M. Donice Byrd - The Warner Saga Read Online Free PDF

moved behind him and began swiping the dust off his shoulders and back. “It isn’t easy. I suppose being a spoiled only child has given it roots.”
    Meredith’s hands slowed as she noticed the width of his shoulders and the narrowing of his hips. He stopped brushing the seat of his pants and she couldn’t help but notice the way his pants clung to his bottom and draped in all the right ways. Even without touching, she could see the firm shape and knew it was full in all the right places with muscle definition in all the other places.
    Criminy, she was practically staring at his butt!
    When she felt the heat rising in her cheeks, she turned her attention to his horse. The mare was solid black with the kind of lines that denoted her quality lineage.
    “She’s beautiful.” She picked up the mare’s reins and walked her a few feet. “Oh, jeez!” she cursed noticing the way the mare favored a front leg.
    Immediately, she began examining the horse’s leg, running her hands along the length, feeling for swelling or anything unusual. Relief washed over her when she realized the horse had only thrown a shoe. She tapped on the horse’s knee and like any well behaved horse, the mare lifted her foot. Brushing off some of the dirt, Meredith closely examined the black’s hoof.
    “I can put that shoe back on for you.”
    Blake eyed her warily. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
    Hurt showed in her eyes. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t.” She scanned the area looking for the missing shoe and found it in the weeds a few feet away from a low crowned black hat. She picked up both items, handing him the hat. “I can see you’re uncomfortable with that idea. We have everything you need in the barn if you would rather do it yourself.”
    “I wouldn’t have the slightest inkling what to do. I would appreciate it if you would do it.”
    His answer didn’t surprise her. By the expensive cut of his suit, Meredith could tell the man didn’t hurt for money. He undoubtedly employed others to care for his horse.
    She took the reins of both horses and began leading them to the barn.
    “I suppose we should go around the fence this time.”
    She cast a quick glance at him to make sure he followed. “You didn’t hear me coming?”
    “It never occurred to me the pounding hooves were going to come over that fence.”
    “Oh, good, so you admit the fault lies with you,” she threw over her shoulder then turned her face away in case her mischief danced in her eyes.
    “My fault?” he asked catching up with a few long strides.
    “Of course, you should have alerted me to your presence.”
    “Do you jest?”
    She tamped down the smirk playing on her lips as she turned to face him. “Not at all. You knew I was there and I was unaware of your presence therefore the blame lies with you.”
    “Indeed?”
    “Indeed,” she mimicked. “Jeez, I’m just teasing. I accept fifty percent of the blame.”
    “Only fifty?”
    “Surely, you can’t expect me to accept more than that?” Her tone was serious even if she couldn’t erase the glimmer from her eyes. “After all, I’m just a woman. A true gentleman would accept one hundred percent of the blame – chivalry being what it is.”
    “Few have ever accused me of being a gentleman.” He looked her in the eyes and a flare of roguishness in his grin sent her stomach to her toes.
    She laughed. “You would besmirch your own character to avoid accepting the responsibility? Hmm. That’s very interesting.”
    Blake shook his head. “I feel sorry for your husband. You must keep his head spinning.”
    “My…?”
    She clamped her mouth shut realizing that telling a complete stranger she was home alone on their farm seemed foolish and reckless. Perhaps, it was better to let him believe a make-believe husband could be home any moment. He just said he was no gentleman, was it wrong to let him think it was true?
    “I keep everyone’s head spinning.”
    Meredith spotted the