Second Chances by Cheyenne Meadows Read Free Book Online Page A

pulled tight over his arms and
back as he lifted the fifty pound feed sacks to pour into each plastic tub. He
repeated the action over and over again. The flex and tug gave the shirt a
workout, which got her pulse pumping. She licked her lips. There was nothing
like a powerful man in his prime. She could stand there all day, watching him
work. Then once the task was done, follow him into the shower, run a washcloth
over his ripped physique, and drag him to the bed to ride ‘em hard—cowgirl
style.
    There go my hormones again. Shoving the erotic thoughts
aside, she opted to actually make herself useful.
    She
wandered over, and grabbed up the first container. “Who does this go to?”
    He
looked up at her in surprise. “I can get it.”
    “I
know. But instead of standing around like a bump on a pickle, I’d prefer to
help out.”
    He
studied her for a moment before gesturing to the closest stall. “That’s
Bobbie’s. The little bay closest to us.”
    Carrying
the feed, April opened the stall, found the holder, and set the bucket down.
Before she secured the door, she heard crunching sounds from a hungry mare. She
hurried back, and grabbed the next container. “This one?”
    “That’s
Rule’s. I’ll take his.”
    She
released the handle and moved ahead in the line. “That’s your stud, right?”
    “Take
that one to Hailey. The black filly on your left.” Dusty walked over, picked up
Rule’s feed, and headed toward the back stall. “Yeah. He’s a grand champion
quarter horse. I’m lucky to have gotten him at a decent price.”
    “You
raise your own stock then?” She did as bidden, making her way to yet another
horse.
    “Very
few. Two of the colts are mine. The third belongs to a boarder.” He returned,
picked up another bucket, and headed back down the middle of the lane.
    “Why so
few? I’d think people would be looking for well bred horses to buy.”
    “The
economy hit horses hard, leaving an abundance, as you already know. Even those
who show horses have cut back. While several pay a stud fee to use Rule, I
limit the number of mares I breed to two each year. One day I might want to
expand the operation, but right now, I’m doing good with small numbers that I
can handle.” He handed her the next one as she approached. “Turnip, the sorrel
gelding that looks like he’s asleep all the time.”
    She
grinned. “That’s what happens when you’re old. Nap time is warranted.”
    His
lips twitched. “I suppose so.” He grabbed up a couple of buckets and made his
way to her horses. With a quiet tone, he slid the stall door open and stepped
in. April held her breath, debating hurrying over to assist or giving Dusty a
chance on his own. Standing still, she watched Miracle’s ears flatten only to
lift a hair as he began speaking to her, then gradually flip back and forth as
if she couldn’t decide what to do in this particular situation. He moved lazily
across the front of the stall, holding the bucket of feed out to her the entire
time. She stared at him for a couple of minutes as if debating the risk and
danger of getting too close to a man, then stretched her neck out, just far
enough to gather a few oats off the top. After she chewed those, she repeated
the action, gradually becoming bolder. By the time Dusty settled the bucket in
the holder, Miracle had eaten part of her breakfast with him holding the bucket
and appeared somewhat comfortable.
    “Wow.
You do have a touch.”
    He
stepped out of the stall, securing the door behind him. “She just needs time
and a reason to believe.” Without stopping, he headed straight for the few
remaining buckets. “This goes to Tulip and Tansy, the bay mare with the star on
her forehead. You’ll have to hold the bucket for the foal or Tulip will push
her out.”
    “Okay.”
Gathering up the items, April walked to the stall, stepped in, gave the big
mare her food, and held the smaller bucket for the pretty little black foal.
Out of the corner of her eye,