Reckless Promise by Jenny Andersen Read Free Book Online Page A

thanked
whatever deity looked after crazed, terminally hormone-overloaded,
mid-thirties men, he saw her on the other side of the deck. His
mind went blank at the sight of her bending over to take a soft
drink from the cooler on the ground. Poppy, in a bathing suit that
rioted with scarlet and orange and yellow, so that she looked like
she'd been gift-wrapped in flame. He dropped to a lounger and
draped his towel across his lap.
    "Your tongue's hanging out." Tom sat in the
next chair and handed him a beer.
    Mac grabbed the bottle and held it to his
temple. Brought it to his mouth and gulped. Took a deep breath and
recited a quick multiplication table.
    "She does have that effect, doesn't she?" Tom
sounded proprietary.
    Mac wanted to punch the smug grin off his
face. "You're married," he reminded Tom again.
    "Married." Tom's gaze lingered on Poppy's
lush curves. "Not dead."
    Before Mac could decide which of the
unfriendly things in his mind to say first, Poppy sauntered over to
them and folded gracefully onto the foot of Tom's lounge chair.
    "Hi," she said. "Mind if I join you?"
    "Not at all." Tom moved over about half an
inch to make room for her.
    Mac growled, and shot a glance over his
shoulder. Alice wasn't in sight, but the curtain at the kitchen
window twitched. Great. Either she would watch Poppy hit on Tom—or
vice versa—or else Chickie would relay the play-by-play.
    Poppy gave Tom that megawatt smile, and Mac
would almost swear she positioned herself to give Alice a ringside
view. Then she stretched. If he were to be fair about it, her suit
wasn't all that skimpy. The problem was what it covered. He tilted
his beer and took a swig big enough to choke on. Tom pounded him on
the back until he stopped coughing.
    She turned to Tom. "Is there a trail ride in
the morning?"
    "You bet. Every morning, and once or twice a
week, an overnight ride. You interested?"
    "Absolutely. I haven't had a chance to ride
in years. I can't wait." Simple enthusiasm bubbled in her
words.
    Mac frowned. He didn't sense any attraction
there. And for all the flirty smiles, there hadn't been any back
there in the barn, either. He didn't understand. All the more
reason for him to ride herd on her. Twenty-four/seven, if
possible.
    "You come on down to the corral about eight
thirty and we'll pick you out a horse," Tom said. "That'll give us
about half an hour before the others show up."
    If Mac hadn't been barefoot, he'd have kicked
Tom. Poppy might not be a problem, but he was beginning to think
that Tom was. They were going to have a little talk. Soon. "Moses
assigns horses," he said.
    Her smile dimmed. "Moses? Oh, I don't
know..."
    "I'll take care of it." Tom left no doubt
about his intention to do it.
    "I'll be there at eight-thirty," she
promised. She did another one of those stretches that turned Mac's
mouth to desert. He adjusted his towel and glanced toward the
house. The curtain hung straight and undisturbed.
    Poppy asked about the horses, how many they
had, where they came from, who trained them. She interspersed the
light, impersonal chatter with under-the-lashes glances at Mac that
kept him simmering. He wished Tom would leave.
    About the time he thought Tom had grown
roots, Alice came out on the patio and called him. Tom rose
reluctantly. "Don't forget, eight-thirty." He strode off toward the
house.
    Finally. Mac leaned toward her.
    "So, you raise the ranch horses," she said.
"I'd like to hear about your breeding program. I've always had an
interest in practical genetics."
    "You know anything about horses?" Frustrated
lust turned his voice to a growl.
    "No, but I know something about genetics.
We'll have to talk about it." She stood and gathered up her towel.
"But right now I'd better get in out of the sun."
    "You haven't even been swimming." He got up
and she backed away a step. "The water's great."
    She shook her head. "No, I—"
    Alice came out onto the porch. "Mac," she
called.
    "Okay, let's go swimming." Poppy pushed Mac
into the