“We’ve got our system here. Silas has a stall for her and a place for me to store gear. Probably better to unpack her here, get her some feed, and brush her down.”
Molly’s heart was fluttering—no mention of staying with her. Then the words she was hoping for.
“Am I still welcome at your place?”
“Yes, and I’ll be disappointed if you don’t stay with me.” She wanted to send that message loud and clear, so she did.
His smiled rocked her head to toes. “I’ve been looking forward to it. Thank you.”
She helped him unpack Beryl, brush her down, get water and feed, and set up the stall. After he was satisfied that Beryl was settled, he picked up a backpack.
Molly said, “I’d like to introduce you to Jo while we’re here.”
She led him to Jo’s stall where they entered.
“Jo and I have been together for seventeen years. We rode together on the rodeo circuit. She was the best barrel racer ever and is my closest pal.”
Bart gave Jo some love, skillfully scratching around her ears and stroking her shoulders. When he didn’t say anything about her age, Molly volunteered, “She’s probably in her last season. Silas is keeping an eye on her for me. We ride most days, but there isn’t much left in the tank.”
“She’s beautiful. I can imagine her in her prime. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with her final days.”
His words were sincere and rang true. He knew horses, and he understand the relationship between a barrel racer and her longtime partner. Molly was emotional. She’d wanted to introduce Bart to Jo, and it was done. She liked his response. She wanted to touch him but decided to wait until a more private moment. There were people around.
They walked out of the stables toward the cabin. As soon as they rounded a bend, she moved in and took his arm. He stopped, turned to face her, and let her move into his arms. He still had his backpack on, but she pressed her face against his chest and held him tight. She really wanted to be close to him. When she pushed back and looked up, he gave her a long, deep, warm kiss. It was exactly the one she wanted, and it felt so right. When it was over, she gave him a deeper one back. She wanted tosend the signal that she was happy to see him like that. And that she was looking forward to being with him.
The kisses over, she took his arm and pulled tight against his body as they walked down the dirt road to the cabin, Bear and Shadow running ahead.
“I’m guessing you’d like to clean up.” Molly wanted to see him naked.
“Sounds good. I’m hoping you’re willing to help.”
“Won’t have to twist my arm.”
She led him into her bedroom and showed him where to put his pack. She again moved into his arms. She was aroused and wanted to touch him. She didn’t want to seem needy, but she was ready for a hot, soapy shower and some action. She hugged him for a long time, then looked up. The kiss was beautiful, not pressing, patient, lips closed but soft. And it lasted a long time. Finally, Molly led him to her large bathroom.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to shave first.”
“You don’t have to shave for me.”
“I want to be shaved for you.”
“Great. Can I watch?”
“Sure.”
Molly pulled up a stool from her bedroom and sat on it, watching as he stripped to his tight fitting boxer shorts, his body tan, lean, and muscled. If they weren’t going to get into the shower immediately, this was the next best thing. He retrieved shaving lotion and a straight razor from a leather carry kit. He lathered his face and started shaving in short, efficient strokes.
Molly couldn’t help herself. She got off her stool, walked over behind him, and pulled his shorts to the floor, saying with a chuckle, “That’s better.”
He looked at her with a twisted grin as he continued shaving, now naked.
She walked around his body, closely inspecting.
He was watching her in the mirror. “Can I help you find anything?”
“Just looking for bullet wounds. I saw four when you were here before, but I’m guessing there are more that I didn’t see.”
“Tell me how many you find, and I’ll tell you if you have them all.”
