Boots and Bareback: Ugly Stick Saloon, Book 3 by Myla Jackson Page A

She swung up into the saddle and waited.
    Gabe emerged from the barn, adjusted the girth on his horse and led Drago across the yard to a gate. He opened it wide and walked the stallion through.
    When Isabella passed through the gate, Gabe latched it behind them and climbed up into his saddle. He glanced around at the sound of an approaching vehicle, his brows coming together. “Ready?”
    Isabella glanced toward the sound, her hands tightening on the reins, the thought of Tanner and Sean joining them sending ripples of excitement skittering across her nerves. “Don’t you want to wait and see who’s driving up?”
    “Nope.” He reined his horse in a one-eighty. “Race ya to the oak tree at the top of the rise.”
    Isabella forgot about the oncoming vehicle. Giving the horse the slightest nudge with her boot heels, Isabella held on.
    Stormy rocketed forward, kicking up grass and dirt in her wake.
    Not to be outdone, Drago whinnied behind her, his hooves pounding against the ground.
    With the wind whipping her ponytail, her hat hanging around her neck by the string, Isabella hadn’t felt this carefree in a long time. She laughed out loud, a shiver of anticipation and desire swelling inside. She reveled in the open air, the scent of fresh hay, and the power of bunching and flexing muscles beneath her. The combination made her believe she could conquer anything.
    Including achieving an orgasm with a man like Gabe O’Brien.

Chapter Seven
    Gabe gave Drago his head, urging him faster.
    The stallion easily passed the smaller mare and moved ahead, the competitive streak hard to subdue in man or beast.
    Once they reached the tree on the hill, Gabe would drop over the other side and out of sight of the barn. If he was not mistaken, Sean and Tanner had been in the vehicle they’d heard approaching the barn. Damn, they’d finished their errands in town much quicker than he’d anticipated. If they caught wind of Gabe taking Isabella out on the ranch, they’d want to tag along.
    Brothers interrupting wasn’t in the plan Gabe had in mind.
    The hot Texas sun beat down on his back, bringing a smile to Gabe’s face. Also part of his plan. Later.
    As he neared the top of the hill and the lone, gnarled live oak providing the only shade in the vicinity, he reined in and waited for Stormy and her rider to catch up, which didn’t take long.
    They arrived shortly after Drago halted.
    Isabella’s face shone, her wind-kissed cheeks aglow, eyes alight, sparkling in the sunshine. God, she was beautiful.
    Gabe’s chest swelled. He wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her, to press kisses to her apple cheeks, the curve of her breasts and…
    Patience.
    Isabella was like a skittish colt, needing much control and coaxing to bring her out of whatever hellish shell she’d wrapped herself in that kept her from committing to one man.
    Gabe smiled at her. “Come on. I want to show you a special place.”
    “Lead on. Stormy and I are along for the ride.” She leaned over, rubbing the horse’s neck. “She’s fast and beautiful.” Her gray eyes shadowed, the smile on her lips slipping. As quick as hitting a light switch, her sunny expression faded into the shadows of the live oak.
    “Is something wrong?” Gabe asked.
    “No. Nothing.” She smiled, her lips tight.
    If Gabe was not mistaken, she forced the smile, and not very convincingly.
    He had his work cut out for him to learn what made her lose the happiness she’d begun the ride with.
    Setting off at a more sedate pace, he led the way, dropping over the ridge of the hill into a wide, green valley and rising up another hill beyond. Rolling plains of hayfields stretched as far as he could see. By the time he got close to their destination, the heat of the day bore down on them.
    A thin sheen of perspiration gave Isabella’s face a warm, healthy glow. She’d settled her cowboy hat on her head, the shade hiding her expressive blue-gray eyes.
    As they topped yet another rise, Gabe