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get inside. Don’t you
think you’ve caused enough trouble for one day?”
    The horse gave her one last look and cantered away,
toward the unfenced pastures.
    This was her chance and she was taking it. She ran
into the house and slammed the door closed. The house was blissfully cool.
    She’d have to call someone about the horse though.
Picking up the phone, she dialed the O’Malleys .
Thankfully Caleb answered and promised to come.
    One crisis at a time, she supposed. While she
waited, she had time to feel guilty about Matt’s fall and to worry about
Holden’s stone cold glances. If worse came to worse, she’d ask for a day’s pay
and hightail it out of there. With gas being so expensive, she wasn’t sure how
far she’d be able to go but it would have to do.
    Relief washed over her when Caleb finally pulled his
truck up to the house. He was as gorgeous as ever. Tall, dark, and handsome
with the cutest dimple in his left cheek. He also had the longest eyelashes she
had ever seen. Women always sighed when they saw him. His grin was always the
same, shit eatin ’. He attended college in Texas and
hadn’t been back long. Summer break just started.
    She waved to him from the window and sighed when he
tipped his gray Stetson to her. He looked all business staring at Yukon. Caleb’s
talent at roping was legendary but as she watched him take his fifth try she
wondered if it was true. Yukon led him on a merry chase and finally Caleb roped
him. A struggle of wills started but Caleb came out the winner. Yukon was a
smart and strong contender. As soon as Yukon was secure, she opened the door
and stepped outside.
    “Sure am glad you were home.” She smiled at him.
    “I heard you were out here. How’s it going?”
    Her shoulders slumped. “To tell you the truth, I’m
waiting for Holden to get back and fire me.”
    “Now why would he do that?” The Texas drawl he
picked up at school made him even more appealing.
    “Aren’t you going to call me darlin’ or honey pie?”
    Caleb blinked, appearing baffled.
    Summer laughed. “Isn’t that what all the Texans call
women?”
    Caleb chuckled. “Depends. Darlin’ is fine. Honey pie
would probably be a reason to get slapped. Tell me what happened with Matt and
Yukon. You didn’t say how Matt got hurt when you called.”
    “He was doing something with Yukon and ended up with
a busted ankle. I’m supposed to watch them. Holden was napping and I was making
lunch. It’s a big mess and I’m pretty sure that Holden blames me.” Her arms
dropped to her sides and her shoulders slumped.
    “Hey, honey pie, don’t let it get you down.” Caleb
didn’t get the expected smile from the endearment. “Holden seems like a good,
fair man. I’m sure it shocked and worried him that Matt got hurt. It’s not your
fault. Happens to the best of us. Hell, it’s part of working a ranch.”
    She relaxed for a minute. “Thanks for trying to make
me feel better.”
    “You’ve had a hard time of it I hear. Tell you what,
if Holden gives you a problem, you’re welcome over at our place. Can’t really
pay much, but if you’re in a bind, we’d love to have you.”
    Summer reached up and gave Caleb a big hug. His arms
felt strong and protective around her. She wished there was chemistry between
them. He was possibly the nicest man she knew.
    The honking of a truck horn pulling up broke them
apart and they stood together while Holden parked his truck.
    Half afraid that he was going to fire her, she bit
her bottom lip so hard, she tasted blood. Stone cold, that’s what Holden’s
expression was and it unnerved her. “How’s Matt?”
    Holden ignored her and shook hands with Caleb. “What
brings you out here?” His aim to sound jovial missed its mark. “Obviously you
two know each other.”
    Caleb smiled. “Grew up in the same town. You could
say we know each other.”
    Holden’s eyes narrowed. “Is this a social visit?”
    “Oh for Pete’s sake. Yukon was out when I got home
and