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  “I’m sorry, what did you say?” Shivley was able to stutter. She hoped that her other guests hadn’t seen her outright ogle Rachel like she had just been doing.

  “I asked if this was deep enough,” Debra replied, pointing to the hole they had just dug.

  Shivley tore her eyes away from Rachel and tried to focus on the point in question. It took several seconds of concentrated breathing for her to gather her wits to be able to answer.

  Chapter Twelve

  Just before noon Shivley had everyone mount up and led them back to the stream where they had been the day before. Ann was waiting with lunch and several coolers of cold drinks. Soon the hisses and pops of soda cans peppered the air as the women settled in for their midday meal.

  Ann had also brought along six all-terrain vehicles. They were lined up in twos on an aluminum trailer pulled behind one of the pick-up trucks Shivley had on the ranch. The vehicles were all shiny red, with large knobby tires to grab the rough terrain, and metal racks on the front and rear to carry whatever gear was needed. Today, the racks were empty and the gas tanks full.

  Jane spoke up first. “Are those for us?”

  Shivley had a mouth full of ham sandwich and could only nod.

  “Cool, I love riding quads,” Christina piped up.

  A chorus of “Me too’s” followed, and in no time Ann and Shivley had the vehicles unloaded and the wide black vinyl seats occupied. Debra rode with Christina, Ellen and Jane doubled up, with Sue and Cindy going solo. Shivley was helping Ann clean up after lunch when she felt rather than saw someone standing behind her. Her skin prickled and the hair on the back of her neck stood up.

  “Will you take me for a ride?”

  The request was simple enough, but Rachel said it in such a way that there was no mistaking the double meaning. Shivley cast a quick glance at Ann, who was struggling to hold in an “I told you so” smirk and turned around. Rachel was so close that Shivley’s arm brushed across her breasts, and Shivley’s eyes got no farther than the nipples that had sprung to attention under the inadvertent brush. She couldn’t speak.

  Rachel’s nipples were hard and her crotch throbbing when she reached for Shivley’s hand and led her silently to the empty quad. She climbed onto the rear of the seat and patted the front, indicating she wanted Shivley to drive. Rachel wanted Shivley in front of her where she had unimpeded access to the body that was driving her crazy. Her hands itched to touch Shivley, and this was the perfect opportunity. Shivley slid into the seat, turned the key, and started the powerful engine. Rachel wrapped her arms around her middle and leaned into her. She was inches away from Shivley’s ear when she said, just loud enough for Shively to hear, “I’m ready whenever you are.”

  Spasms shot through Shivley’s body in the course of several seconds. First when Rachel put her arms around her, then when she leaned her hard nipples into her back, and finally when her warm breath tickled her ear. Shivley wasn’t sure how long she would be able to concentrate on her driving with Rachel in this position. When Rachel’s hands drifted lower on her belly and her fingers grazed her crotch, Shivley gunned the throttle and they took off.

  It took several seconds for Shivley to regain control of the vehicle and reduce the speed to what was appropriate for the terrain. They rode along the bank of the stream, following the trail the other riders had taken a few minutes ago. Shivley’s hands grasped the handles tightly, her knees hugging the warm gas tank. The placement of Rachel’s hands was another matter altogether. They roamed freely over her stomach and thighs, and up and down her sides until Shivley almost crawled out of her skin. Rachel had her in a compromising position and was using it to her advantage.

  “I like this.” Rachel spoke into Shivley’s ear.

  Rachel’s breasts were pressed tightly against her back and her legs straddled her ass, and Shivley groaned out loud. She knew Rachel could not hear her over the noise of the engine, and it gave her a millisecond of relief from the torment Rachel was putting her through. She shifted gears, and when Rachel’s hands drifted north, she released the clutch too quickly and the engine sputtered and stalled, coming to a sudden stop.

  “Jesus Christ, Rachel, you’re gonna get us killed.” Actually, Shivley was already dying a slow death from Rachel’s teasing.

  Rachel’s hands were just under the curve of Shivley’s full breasts, and when she leaned forward, she could see Shivley’s nipples straining against the fabric. Her fingers started to move. “Mmm, I like this a lot.” She was almost purring.

  Shivley grabbed Rachel’s hands before she could do any more damage to her self-control and laid them on her thighs, covering them with her own. “Rachel, I mean it. You can’t do that. It’s dangerous. Someone could get hurt.”

  Shivley’s tight muscles quivered under her fingers, thrilling Rachel with her response. “You’re the one who’s dangerous.” She squeezed Shivley’s legs.

  Shivley closed her eyes and begged for strength. “No, you’re killing me and you have to stop.” Her last few words faded away.

  “And if I don’t?” Rachel didn’t stop, nor did she move away from the tight embrace. What she did do was nibble on Shivley’s exposed neck.

  Shivley was rapidly losing the ability to keep her libido in check. Rachel’s hands were waking up parts of her body that had been asleep for a long time. Her fingers tingled and her toes started to curl. She needed this and she needed it badly. It shook her to realize that she had never needed Dale as much as she needed Rachel right now. But she was not so far gone that she didn’t realize where they were and the ramifications should someone show up at the wrong moment, or any moment, for that matter.

  Shivley clenched her teeth. “I’m asking you to.” When Rachel still did not move, she added, “Please.”

  Rachel wasn’t about to let her go. She finally had her right where she wanted her and was not going to let any grass grow under her feet. She knew that if she said one word or moved just a fraction closer, Shivley would be hers. She wanted Shivley, needed her, and craved her like she had never craved anyone before. The vibration of the engine and feel of Shivley’s hard muscles reacting to her touch had Rachel wound tighter than ever before. All she needed was one simple touch and she would go over the edge. Shivley had not moved away from her, but Rachel detected desperation in her voice and it touched her. She wanted Shivley, her body was screaming for her, but not like this. Rachel had never given a second thought to persuading a woman who needed just a little bit more to step over the cliff. But this was no longer just about her and her needs. Shivley had to want her in the same equal way, or it would mean nothing. And Rachel was suddenly tired of nothing.

  Rachel dropped her hands to Shivley’s waist without saying anything more. She could have teased her some more. She wanted to, but something held her back. They rode back to the group in silence, Rachel hanging on chastely to Shivley’s belt loops. Shivley cut the engine and Rachel stepped off, running her hand teasingly along Shivley’s tense shoulders.

  “Relax, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.” Rachel turned around and headed for her horse.

  *

  On their return to the ranch, Shivley was shadowed by Christina for most of the ride. The only time Christina left her side was when the trail became too narrow for two horses, and she resumed her position as soon as she was able. Shivley kept an eye on Rachel, who rode several lengths behind her, chatting quietly with Jane and Joyce. Several times Shivley heard her laugh, and butterflies danced in her stomach.

  Shivley recalled their ride and the feel of Rachel’s arms wrapped around her, her warm breath on her neck. She finally admitted that it had felt good, and she cursed because it was one of her guests who made her feel this way. She was treading on thin ice if she got involved with a paying customer, and even worse, with someone who was leaving in a few days. Maybe it was better this way. Rachel would be the first woman she would be with since Dale, and if things went badly in bed, she would not have to worry about accidenta
lly running into her on the street or at Home Depot. God, how embarrassing would that be? Would they stand there and try to make small talk, each embarrassed by the whole thing, or would they each make a beeline for the next aisle to avoid each other?

  Christina flirted with Shivley the entire way and didn’t seem to mind or notice her one-word replies. Shivley found it amusing that a woman ten years her junior could be interested in a tired forty-two-year-old woman whose hands were calloused and whose skin had a permanent smell of horse and sweat and who wasn’t even paying attention to her. When the barn was finally in sight, Shivley sighed in relief, tired of dodging innuendo after innuendo from her riding partner. She shook off her odd mood and turned in the saddle to face the group behind her. “Last one in the barn has to muck the stalls!”

  Rachel and Sue were the first to pick up the challenge, and they kicked their mounts into action. As they flew by, Rachel’s face was alive and flushed with excitement. Shivley’s pulse quickly matched the speed of her horse. The other riders soon caught on, and once Shivley was comfortable that they would not suffer a spill, she raced to catch up with the leaders.

  It wasn’t long before Shivley passed Sue and caught up with Rachel, who was two lengths ahead of her. She nudged her horse and she rocketed ahead, quickly closing the gap. Midnight loved to run and would take off at the slightest signal. She was not even at full gallop when she came neck and neck with Bonanza.

  Shivley glanced over at Rachel and her heart skipped a beat. Rachel’s face was a study in concentration. Her eyes were barely visible under the brim of her hat and wisps of hair escaped out the back. To Shivley’s trained eye, Rachel had the skill to be riding this fast, and she encouraged Midnight to run faster. The big horse quickly obeyed and they pulled away.

  Rachel saw movement to her right but didn’t take her eyes off the ground in front of her. She was unfamiliar with her horse and the terrain and didn’t dare risk a fall by losing her concentration. After a moment, she didn’t have to. A black quarter horse shot by her, its rider standing easily in the stirrups. She recognized the horse and then Shivley, and she spurred Bonanza to move ahead. The race was on.

  They rode fast, exchanging the lead back and forth. Rachel was exhilarated and full of life as if she were riding away from her terrible childhood and her current troubles, her melancholy left behind with each step. She was free, with no worries, cares, or responsibilities. There were no cell phones ringing, cameras flashing, or people pressuring her to work magic. She let go of the reins with her right hand, pulled off her hat, and let out a loud “Yee haw!” She pulled ahead of Shivley and entered the corral first.

  Rachel was laughing when Shivley rode up beside her, and Shivley was relieved to see her smiling again. Rachel’s eyes were the color of the spring prairie and sparkled like the first star of the night. She was absolutely radiant when she smiled, and Shivley wanted to be the cause of that smile. “I knew you were a ringer when I first saw you.”

  Rachel batted her eyes and caught a lock of hair that cascaded across her eyes. “Why, whatever do you mean, Ms. McCoy?” She reverted to the soft Southern drawl she had used on Shivley once before. “I was just out for a little afternoon ride on my trusty steed.” It was all Rachel could do to keep from bursting out laughing.

  Shivley was caught up in the charade. She took off her hat and placed it over her heart. “I beg your pardon, Miss Stanton. I must have mistaken you for some other wildcat. What ever must I do to for your forgiveness?”

  “Kiss me.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Shivley was speechless. She thought she had misunderstood what Rachel had said, but one look at her face convinced her otherwise. All charades were forgotten and Rachel was focused on her lips with an intensity that made Shively’s legs grow weak. If she weren’t in the saddle, she might have collapsed in a heap. As it was, she had to press her legs together to stay upright. Midnight took that as a signal and moved forward, breaking the spell. “Whoa, girl.” Shivley wasn’t sure if her command was directed to her, her horse, or Rachel. She pulled back on the reins, her hat slipping from her hands and landing in the dirt.

  Rachel had no idea what she was going to say until it came out of her mouth, and she was not sorry that it did. After this morning she had wanted nothing more than to pick up where they left off in the kitchen and see how far it would go. The cold shower suggested by Ann had done little to cool her libido, and being with Shivley all day stoked the fire.

  “Now look what I’ve done.” Rachel resumed her drawl. “It’s my turn to apologize to you, Ms. McCoy, and ask what I can do for your forgiveness.” She wanted Shivley, but she enjoyed toying with her more. It was not done in a mean-spirited way, but it was so refreshing to find someone who was honestly flabbergasted by her attentions. When Shivley didn’t immediately answer, Rachel took pity on her. “You don’t have to answer right now. Think about it and get back to me. Maybe tonight on the porch accompanied by an after-dinner drink?”

  It was all Shivley could do to nod before the other women rode into the corral. They were excited from the race and were talking on top of each other. Christina was the first to mention that Ellen had come in last and to be sure to clean her horse’s stall extra good. Everyone laughed at the frightened expression on Ellen’s face.

  “Don’t worry, Ellen. I’ll help.” Shivley jumped in. The look of relief on Ellen’s face was priceless. “Okay, everybody, walk your horses until they cool down, then take them into their stalls and give them a good brushing. I’ll be along to see if you need any help.”

  Shivley spent time with each of the women as they tended to their horses, and before long the horses were brushed and fed and the tack put away. She made the mistake of stepping inside the stall where Christina was.

  “Here, let me show you.” Shivley took the brush from Christina’s outstretched hand and briskly rubbed down the horse’s sides. “Like this. Don’t be afraid to rub hard. Dandy likes it that way.”

  Just then Christina stepped in close to her. “You can rub me like that anytime, Shivley. I know I’ll like it as much as he does.”

  Christina was standing close enough that Shivley felt her warm breath on her neck. Instead of being provocative, it just gave her the shivers. She managed to slip past the eager woman and back out of the stall unscathed. She reminded herself she needed to be on high alert whenever Christina was around and to never be alone with her.

  Shivley’s last stop was at the stall adjacent to the one she just vacated. “Got everything you need?” she asked, standing on the threshold of the stall. Rachel spun around. The burning look on her face told Shivley that she had read more into her question than what was intended.

  “Yeah, I’ll be done in another minute or so.”

  Shivley had expected a reply more in line with the message that Rachel was giving her a few hours earlier, and she was surprisingly disappointed. As much as she wanted to kiss Rachel again, she was afraid. She was afraid of Rachel, and afraid of herself because she wanted much more than kisses. “He looks good.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Shivley nodded toward the horse that gleamed under the brush of his rider. “Bonanza. I don’t think I’ve ever see him so shiny and well cared for.” She had been watching Rachel for several minutes brushing the horse. She was talking to him in soft, low tones that only the horse could hear, and Rachel had his undivided attention. A mask quickly fell over Rachel’s eyes.

  “Yeah, well, you know, horses, dogs, kids. All they need is a little love to survive,” Rachel said and returned to brushing the buckskin.

  Shivley had a hunch that there was more to Rachel than what people saw on the outside. Shivley was a pretty good judge of character, and her instinct told her that Rachel only allowed people to see exactly what she wanted them to see. Rachel’s reserve was cracking, and Shivley wanted to know what was inside.

  *

  Shivley walked through the great room after helping Ann clean up from dinner and counted
six heads watching the big-screen television. Actually, it looked more like four of the six heads were dozing than watching the calm evacuation of the Titanic. Rachel was not in the room, nor had she given any indication of where she would be. Shivley gave it a passing thought but continued out the door.

  The air was crisp as she walked across the yard toward the stables. A light was on and she made a mental note to remind Gail and Bart to turn it off when they were not inside. The sound of a soft voice drifted through the building and she quickened her pace.

  Rachel was in Bonanza’s stall brushing the buckskin and talking to him in hushed tones. Rachel didn’t know she was there, and Shivley wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible. She watched as Rachel held the hard brush and stroked the horse across his back from the bottom of his mane to the top of his tail. Back and forth, back and forth, each stroke long and smooth, barely overlapping the one before. She was mesmerized by the calming strokes and the gentleness of Rachel’s actions. A flash of Rachel’s hands stroking her body in the same rhythm sent a chill down her spine. She suddenly felt very warm and her knees felt weak.

  “I didn’t think he’d mind a little more attention,” Rachel said calmly, not turning around. She’d heard someone behind her, and when no words were spoken she knew it was Shivley. She had to concentrate to make sure her body didn’t betray the way Shivley’s presence affected her. If anything, she had never felt as sensual as she did right now knowing Shivley was watching her.

  It took Shivley a moment to realize that Rachel was talking to her. She hadn’t missed a stroke or even acknowledged that she knew Shivley was there. Shivley wondered how long Rachel had known she was standing behind her. “What male wouldn’t enjoy the skillful hands of a beautiful woman all over him?” Shivley almost gasped at her unfiltered reply. She was captured in Rachel’s spell and couldn’t get out. She detected a slight hesitation in Rachel’s stroke before she turned to look at her. Her heart skipped a beat at the unmasked desire burning in Rachel’s eyes.