Page 60 of Long Hard Fall

Cash’s easy smile warmed her from the inside out. She had been about to mount him after they ate breakfast, but Dillon had arrived, judiciously honking the horn as he’d rounded the house. Abbi had dived back into her jeans and Cash had tucked himself back into his own pants.

They were so going to pick up where they had left off once this cattle business was done.

She dutifully followed her rancher wherever he went. Soon, the herd was nestled into their winter pasture and probably just in time. Her cheeks must be pink from the brisk wind. It was fall, but this was the time of year when clouds could dump surprising amounts of snow. Not today, though.

She steered Mandrell into the barn and dismounted with the rest.

“Most of the horses winter here, too,” Cash explained as he handed her a brush. “Travis keeps Reba and his siblings’ horses in one of his pastures.”

Brushing Mandrell, Abbi listened to the guys discuss what herd they’d move tomorrow, the weather forecast, and how they’d coordinate their weekend schedules.

“After the cattle are moved, we should have a big barbeque,” Travis said. “We can do it at my place this time. Michelle was just talking about our infamous grills.”

Cash stopped brushing and rested his forearms on Patsy Cline’s back. “You two back together?”

Abbi thought she was done brushing, but feeling a slight increase in tension, she kept up her long strokes and Mandrell didn’t complain.

Travis rose to his full height, which was just as tall as Cash. “Yeah, and I don’t need to hear it.”

“Hear what?”

All the guys stopped to watch the interaction while Travis elaborated. “How you think I can do better than Michelle.”

“I never said that. And it’s not about Michelle, it’s about you two breaking up and getting back together again—again.”

Abbi stroked Mandrell as quietly as she could. Would the guys start pointing at her and asking what Cash was doing with her?

“Whatever,” Travis grumbled. “I’m not asking permission to date my fiancée.”

Cash made a disgusted sound only she heard.

Aaron spoke up. “Why do we have to wait until we’re done moving cattle? Let’s go out tonight. Barley ‘n’ Hops has live music tonight.”

“I’d love to take Elle out dancing,” Dillon spoke quickly, like he was glad to move on from the Michelle subject.

Abbi glanced around at all the men. Belonging to this family would be like gaining four other brothers. And a sister. Not to mention the other cousins Abbi hadn’t met yet.

“I could ask Josie,” Brock said.

Cash looked at her with a question in his eyes and she grinned.

“Sounds fun.”

Abbi laughed as Cash spun her around the dance floor. The man was as good on his feet as he was in bed. She didn’t miss the envious, sometimes seething looks she got from women. Cash hadn’t let go of her all night.

Loud country music kicked a steady beat through the bar. Men and women Abbi’s age and older crowded the tables and dance floor. The place was just what Abbi would expect in a small town: wood beams, booths, and tables lining the dance area, and a polished hardwood floor. It was homey, but fancy enough to make going out a treat.

“Are you thirsty, honey?” He had to yell in her ear as close as they were to the band.

She nodded, and he led her back to the table their group sat at when they weren’t out dancing. Abbi chose a seat and spotted Dillon and his beautiful girlfriend two-stepping to the current song. Josie looked like she struggled at dancing as much as Abbi had, but like Cash, Brock was a pro at gliding with her across the floor. Travis and Michelle seemed like they were in perfect sync, and Aaron had found a few single ladies—for dance partners at least.

She let her gaze wander to the bar to pick out Cash. With his height and broad shoulders, it wasn’t hard. Neither was seeing the lady next to him, pressing against his side. She was cute and dressed to kill. Her flirty mannerisms were all for Cash. Abbi watched, more amused than irritated.

The woman murmured to him and he shook his head. The bartender slid a pitcher toward him and he smoothly snatched it up, gave the woman a nod of polite dismissal, and swaggered back to Abbi.

Abbi’s grin grew as he slid into the seat next to her. “Am I going to have to come with and protect you next time?”

“Yes, please. I said no three times.” He smirked with a hint of apology. “She’s not used to that, from me or anyone else.”

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