Carol Lynne [Cattle Valley 06] Out of the Shadow (pdf)

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cussing. Who the fuck s job was it to spray the pasture this year? he asked Rance.
Rance stepped up beside Shep and looked at the toxic cowbane plant at the edge of the
water. Fuck, Rance spat out. It was Contrell s job. Shit. I should ve known to go behind
him and check his work. Rance looked at Shep. I take full responsibility, Boss.
You shouldn t have to double check your men s work. I m almost sorry we already
fired that sonofabitch. Do you know if he s still in the county?
Rance shook his head. Last I heard he was headed to Montana to work on a ranch
there.
Get me the name and phone number of the ranch owner. He deserves to know what
kind of slack-assed man he has working for him.
Yes, Boss.
And get Bo and every other man you can spare out in the pastures. I want every
square inch of grazing land gone over and spot treated before another one of my animals is
released out here.
Bo nodded and took off across the pasture with Buddy in tow. Shep started walking
back to Dynamo. They d have to get Jeb out here to write up the paperwork for the insurance
company before they could bury the poor bull.
He could hear the swishing of the grass as Jeremy walked behind him. Stopping, he
waited for his man to catch up and held out his hand.
I m sorry, Jeremy said, taking Shep s offered hand. I know he was one of your best.
Such a waste. I should ve never hired that lazy fucker. He walked them over to the
shade and wrapped his arms around Jeremy.
OUT OF THE SHADOW Carol Lynne
39
Jeremy nipped Shep s jaw. Wanna neck until Doc Garza gets here? Jeremy asked
playfully.
Shep grinned. Just that fast, Jeremy had him feeling better. I don t know if that would
be such a good idea. You know we have a tendency to get carried away, and I ll be damned if
I want Jeb getting a look of that pretty ass of yours.
Jeremy ground against Shep s fly. Your ass.
Mine, Shep said giving the fine ass in question a good squeeze.
* * * *
Jeremy checked the sky. It had to be going on close to six o clock. He wondered for the
hundredth time whether Carol would still be at the city hall by the time they got there. They
had pretty much shut down the entire ranch to check the pastures and now that he d gone
over his last section, he looked around for Shep.
He spotted him a few moments later coming over the rise on the front loader. Shep had
insisted on burying Dynamo himself, refusing all offers of help. Jeremy couldn t believe a
man who d once had the shit stomped out of him could still hold a soft spot for the thirteen
hundred pound bull.
The tractor rolled to a stop several feet away from him. He waved and climbed up to
the air conditioned cab. You done? Shep asked.
Yep, just a few minutes ago. You?
Yeah. Let me get the tractor back in the barn and wash up real quick and we can go.
Jeremy leaned in and gave Shep a quick kiss. I ll drive the truck back, and meet you in
the shower.
Shep chuckled. You do that and we ll never make it to town in time.
Shoot. You re right. I ll take one in the bunkhouse and meet you in thirty minutes.
After another quick kiss he hopped down from the tractor and jogged to the truck. Anyone
who s ready, I m going back! he yelled.
Bo swung into the passenger seat, as four guys climbed in the bed. You find
anything? Bo asked as they headed towards home.
Nope, but better safe than sorry, Jeremy answered. You?
OUT OF THE SHADOW Carol Lynne
40
A small pocket of milkweed over on the west side of the pasture. Bo shook his head.
If I were Shep I d be pissed.
Oh he was, believe me, Jeremy chuckled. He stopped and waited for Bo to open the
gate before driving through. I m going to take a quick shower and then head to town. Do
you need anything?
Nope, can t think of anything. I d say a cinnamon roll, but I doubt Kyle is open this
time of night. And I m dirtier than you are, so it s only fair I shower first.
Shep and I are going so I can pre-register for the rodeo and grab a bite to eat. You
wouldn t want to make me late would ya? He parked the truck on the other side of the barn [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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