Read Ring of Fire Book Two of the McKay's for Free Online

Merrill said with a grin.
    "Merrill, I can still out do you, without coffee ." Hank laughed.
    Then one afternoon as he was stowing his gear, he saw her on Thunder and he was miserable again. Nothing was more beautiful or appealing to Hank than watching a lovely woman on a horse with spirit. The wanting of her started all over and he was angry at himself that he couldn't get rid of the yearning.
    He even stood there in broad daylight and imagined riding the horse with nothing but a thong on, and falling from the horse onto him on the ground where they made torrid love for hours.
    He glanced around him as he shook the feelings away. Had he lost his mind?
    He groaned. Maybe he needed to start thinking about getting a woman of his own. It wouldn't be Letty, but surely he could find someone that was better suited. Still, deep within, he knew that what he wanted was not for him. And what he wanted was Letty McKay.
    Besides, he had other things to worry about right now.
    His grandmother, whom he saw on weekends, needed him more and more as her sight began to fail her. Her glasses weren't helping any longer and she forgot where she laid them half the time. He'd taken care of her ever since his folks died. She had no one else, all the other kids had moved off and it was too hard for them to be there when she needed something, so Hank had dedicated himself to seeing after her.
    She was first in his life and would be until the day she died. That thought didn't bring him any comfort, so he switched back to Letty who continually tried to ride Thunder, and continually got pitched. After watching her land in the dirt several times he chuckled to himself; she sure was a hardhead, he thought as he walked away from the corral. He heard the thud of her hitting the ground again, and the slight groan she made, but he determined he would not turn around and help her. That would be downright dangerous.
    S omehow he was going to stop his all-male reactions, he just hadn't figured out how, yet!
     
    ***
     
    "Ya just can't let him alone, can ya?" A voice that shocked Letty as the horse twisted in midair, throwing her to the ground once more. "That horse ain't for you, girl…"
    That voice again. Where was it coming from? It had to be real. It had to belong to her father, but then…he was dead!
    Letty handed the reins to a nearby cowboy and walked around the corral and into the barn. Had she lost her mind? Her father was dead. Gone. And just that one thought had tears gathering in the corner of her eyes. An emotion she had forced to the back of her mind and heart now seemed to pour out.
    The smell of hay after a rain could be overpowering sometimes and Letty sneezed.
    There was no one there but Caleb and he had his back to her again. She glanced at him . "Did you see anyone out there just now?" she asked him.
    Caleb half turned and looked over his shoulder at her. "Nope…been in here. Why?"
    Letty felt silly for thinking she heard her father once more, but wanted to be rid of the ghost.
    "I know it sounds strange, but I could have sworn I heard my father just now," she admitted.
    The old man turned away and finished his task. "That's not unusual to hear the voice of a loved one after they die. I heard tell it's a normal thing. Heard my missus for months after she died. Kinda spooky, huh?"
    "Yeah, kinda." Letty twisted her head. "How long ago did she die?"
    "Been over ten years now. Ever now and then I hear it again, but it don't spook me no more. I find it kinda comforting knowing she's about." He laughed.
    Letty smiled . "I guess it is…isn't it? Comforting, I mean. It just happens when I try to ride Thunder."
    "That horse is dangerous, Miss Letty, you shouldn't be trying to ride him."
    "So I've been told. But I rarely do what I am told. Besides, it's the most exciting thing on this ranch."
    "Exciting can kill, ya know?"
    "You really do sound like Dad now. He used to drive me nuts telling me I couldn't do something. I'd try to do it anyway, just to