Karly laughed as she nodded. “They really aren’t very discerning when it comes to what they eat. Sometimes one will come down from the Cascade Mountains into one of the suburbs surrounding Seattle and everyone has to secure their trash cans. If they don’t, they risk having the trash strewn all over their yards show up on the evening news as a warning to others to take precautions.”
“Yeah, bears like an easy meal,” he agreed. “But mountain lions are natural-born hunters. We do have a problem occasionally with one of them straying down here. If we see one or find tracks too close to the herds or ranch buildings, we try to call the Fish and Wildlife Service and they send one of the game wardens to deal with a nuisance cat.”
“Do they kill the animal?” Even though the predators scared her outside the confines of a zoo, she hated that something might be killed because it had the misfortune to wander into the wrong place.
To her relief, he shook his head. “Not always. They first try to trap it for relocation to a more remote area. Exterminating the animal is a last resort unless it’s known to be a threat to humans or livestock.”
“Is that what the gun is for?” she asked, eyeing the hardwood stock sticking out of the leather holder. “For protection in case one of them becomes a threat to us?”
His expression changed to one of determination as he nodded. “It’s always better to be safe than sorry. I told you I’d protect you no matter what and I meant it.” He gave her a look that caused her insides to quiver. “I give you my word that as long as there’s a breath left in my body, I won’t let anything happen to you, Karly.”
The intense promise in his dark brown eyes stole her breath and reminded her of the kiss they’d shared in the barn. Neither of them had seemed to want to acknowledge that the chemistry they’d discovered between them in Las Vegas was just as strong, if not stronger, than it had ever been. As she continued to gaze into the fathomless depths of his eyes, she’d never felt as safe and secure in her entire life as she felt at that moment.
They both remained silent for several more moments before they started across the pasture toward the trail that led back down to the ranch. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he would do whatever it took to protect her from any and all dangers.
Her heart skipped a beat as she thought of how difficult it was becoming to keep him at arm’s length. He’d acted just like the husband she’d always dreamed of, even though she’d presented him with divorce papers to end their union . And it was getting harder and harder to remember why it was the best for both of them to go through with the divorce.
She sighed when she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He might be prepared to protect her from the four-legged predators that could hurt her. But who was going to protect her from the force of nature that was Blake Hartwell?
Four
“I told you riding isn’t as hard as you thought it would be,” Blake said, smiling as he helped Karly dismount the mare.
“I think I need to join a gym,” she commented as she patted Suede’s neck and moved away from the horse. Karly’s wince and the way she walked told him that she’d spent too much time in the saddle for her first time riding.
His smile faded. He could have kicked himself for being an inconsiderate jerk. A new rider needed to condition their thigh and back muscles on shorter rides before they attempted long hours in the saddle. Otherwise they risked soreness much like what someone would expect after a strenuous workout. How could he have been so thoughtless?
He’d been so caught up in showing her the ranch and his way of life, he’d forgotten all about her being new to the experience of being on a horse. Now she was paying the price for his oversight.
“Why don’t you go on up to the house and try to relax while I take care of the horses?” he suggested.
“I think I’ll take you up on that offer,” she said, nodding. She smiled. “I may be out of shape, but you’re right about the riding. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I actually enjoyed myself.”
As he watched her turn and walk slowly toward the house, he knew what he would do if they were at the main house. He’d make sure she took a nice long soak in the hot tub, then give her a massage with a good soothing liniment. His body tightened at the thought of once again touching her satiny skin as he ran his hands over her thighs and back. Then he would turn her over and sink himself...