Free The Cowboy Who Broke the Mold by Cathleen Galitz Page A

emotional stress to snakes?”
    “No, it’s just to make sure no trigger-happy hunter mistakes Mother for wild game.”
    Judson’s smile deepened to reveal matching dimples at the corners of his mouth. His voice dropped to a huskier tone, and he tossed her a wink. “Here I was going to offer my services in teaching you how to use a gun and you’ve gone and eliminated the need.”
    That wink was Carrie’s undoing. How could such an innocent gesture twist her insides into knots that would baffle the most experienced Girl Scout? A jab of dis- appointment sliced through her at the thought of losing an opportunity to let this incredible hunk wrap his arms around her again. If teaching her how to use a gun was anywhere as sensual as showing her how to set a snare, she’d gladly fire Mother and start packing a pistol.
    Roughly Carrie reminded herself how truly astound- ing her reaction was. Had she forgotten that this man had made her the laughing stock of the county? A frown creased her brow.
    “Honk! Honk!”
    Mother apparently had picked up on Carrie’s negative vibes. With wings outspread, the goose arched her slen- der neck and advanced upon her prey with the obvious intention of taking a series of well-aimed pecks at his leg.
    Judson backed up a step. “Call her off!”
    “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, eh, Mr. Horn?” Carrie smiled wickedly.
    Now that the shoe was on the other foot, she was thoroughly enjoying herself. Dismissing her guardian with a slightly regal air, she reassured her, “You can run along now, Mother. I’ve got things under control here.”
    Mother hesitated.
    It was galling to Carrie that even the goose seemedto recognize the obvious lie—that she was far from be- ing under control whenever Judson Horn was around.
    “Go on,” she shooed sternly.
    Mother waddled off a little ways, and Judson cleared his throat. He looked at the faces of the children gath- ered around them, all expectantly watching him. For a man who could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times he had ever apologized, this was not going to be easy.
    Sweeping his hat from his head, Judson assumed a contrite position. “I’d like to publicly set the record straight. It was wrong of me to lead you on the way I did about those jackalopes and…” He filled his lungs with a cleansing breath of fresh air. “I’m sorry.”
    The words came out in a rush. As his own children’s mouths fell open, he silently dared them to say a single word.
    Cowboy’s face split into a wide grin. He sharply el- bowed his sister, who seemed to be in shock.
    Carrie knew exactly how Brandy was feeling. She hadn’t thought it in this particular man’s nature to admit to any personal wrongdoing. A public apology was more than she had ever expected. Clearly such an ad- mission in front of his own children was not an easy thing for him. She scrutinized his face to ascertain his sincerity.
    “I accept your apology, Mr. Horn.”
    Had he expected her to say anything else with her entire class looking on?
    As a flicker of relief registered in those eyes of pure blue, the realization that this rough-and-ready cowboy had actually been nervous softened Carrie’s heart. His vulnerability touched her.
    The rest of the world faded away as green eyessmiled into blue, and the animosity between them was replaced with a tentative feeling of friendship—and something more. Call it chemistry. Call it lust. Call it downright stupidity. Whatever it was, it crackled be- tween them like electricity arching across a night sky.
    And it was obvious to even the youngest in the group. Dismay illuminated Brandy’s fine features as she moved to her father’s side and possessively slipped her little hand into his.
    The sound of a bus rattling down the dirt road re- minded Carrie and Judson of where they were. Snuffy waved broadly in their direction as she brought the bus to halt in front of the schoolhouse.
    “Class is dismissed,”