Read Online Texas Heat by Bárbara McCauley - Free Book Online Page A

themselves, and besides, it’s too nice a day to sit in a car. I used to ride a lot when I was in college and I’ve missed it. Jessica said you wouldn’t mind if I rode Rosemary.”
    Jake dug at the mud holding the steer’s front legs. “This area is a little out of your way for a leisurely ride.”
    Rosemary sidestepped as she swung her head around to bite at a fly. Savannah tugged on the reins to steady the horse. “Since I was going to be out riding, anyway, Jessica pointed me in this direction and asked if I’d tell you that Mr. Williams called.”
    Damn! Williams was the loan manager at Midland First Federal, the bank that held the mortgage on the ranch. Despite the fact that Myrna’s father held a considerable interest in the bank, the manager had given Jake no leeway at all. Jake had been putting the man off for the past two months, but it was getting more difficult by the day. He’d have to deal with the bank soon, but for the moment, between a bogged steer and a sexy blonde, he more than had his hands full.
    Jake glanced up at Savannah as he tossed another glob of mud. She’d tucked up her hair under her hat, and a few stray golden curls swirled around her long slender neck. His throat tightened at the sight.
    â€œStone Creek is not the local equestrian center, Savannah,” he snapped. “You could have gotten lost wandering around. What would you have done if you’d run into a rattlesnake or a pack of wolves?”
    Her lips thinned as she straightened in the saddle. “Jessica gave me specific directions. And I doubt that a rattlesnake or a wolf would be any more irascible than you.”
    The steer bawled again, jerking its head as Jake yanked on the rope. “Oh, you’ll excuse me,” Jake said between clenched teeth. “I lost my charm in the mud somewhere.”
    â€œI said I was sorry.” Savannah lifted her chin. “It’s just a little mud, for heaven’s sake. I don’t really see what you’re making such a fuss abou—”
    The steer broke loose unexpectedly, knocking Jake backward into the mud again. The frightened animal then ran straight at Savannah’s horse. The chestnut reared. Savannah screamed as she flew from the saddle.
    And landed flat on her back in the mud beside Jake.
    She was too horrified to move. She stared up at blue sky, felt the wet mud creep between her arms and legs. Jake leaned over her, his deep blue eyes dancing with devilment.
    â€œI forgot to mention runaway steers and bog holes in my list of warnings,” he said, and his broad grin nearly blinded her.
    He thought this was funny! Damn him! Savannah tried to rise, but the mud sucked her back down.
    Jake rose to his feet, then pulled off a mud-covered glove. “Need a hand?”
    Fuming, Savannah brushed his hand away and struggled to free herself. Jake chuckled, then pulled himself from the bog and released the line on the steer. It trotted off, oblivious to the trouble it had caused.
    Savannah had managed to pull herself to a sitting position when a pair of strong arms suddenly reached for her. Gasping, she had no choice but to wrap her arms around Jake’s neck as he slipped his hands behind her knees and lifted her.
    She stared down at her new clothes. “How will I ever get these clean?” She groaned. “How will I ever get myself clean?”
    â€œIt’s just a little mud, for heaven’s sake,” Jake mimicked.
    Savannah narrowed her eyes. “Put me down.”
    â€œMy, my.” Jake clucked his tongue. “I see you’ve lost your charm, too. Maybe you’d like to go back and look for it.” He held her over the bog.
    Savannah shrieked and clung to Jake’s neck. “All right, all right. I’m sorry.”
    Terrified he’d drop her, Savannah burrowed herself into Jake’s chest. The front of his shirt was still relatively clean and she turned her face into