Free Country Courtship (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 2) by Kathy Carmichael Page B

thinking of buying when they're old enough. He's a breeder and has several for me to choose from. Want to tag along?"
    Finally, a ray of sunshine beamed on her lips and she jumped into the truck. "First the water and now babies. You sure know how to lure a girl."
    "Better than candy, huh?"
    "Much better." As he turned the truck onto the road, she asked, "Is it far?"
    "Nah." He wasn't sure what it was about her but she seemed so vulnerable and so sweet just sitting there beside him, as excited about seeing the colts as he'd expect from a gold digger on a visit to Cartier.
    When he pulled into The Owens Pony and Horse Ranch, Kelli practically bounced in her seat with excitement. "I've heard about this place, but I've never been."
    The Owens ranch wasn't large, but from what he could see was very well maintained. Bobby Gray could learn a lot from this operation. The Owens ranch was one of the finest breeders of prize-winning quarter horses and the Nelson family never went for less than the best.
    Like Kelli.
    Despite being out of his depth for once, he wanted to make her feel better about being deserted by her dad, or maybe just forget it.
    Sure, he'd chased her in the beginning simply to get her help with Monty Joe and the banker, but now things were different. Now he just wanted to erase the shadows from her eyes and restore the color to her cheeks.
    Color to her cheeks? Good heavens, what was wrong with him?
    Bobby Gray gave himself a mental shake.
    Kelli was just a girl.
    He glanced at her, catching her smile in expectation of seeing colts.
    Apparently he was the guy who wanted to take care of her and provide her with babies, albeit animal babies.
    This was not a good development.
    He needed to direct his thoughts toward buying horses and whatever was best for the Nelson Ranch; and off this woman who robbed him of functional brain activity.
    "Thanks so much for bringing me, Bobby Gray. I can't wait to pet the newborns."
    He gulped at the admiring gleam in her eyes and reminded himself that he wanted to protect her, not ravish her. "Don't thank me too quickly. Wait until you're actually near enough to touch one."
    David Bishop must have recognized Davis's truck, because he came out of the barn before Bobby Gray had time to shut off the engine. Bobby Gray had always found David to be both friendly and knowledgeable about horseflesh.
    "Welcome, Bobby Gray." David slapped him on the back, then leaned into the truck to check out Kelli.
    Which Bobby Gray didn't much like. He scowled and forcibly kept the toe of his boot in the truck and not planted, hard, on the posterior of the big lug ogling Kelli.
    "Who's the pretty lady with you?"
    Not only did Bobby Gray not like it, but he wasn't sure whether he liked the fellow after all. However, Kelli lightly touched his forearm and, despite the briefest of skin contact, he coursed with warmth. She shot a warning look at him that demanded he not be rude, so he quickly performed the introductions.
    "I thought I recognized you, Dr. Palmer," said David with a handshake and a smile. He turned to Bobby Gray. "If you go through the barn and then out the back, there's a few pens with some of our best new arrivals. Our prize mare is in labor or I'd take you around myself."
    "We understand," replied Kelli before Bobby Gray could make it clear that David's presence was neither required nor desired.
    It didn't take long to walk past the stalls and out to the pens. He took momentary comfort from the familiar feel of straw crunching beneath his boots.
    The fragrant smell of fresh hay blended with the divine odor of prime horseflesh, one of his favorite scents.
    Bobby Gray didn't much care for the way David Bishop had admired Kelli. Some men seemed to have a nose for good breeding and Bobby Gray didn't appreciate the way David had taken deep breaths near Kelli.
    Again Bobby Gray's boot seemed to come alive, itching to make contact with David Bishop's posterior. But Bobby Gray did have to admit the man