Free Count on a Cowboy by Patricia Thayer Page B

don’t think about arguing over this, because I don’t want to hear it.”
    “I won’t.” Grateful, she took the jacket and slipped it on. It was a little big, but fit her well enough. “It feels...warm.”
    He nodded and placed a hat on her head. “Now let’s go. I’ve trailered the horses to take up to the pasture.”
    Brooke put a few things in her pockets—cell phone, a granola bar and tissue—then hurried to catch up with him as he was already off the porch and headed toward the truck and trailer.
    “Will I be riding Cassie again?”
    He helped her into the raised truck. “No, it’s a harder ride than I’d like for her, and I want you on a sturdier mount.”
    Once inside the cab, he handed her a foil-wrapped package. “Here, eat this.”
    “I already had some fruit and toast.”
    “You need the calories today.” He drove through the gate, but instead of heading to the highway, he took a narrow road toward his ranch.
    Brooke unwrapped the foil to find a burrito.
    “It’s egg and bacon,” he told her.
    She inhaled the wonderful aroma. “Thank you.” How nice that he’d fixed her something to eat. She took one bite, then another. “It’s good.”
    “My specialty.” He unwrapped his own sandwich and began to eat as he drove along the bumpy path. He slowed a little. “Sorry, it’s a shortcut to the Lucky Bar L.”
    “I’m fine.”
    He pointed to the bottle in the cup holder. “There’s some orange juice.”
    She didn’t argue, just opened the container and took a big drink of the sweet liquid, then she turned her attention to the man beside her.
    The cab was dark, and in the close quarters, she felt a tingling of awareness. There was no denying she was attracted to Trent Landry. She had to fight really hard not to hope for anything more.
    She took another drink of her juice, then said, “Thank you for taking me along with you today.”
    “You might not want to thank me just yet.” She heard the amusement in his deep voice. “Let’s see how you feel when you get back.”
    * * *
    O NCE ON L UCKY Bar L land, Trent continued up the incline until he saw the metal pen he’d used for branding and inoculating his herd over the years. He parked beside the gate, climbed out and watched as Brooke stepped down. He couldn’t say what had possessed him to ask her to come along. He cursed under his breath. He knew exactly what had come over him.
    Lust.
    Over the past months, he’d been spending far too much time out here with only cows to keep him company, or taking men out on hunting and fishing trips. It had been a long time since he had some female companionship.
    He glanced at the pretty woman who’d intruded into his solitary life only forty-eight hours ago. Dressed in those snug jeans that covered her perfectly shaped bottom, she made his gut tighten in need. He had to push those thoughts aside. At least until he discovered that she came here for the reason she’d said.
    Hearing the sound of horse hooves, he looked up to see Mike and Ricky ride up.
    “Hey, Brooke,” Ricky called to her as he climbed off his horse.
    The other young ranch hand followed behind his friend. “Hi, I’m Mike.”
    She smiled at him. “Hi, Mike, I’m Brooke Harper.”
    He put his finger to his hat as he nodded, seeming nervous. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”
    “Please, call me Brooke.”
    Ricky spoke up. “I hear you’re going with us to move the herd.”
    “Yes, Trent was nice enough to let me come along. I hope I don’t slow you down or cause any trouble.”
    “These two seem to have a knack for that.” Trent went around the truck and released the trailer’s gate. Again he motioned for Mike’s help. The ranch hand walked into the hauler and expertly guided the mare down the ramp.
    Trent walked the black horse toward Brooke. He liked how she didn’t shy away from the large animal. “Remember Raven? She’ll be your mount today.”
    Brooke reached up and stroked the horse. “Are you sure I