Under the Cowboy's Control by Lynda Chance Page B

clothing.
    The weather was beginning to scorch every day. She knew she would be outside a lot to visit the little animals in the barn. She picked out a pair of low-rise shorts.
    She didn't have much choice. All the shorts were low-rise, short shorts. She knew American girls wore them all the time. But she had never worn anything quite as revealing. She picked out a pair with deep pockets and in a dark tan color. They looked sturdy enough to handle life on the ranch. If she got red dirt on them, it should wash out and not leave stains.
    She locked her door and tried them on. They slipped over her hips with no problem. The zipper slid up and she snapped the single button. They fit perfectly.
    Not too tight, but not loose at all. She looked at herself in the mirror. She was momentarily taken aback. Her legs were slim and white. She wondered what his reaction would be. There was no use dwelling on it.
    She loved the shorts and as he didn't pay her any money, she had earned them.
    Travis didn't see Selena again until after supper the next evening. All three meals of the day had been waiting for him on the table as if by magic, and she was, of course, not to be seen.
    After supper, he had had enough of her disappearances. He looked around for her, but she wasn't on the porch or in the house.
    He went out the back door and made his way to the implement barn. He pushed the door open and made his way over to the old mama cat. His eyes hadn't completely adjusted to the darkness inside the building, but he knew he would find Selena there.
    He came up behind where she was sitting cross-legged on the barn floor. "How're they doing?" He kept his voice low.
    He came down on his haunches beside her and twirled a piece of straw between his fingers. She answered him in a whisper. "Fine. The little eyes are opening, see?" They both were quiet and looked at the baby skunks that were so tiny their eyes were not fully opened yet. The little kittens were about a week older and a bit more lively.
    "Yeah, that old barn cat took to those new babies, quick fast. Just like a mama."
    For the first time, he noticed what she was wearing. The shorts were small, and somehow made her look even younger. She was so incredibly tiny.
    He took the piece of straw from his mouth and reached over and flicked her on the nose with it. "Supper was good. Thank you, Selena."
    Selena rubbed her damp palms down her thighs and legs in agitation. "You are welcome, Travis. And thank you for my new shorts."
    "Stand up and let me see." He paused and waited.
    "You cannot see like this?"
    "Nah. I want to see if the fit is right." His voice subtly flirted with her.
    "It is right." Selena stood to her feet beside him. "But I have to go, anyway. Good night." She turned and dashed back to the house while he got only a glimpse of her legs in the darkened barn.
    He sighed with frustration and stuck the straw back in his mouth.

    ****
It took Travis three days to realize the only new article of clothing she was wearing were those damn tan shorts. She rotated her original three shirts every day, and every day he was mesmerized by her gorgeous legs. Slender and toned, the last thing on his mind was the lack of variety in her apparel.
    "Those shorts look good on you, Selena. But I'd kind of like to see you wear something else for a change."
    Selena stiffened as she cleaned up after supper. Best to just appease him with an agreement and worry about it tomorrow. "Okay." Technically she wasn't lying, because tomorrow she would just put on a pair of her old jeans and that would be something else .
    He grunted at her answer and didn't push it. They had slipped into an easy rhythm the last few days, and he didn't feel like screwing with the balance of things.
    Every night she would slip out of the kitchen and head to the barn. Every night he would follow her, and they would watch the little skunks as they grew. The evenings were pleasant and companionable, and it had been days since they had