Reuniting with the Cowboy Read Online Free PDF Page B

hair with his free hand. Although the dogs fought against the leashes, he didn’t budge. “I’ll haul this rowdy handful to Cody and then Ally can see who’s missing. I’ll be right back to help.”
    â€œI’m so grateful y’all came.” Ally surveyed the threesome clad in wrinkled jeans and jackets.
    â€œThis is gonna be fun.” Seven-year-old Hunter darted around the back of the house.
    â€œWatch for snakes,” Raquel called.
    â€œProbably too cool for them and I don’t usually have any in the yard.” Ally jogged to the barn, opened the door for Slade and took a quick inventory.
    Some of the missing were boarders. She had to find them and keep this incident quiet. Strays roaming free could jeopardize her shelter. But if word got out that people’s pets had gotten loose, her clients would lose trust in her.
    As she stepped outside, another truck pulled in the drive. The door opened and shut. “How many are loose?” Lance’s flashlight bobbed his approach.
    â€œThirteen dogs, nineteen cats—some strays and some boarders. Not all of them at least. I’m sorry to drag you out this time of night all the way from Denton.”
    â€œIt’s only fifteen minutes and we’re in this together.”
    Over the next couple of hours, Hunter caught two dogs, while Slade rounded up three. Raquel manhandled a smaller breed and Lance nabbed another, while Ally wrangled an elusive wienie dog boarder who seemed intent on playing hide-and-seek.
    â€œI heard some barking in the woods behind the barn.” Slade headed back out. “Raquel, Hunter, y’all stay here—might be dangerous.”
    â€œBe careful.” Raquel shuddered.
    â€œI’ll go with you.” Lance followed.
    Hunter and Raquel helped soothe the dogs, and as the sun began to rise, Slade and Lance returned with the last two Lab mixes.
    â€œWhat about the cats?” Hunter helped her get the last two in their pens.
    â€œThey won’t come out unless it’s quiet and calm.” Ally hugged Raquel. “Thanks so much for coming. I’d still be at it if y’all hadn’t.”
    â€œWe were glad to help. Hunter had a blast.” Raquel tousled his hair. “You can tell all your friends about your dog-wrangling skills.”
    â€œUm...about that.” Ally bit her lip. “Would y’all mind keeping this incident quiet? I don’t want the people who board their pets here to lose confidence in my services.”
    â€œGood point.” Slade gripped Hunter’s shoulder. “Hear that? We’re keeping this a secret.” Hunter nodded and Slade turned to his wife. “We better go so Ally can tend to her cats.”
    The threesome waved goodbye as Ally thanked them again.
    â€œGo home, Lance. Get some rest. I can handle things here today.”
    â€œNot happening. Saturday’s always our busiest. If your mom will ply me with coffee, I’ll be good to go.”
    â€œGreat idea.” Mom covered her yawn and the two strolled toward the house.
    Leaving only Cody. “You should get some sleep. All I have to do is call the cats.”
    â€œI’ll stick around.” He scanned the pens lining each side of the long barn. “I doubt any of the dogs are in the pens they’re supposed to be in. Once you retrieve the cats, I’ll help you sort it out. Besides, I need to talk to you.”
    â€œOkay.” About what? “Can it wait?”
    â€œGo call your cats. It’ll keep.”
    â€œI’ll be back as quick as I can.” She dug a stack of collapsed cardboard carriers from the storage closet, tucked them under her arm. “And thanks for all your help.”
    â€œMy pleasure.”
    Ally stepped out. Cody seemed so serious. Had he talked to the owner? Would he sell her the land after all?
    * * *
    â€œHere, kitty, kitty, kitty.” Ally’s call was a gentle singsong as Cody watched