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the main herd yesterday. Grandpa motioned to Zeus, saddled and ready, before he heeled his mount to catch up with the other men.
    Her pinto whinnied a welcome, pawing the ground at her approach. “I’m coming handsome.” She fished a cube of sugar from her pocket and extended her hand for him to gently take it. In typical fashion, Zues nuzzled her as she patted his neck.
    “Did you see Tyler? Remember how he used to spoil you?” The pinto nodded and blew through his nose. She stroked his forehead and face. “The man makes me act like a simpleton. I do the dumbest things around him.” Lacy fed him another sugar cube and then slipped into the saddle in one fluid motion. “We’re going to catch up to Tyler and the others. What I need you to do is keep me far away from him. We’ll stay on the opposite side of the herd, okay?”
    She tugged the brim of her straw hat and clicked her tongue. Zeus headed across the pasture, picking up speed as if he were determined to beat the other riders to the cattle.

Chapter Six
    Damn, she’s a sight on her horse .
    Tyler reined in Geronimo when he heard Zeus’s pounding hoof beats. Lacy was leaning over the pinto’s neck, her pleasure obvious by her expression. Her horse took the side of the bawling cattle opposite him. Just like he, she held a coiled loop of rope in her hand, ready to make short work of the loading process.
    She’d grown into a real beauty, Lacy had. Granted, she wasn’t fashion industry thin. No, Lacy had curves a man’s hands itched to touch. He glanced away, squinted into the morning sunlight and smiled. Lord, she had an amusing way about her. Bungling, yet caring. Talkative, yet charming. A man would never be bored with her, that’s for sure. And if her kisses were any indication, her passion would warm his nights. He shifted in the saddle to accommodate his physical reaction to that thought.
    Kissing her earlier had been like manna to a dying man. How long had it been since he’d been that turned on by a woman? Fact was, he’d been a few heartbeats away from lifting her onto the vanity, stepping between her thighs and taking her hard and fast.
    His gaze swept from the cattle to the blonde on the pinto. What a waste that would have been. Lacy was a woman a man needed to love slowly, enjoying every sigh, every tremble, every moan he could extract from her.
    Just the thought of having her in his bed hardened him to the point of physical pain. He’d do well to keep his thoughts and his libido on the task at hand.
    The morning was an enjoyable one. Everyone worked well together and soon both trailers on the trucks were full of his new stock of cattle; one hundred cows and a bull old Frank threw in out of the goodness of his heart, or so he claimed. Still, he had to admit the best part of his morning was watching Lacy on her horse. She rode with an easy grace, in tune with her mount’s every movement.
    Tyler pushed the handle for the hydraulics to close the loading ramp and back door on the rented trailer.
    Frank removed his hat and wiped the sweat off his bald head with a handkerchief. “Looks like that finalizes our business. You need more quality cattle, you know where to come.”
    Tyler stepped to the cab of the truck, his hand on the door handle and his gaze ricocheting from Lacy to her grandpa. “That I do, Frank.” He extended his hand. “You’re always a good man to do business with.”
    When they shook hands, Frank jerked his chin in the direction of his granddaughter who was removing saddles from the horses. “She’s a good girl. Normally she’s pretty quiet, but something about you makes her jumpy like a mare when a strong stallion comes around.” Frank pursed his lips, a movement Tyler now associated with Lacy. “Was thinking maybe the two of us would come to the rodeo next week, watch you ride, catch up on the news with neighbors.”
    He nodded and crossed his arms, allowing the thought of riding a bull in front of Lacy to take hold.