Page 55 of Falling for the Maverick

“Of course. Growing up, I always had dogs as pets. There was a time when I wanted to become a veterinarian.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Because math came easy. The teacher could put an equation on the board, and I usually had it solved before he completed it. But I was faced with a dilemma when I went to college. Cornell has a college of veterinary medicine, and I was tempted to switch my major.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I don’t know, really. However, everything worked out for the best because I’m living out my fantasy on my own ranch where I own horses. And eventually I’ll get a few more dogs.”

The word going around Tenacity is that Lucas is more interested in his dog and horses than he is in settling down with a woman.

Aaron’s words echoed in her head. Had Lucas just confirmed her brother’s assessment of him when he’d admitted his fantasy was to own horses and dogs? There’d been no mention of a wife or kids.

She wanted to ask about that but lost her nerve. “No cats?” she teased instead.

“I’ll see once I meet Marmalade.”

“I haven’t spoken to Marmalade about her coming to your home. I’ll have to wait and see what she says.”

“Please don’t tell me that you talk to your animals?”

“Of course I do, and I’m willing to bet that you have heart-to-heart talks with Flash as well. And no doubt about me.”

“Ahh…”

“Come on, big dog, tell the truth.”

Lucas let out a groan. “Yeah. I have on occasion talked to Flash about you.”

“See. I knew it. What did you tell him?”

Lucas shifted into a higher gear as he sped around a slow-moving car in front of him. “You asked me not to lie to you, so I won’t tell you because it’s X-rated.”

Michelle’s mouth opened and closed. The heat that suffused her face eddied downward until her entire body was on fire.

“What’s the matter, bae? Cat got your tongue?” he taunted.

“I thought we weren’t going there, Lucas,” Michelle said once she recovered her voice.

“Thinking and doing are completely different things. I can think about a lot of things that I don’t act on. And making love with you is an example. I might consider it, but it’s not going to happen.”

But I do want it to happen. I want you in my bed and in my life. If Lucas hadn’t been so adamant about not making love, she would ask him—no, beg him—to turn the car around and go back to Big Doggo where the big dog could growl, howl, lick and nip as they mated for life.

“You’re right,” she said in a low, soft voice. “No one can be blamed for what they’re thinking.”

Chapter Thirteen

Coeur de l’Ouest was as elegant as its name. The establishment offered the white-glove table service of fine dining; however, it was the breathtaking mountain vistas that truly captivated Michelle’s attention.

“Beautiful, aren’t they?”

“No, Lucas. They are spectacular.” She smiled at him across the table. “I need to get out more so I can truly appreciate the natural beauty of Big Sky Country.”

“You don’t have to leave the Circle C to appreciate where we live. All you need to do is take the time to sit out at night or early in the morning to watch Mother Nature paint her masterpiece with the sunrise and the sunset.”

Michelle stared at the man. He truly was an enigma. Each time she thought she understood him, he showed a new side that made her question who he really was. “The only time I commune with nature is when I ride Betty Boop.”

“You don’t ride her, Michelle. You race her.”