Mail-order Bridegroom Part 15

She glanced at him in surprise.

"Didn't you notice?"

"No, I didn't notice," came the blunt retort.

"Because it wasn't the d.a.m.ned horse that caught my eye."

Then what. Realization swiftly dawned, and color mounted her cheeks. Not

what. Who. He'd been distracted by her. and the fact that she'd only beenwearing a nightgown. Well, she couldn't help that. Nor did it changeanything.

"I don't see what difference it makes whether or not he's a stallion--' "

There's a big difference," he cut her off.

"Not many geldings I know are going to bust through a fence to get to a mare in heat. But you can count on a stallion doing it every time." He shoved his hat to the back of his head, apparently debating his options.

Leah didn't show any such hesitation. As far as she was concerned, only oneoption existed. Without giving thought to the consequences, she chargedacross the smashed fence and started after her stallion.

Or she would have, if Hunter hadn't been quite so quick. He spurred his

horse into action and blocked her path.

"What the h.e.l.l do you think you're doing?" he shouted, grabbing her horse's bridle and jerking her to a stop.

As much as she wanted to fight his hold, she didn't dare risk injuringLadyfinger's delicate mouth."What does it look like I'm doing?" she flashed back."I'm getting my horse. Let go, Hunter. We don't have much time."He stared in disbelief.

"You can't be serious."

"I'm very serious." Responding to her agitation, Ladyfinger attempted to rear, but a soft word and a gentle hand brought her under control.

Leah spoke urgently.

"If Bull Jones finds Dreamseeker on his property, he'll shoot

first and ask questions later. I have to get my horse out of there before that happens."

She gathered up the reins, prepared to rip free at the first opportunity.

As though he sensed her intentions, his hold tightened on Ladyfinger's bridle, preventing any sudden movement on her part.

"You try and rope that animal and he'll kill you--which won't matter because I'll have killed you long before he has the chance."

"Hunter," she interrupted, prepared to dismount and go after Dreamseeker on foot, 'we're wasting precious time. "

"Tough. You have two choices," he informed her.

"You can keep fighting me in which case that stallion will stay down there until h.e.l.l freezes over. Or..."

"Or?" she prompted impatiently.

"Or you can do exactly what I say and we might get him out of there.

But I'm telling you, Leah. You ever do anything as stupid as coming between a stallion and his mare and I won't be responsible for my actions. "

"Not responsible..." Anger flared and she made no attempt to curb it.

"That's what you said about my running around in my nightgown! That's apretty broad range you've got going there. Maybe you'd better tell me whatother actions alleviate you of your responsibilities. Just so there won't beany doubt in my mind."

"Believe me, the second you commit one, you'll be the first to know."

She didn't miss the implication. He'd let her know in his own distinctivemanner--and chances were excellent that it would involve another of thosemind-splintering kisses. She opened her mouth to argue, and was instantlycut off.

"Well? What's it going to be? My way or no way."

More than anything she wanted to tell him to go to h.e.l.l. But one quick glance at Dreamseeker and she knew she

didn't have any other choice.

"Your way," she gave in grudgingly.

"How hard will it be to get him back?"

"That depends on how long he's been down there with that mare. With any luckit's been all morning, and he's expended most of his... enthusiasm."

She eyed the seemingly placid animal.

"By the look of him I'd say he's expended plenty of enthusiasm."

Hunter didn't appear as certain.

"We'll see. Tie Ladyfinger out of the way and stand by the fence. I'm goingto rope the mare and try and bring her across. Dreamseeker will give chase.The second they're both on our property, you get that fence-line back up. If anything goes wrong, stand clear and don't interfere." Serious dark eyesheld her with an implacable gaze.

"Got it?"

"Got it." Following his instructions, she tied her horse out of the way andstuck her fence tool and staples into her utility belt.

Pulling on work-gloves, she took up a stance by the downed lines and gave hima nod.

"Ready when you are."

Jamming his hat low on his brow, he released his rope and slowly rode downthe hill. He waited near the bottom. Not wanting to arouse Dreamseeker'sterritorial instincts, he kept his distance from the mare, and though Leahcould barely contain her impatience she knew that Hunter hoped the stallionwould make things easy and move off a ways, allowing for a clear shot at the mare. Everything considered, the throw would be a difficult one.

Ten long minutes ticked by before an opportunity presented itself.

Gently, he swung the rope overhead and tossed. Leah held her breath as it soared through the air. and landed directly on target. With a swiftness born of both experience and a strong desire to get the deed done beforeDreamseeker caught wind of his intentions. Hunter dallied the rope around the horn and began to pull the mare up the hill.

The trapped animal fought him, rearing and pawing the air. Dragging a horse in the exact opposite direction from where she wanted to go was bad enough, but having to do it up a hill made it near impossible.

Leah could hear Hunter swearing beneath his breath, the sound of his saddle creaking and his horse blowing carrying to her as they inched their way toward Hampton property.

About halfway up the hill Dreamseeker suddenly realized what they were about.

With a shriek of outrage, the stallion gave chase.

Hunter's buckskin didn't need any more encouragement than that. The sight of seventeen hundred pounds of rampaging stallion barreling straight for them apparently inspired the gelding to redouble his efforts. Even the mare seemed to lose her reluctance.

All too quickly Dreamseeker reached them. Instead of attacking Hunter, the stallion nipped at the mare, who stopped fighting the rope and abruptly changed direction, charging up the hill, the stallion on her heels. It was all Hunter could do to get out of the way.

"Leah, stand clear!" he shouted.

Intent on regaining his own territory, Dreamseeker drove the frightened mare before him up the hill and on to Hampton property. As the horses stormed past Hunter released the rope and followed close behind.

"Get that fence up fast, before he changes his mind," Hunter bellowed over his shoulder, positioning himself between Leah and the threatening stallion.

An agitated Dreamseeker milled nearby, clearly uncertain whether to challenge the intruders or escape with his prize. Hunter tensed, prepared for either eventuality.

Not wasting a single second, Leah slammed staples into the post, securing the barbed wire. Not that it would stop Dreamseeker if he decided to head back to the Circle P. But maybe now that he'd successfully captured a mare and returned to his own domain he'd be less inclined to break through again.

She cast an uneasy glance at her horse. At least, he wouldn't break through unless there were more mares to he had.

With a shrill whinny, Dreamseeker finally chose to retreat. Racing away from them, he hustled the mare toward the far side of the pasture. a.s.sured that the danger had pa.s.sed. Hunter climbed off his buckskin and tied him to the fence.

"Where's Ladyfinger?" he asked, freeing his fence tool from its holster.

She spared him a quick look.

"Broke the reins and took off. I guess she figured that Dreamseeker meant business and didn't want to get between him and whatever that business might be."

He made a sound of impatience.

"You'll have to ride with me. Once we're done here, we'll head on in."

"Right." She didn't dare say more, not until he'd had a chance to cool off.

He joined her at the fence; helping to string wire and reinforce the posts.

They worked side by side for several minutes before Leah thought to ask, "What do we do about that mare?"

"We aren't going to do anything. When she isn't such a bone of contention I'll cut her loose and return her to the Circle P."

Leah paused in her efforts.

"What about Bull Jones?"

To her surprise a slight smile touched Hunter's mouth. "I'll send him a bill for stud service." He strung the final line of wire and glanced at her.

"Is that stallion saddle- broken?"

She shook her head."Not yet, but--' " He's wild? " Hunter didn't wait for her confirmation."He goes."She straightened, wiping perspiration from her brow. "You can't be serious!""I'm dead serious. He's dangerous and I won't risk your safety on a dangerous animal."

"Then you'll have to get rid of the bulls, the cows and every other critteraround here," she retorted in exasperation. "Because in the right circ.u.mstances any one of them could be considered dangerous, too."

"I'm not changing my mind," he stated unequivocally, stamping the groundaround a listing post. How could she explain Dreamseeker's importance? Hunter would never understand. She wasn't sure she understood. All she knew was that the stallion touched a need, fulfilled a fantasy of being unfettered and withoutresponsibilities. Though part of her hoped some day to tame the wild beast,another part longed to allow the stallion his freedom--just as she longed toexperience a similar freedom. It was an unrealistic dream, but she didn't care.