Free Silk and Spurs by Cheyenne McCray Page B

headboard and she stretched her arms. “I need a whole lot of caffeine to get me going.”
    “You’ve got it.” He kissed her on the forehead and she was smiling as he drew away.
    She gave him a seductive look. “Unless I can entice you back into bed…?”
    “If I wasn’t expecting the cattle inspector, I would do just that.” He swatted her on her ass, through the bedclothes. “Time to get your butt out of bed.”
    “Ow.” With a laugh she rubbed her ass. “Okay, okay. As long as I get that coffee.”
    “You’ve got it.” He gave her another swat then stood. He looked at her again and then walked out of the room, feeling lighter and better than he’d felt in a very long time.
    •  •  •
    Zane’s coffee was strong and good, and after her third cup her head felt a little clearer. She’d almost finished photographing the ranch. Next she’d like to spend some time taking pictures of the valley. There was far more too it than just grasslands like it appeared on the surface.
    After making her a breakfast of eggs over-easy, sausage, and toast, he’d headed out of the house to get to work, but not before giving her a kiss that rocked her to her toes. It didn’t matter how many times he kissed her, each time was incredible.
    She checked the area with her gaze to see if he was around, but didn’t spot him. She’d mentioned to him at breakfast that she intended to drive around the valley during the morning and shoot some photos.
    It wasn’t long before she was on the road, singing another Eagles song to herself.
    The scenery in the valley was incredible, from the rolling oak and juniper covered hills to the flat grasslands, and the surprising areas like the one Zane had taken to her yesterday that was like a little hidden world. She also got a few shots of some wildlife including a couple of coyotes and birds. She saw a small herd of seven javelinas but kept her distance as she photographed them. They were from the peccary family and looked like smaller versions of wild boar.
    When she finished, the sun was low in the sky and she packed up her equipment and loaded it in the car. She was walking around the car when she heard two shots and dirt kicked up around her feet.
    Her heart pounded and her skin went cold as she ducked behind her car and landed on the dirt on her hands and knees. She crouched behind the driver’s side front tire and held her hand to her chest. The shots seemed to be coming from the opposite side of the Mustang.
    The next shot hit her car, the ping of the bullet piercing metal loud to her ears.
    Her breathing came hard and fast. Dear God, someone was shooting at her, or shooting in her direction. Hunters?
    She kept crouched down as she eased down to the door handle. When she reached it she opened the door. With everything that she had, she threw herself into the drivers seat.
    Thank God she’d left the keys in the ignition. She stayed low and started the car. Another ping as the next bullet hit metal.
    Saying a prayer, she put the car in drive and stomped on the gas pedal. The car fishtailed on the dirt road and she barely kept control as the powerful engine shot her down the road. She raised her head in time to jerk the wheel to keep from running off the road then raced the car back toward the Bar C.
    The pounding of her heart felt like it was out of control. She’d been shot at. Or was she confused and hunters were shooting antelope and she’d just been in the wrong place at the wrong time?
    Whatever the case, relief poured through her when she passed through the ranch gates, pulled up to Zane’s home, and parked.
    For a long moment she gripped the steering wheel, unable to move her hands. Her fingers ached from clenching it so hard.
    “Jessie?” The driver’s side door opened and she realized Zane was there. “What’s wrong, honey? Did something happen?”
    She managed to nod and she looked up at him. “Someone shot at me. Or toward me.”
    Surprise then anger crossed his