Rough Ryder by Elizabeth Veatch, Crystal Smith Read Free Book Online

pride in her voice.
                       “Do you ride?” Mel asked as they reached the barn.
                       “Sorry to have to say no.  Do I have to? Surely there is something I can do that doesn’t require being on horseback.”
                       “Why did you come here?”
    Her back stiffened at the sound of the deep sultry voice behind her.   That voice would not be forgotten anytime soon.  Her panties became wet just at the thought of what he did to her. And she had thought about it many times. Wondering what would have happened if she hadn’t left that night.
                       “Ryder! When did you get back?” Mel squealed as she ran past her and jumped in his arms.
                       “Just pulled in poppet. How have things been going here?” Returning her hug as he watched Trinket over her head.  “Mooner been giving you anymore trouble?”
                       “He is still up to the same old mischief.  Won’t let anyone get near him.” Turning she walked over to the stall.  “Even tried to bribe him with some extra oats.  Stubborn thing took the bribe but then wouldn’t pay up.” Laughing as she looked in to admire the beautiful horse that was watching every move they made, like he knew they were talking about him.
                       “The master is here now so he’ll come around.”
                       “Oh, you’re the master now, huh?” Laughing, she turned to the horse. “You better watch out cause ‘The Master’ is here.”
                       “You’re so funny this evening, I do think I hear cook calling your name. Something about potatoes to peel.”  Ryder smiled widely at her.
                       “Oh, come on Ryder, you know I was just joshing you.”
                       “Maybe. But the potatoes won’t peel themselves. I think I can take over from here with …Miss?”
                       “Oh, I’m sorry, where are my manners, Trinket this is Ryder. Oh, I’m sorry, I mean Master Ryder.” With a squeal, she took off towards the barn doors. “Really your safe with him, I’ll see you at supper.”
    “Are you following me?   Do you work here?”  Trinket couldn’t believe her eyes.  Of all the places she could run into him, did it have to be here?  This was supposed to be a stress free vacation.
                       “I hate to burst your bubble, but no.  And yes.”
                       “Really?  What do you do?”  She was finding it hard to believe that he could work here.  This wasn’t a place where he could command something to do what he wanted.
                       “Just about everything. Except maybe peel the potatoes.”  He walked over to the stall Mel had been standing at.  “I reckon this little boy here is gonna be my challenge this week.”
                       Walking over to join him at the stall, she inhaled his scent.  She had dreamed about that smell.  It was as if his scent had been impregnated into her nose and would never leave.
    “What is the problem with him?  He’s a beautiful horse.” Holding her hand over the side, the horse rubbed the back of her hand with his nose.  “There isn’t anything wrong with you is there, sweetie.” Soft laughter came from her lips as the horse nuzzled her.
                       “Will wonders never cease?  You should feel lucky.  He doesn’t usually warm up so easily.”  Turning to the side to look at her, “You must have the touch.”
                        “I don’t have any touch.  I have never even been on a horse.”  She turned to look at him.  The look he had in his eyes told all.  She could see the shock and the remedy to that flashing in his eyes.  “Oh,