maple syrup. “Is that your roundabout way of inviting me over to take a look?”

“I’d appreciate it if you’d come and examine her.” She injected as much formality into the statement as she could muster.

“I’ll be right there.”

Her stupid adrenaline level spiked. “Thank you. Bye.” She disconnected quickly. Brisk and efficient. That was the key. Somehow she’d continue to strike that note.

Now that he was on his way, she was suddenly concerned about how she looked. She’d showered this morning, but she hadn’t bothered with makeup and her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail. Whenever Drake had seen her at Spirits and Spurs she’d been wearing makeup and a cute hair arrangement. To her secret shame, she’d spent more time on her appearance since he’d started coming into the bar.

How sick was that? She didn’t really want to attract his attention. Well, apparently she did, and now he’d arrive and discover what she looked like au naturel. That was a good thing. No matter how much she longed to race into the house and slap on some lipstick, she would not.

Instead she picked up a brush and went to work on Dottie’s speckled coat. To Jerry Rankin’s credit, Dottie didn’t look as if she needed to be brushed, but Tracy did it, anyway. Then she combed out the black-and-white mane and tail, all the while talking to the mare and telling her what a beautiful baby she would have.

Dottie stood quietly and seemed to enjoy the attention, but she’d maneuvered herself so that she could look out the stall door as if watching for Jerry to return. At one point she moved her head to gaze at Tracy as if trying to decide why this strange person had replaced her old buddy.

“He would have kept you if he could,” Tracy said. “Bringing you here was an act of love. He didn’t want you to fall into bad hands, or to suffer because he wasn’t able to take care of you properly.”

The explanation seemed to help. Dottie heaved a big horsey sigh and lowered her head to nibble on the straw scattered at her feet.

Tracy wondered if the mare was still hungry. After all, she was eating for two. What Tracy knew about such things would fit inside a bottle cap. She really did need Drake’s advice.

As if her thoughts had conjured him up, she heard him enter the barn, his boot heels clicking on the wooden floor. She hurried over to the stall door and glanced quickly down the aisle. Sunlight streamed into the barn, outlining his manly physique in gold. He’d taken to wearing Western clothes recently, and they suited him. Boy, did they ever suit him.

She needed to gather her wits, so she didn’t call out to him. Hoping he hadn’t noticed her, she went back to brushing Dottie. For someone who had vowed to remain cool and distant, she sure had a lot of heat pouring through her veins. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Tracy? Are you in here?” His rich voice echoed in the rafters.

“Down here, last stall on the left.” Damn, but her hands were shaking. This was not good.

“Thanks. I tried the house, but you didn’t answer the door.” His footsteps came closer. “My eyes aren’t quite adjusted to the light.”

She glanced up, and there he was, six-foot-something of testosterone-fueled male. His Western shirt emphasized the breadth of his shoulders. He wasn’t wearing a cowboy hat, and she didn’t think she’d ever seen him wearing one. She wondered about that. Most cowboy wannabes couldn’t wait to show up in a hat.

When he opened the stall door, she realized her mistake. Jumpiness aside, she should have walked out to meet him. Then she could have let him go in the stall alone. Instead he was about to come in with her.

Unless she engineered a little do-si-do with him and then made her escape looking like a frightened rabbit, she was stuck here. Her three-foot limit was about to be violated, and she didn’t know what to do about it.

He caught sight of the mare and let out a low whistle. “She’s a beauty.”

“I know.” Her plan of maintaining a formal distance crumbled. She’d been through an emotional experience and she needed to talk about Jerry and his willingness to sacrifice for Dottie. “I’ll bet he could have sold her, but he couldn’t find the right buyer in time. I was touched by the fact he was choosy when he couldn’t afford to be.”

“Yeah, that’s damned noble.” He entered the stall and smiled at her. “For the record, I’m glad you followed your instincts and took her. Those instructions didn’t anticipate a mare like this showing up.”

Five feet, still just the tingle. “I’m sure she was the one bright spot in the guy’s life. I hope Regan and Lily are ready to take on some help and that we can find him again if they are.”

“I’d say there’s an excellent chance that will work out.”

“Then I’ll think positive, too.” Three feet, starting to burn.

“What’s her name?”

“Dottie.” She sounded breathless, but maybe he’d think she had allergies. She backed up a foot and hoped the move wasn’t too obvious.

Drake laughed. “Appropriate. Hi, Dottie.” He held out a hand, palm up. She saw he was holding a peeled baby carrot.

The mare snuffled against his open palm and took the carrot. She crunched it between her strong teeth as Drake ran his hands over her neck, her shoulders and her distended belly.

God help her, Tracy followed the path of that gentle stroking. After all the promises to herself that she’d ignore his considerable sex appeal, she couldn’t help imagining how those hands would feel caressing a woman. No, not just a woman. Her.

She wanted to feel the magic of those hands. And they would be magic. Watching him with the horse was evidence of that. She longed to experience that lazy, sensual touch....

No, she didn’t! What was wrong with her? She was falling under his spell. He probably didn’t even realize he was casting one. Sensuality was instinctive with him, it seemed. He was surrounded by an invisible magnetic field, and just like that, she’d been drawn back into the three-foot zone.

“A more thorough exam would tell us for sure.” Drake continued to stroke the horse. Typical female, Dottie was eating it up. “But from a preliminary evaluation, I’d say she’s less than a month from delivering.” He glanced over his shoulder at Tracy. “You weren’t far off. She’s almost ready to pop.”

“Good grief.” She placed a hand over her racing heart, which now had two reasons to be out of control—lust and terror. “I don’t want that happening on my watch.”

“You probably won’t have to deal with it.” His voice was soothing.

She wondered if veterinarians cultivated a bedside manner. If so, Drake had a hell of a good one. “But I might have to deal with it, right?”

“Mothers about to give birth are always unpredictable. But don’t worry. I can drive out here at a moment’s notice. If she goes into labor, you won’t have to handle it alone.”

“Good.” The rush of gratitude, mixed with the sensual feelings he inspired, became a potent combination. She struggled to remember why she didn’t like this man. Oh, yes. He’d betrayed his best friend. No matter how welcome his presence was at the moment, he’d chosen to trade years of friendship for immediate pleasure.

“She’ll need some prenatal supplements.”

Tracy fought to concentrate on what he was saying instead of imagining him naked in her bed. “Supplements. Right.”

“I’ll order them from a company I have an account with. My professional discount will keep the cost down.”

“Good. Thank you. I honestly didn’t consider all the ramifications of this. Assuming her foal is okay, and I hope to heck it is, I’ve actually accepted two horses.”

“True.” He lightly scratched Dottie’s neck, and her eyelids drifted down in obvious ecstasy. Lucky horse. “But I don’t think you have to worry about Regan and Lily. They’ll support what you’ve done.”

“I hope so.” But she wasn’t terribly worried about Regan and Lily. They were animal lovers and would understand. The foal might even be fun for them.

But she was extremely worried about the inevitable contact with Drake and her increasingly intense reaction to his proximity. She had strong principles. Surely a sweet-talking Southerner wouldn’t cause her to abandon those principles. Surely not.

3

DRAKE WAS PROUD of himself. He’d examined the mare and interacted with Tracy as if he had no interest in her whatsoever. Then he’d left after promising to order the supplements online the minute he got back to his cabin and his computer.

Driving home, he congratulated himself on being a perfect gentleman the whole time. Not once had he given in to the temptation to flirt with her. For him that was a major victory. Regan clearly thought that he would hit on Tracy if given the chance, and he was determined to prove that he could resist that urge.

It hadn’t been easy. Before today, they’d always been separated by a massive wooden bar and surrounded by other people. This had been a far more intimate encounter, and she’d looked quite accessible in her T-shirt and jeans, no makeup, and her hair held by a little elastic thing that could be pulled off in no time.

At the bar he’d experienced a jolt of desire whenever he looked at her lipstick-covered mouth. She liked to wear red, and those lips had beckoned him, even when he’d known her smile meant nothing. Logically he shouldn’t have been even more turned on by the soft pink of her bare mouth, but he had been. Seeing her like that made him think of how she’d look first thing in the morning. He yearned for the privilege of waking up next to Tracy Gibbons.