Holt watched the still-wobbly golden-chestnut filly check out her new surroundings. He wiped his hand on a towel and glanced across the gate at Leah.
“Congratulations, Dad,” she told him.
Almost against his will, he found himself smiling. “Thanks. Am I supposed to hand out cigars?” He couldn’t believe how a new foal could bring him such joy. Maybe it wasn’t the recent birth as much as the shared experience with Corey. And Leah.
“I guess someone needs to come up with a name,” Zach said. “You have any ideas, Corey?”
“You want me to name her?”
Zach exchanged a glance with Holt. “Sure.”
“Her coat is all golden,” Corey said.
“How about we call her Golden Girl?” Zach suggested.
“Goldie, for short,” Corey said.
“I like that.” Holt nodded. “Goldie it is.”
When Corey yawned, Zach suggested they all turn in. He’d keep an eye on the filly.
Once Corey was settled in bed, Holt followed Leah into the hall, but he stopped her before she retired to her room. When she looked at him with those big eyes, he nearly forgot what he wanted to say. But he couldn’t lose his nerve now.
“Leah, about earlier…I guess I jumped to conclusions before I knew the whole story.”
She didn’t say anything.
“You were right, I’ll go and talk to your sister in a few days.”
She sighed. “That’s all Morgan wanted you to do in the first place. You’ve got to start trusting people.” Leah started to turn away, but Holt stopped her.
“I wish I could change that.”
Leah wanted to believe him. She wanted a lot of things. She wanted to know the man behind the armor. The same man who held her one night when she was afraid to be alone. “There’s nothing wrong with admitting we need someone.” Unable to stop herself, she leaned into him and rested her head against his chest. She loved the sound of his pounding heart. “Just so you know. I’m here if you need a friend.”
Holt pulled back and his intense gaze locked on her. The heat between them quickly became electrifying. “Friends? Friendship is not exactly what I’m feeling for you right now.”
His head lowered and his mouth covered hers. The kiss started out slow and tantalizing, then began to feed on their hunger for one another. He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her closer, pressing his body against hers as his mouth magically caressed hers. With a moan, she parted her lips, allowing him inside.
Suddenly Holt broke off the kiss, leaving her dazed and confused. His eyes narrowed as he fought to slow his breathing. “Oh, Leah. I think we both want more than just friendship. A lot more.”
The following weekend was the Silver R roundup.
It wasn’t a large herd, but Holt needed help to bring the cattle in for branding. More men than Holt had expected showed up at dawn. All Zach had told him was that he had contacted enough neighbors to get the job done. The foreman had said nothing about the men bringing their families.
By midmorning, the mamas and bawling calves had been separated into the holding pens. Up at the house another crowd had gathered, then Leah and Claire Keenan ushered the bevy of women into the house.
“Relax,” Zach told Holt. “This is how we do things in Colorado. Neighbors help out neighbors.”
“There are so many people. How are we going to feed all these…neighbors?”
Zach nodded toward the women, and Holt saw the answer in the parade of dishes being carried into the house. “I don’t think you have to worry on that score, either. Leah and Claire have things in hand. Now, let me show you how to brand a calf.”
After the next few hours Holt decided he had never been so dirty, or so tired. Since he wasn’t an experienced roper, he ended up being the one who held down the calves to brand. It seemed like an easy job, but that changed after he’d gotten kicked in nearly every part of his body. Dust filled his eyes and nose, and the stench of burning fur and flesh hung in the air.
“Hey, Holt,” a neighbor, Bart Young, announced. “The ladies are calling us to eat.”
Holt turned to find that a number of tables had been set up under the trees on one side of the house. One table was covered with food and some men were already in line to eat.
His stomach growled. “Then I guess we better go eat.”
As the men washed under the water spigot next to the house, Holt looked around for Leah and found her with Corey. The boy had been a little help earlier, but now he was off to play with his friend, Mason.
Leah glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Holt. Sudden warmth spread through his veins clear down to his toes. The memory of their kiss the other night flashed into his mind. How he wanted to replay it again…and again. He quickly shook away the thoughts that would only get him in trouble.
“Well, look at you, Mr. Big City Boy,” Leah greeted him.
“I guess I am pretty dirty.”
“Ranching is a dirty business.” She gave him a slow once-over. “It seems to suit you, though. How are you handling it?”
He shrugged. “Not bad, but I’ll probably be black and blue by tomorrow.”
“One good thing, you’ll be so sore that you probably won’t even notice the bruises.”
They both laughed.
“You should get some food,” she said.
He glanced at the heaping platters of fried chicken, and the overflowing bowls of salads. “Zach says I have you to thank for organizing this.” He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. “I guess I never thought about food for today.”
“I figured,” she said. “And since there isn’t any pizza delivery out here, I called Mom and she got the women together to arrange this.”
“I’m indebted to her, too.”
Leah frowned. Would she ever get through to this man? “These people don’t want you to feel indebted. They’re doing this because John was a friend and neighbor. And I have no doubt that you’ll be just as willing to help them, too. Now, you better eat. You still have work to do this afternoon.”
“Only if you join me.”
She hesitated. The whole town was watching their every move anyway, so why not? “Sure. I’ll fix you a plate while you clean up.
“Great. Just make sure you get me some of whatever your mother made.” Grinning, he started walking as he popped the snaps on his shirt.
She managed a quick glance as his broad chest came into view. Then all too soon, Holt turned away and she started for the buffet to discover the other wives smiling at her.
She ignored them. What was the big deal? So Holt had kissed her a few times. Okay, so they’d been mind-blowing kisses. There wasn’t any law against that.
Leah picked up a plate, scooped up her mother’s potato salad, a few deviled eggs, two pieces of chicken and a roll. She then went to find two empty chairs at the table. Going back, she got her own food, but when she returned she found another visitor had arrived at the ranch.
Kaley Sims was dressed in a hot-pink tank top and jeans. She had taken Leah’s seat, but as close as she was to Holt, she might as well have been sitting in his lap.
Looking guilty, Holt stood when Leah arrived at the table. “Leah, you’re back.” He pulled out the chair on his other side. “Look who’s here,” he said as he nodded at Kaley.
“Hi,