Under The Southern Sky (ON HOLD)

Chapter 26

"Oh my God I can't believe I ate that entire chicken fried steak" I whined, wishing I could shed my jeans. Tuck reached over and poked my belly and then sides. "Yeah, you're such a tiny thing I have no idea where you put all that food!"

I smacked his hand away as he laughed at me and then settled back into his seat after the searing look he received from Hank; we all knew it meant no horse play when he was driving.

I snuggled in next to Bo as Hank pulled us onto the main road that would take us back into Canadian and then home, to my ranch. I sighed inwardly as his strong arm came around my waist and pulled me closer to his side.

I angled my head up so I could look at him; taking in his strong jaw line and the rest of his features I couldn't have been more grateful that he was mine.

"What is it little filly? I can hear the gears whirring from here" Bo said, breaking my concentration.

Sighing I lowered my head back down and gave him a little kiss and even though it went through his shirt, I could still feel the heat coming from his body.

"I just, well I just hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew by purchasing cattle. Takin care of a ranch is hard work already but addin beef into the mix; it kind of is a game changer." I was as honest as I knew how to be.

"And we all know that there are certain elements in Canadian that would love nothin more than to see me fail; I mean we all know women can't handle ranch work" I said scoffing; that last remark was sarcasm at its best.

Bo turned in his seat so he could face me. His expression about as serious as I had ever seen and then he said "Mercy Rae you are about the most determined little filly I've ever run across. If anyone dares to tell you can't do something, you just prove them wrong. Besides, you have me, Hank and Tuck to help you out; plus countless others that DO want to see you succeed. Put those notions out of that pretty little head."

I smiled and kissed his cheek. "Thank you" I said softly against his skin. I could see Hank looking at me from the rear view mirror and I knew he didn't like the self doubt either but I imagined that Bo had already mirrored his sentiment, so he said no more.

Lacey and Laila were so glad to see everyone; they kept running around and barking, jumping up and then running to the back of the trailer. They knew something was up but it didn't matter, they got excited over every little thing.

Tuck and Hank unloaded the cattle while Bo helped me lay down the new, fresh hay and make good bedding for my new purchases.

Bo had climbed on top of the bales, uncut them and pitched the hay down in pieces so I could scatter them about with a pitchfork; very back breaking work; hot and sweaty too.

And that's why when he peeled his shirt off, I groaned softly to myself. His upper body was ridiculous and add to that the sweat from the summer heat, oh good Lord; the man was hot.

I kept my mind busy with the current task and when we'd finally finished each bull and each heifer had a very nice place to call their own and sleep tonight. I was excited at how all of this was shaping up.

Bo jumped down from the hay bales, grinning at me and I couldn't help but return his infectious smile; he was beautiful, Brody Robertson, and he was mine; every delectable inch of him.

About that time, Hank and Tuck came in from the pasture. "They all settled?" I asked as I wiped my forehead with a gloved hand. Hank nodded. "I think you got yourself some good beef there, Mercy Rae. They're gonna produce some good heirs too when the time comes."

"Y'all come on in. I think this day calls for some of my mama's homemade lemonade and I need a breather" I told the men as I slapped my gloves against my jean clad thigh. As Hank and Tuck wandered inside, I watched Bo pick up his shirt, about to pull it back on.

"You really don't have to put that back on now do ya?" I asked, stepping closer to him and placing my hand on his sweaty chest. He smirked, putting his index fingers through my belt loops and pulling me hard to his body. "I wouldn't mind except I don't think Hank or Tuck for that matter want to see me prance around half naked" he replied as he moved some hair away from my sweaty forehead.

"Well then" I said, placing a kiss on his heart. "I'll settle for my very handsome and sexy boyfriend giving me a kiss." Bo's eyes darkened at my words. "Well then little filly, that I can do."

With his moist lips pressed against mine, I parted my lips, giving him the access we both desired him to have and what he gave me was the sweetest, most intense kiss; a kiss that shared longing as well as need.

When Bo broke the kiss, I felt the immediate absence of his lips and it made me want him more but I knew and so did he, that if we didn't quit now, we'd be rolling around in the hay; and we couldn't do that. Not with a man that was like my father waiting for us in the house.

My eyes were still closed and I knew that Bo was looking at me but I was still drowning in the taste and the feel of his lips and I knew as soon as I opened my eyes, that feeling would be gone; I just wanted to hold on to it for a little while longer.

Our eyes met and I reckoned I was the happiest woman on the planet at that moment and when he smiled at me, I knew he felt the same way.

"Lemonade?" I asked grinning. "Lemonade" he responded as he kissed me one final time and we walked back to my house, his arm around me and mine around him; complete was the best word to describe how I felt.