Free Loco by Cheyenne Meadows Page A

posting the test when their timeframe for taking the exam arrived. The computer automatically graded their answers, allowing them to see their results immediately. It would also add that score in with their others, compile a total, and translate that into a letter grade. She would look over everything after the timeframe expired, verify results, and then forward the letter grades to her department head. For all that work, she earned a month off before reloading for a shorter summer session.
    A month off. What would she do? On previous vacations, she stayed home and played lazy. Once, she loaded Hercules up and went on a short trip, staying in a dog-friendly hotel for a few days while they wandered the beach and marveled at the vastness of the ocean.
    Tanner might be home for at least part of that time. The thought made her smile. A whole month of teasing and flirting, running and snuggling. Whose bed would they sleep in and where did that leave Hercules? What in the world am I thinking? Oakley checked those thoughts. Talk about putting the cart before the horse. They hadn't been intimate yet, and she was already considering sharing a bedroom each night.
    Yet. The magic word. For the first time, thoughts of sleeping with a man didn't set off warning bells and near panic. Instead, she embraced this opportunity, feeling comfortable and confident in her neighbor. Something about him drew her, compelled her to learn more about him, to be with him.
    Then tear his clothes off, jump on board, and ride him, cowgirl. She snorted. Where did the hussy voice come from? Talk about mind in the gutter. Oakley chuckled at herself. She kind of liked this newly found part of her mind. With any luck, she would be able to explore it physically as well as mentally for a long time to come. If Tanner said anything about it, she would simply blame him for corrupting her. It was the truth, after all.
    Before him, she rarely thought much about getting naked with a man. Old fears haunted her enough to make her reconsider the wisdom of having sex. Now, she couldn't wait to unleash her inhibitions and soak up the knowledge only Tanner could provide.
    A cold nose to her behind jarred her from her thoughts. Spinning around, she found Hercules looking up at her with pitiful brown eyes and abject begging. "Okay. Okay. Can't have you going hungry." With practiced ease, she pulled her long locks up into a ponytail before heading off toward the kitchen. She opened a cabinet, pulled a large bag of dog food from it, and then poured it into the extra large dog bowl sitting on a raised platform. When she adopted the large dog, his foster mother warned her of the importance of keeping food and water bowls elevated so he didn't have to eat at floor level. That lessened his chance for gastric torsion, a condition highly fatal in large dogs if not treated immediately.
    As he crunched away, she returned to the bedroom, trading pajamas for shorts and a T-shirt. Dressed, she finished her morning routine with brushing her teeth and a quick scrubbing of her face. By the time she finished, Hercules emptied his bowl and stood at the back door, tail wagging in an obvious signal that he needed out. She slid the door open and Hercules bounded to the grassy area.
    Not spying Tanner outside, Oakley gathered up Hercules's leash, snapping it on his collar when he finished his morning business. Together they trotted down the park trail behind the house, beginning their run. The return circle took them by the front of the condo where she spied Tanner's car. He must have gotten home late and still be sleeping. Her mood perked up at once as thoughts of possible activities for the day entered her mind. Breakfast muffins topped the list.
    She picked up the pace, finishing with a sprint to the back patio. Panting, she immediately filled Hercules's water bucket, allowing the dog to drink his fill.
    As soon as Hercules finished drinking, Oakley took him inside. He plopped down on his comfy