Free Jake, Devils on Horseback, Book 2 by Beth Williamson Page A

pulleys pulled the grain through to the iron rollers, and all the various steps that brought the wheat kernels to the flour he was used to seeing.
    Gabby spoke of the mill as a mother does a child, with passion and love. She could talk about it for hours on end, Jake was sure. He lost track of how much information she gave him, and he didn’t follow all of it completely, but he understood the basics of the mill and what the problem was.
    The waterwheel had half its boards damaged, the other half were rotting off. From what he could see through the opening, it would be a hell of a lot of work to fix it. No wonder the old man couldn’t do anything about it.
    Jake climbed onto the ledge, ignoring Gabby’s protest. “Can you stop the water flow?” he called.
    “Yes, but that’s something you’re going to have to help me do.” She hoisted herself up next to him and pointed down. “We have to stop the wheel down there.” The warmth from her body meshed with his and he had to tighten his hold of the sill to avoid grabbing her. A rush of sensation flew through him as quickly as the water that rolled past the mill. Her scent today was a combination of flour, grease and woman, which tickled his senses.
    Her physical agility should have surprised him, but it didn’t. He took it as part of who she was, even if she wasn’t one of the sweet Southern ladies he was used to. Gabby was different, very different. Jake smiled into the cool spray from the water and glanced at her. Tiny bits of moisture clung to her smooth cheeks and full berry-colored lips. Jake’s mouth went dry as a pulse of pure arousal slammed him.
    He wanted to kiss her, more than once. God, he wanted to taste her, to find out if she was as sweet and delicious as she looked. Jake shook with the need, the hunger that bit into him. Gabby turned to him wearing her perpetual frown.
    “What is it?”
    Jake shook his head. “Nothing. Not used to heights I guess.” He smiled. “Can you show me the bottom of the wheel?”
    “Sure.” Her even white teeth gnawed on the plump bottom lip. “If you don’t think you can do it, tell me now. I don’t want to get my hopes up, or worse yet, my father’s hopes up, over nothing.”
    “Oh, I can do whatever you need me to.” Jake’s voice rang with conviction. “No matter what you think of me or my friends, we will help Tanger. I will help you .”
    Gabby nodded and jumped down. From the expression on her face, she wasn’t convinced Jake would or could do the work, but he wasn’t about to let her down. Suddenly being around Gabby and making her happy became the most important thing in the world to him.
    * * * * *
    The water sounded like thunder when they stood behind the wheel. The combination of the splashing and slap of the paddles added to the cacophony. It was one of Gabby’s favorite places. She loved to sit on the stone wall that ran behind the mill and watch the wheel turn, feeling the spray of the water on her face. Truth was, she did her best thinking sitting there. Ever since she was little, it was her spot, especially when she was troubled.
    Today that trouble stood beside her in the form of a redheaded man with a devastating grin and beautiful blue eyes. Jake Sheridan was unlike any man she’d ever met. He was charming, smart and funny, enough of a distraction to make her nervous. Gabby’s world was too small for a man as big as he was. In every way, he was just too big. She was used to handling problems and being the voice of reason—he threatened that control.
    “I think I finally understand how it all works.” He tipped his black hat back. “At least enough to know what you need me to do.” With a grin, he knelt down at the water’s edge and stuck his hand in the current.
    Gabby had the insane urge to push him into the water, whether to cool him off or to make herself feel better, she wasn’t sure. Her fingers actually itched to touch him, to feel the texture of his shirt, the heat of the