Free Spurs and Heels by Heather Rainier

he plunged in for another intense kiss. They were both totally absorbed in the other and breathless when he finally sat up.
    “Now why in the hell have I not done that sooner?” Ash muttered.
    “Because I was too busy being a heinous bitch, remember? Damn, if I’d known you kissed like that, I would have been kissing you the moment I hung up the phone with Lawrence on Christmas night.”
    “Why, thank you, darlin’. You’re sweet as honey yourself. I’d better go now so you can rest.”
    No, stay and don’t let me rest.

     
     
    * * * *
     
     
    On the way home, Ash had a weird, unsettled feeling. He didn’t like leaving her to fend for herself. He felt a burden of guilt for the condition she was in because of his lack of forethought the day before. She needed to get her rest, and he needed to be at the ranch for work early the next morning. Leaving her warm in her bed and going home alone to his empty, cold bed was depressing.
    He should feel happy that she wanted to spend time with him and give the attraction between the two of them a chance to grow. Even walking into the house the ranch hands shared didn’t cheer him all
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    that much when they all greeted him from the kitchen or living room where they were watching ESPN. After making small talk and answering their inquiries about Juliana, he went on to his bedroom, showered, and went to bed. As he stripped off his robe and settled naked under his sheet and blankets, he wondered if she was already asleep and hoped she was comfortable.
    He lay there with the light from the moon shining on his bedroom window and remembered his encounter with the fair queen contestants earlier that afternoon. They’d flirted with him harmlessly, and one of them had asked him if he was married. Right about the time the young woman asked, he’d spied Juliana. He’d pointed her out to the girls and said, “You see that redheaded beauty over there?
    She’s my wife. She just doesn’t know it yet.” They’d all giggled and sighed telling him how romantic they thought he was. He’d meant every word of it.

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Chapter Seven
    Early Friday evening, Juliana took out her cell phone and dialed Ash’s number. Her stress level was going straight through the roof.
    “Ash?”
    “Hey, darlin’, what’s up?”
    “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to work late tonight if I want to be off for Teresa’s wedding tomorrow. More freight came in, and they aren’t done rotating the Valentine’s Day stock out onto the sales floor. Two of my stockroom employees are down with the flu.”
    “I’ve got two down with it here, too. Makes for a long day when that happens. I’m done for the day. Would you like me to come and help you?”
    “It’s thoughtful of you, but if you came to help me, I’m not sure how much actual work I’d get done,” she replied with a chuckle.
    “But I get brownie points for being willing?”
    She smiled at the relaxed good humor in his sexy voice. “Big-time brownie points. Thank you for understanding.”
    “I do. You’ve got a store to run. Will there be people there to help you? What about Leah?”
    “Yes, I’ll have help. I’ve called in two other workers to come in, so I won’t be here alone. I didn’t ask Leah because she’s covering for me tomorrow evening so I can be there for the wedding.”
    “She okay about the change in her duties?”
    “She does seem a little disgruntled, and I think you may have been right in your assumption the other night, but I can’t talk about that right now.”

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    “I understand, darlin’. I hope you don’t have to work too late.
    Have you eaten supper?”
    She wanted to kiss him for not lecturing her at the moment. “Yes.
    I was afraid you’d be upset. Thanks for understanding.”
    “How are you feeling? Is your back still bothering you?”
    “Yes, it’s twinging painfully. I think a nerve must have gotten damaged, but it’s okay otherwise. My wrist feels fine, awkward but fine. I’m sorry I won’t get