Free The Texan by Bobbi Smith Page B

back to ranch business, but the image of the two girls, Emmie in particular, frolicking in the water so scantily clad was burned into his mind.
    Josh frowned, angry with himself for his reaction. He couldn’t believe that Emmie had been there only two days and he’d already seen her in a revealing nightgown and now almost naked. She was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever known. There was no denying it, but she was also Hank’s daughter, and now his partner. Somehow he was going to have to find a way to keep his mind on the ranch when they were together. It wasn’t going to be easy, for he knew they were going to be together a lot. Josh tried once more to focus on work as he kept riding. He had a lot more to get done yet that day.
    Millie had remained quiet through the whole conversation, and she looked over at Emmie now as Josh disappeared from sight. She wondered at her friend’s reaction to his unexpected appearance. It was obvious to her that he’d been concerned about them, and she wondered why his concern had made Emmie so testy. She decided to bring the question up once Emmie had calmed down. “I guess it’s safe for us to get out of the water now.”
    “I guess,” Emmie said, still irritated
    They waded out and quickly pulled their clothes on over their wet undergarments. It wasn’t easy or comfortable.
    “That was fun. It did cool me off,” Millie said with a smile, wanting to lighten Emmie’s mood. “But I’m not sure I’m going to like the ride home, still being wet this way.”
    Emmie grinned back at her. “Don’t worry. We’ll dry out real quick once we start moving.”
    They mounted up to return to the ranch.
    “Emmie…” Millie began tentatively.
    “What?” Emmie glanced at her friend as she rode along beside her at a leisurely pace.
    “Why did you get so angry with Josh?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You were really rough on him, telling him he wasn’t your father or your boss.”
    “He isn’t.”
    “I’m sure he’s well aware of that. The only reason he came out here looking for us was because he was worried.”
    “But we weren’t lost,” Emmie declared.
    “He knows that, too, now, but he might have thought we’d run into some kind of trouble when we were gone so long.”
    Emmie sighed, still trying to understand her own feelings about her new partner. “It’s just that…”
    “What?”
    “Well, I understand he’s the foreman, but learning he was my father’s partner and all…it takes some getting used to.”
    “I thought you two were getting along all right after last night.”
    “I thought we were, too. He just surprised me today, checking up on me like that.”
    “Yes, but think about it. Josh was only trying to help.”
    “But I didn’t need—”
    “I know, I know.” Millie smiled. “You didn’t need any help, but be glad you’ve got it. What if we really had been in trouble and nobody even cared enough to notice we were missing until it was too late?”
    Emmie begrudgingly had to admit to herself that Millie had a point. She halfheartedly conceded, “You’re right.”
    “You know what you should have done?” Millie began, trying not to smile and let on what she was about to say.
    “What?”
    “You should have asked him to come swimming with us instead of sending him packing.”
    “Millie!” Emmie gasped, completely shocked by the idea.
    “He’s awfully handsome in a rugged sort of way, don’t you think?” Millie teased, grinning at her friend’s reaction.
    “Well, yes.”
    “Maybe one of these days he
will
come swimming with us. Think how much fun that would be!”
    “You are a wild woman!”
    “Isn’t that why you like me? Because we’re so much alike?”
    Millie started laughing, and finally Emmie did, too.
    “All right. You win. I’ll apologize to him,” Emmie said.
    “Good.”
    “But I don’t know that I’ll tell him about your idea.”
    They laughed again.
    “You’re going to have to find a way to make your