Of Wolves and Men by G. A. Hauser Read Free Book Online

helpin’ me any!” he yelled at Spirit who was spinning like a top from nerves. “Just calm down. All right? There ain’t nuthin’ here.”
    Charlie swung his leg up and over the saddle. Before he left, he noticed a big black crow perched on a birch tree branch. Below it was what looked like a piece of white gauze, lying on the ground.
    “I give up. That man is nuttier than a fruitcake.” He turned Spirit in the direction of the ranch and rode down the trail. “I have got to stop goin’ near him. That fella does not have all his marbles.” Charlie shook his head. “I’d be better off lookin’ for Joe and takin’ my chances with a man like that, then tryin’ to deal with a macho-fella who’s half nuts.”
    The closer they got to the ranch, the calmer Spirit became. But Charlie was a mess. The sexual contact with Roman was ideal, but nothing about that man made sense.
    Chapter 5

    Before he even made it to the barn, Charlie heard a young woman’s squeal of joy and spotted a yellow Ford Escort parked near the ranch house.

    Sherlane was obviously just arriving home from college. Charlie’s mind was so confused at the moment, he was struggling to function and do things he had done over and over again, like get Spirit out of his saddle and bridle.
    The conversation right outside the barn was nothing but noise. Charlie couldn’t make any of it out, but it was obvious the other boys were as excited to see Vernon’s daughter as Connie and Vernon were.
    Charlie put Spirit’s halter on, and led him to the paddock where the other horses were grazing on piles of hay.
    “Go on, ya pain in the butt.” Charlie slapped Spirit’s rump and he trotted happily towards his equine friends.
    Just as he closed the gate, Sherlane jumped into his arms in greeting. “Charlie Mosby! You just get cuter and cuter every time I visit!”
    The brown-eyed brunette nearly knocked his cowboy hat off in her excitement. He Sherlane.”
    He noticed watching. Butch was the only one with a jealous spark in his eye.
    He backed away from her politely and brushed off his hands, trying to not offend her. “I was just up the mountain…sorry.”
    “Don’t be.” She grinned flirtatiously.
    “Come on,” Connie waved at her as she hollered, “let’s all have some lunch. Suzie should be here any minute.”
    Sherlane reached for Charlie’s hand as if to escort him to the house with her.
    “Hun, I have to stop at the cabin and wash up. I’ll be there in a bit.”
    “Don’t be long.” She batted her lashes over her shoulder as she walked with the others.
    Charlie looked down at his boots, wondering if he had the scent of a man’s groin all over him. It felt that way, but maybe the aroma of horse was stronger.
    grabbed it and held on. “Howdy, her parents and the other three men
    He didn’t even glance at the rest of the group as he walked the path to his cabin. Standing in the living room, Charlie took off his coat, intent on a shower and change of clothing. He stood by the foot of his bed, removing his boots and unzipping his jeans. Something hit the window. Loudly.
    He started in surprise and looked out of the blinds. Nothing was there. Shaking it off, he continued to undress, planning to tell Butch he had no reason to feel jealous because…
    Another loud bang shook him up. He tugged the cord, lifting the blinds all the way up. There was shrubbery around his cabin, bare from the coming winter. Just as he was about to drop the blinds, a large bird hit the glass.
    “What the fuck?” Charlie leaned against the window sill to see. That crow, or one that looked exactly like it, was perched on a tree branch and making diving hits at Charlie’s window. “Stop!
    Are you crazy, ya dumb bird? It’s a window! You’ll knock yourself out!” He straightened his back. “Now I’m talkin’ to birds.” Shaking his head as if he knew he was insane, Charlie lowered the shade and continued to head to the shower. Another thump, louder than the