Spurred On (The Quick and the Hot) Read Online Free PDF Page B

you’re looking for Tripod’s file, it’s in the other cabinet. That’s where we keep the dog records.”
    “What? Why would I care about the mangy dog that sank his jaws into me?”
    She raised a brow, fighting her grin. “I think the shot records are in a manila envelope.”
    Then with a bounce, she swung out of the office and left the barn. Let Hayden stay up until dawn trying to find the file on the dog that had bitten him. The worried light in his eyes revealed he believed her bluff about the rabies shot.
    * * * *
    The muscles on either side of Hayden’s spine screamed with exertion as he wrapped yet another chain around the stump. He and four hands had spent the morning cutting trees, and now it was time to clear the small wooded patch. The tractor was hooked to the other end of the chain, and Billy had his foot on the gas.
    Hayden jumped back. “Go!” he shouted with a wave.
    Billy floored it, and the stump roots cracked. The edge of the stump lifted, and Billy gunned it harder. Hayden swiped a hand over his jaw, catching a rivulet of sweat. When the roots gave way, the tractor dragged the stump ten feet.
    As quickly as he could, Hayden unwrapped the chain and whipped it around the next nearest stump.
    The sun beat down on his shoulders. As he’d promised Zoe Beth, he’d stayed up looking over the records until he’d found Tripod’s.
    Hayden planned to kick Zoe Beth’s little country ass the next time he saw her. He’d suspected she’d been teasing him about the dog not having a rabies shot, but the prospect of needing true medical attention had worked on Hayden’s psyche until he’d broken down and looked at the records.
    The dog was up-to-date. Well cared for, as all the animals on the ranch were.
    Hayden had half a mind to turn Zoe Beth over his knee and give her round bottom a few slaps in retribution for getting him worked up. Only, hauling her over his lap would give him a bigger case of blue balls.
    Upon finding her in the barn, he’d battled to keep from grabbing her and kissing her plush pink lips. Dammit, he wanted to make her moan.
    A horse and rider crossed the field above them, galloping toward the main house. He watched them for a minute, then threw himself into his work. When they’d pulled five more stumps, he called for a break. He and the other guys crowded around to lean on the tractor and gulp water from thermoses they’d brought.
    “Only three hundred or so more trees to cut,” one guy said.
    Hayden snorted. “A full week’s work if we keep up this pace.”
    “Oh I can keep up any pace.”
    “All night too. Or so you wish,” another guy jeered.
    Laughter rippled through them. Hayden raised his thermos for another drink when the sound of hooves drumming earth traveled over the hillside.
    They all turned as the rider came hell-bent across the land. Hayden squinted.
    “That’s Zoe Beth,” Billy drawled.
    “Carrying a shotgun.”
    “Trouble!” another shot out.
    Hayden’s gut clenched. He ran forward right into her path. She veered the horse, but not before he caught the reins. Digging in his heels, he allowed the mare to drag him a dozen feet before Zoe Beth brought the animal under control.
    He looked up into her flushed face. Her hat rode low but didn’t hide the angry sparks in her eyes. “You’re going to kill yourself, woman, riding like that with a weapon I’m assuming is loaded. What is it?”
    “I’ve got it covered.” She hitched the sling of the shotgun over her shoulder and tried to tear the reins away.
    “Like hell. I’m not letting you ride out with a shotgun. Tell me what’s going on.”
    Her throat worked as she glared at him. “You go back to your cutting and clearing. I have work to do.” She gave a hard yank, and the reins slipped from his hands.
    “Dammit, woman. Tell me what’s going on.” He wrapped his fingers around her calf, applying the slightest pressure to her curvy leg.
    A spell seemed to have broken. Her face crumpled.