Free The Rough and Ready Rancher by Kathie DeNosky Page B

to the house.”
    She hesitated a moment, then mounted her horse and rode up beside Ryan. “What’s your problem, McCray?”
    Flint’s gaze never left his ranch hand. “I need to discuss something with Tom.”
    The man’s eyes locked with Flint’s. “Do what he says. It seems the boss has some things he wants to get off his chest.”
    Once Jenna and Ryan had ridden out of earshot, Flint rested his arm on the saddle horn. “You’ve been doingranch work long enough to know what can happen when you head a steer like that. And especially if the roper isn’t experienced.”
    â€œJenna told me she’d headed before,” Tom said, his expression tight. “And the way she roped that steer—”
    â€œCould have gotten her hurt or killed,” Flint interrupted. “If you’d like to continue working on the Rocking M, I’d better not hear of you putting her in danger like that again.” Flint knew he was being a class-A jerk and unreasonable, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “And while we’re on the subject, Miss Adams is off-limits. She’s here to do a job, and I don’t want her distracted.”
    Tom gave him a measuring look. “Is that the real reason, or are you staking a claim, boss?”
    Before he could think twice, Flint nodded. “Consider the deed filed.”
    Â 
    â€œJenna, do you like dogs?” Ryan asked.
    â€œSure,” she answered. “Why?”
    â€œI want a puppy.”
    Flint stopped his horse beneath a cottonwood and listened to his son’s excited voice. He smiled as he dismounted and ground-tied the bay. They were seated on the bank of a stream, and it was apparent Ryan had talked Jenna into taking him fishing after they returned to the house.
    His mood light, Flint headed in the direction of the voices. He’d done a lot of thinking since leaving Tom in the south pasture, and he’d reached several conclusions. He’d avoided Jenna, thinking it would cool his attraction to her. But if anything, it had only made matters worse.
    His smile turned to a satisfied grin. He could tell she hadn’t been unaffected by him, either. So why not take advantage of the time they had together?
    Now all he had to do was convince Jenna.
    â€œThe other day you wanted a kitten,” Flint said. He walked over to where Jenna and Ryan were fishing. “If you had a pet, who would take care of it?”
    â€œI would!” Ryan threw his pole aside and jumped to his feet. “Can I have one?”
    Flint chuckled as he hoisted his son into his arms. “I think we could handle a puppy a lot better than your choice of striped cats. But you have to promise to look after it.”
    â€œOh, I will, Daddy. When can I get my puppy? Today?”
    Flint winked at Jenna and set Ryan on his feet. “We could make a trip into Amarillo this afternoon, but what about your fishing trip?”
    Jenna felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach when Flint directed his devastating smile her way. She’d been right. Not only could he charm an old maid right out of her garters, the poor old soul would probably fall all over herself trying to take them off.
    â€œJenna, you don’t want to fish anymore, do you?” Ryan asked, his expression hopeful.
    Still shaken, it took a moment for her to realize what the child said. “No, I don’t suppose I do.”
    She watched Flint reach down, but instead of picking up Ryan’s fishing pole, his hand came to rest atop hers. Their eyes locked, and she felt warmed to the depths of her soul. When his large palm enclosed hers to pull her up beside him, her heart skipped a beat and her stomach did acrobatics.
    Jenna hastily pulled her hand from Flint’s, lost her balance and immediately experienced the strange sensation of flying. A split second later the cool water of the stream closed over her head and her seat bumped the