The Black Sheep's Proposal. Patricia Thayer

he said as he caught up to the child. His gaze met Tess’s and offered an easy smile.

      Ignoring the funny tingle, she touched her finger to her hat and nodded. “C’mon, Livy. We need to get going.”

      The child seemed hesitant, then said, “Mommy, can Mr. Luke go with us?” She turned back to the man in question. “You can ride Dusty…he’s real gentle.”

      It wasn’t a good idea. “Livy, Mr. Luke probably has a lot of things to do today.”

      The girl looked up at her new hero. “Do you?”

      Luke slipped his hands into his pockets. He wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t want to sit around the house all day…again. He shrugged, but felt his excitement grow. “No. I’m free. I wouldn’t mind seeing a little of the ranch.”

      The child grinned. “See, Mommy. He wants to see the ranch.”

      He watched Tess struggle with her decision. He couldn’t blame her, he was a threat to her family’s future.

      She finally said. “Okay, you can ride Dusty, and, Livy, you’ll have to double up with me.”

      Livy jumped up and down. “Oh, boy.” She grabbed Luke’s hand and nearly pulled him to the corral.

      Tess tied the reins to the railing. “You’ll need to adjust the stirrups.”

      “I think I remember how.”

      He went to work as she boosted Livy up on Whiskey. Then she went around to the other side of Dusty and helped him with his task. Finished with the one stirrup, Luke came around to the other side. Standing next to her, he caught the soft scent of soap and shampoo. He stole a quick glance at her face to find her skin scrubbed clean of any makeup, revealing a dash of freckles across her nose. She looked like a teenager.

      “That should do it.” She squinted up at him. “Just give Dusty his lead, and he’ll do the rest.”

      Luke nodded, happy to have something else to concentrate on. He jammed his boot into the stirrup, grabbed the horn and boosted himself onto the horse.

      Excitement went through Luke as he walked the buckskin away from the corral gate and tested some basic commands.

      “How does it feel?” Tess asked.

      “Good.” He glanced at her and smiled. “Real good.”

      “Okay, let’s go,” Livy said.

      “Hold your horses,” Tess said as she climbed up behind her daughter.

      The child giggled. “That’s funny, Mommy.”

      Luke couldn’t take his eyes off Tess. She easily handled the stallion. The animal danced away, but she got him under control with expert hands and soothing voice.

      They started off toward the south. Once in the open meadow, Livy turned to her mother. “I want to go faster, Mommy,” the child urged her.

      Tess smiled. “You do, do you? How fast?”

      “Really, really fast.”

      She gave a sideways glance at Luke. “We’ll be right back.” She made a clicking sound with her mouth as she squeezed the horse’s sides. Whiskey shot off in a run, then gradually began circling the pasture.

      Luke didn’t like being left behind, and neither did Dusty. “What do you think, boy? Should we try to catch them?”

      The horse bobbed his head. The instant Luke touched the heel of his boot against the animal, he took off. Awkward at first, Luke soon found the rhythm as he followed the female duo.

      Tess spotted Luke coming toward them. He didn’t look bad on a horse and more than capable of handling Dusty. She also couldn’t help but notice his broad shoulders and taut body. So the hotshot businessman was playing cowboy.

      She pulled on the reins to slow Whiskey so the other horse and rider could catch up.

      “Mommy, let’s show Mr. Luke the ponies.”

      “The mustangs? They still around here?” Luke asked, pulling up beside them.

      Tess nodded. “They are.” It wouldn’t hurt to show him what he was giving up. “Are you up for the ride?”

      “Sure.”

      About fifteen minutes later, they reached the edge of the Rocking R property, a large section of land called Mustang Valley. There were three other ranches that bordered this area, too. She slowed her horse, and Luke rode up next to them.

      “You did pretty well,” she told him, and patted Dusty’s neck. “And this guy sure needed the exercise.”

      Luke pulled off his hat and wiped his forehead on his sleeve. “Yeah.” He blew out a long breath. “But I think I’m a little out of shape, too.”

      No way. Then Tess chided herself for noticing. “Riding takes a lot more stamina than people think.”

      “I’m learning that the hard way.”

      “We have to be very quiet, Mr. Luke,” Livy warned as her voice lowered. “So not to scare the ponies.”

      “Okay, I’ll be quiet.”

      They continued over the rise down to the creek and Luke couldn’t help but look around at this special oasis. Vague memories flashed back to him as they passed through the large grove of aged oak trees, shading their journey. When they reached the bottom he heard the sound of water. Soon he saw the creek that ran along the edge of the trees. Tess stopped and climbed down, then helped Livy. He followed, and together they led the horses to the water, allowing them to drink.

      “You can drink, too,” Tess said. “The water is very good.”

      Luke crouched down, cupped his hands into the stream and drank the cool refreshing water. When he glanced up he caught sight of a small buckskin mare. Her mane and tail were long and shaggy, but she was a beauty.

      Whiskey sounded off with a loud whinny and began to dance around nervously. Tess immediately gripped the reins to hold on to the horse.

      “Whoa, boy. Slow down.” Luke went to her aid as the stallion reared up. He came behind Tess and grabbed hold of the reins closer to the horse’s mouth and held on tight. The powerful animal fought, desperate to answer the call of nature.

      “Whoa…fella,” Tess crooned, her voice low and sultry.

      Luke kept his mouth shut, knowing Whiskey was her horse. Finally the cries softened as did the fight. But it was Luke’s turn to feel the excitement. Tess’s body was pressed against his, and their arms still entwined. Her hat had fallen off, and his face against her ear.

      Damn, she smelled good.

      Suddenly Whiskey’s whinny brought him back to the present and the situation.

      The buckskin answered back, but she wasn’t alone. Off in the distance was a gray stallion. Even from far away, Luke could easily see the battle scars on the animal’s hide as he pranced around nervously. Then suddenly rearing up on his hind legs, he gave a piercing whinny that echoed through the silence valley. There was no doubt who was the alpha male in the herd. The little mare turned and ran off toward him. Whiskey gave one last neighing sound, then slowly calmed down.

      “Sorry, fella,” Luke said. “I think she’s already taken.” He glanced down at Tess. “You okay?”

      She looked up at him with those deep-blue eyes. “I’m fine. Thanks for your help.”

      “Glad to be of service.” He nodded to Whiskey. “I’d hate to see anything happen to this animal.”

      Taking full control of the reins, she stepped away. “That buckskin has…been around many times. But I’ve never seen Whiskey so…excitable before. She must be in season.”

      Luke couldn’t help be grin. “By the attitude of