“I’m okay. And I’ve never been so glad to see anybody in my life.” Her teeth chattered making it hard for him to understand what she said.

  He pulled the emergency thermal blanket from its pack and quickly unfolded it. The flakes were wet and heavy, and in no time she would be even more soaked than she already was. As the small lens cast a dim red glow in a narrow cone, he could see her body shaking like a leaf. He needed to get her warm—fast. Wrapping the thin bit of mylar around her shoulders, he then tucked it under her butt. The blanket was waterproof and windproof and would reflect her body heat back, eventually warming her.

  “Wait. What about you, Manny?”

  “I’m going to rearrange the boughs over top of us. I’m fine.” He wasn’t but she didn’t need to know that. The snow and cold had seeped through his layers, and the headlong rush through the woods—and the frantic worry—had taken a toll on his body. He wanted nothing more than to lie down and rest but that was the last thing he needed to do.

  Stripping the shotgun and the CamelBack water pack off his shoulders, he settled them on a relatively dry spot within reach and dug out the power bars someone had stuffed in a pocket before he’d headed out. He’d have to thank the ladies for their foresight.

  “Can you walk? Are you hurt?”

  “I don’t exactly remember what happened. I think I tripped and hit my head kinda hard. It made me nauseous and a little dizzy.” He immediately positioned the lamp to shine on her head, searching for telltale signs of blood. “No, no it’s fine. I checked. I got turned around and didn’t know which way to go. So I decided to just wait here.”

  He pulled the boughs back into position and pulled her close to him.

  “You need this too, Manny. Don’t argue. Get under here. Two bodies will be better than one.”

  She was probably right about that. He stripped his jacket, wrapping it as securely as he could around their cocooned bodies, then pulled the mylar blanket over top. That and the branches created a tight seal against the weather. He’d feed her as much of his body warmth as he could and try not to think about where his hands had wandered in an effort to keep her warm. He prayed she couldn’t feel his erection against her butt.

  He murmured in her ear, “We’ll be fine here until morning. Then we’ll head back to camp. Sleep. I’m here. I’m not leaving you.” Ever.

  She whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion, “I knew you’d come. I prayed for you to come. Manny…”

  Chapter Eleven: The Morning After

  Susan woke, confused and feeling like she’d nested in a blast furnace. Somehow they’d twisted around without disturbing their makeshift shelter, leaving her wrapped around his lean body with his head on her chest. She could feel his hot breath through the thin layers of her big shirt and tank top. Feeling the urge to unbutton and peel away the offending fabric and let his lips rest on her breast was almost overwhelming. It didn’t help that her crotch and his erection were working on some sort of negotiation that could only lead to trouble.

  Manny roused himself mid-snore, inadvertently grinding his cock into her wet-with-anticipation nether regions. His dark eyes popped open, face florid with embarrassment. He scooted away from her only to be brought up short by the blanket and the branches.

  “Um, uh…” He stared at her breasts and in her mind’s eye she flashed on him, standing eye level to her boobs, doing all manner of unseemly things with his mouth. Apparently he flashed on the same vision, judging from the reaction she felt lower down. It would have been comical had their situation been a bit different. The minute he moved away from her, the bitter cold swept in leaving her to shiver in the chill.

  He mumbled, “We need to get back to camp. Put my jacket on. I’m going to, uh, see what’s going on out there.”

  She didn’t want him to move. His body felt so … perfect. But he was right. First things first. And she needed time to consider—what, she wasn’t exactly sure.

  He carefully moved the boughs out of the way, minimizing the amount of snow that would be dislodged. “Looks like we didn’t get that much more. Come on out. It’s beautiful.”

  It most surely was. The woods were dressed in a gossamer pearlescent cape, so light and fluffy the boughs barely yielded to their new burden. They’d be able to walk out without too much effort. If only she knew which way was ‘out’.

  Manny wrapped the blanket about his shoulders, picked up his shotgun and handed her the CamelBack. She took a long sip, surprised it hadn’t frozen overnight.

  “Thanks. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was.” He handed her a power bar. “And food. You certainly know how to treat a girl the morning after.” She almost choked at the look on his face.

  Manny tensed like he was going to move in, his eyes deep pools of desire, but he stopped to reconsider—and she didn’t know if she regretted that or not.

  Get a grip, girl. What is wrong with you?

  Instead he said, “Let’s move out now. I want to make sure the ladies got through the night without any trouble.”

  She followed him out of the woods—they’d been surprisingly close to the meadow—and almost giggled like a giddy schoolgirl when he took her hand as they trudged side-by-side to camp.

  ****

  Ohmigod, you’re all right, we were so worried, we thought you’d frozen to death, we could have sworn we heard something in the…

  Manny cringed as the ladies swarmed them before they’d even gotten close to camp. Willy scooped Susan in her strong arms and guided her to a tent. Beth patted his arm and glanced at her significant other with a knowing look. It hadn’t escaped their attention that he and Susan had been holding hands. Feeling the now familiar flush spreading up his neck, he made a hasty excuse about needing to change and check on the horses.

  Georgie proudly stated, “It’s all taken care of. Get something warmer on. I’m cooking breakfast. It’s a once and done deal so don’t miss out.”

  He laughed and ducked into his tent to grab a warm wool sweater. Susan was still wearing his jacket. For some reason he wanted it back so he could put it on and feel her body warmth. He’d been awake most of the night, worried about her, and not willing to give up the feel of her sturdy body in his arms. When she’d rolled over and wrapped him tight with her legs, he’d practically come in his jeans.

  The ladies had done more than a credible job taking care of the camp and the horses. The animals were groomed and munching contently on grain and hay pellets. Anything that might have gotten wet was hung on low-hanging limbs or a rope someone had strung between two trees. As was typical, the sun was lifting temps to tolerable levels. The snow might be long gone by noon. He stripped the sweater and draped it over a stump.

  Susan joined them for breakfast. She sat on a folding camp chair next to him. He couldn’t miss the sly smiles as all four women aligned themselves opposite, making he and Susan clearly a couple.

  The ladies made quick work of the clean-up chores while he released the herd once more. They had planned for this as a layover before heading back down the mountain to the ranch. He unpacked the fishing tackle and set it out for Beth and Bobby who apparently were avid fishermen. Or was it ‘women’? The other two were still on the hunt for birds and other photo ops so he told them where to head for the best vistas—that happened to be on the other side of the meadow. Susan said she was going to lie down for a while. That left him with not much to do.

  He finally hopped onto Annie bare-back and headed upstream to distract himself from his racing thoughts. As the older women dispersed he had the almost overpowering urge to crawl into the tent with Susan. He told himself just to keep her warm and safe though his body said otherwise. If he did that, neither of them would be safe.

  He let Annie pick her way upstream until he found a quiet glacial pool surrounded by violet, blue and peach-colored flowers—lupine he recognized, dozens of others he didn’t. The colors and scents, triggered from the warm sun melting the snow, staggered his senses. He slid off and looked at the pool, considering his options. He’d been without a bath for days and felt grubby. Even icy, a dip in the quiet pool seemed like a fine thing to do. He stripped, risked a toe, and finally plunged with a gasp into a frigid hell.

  Chapter Twelve: Annie and Grey Ghost

  Manny assumed he was alone, the ladies fishing or messing around back at the camp. Annie quietly munched grass by the pool as he sputtered and tried to shake himself dry. Irritated with himself—he’d never before had trouble catching a woman’s eye—he figured quiet time without any women around was just what he needed. Though, to be fair, he knew he shouldn’t complain. The ladies had been sterling, pitching in, having fun, even ragging him on his notoriety. And in their own way, they’d done what they could to... To do what? So she’d sat next to him. Finally. Big deal. Tomorrow they’d head back and that would be that.

  With the sun warming on his shoulders, he hopped aboard Annie’s broad back and stretched out flat, his legs straddling her withers. Still not completely shed out from the long winter, her thick hair coat felt soft against his skin. He could lie on Annie, buck naked, and think impure thoughts about Susan, with no one the wiser.

  ****

  Susan tossed and turned on the mat. With the sun warming the tent it soon became oppressive. She wondered what Manny was up to now that all the women had gone off on their own adventures for the day.

  Manny’s alone. Maybe he needs help with something. I owe him. He saved my life. It’s the least I can do.

  She crawled out of the tent to an empty camp. Looking across the meadow she could see Bobby and Beth busy with their fishing rods. Georgie and Willy were mere specks in the distance. Where’s Manny? Checking the tie-line, she was surprised to find Annie gone but his saddle still in the pile with the other tack. Curious she scouted the area wondering where did he get to?

  The only direction she couldn’t see was on the other side of the woods where the stream flowed down from the surviving snow pack. She rounded the far corner of the forest and saw Manny riding his little mare bareback, in no particular hurry.

  Where are you going, Manny?

  Following ex-jockey at a discrete distance, she picked her way along the edge of the woods staying just out of sight. If he turned around, she’d be able to duck behind a tree. Why she needed to keep her presence a secret she couldn’t say. In truth she’d been a real bitch to him for the entire trip, snubbing him in spite of his interest and always courteous behavior. He’d treated her with nothing but respect.

  What’s my problem, anyway?

  Susan watched Manny slide off Annie. He quickly disrobed and piled his clothes neatly on a small boulder. Her breath caught in her throat. He was lean but powerfully built, with muscles corded on muscles, no hips and the best butt she’d ever seen. His sheer masculinity nearly took her breath away. Creeping closer and hoping he’d turn around, she gasped instead as he plunged into the glacial pool, “Holy mother … that has to hurt,” then clapped a hand over her mouth.

  Counting under her breath, she didn’t even get to ten before he rushed out, dripping and gorgeous, his dark hair plastered against his face. His chest was broad and smooth. As she stared at the frigid water cascading off his shivering frame, her fingers tingled with the urge to massage and warm him. When he lounged on Annie, totally oblivious, she couldn’t help the wicked thoughts flicking through her mind. It was so tempting. She crept closer, thinking, oh what the hell.

  ****

  Sprawled on Annie’s back, his legs swinging to keep the flies off her neck, Manny felt perversely happy in his nakedness. He never heard her approach. When Annie jerked her head up and looked back, he sat up and swung his leg over her withers, preparing to dismount. Susan stood only a few feet away with a bemused smile on her beautiful face. Her silky blonde hair was tousled as if she’d just gotten out of bed. Annie chose to ignore the visitor and went back to grazing.

  If he’d had his cowboy hat, he’d have tipped it, but wearing nothing but his good graces didn’t make for social niceties. He decided to brazen it out and nodded instead.

  Why did she pick now to come around? What the hell could she possibly want with him?

  Manny felt the tell-tale flush and rush of blood to his nether regions. He kept his hands folded in his lap as she zeroed in, bearing an evil grin on her gorgeous face. Had she been watching the whole time? Oh God.

  He paled as she husked, “Manuel,” soft and throaty, like the smoothest liquor bouncing in his gut and setting his innards on fire. “I wanted to thank you for what you did last night. Without an audience.” He gulped and muttered, ‘huh?’ to himself. Her voice slipping an octave she went on, “I thought maybe now might be a good time.”

  He managed an ‘um’ as she continued.

  “I haven’t been very… Oh, I guess communicative might be the right word. I apologize. So I thought we could maybe talk and get to know each other a little better.”

  Um, no. Talking is the last thing I want to do.

  What he wanted was to ride this magnificent filly in the Breeders Cup. Just the thought made him rock hard. And if he was any judge at all, he guessed she might be having the same bout with lust and desire. With unabashed interest she honed in on his crotch with her devilish green eyes, bringing on the dreaded flush and even more heat to his cock.

  Almost floating out-of-body, he was drawn into her seductive gaze as she slipped between his legs, spreading his thighs, forcing him to brace his hands on Annie’s broad back. Closing his eyes, he imagined her under him, taut with power, ready. He felt the starting gate spring open, releasing them down the backstretch, but he needed to rein her in and pace her. He rocked forward to tangle his fingers in her soft hair and brought her in close, wanting to kiss her. But she had other ideas.

  She ran her hands up his thighs and across his belly, her thumbs just barely stroking his cock. He jumped at the sharp stab of pleasure and arched back, wanting nothing more than her touch all over his body. If only he could succumb to the sensations, let her have her way, yet he feared he’d lose control—of himself, of her. She knew it somehow, but refused to let him rate her and plunged ahead full bore.

  God, what is she going to do?

  He was about to dismount when she grabbed his hips and tongued his cock with a long, slow lick the full length, teasing the tip and probing the slit. Struggling for air, he let his body lift into her touch, as she grazed her teeth along the head. As she drew him in, all he could do was try to hold back, try to rate himself. He was no longer sure who was going to win the contest for control. He was the jockey and he wanted to ride her, hard and fast and furious—the way she rode, with wild abandon, eyes to the next fence.

  He knew when to give up, when to let his steed take him on the ride of his life. Spreading himself further, he braced as she fondled his soft sacs, finally taking them in her wicked wet mouth, suckling and drawing until his body surged for the final thrust.

  Too fast, too fast, we’re going too fast, I’m going to burn out at the eighth pole.

  She pushed him through that opening on the rail, rushing headlong to the finish line where he exploded and spilled his hot seed in a photo finish. He grabbed her head and caressed her lockes, trying to get her to settle from the insane, headlong rush. He rocked his hips as they cooled down at a slow canter.

  God damn.

  Chest heaving, legs quivering, he stared, mesmerized as his woman, his woman, slowly stroked his thigh.

  She grinned wickedly at him. He almost exploded with laughter and joy when she said, “So Manny, now that we know each other a little better, how would you like to come back to my tent?”

  He cupped her face in his hands and husked, “Oh hell, yeah.”

  ****

  The sounds of the stables waking to a new day—the soft knickers, and sleepy-voiced grooms muttering hellos—filtered through the open bedroom window. Susan stretched, lazy like a cat, sated. Manny lay sprawled across her breasts, softly stroking her thighs and nibbling on her belly.

  “We need to get up, Manny. You’ve got to breeze Ghost for a half mile, and then we need to see about that magnetic therapy for Saul’s mare.”

  Manny fingered his wedding band, still looking surprised to find it on his finger. He never stopped talking about his incredible luck, how he’d never loved anyone the way he loved her. She could never doubt that Manny was as crazy about her as she was for him, and now they had a baby on the way. He looked at her, grinning broadly.

  She knew that look all too well. “Okay, sport, what’s with the Cheshire Cat?”

  “Just remembering about you asking me to come back to your tent.”

  She barked a laugh. “Uh-huh, and all you could say was ‘hell yeah’. I had to remind you to get dressed. You were ready to gallop back to camp buck naked. Then you had to go and knock the damn thing down around our ears. God, I laughed so hard when Willy and Georgie came to our rescue. Oh man, the looks on their faces.”

  Manny gave her a look of total contentment. He’d been the one to take the first leap of faith. He’d asked her to stay another week, then another after that, until they’d made his small cabin a home. His family—Maria, her husband and the kids—had welcomed her as one of their own. He’d finally sealed the deal when he suggested she help him train Ghost. It had been an expression of faith that only true horsemen and women would understand.

  They’d both been hesitant to take the next steps. He told her about how hard life could be on the track, that the long hours were tough on marriages. She would never forget the agony on his face when he shared losing his wife and son. How he’d been away and never even had a chance to say goodbye. There would be a hole in his heart that nothing, not even she, could fill. But it didn’t mean she wouldn’t try.