AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Is that calf stuck in the mud?” She pointed to a calf in the mud.
“Damn. Yeah, looks like it.” He looked at the group to see them leaving them behind. “I’ll get him. Go with the group.”
“Don’t you need some help?”
Ian shrugged. “I’ll do what I can. I’ll use my rope.”
“I can help if you want.”
“You?”
“Yes, a city girl will help if you need it.”
He stared at her and saw the determination on her face.This ought to be good.He nodded.
“If you think you’re up for it.”
“Is that a challenge, Mr. Brennan?”
“Take it however you want, Ms. Fairchild.”
“Well, I take it as a challenge and I never back down from one. What do I need to do?”
“I’m going to have to rope the calf and try to pull him out. If he’s really stuck, you’re going to have to get in the mud and push him.” Ian bit his lip to keep from grinning.
“Get in the mud? Push him?”
“I thought you didn’t back down from a challenge?”
“I don’t.”
“I can call one of the ranch hands back.” He removed the walkie talkie from his pocket.
“I’ll do it,” she snapped.
He watched her take a deep breath, dismount, and drop the reins onto the ground. The guests were told the horses wouldn’t go anywhere if the reins were on the ground. She tried to step over mudpuddles, but that was a lost cause since it was still raining.
He took his rope from the saddle, rode close to the calf, circled the rope over his head, tossed it, and looped it around the calf’s neck then he wrapped the other end around the saddle horn.
“Ready?”
“I suppose.”
“Once he starts to come out of the mud, put your hands on his rump, and push.”
She took a deep breath and nodded.
Ian had his horse back up and once the calf moved a little, he nodded to Eden to begin pushing. The mud was over her ankles, but she didn’t seem to mind. She put her hands on the calf and pushed as Ian pulled. The calf must not have been as stuck as they thought because it came right out of the mud, which made Eden fallface first into it. Ian did his best not to laugh, but when she raised her head and glared at him, with her face covered in mud, he lost it.
“I hate you,” she shouted. “You did that on purpose.”
“How would I know the calf would come out on its own?”
“I don’t know, but you’re enjoying this.”
“Round three to me.”
“Oooh.” Eden stood, scooped up a handful of mud, and threw it at him, hitting him in the face.
