Free Randall Honor by Judy Christenberry Page B

three hours. Maybe that would keep him going.
     
    T WO HOURS LATER , the storm had come. Rain was pouring down and Jon realized why she’d told him to wear the cowboy hat. His baseball cap would have protected his face, but it would have left his neck bare, with rain pouring inside his jacket.
    Trees were not as thick, so they must be getting closer to the tree line, where it was too high for them to grow. At least it made the paths a little wider. When they came across another tree ahead offering a little shelter from the rain, Victoria stopped her horse under its branches.
    “I don’t think we should dismount, but maybe we’ll wait here a few minutes and see if the rain stops. Want your snack now?”
    He growled. “I think I could eat Snoopy at the moment.”
    “Don’t say that. He’ll run away with the snack.”
    “My apologies, Snoopy. I didn’t realize you were so sensitive.”
    She gave him a sympathetic smile. “I’m going to share my addiction with you, but you mustn’t tell anyone.”
    “I hope your addiction is for T-bone steaks.”
    When he looked hopefully at her, she giggled. “Nope, afraid not. I’m addicted to cupcakes. Theones with cream in the center.” She pulled out a package of cellophane-wrapped cupcakes.
    He looked at the two cupcakes in his package and figured they’d last him about two seconds. But they were better than nothing. Ripping off the packaging, which he slipped into his jacket pocket, he practically swallowed them whole. But he found them surprisingly satisfying.
    “I think it’s all the chocolate, but they always pick me up, don’t you think?” Tori asked him.
    “Yeah. You wouldn’t happen to have any more, would you?”
    She offered another package, much to his surprise. “I was actually joking,” he admitted. “I’ll split them with you.”
    She grinned. “I have another package, too. This is a hard trip. It takes a lot of energy, even for an experienced rider. You’re doing very well, but we still have a couple of hours to go.”
    They munched in silence, listening to the raindrops hitting the leaves overhead. It was an amazingly peaceful place.
    Until a bolt of lightning ripped the sky.
    “Ooh! We’ve got to get away from the tree. So I guess we’d better go ahead. Hopefully we’ll ride out of the storm soon.”
    Jon could only agree.
    While he wouldn’t recommend four cupcakes as a snack, he agreed with Victoria. They had an amazing effect on him. It had to be the chocolate. He’d have to remember to put them on his shopping list if heever planned a trip into the mountains again. Especially if Tori accompanied him.
    He’d watched her tongue dig into the cream center, pleasure in her eyes. It hadn’t taken a second to want to see that look on her face again, her tongue seeking something else. In spite of his aches and pains, he was finding this ride amazingly pleasurable.
    The trail took a dip into a small valley. Jon preferred riding up to riding down, though he had no choice but to follow Victoria. At least the rain wasn’t in his face so much with his head down.
    It was easy to pretend it was a hundred years earlier and he was a man heading west to build his life with his woman, his wife. The courage of the pioneers had been remarkable. That thought gave him something to think about besides Tori.
    When they reached the bottom, Tori pulled up and waited for him to reach her side. “I just wanted you to know that the cabin sits on the top of this ridge. It’s only half as high as the one we just crossed. We’ll be there in about an hour, then we’ll be able to get out of the rain. Are you soaked?”
    He nodded. “Pretty much, but thanks for the encouragement.”
    With a nod, she started off again.
    One hour. He could last that long, surely. Even though his legs were aching, his rear was sore, his—well, everything below the waist was in pain, he could last one more hour. Too bad Tori didn’t offer him any more cupcakes. Eating seemed to