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-- EXCERPT: With a startled cry, Poppy toppled to the ground, getting the wind knocked out of her as she landed on her back. The approach of pounding horse hooves shook the earth under her, then a pair of broad shoulders and a glowering, drop-dead gorgeous face blocked the blue sky above her. Even while struggling to get her breath back, she couldn’t help smiling in giddy pleasure. Hard hands helped her up as he rumbled in a deep voice, “Your sheep are trespassing.” Since she caught a hint of concern in that annoyed statement, she dismissed his complaint with an equally inane comment. “Your cattle are mingling with my sheep.” He seemed to get a good look at her as she stood, one hand keeping hold of her arm while he swept the other across her ribs and around to her back. “You,” he growled, his acknowledgement of their prior meeting sounding like an accusation. “Yep, me. Oh.” Her breath caught as he brushed off her butt, then she leaned forward, widening her grin. “I think you missed a spot.” His huff of exasperation amused her, and she patted his rock-hard chest. “Lighten up. Life’s too short to go around wound up so tightly.” “I wouldn’t be wound up so tightly if you didn’t keep showing up like a thorn in my side,” he bit out. “If you’re not hurt, I’ll help you gather your livestock. I’m Dakota Smith, in case old man Sanders hasn’t told you. And you are?” “Poppy Finnegan,” she answered, stepping back and reaching for Hank’s reins when Dakota released her arm. “And, no, Jerry hasn’t mentioned you.” “What the hell kind of name is Poppy?” he asked in derision. Okay, that disparagement irked Poppy. His continued discourtesy chipped away at her good humor, and she snapped, “What the hell kind of name is Dakota?” He thumbed the brim of his hat up enough for her to get a good look into his coal black eyes. “An honored family name, passed down through generations.” So, she touched a raw nerve. At this point, she didn’t care. “Well, I’m a colorful flower.” “You’re colorful, I’ll give you that. Come on, let’s get to work.” He sighed, and her annoyance dropped away. “If we leave them long enough, we could start a livestock breed of doodles.” “Don’t even think it.” Poppy gave up trying to get a smile out of Dakota. Instead, she mounted Hank, making sure she kept a good grip on the reins, and rode toward the herd without another word or looking at him again. ![]()
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1 Comment
Sue G.
6/12/2021 11:08:17 am
This sounds exciting and emotional!
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