Free Van, Becca - Slick Rock Cowboys [Slick Rock 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Becca van Page A

eat, aware of the two masculine, sexy cowboys eying her. She couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face, and then she was laughing out loud at the two astonished men. It looked like they didn’t know how to treat her anymore. Maybe they were too scared she would burst into tears again. Hmm, she might be able to use that to her advantage.
    “Are you goading us, little girl?” Clay asked with narrowed eyes.
    “Would I do that?” Tara replied with a smile that wouldn’t melt butter.
    “I do believe you would. Just remember, we are bigger, stronger, and a lot meaner than you’ll ever be, sweet,” Johnny replied with a smile. And Tara knew he was happy to see the life back in her eyes.
    Tara finished her toast, collected all the dishes, put them in the dishwasher, wiped down the counters and the table, and turned back to Clay and Johnny.
    “So, which horse do I get to ride?”
    “Come on out to the barn and take your pick. Actually, how long has it been since you’ve ridden, baby?” asked Clay.
    “The last time was with you two.”
    “Okay, we’ll give you Pepper to ride, since she’s more docile. No, Tara, don’t argue. Until I know you’re back up to par with your riding, you get Pepper,” Clay stated.
    “Okay. Let’s go, time’s a-wasting,” Tara said as she grabbed hold of Clay’s hand to drag him from the house.
    They rode out of the yard to the west of the property. Tara hadn’t felt so free and alive in a long time. She loved the scents of the cypress trees, animals, and wildflowers growing sporadically in the paddocks. She kicked Pepper into a canter, and with the exhilaration flowing through her veins, she upped the pace until she and Pepper were galloping across the fields. She laughed out loud. She had missed the freedom of riding a horse in the country. She was finally free from the hustle and bustle of a city. She never wanted to go back to that horrible, lonely place. She slowed Pepper to a canter and then a walk as she cooled the animal beneath her down, Clay and Johnny on either side of her.
    “You have no idea how much I’ve missed this. Thank you. Both of you,” Tara said gratefully.
    “It’s our pleasure, Tara. We just want you to be happy,” Clay replied.
    “You know what? For the first time in eight years, I am happy, and it’s thanks to you two. Let’s go paddle in the stream, then we’d better head back so I can make you two pigs some lunch. Oink, oink, oink.”
    “Oh, you are so going to pay for that, sweetheart,” Johnny said with a grin.
    “Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re gonna put me over your knees and tan my ass. You have to catch me first,” Tara said over her shoulder as she nudged Pepper into a gallop once more.
    Tara rode into the yard to see a car parked near the house. The woman that got out of the small, expensive car made Tara feel really dowdy. She wore a feminine, sophisticated dress, which hugged her voluptuous curves, and the heels she teetered on across the yard were so high it was a wonder she didn’t twist her ankle and break it. Tara ignored the woman and rode Pepper into the barn. She dismounted, removed the saddle, and backed Pepper into her stall. She removed the bridle and then began the process of rubbing Pepper down and currying her with the specialized comb. She made sure Pepper had water and then left the barn to head for the house. Tara was halfway across the yard when she heard the woman speak.
    “I’ve missed you so much, Clay. Why haven’t you been to see me?”
    “I told you before, we’re done, Celia. Why do you keep coming out here?”
    “Come on, Clay. You, me, and Johnny had such a good thing going. Why do you want to throw it away?”
    Tara didn’t wait around to hear the reply. Just when she was feeling on top of the world again, that bitch had to turn up. She knew Johnny and Clay were healthy, sexual men and wouldn’t have waited around for her, but having the situation right in her face made pain stab into her