Read The Rough and Ready Rancher for Free Online Page B

hurt,” Whiskers said, worriedly. “Maybe you’d better not try to work with Satin this mornin’.”
    Touched by his concern, Jenna smiled and held out her bandaged hand for his inspection. “I’ll be fine. I’ve worked with much worse injuries than this.”
    â€œI just don’t like the idea of a little gal like you climbin’ in the corral with that black devil,” Whiskers stated, picking up Jed’s plate to scrape the contents.
    â€œHey, I’m not finished,” Jed complained.
    Whiskers placed the plate in the sink. “Yes, you are.”
    Jed started to protest, but stopped when a gnarled finger pointed his direction.
    â€œSomebody has to keep track of the vittles you poke down, cause it’s for danged sure you don’t know when to push away from the table.” The old man propped his hands on his hips. “The rest of the men finished up fifteen minutes ago. Now, get your shiftless butt outta here so I can get my work done.”
    Jed jumped to his feet. “If you keep mean-mouthin’ people, somebody’s gonna tear your head off and shout down the hole.”
    â€œThen who’d feed your worthless carcass?” Whiskers asked.
    â€œThat’s the only thing holdin’ me back, old man.” Jed grabbed his hat and walked through the door.
    Shaken by the man’s obvious anger, Jenna’s appetite deserted her. “I’m not very hungry, Whiskers.” She rose from the table. “But thanks, anyway.”
    â€œYou cain’t be done.” When she nodded, he threw up his hands. “No wonder you’re such a puny little thing.”
    â€œShe has to be wiry and quick to work with horses like Satin,” Flint said, walking into the room.
    Jenna ducked her head to conceal her astonishment. That wasn’t the argument he’d used yesterday when he tried to break their contract. He’d accused her of not having the strength to work with his horse, or any others, for that matter. What had changed his mind?
    She decided to ignore the comment. All her concentration needed to be focused on Satin and his training. If she allowed her mind to wander while she worked with the stallion, she could confirm Flint’s first observation. And she’d rather run naked through a briar patch than let that happen.
    She adjusted the shotgun chaps she’d put on before coming downstairs. “Speaking of Satin, I’d better get started.”
    Flint’s mouth went dry when he noticed the way the leather hugged Jenna’s slender thighs and framed her blue-jeans-clad buttocks. He shifted from one foot to the other and swallowed hard. It was all he could do to keep from reaching for her.
    For the life of him, he couldn’t forget what had taken place last night on the porch and in the hall. Her legs had felt incredible tangled with his when he’d kissed her. And the memory of her, half-naked, lying in his arms on the floor, had already driven him to a cold shower this morning.
    Flint observed the way the open seat of the chaps emphasized the movement of her firm little bottom as she walked toward the back door. He thought his mouth might drop open.
    â€œDinner’s at twelve,” Whiskers called after her. His eyes dancing merrily, his toothless grin wide, he turnedback to Flint. “Unless the big bad wolf gets ahold of her first.”
    It took every ounce of effort Flint could muster to keep from turning a deep crimson. He should have known Whiskers would notice his discomfort. The old man had the eyes of a hawk.
    Whiskers laughed. “I’m glad to see you takin’ an interest in that little filly. She’s a danged sight more tolerable than the one you used to be hitched up to.”
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about,” Flint lied. He removed his hat from the peg beside the door. “I have no interest in Miss Adams aside from her training Black