Free Heartbreak Ranch by Kylie Brant Page B

champion woman’s equestrian for two consecutive years in the early eighties?”
    He started to shrug, then stopped and looked down at her. “What’s that have to do with anything?”
    She smiled easily. “Nothing, I just thought it was interesting. Although, come to think of it, with his daughter’s interest in horses, the senator just might be intrigued by the breeding operation you’re planning at the ranch. You could mention it to him. Just as an icebreaker.” She regarded him gravely. “Your lack of conversational skills don’t come as a complete surprise, you know.”
    â€œDo tell.”
    â€œIt’s a scientifically proven fact that women invented communication. If it wasn’t for us, men would still be pointing and grunting.” She patted his cheek. “Be a good student and remember, most people ease into conversation with some civil pleasantries. They don’t immediately go for the kill. You might give polite chitchat a try.”
    â€œSomehow I think a flirting woman might have more of an edge in that department.”
    It was her turn to be offended. “I do not flirt!”
    Lightning should have struck her where she stood. “With those eyes, baby, you’re the world’s champ.”
    â€œI’m almost sorry I helped you.” Her mouth moved suspiciously close to a pout. “It’d serve you right if I didn’t tell you that he asked to be invited to your nextCattlemen’s Association meeting. He said something about seeking the group’s input.”
    â€œThat’s what we’ve been trying to give him for almost three years.” He watched as her eyes slid shut and she hummed under her breath to the music. Regardless of the bizarre way it had happened, he wasn’t about to look a gift senator in the mouth. Or something to that effect. The band switched to another slow song, and he tucked Julianne’s hand more snugly at his shoulder. Feeling undeniably more cheerful, he said, “Maybe bringing you along won’t turn out to be the catastrophe I feared.”
    She opened her eyes, and arched a brow. “Keep talking all mushy to me and I’m liable to melt right here at your feet.”
    He twirled her around a corner and grinned at her pleased smile.
    â€œYou’ve got some mighty unexpected moves, cowboy.”
    â€œYou haven’t seen the half of them.”
    â€œWhere’d you learn to dance?” she asked curiously.
    â€œMaybe it’s natural.”
    â€œOr maybe you spent your teen years practicing with the posts when we thought you were riding fence.”
    He regarded her gravely. “You still have a smart mouth, Julianne. That’s a mighty unattractive quality in a woman.”
    As usual, his barb was ignored. “You’re just mad because I guessed your secret. Don’t worry. You wouldn’t be the first boy to practice his…social graces…on inanimate objects.”
    He squeezed her hand more tightly and did a complex little series of steps guaranteed to impress. She kept up with him effortlessly. “All right, Annie taught me. Are you satisfied?”
    Her laugh gurgled out of her. “Annie? When?”
    â€œWhen I was fourteen and lacking many of those…social graces…you mentioned. She’d banish you from the kitchen, and once we were sure you were in your room or out of the house, she’d close the door and start the music.”
    â€œShe said she was helping you with your Spanish,” Julianne recalled.
    â€œ Bailar, ” he said solemnly. “To dance. You were a snoop even then. I lived in constant fear you’d come in and discover us, and make my life a living hell.”
    She laughed again. “I could have used the ammunition.”
    â€œYou’ve always done pretty well on your own.”
    The music ended, and the band members drifted away on break. Julianne turned her head, and for an