The Cowboy and the Angel | ✓

Chapter Thirteen

It was eeriely quiet at the pasture where the newly-broke horses were housed. It was so quiet it unnerved the ranch hands.

"Boys!" Terry called as he hopped over the fence. "The horses are gone!"

"Gone?" John repeated, joining Terry with James. "They can't be. . . . They are gone."

Hyde shielded his eyes with a hand as he peered around the pasture. His eyes narrowed. "The back fence is busted down from the looks of it. That means the horses are loose out there somewhere."

The news spread through the Double A's wranglers like a wild fire. Soon, John was legging it back to the house to tell Jason and the others, bursting through the door like his life depended on it. "Jason. Jason! Jason!?"

"I'm right here, John! Slow down and breathe a moment." Jason held his hands out, putting them on John's shoulders. After a minute, he smiled. "Okay now, what's up?"

John blew out a breath. "The back fence of the pasture that holds the newly broken horses is down."

Leroy spewed his coffee all over the table before slamming the cup down. "What?!"

Annalyn came from the kitchen with a skillet of ham and eggs, the twins tagging along behind her. She sat the skillet down on the table, looking at John. "Did you say what I think you just said?"

John nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Jason sighed, sitting down in his chair. "Might as well wait on roundin' them up until after breakfast. We got a long day ahead, and no since startin' it on an empty stomach."

Leroy wiped the coffee off the table with a tattered rag. "I agree all the way. John, get the rest of the boys and y'all come have breakfast with us. Annalyn cooked enough to feed an army."

John smiled his thanks as Annalyn laughed. "Yes, sir. I'll get 'em now."

While John left to get the others, Annalyn brought the biscuits, jelly, and milk to the table. She made a face when she put her hand down on a spot of coffee.

Leroy laughed, twirling the rag in the air and leaning his chair back on two legs. "What was that look for?"

Annalyn cut her eyes sideways, grabbing the rag from his fingers and cleaning up the drop of coffee. "You missed a spot."

Leroy leaned close, his breath lightly touching her face. "Where?"

"Right--" Annalyn flicked the rag, popping Leroy on the end of his nose-- "there!"

Leroy grabbed his nose, standing up as Annalyn took off for the kitchen. He maneuvered around his chair and dashed after her with Jason and the boys staring after them. "Oh no you don't, little lady!"

Annalyn giggled while Leroy grabbed her. She squealed with laughter, squirming in his arms. "Lemme go, Leroy!"

"Ah, ah. You owe me for that, cariño," he teased, turning her to face him. He raised his eyes to stare into her face since he was a tad shorter than her. "Ready to pay up?"

Annalyn beamed at him, wiggling and laughing even harder.

Leroy moved closer, brushing his lips against hers. "I take that as a yes," he muttered before fully kissing her.

"Eww!" Cohen wrinkled his nose.

Jason chuckled. "What's the matter?"

"That's gross is what," Cohen explained. "Plumb nasty."

Leroy approached the table with Annalyn. "It's not nasty, I promise."

Laramie had a look of thoughtfulness in his eyes. "I believe you."