The Millionaire Cowboy's Secret. Karen Whiddon

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      Meeting his gaze straight on, she considered his statement. “You’re right,” she finally said, surprising the hell out of him. “I promise you it won’t happen again.”

      He noted she didn’t offer to turn in her weapon. Of course, as an undercover ATF agent, she really couldn’t.

      Studying her, he considered his options. He could send her away and wait for the Feds to drum up another ridiculous excuse to send someone else. Or he could let her do her job while unwittingly serving his purpose and helping him get to the people he wanted’the Mexican drug cartel.

      She’d do, he decided. Plus, it didn’t hurt that she was easy on the eyes. “All right,” he finally said. “You can stay. You say you’ve taken all the courses and are well aware of the responsibilities that come with carrying a loaded gun?’

      “Yes.” Her mouth tightened. Pushing her, he knew, but he hadn’t been the one overreacting to the sound of an engine backfiring. Were all ATF agents this jumpy? Or did this one have a particular reason to be?

      When he didn’t immediately respond, she opened her mouth as though she meant to argue her case, but then closed it, apparently deciding against saying anything that might give her away.

      “Fine.” He decided to let it pass. “Come on. I’ll take you to see the horses.”

      He turned and strode off in the direction of the barn, knowing she’d have to hurry to catch up. Which she did easily and without comment.

      As they crossed the parking lot, passing by the tack building and the ranch office on the way to his large barn, she looked around and whistled. “Nice.”

      Allowing a slight grin, he nodded. “Thanks.”

      “I’ve heard your horses are beautiful.”

      Of all the creatures on this earth, Matt loved horses the best. Especially his. The purebred Arabians were grace, elegance and intelligence combined.

      Instead of taking Skylar directly to the barn, he led her to the indoor riding arena to which the stalls were attached. His trainers were working two of his newest mares now.

      Taking Skylar’s arm, he stopped at the edge of the arena to watch. He glanced at her, knowing her reaction would tell him if she truly was a horse person at heart or pretending to be one because of her assignment.

      To his surprise, she had her chin in the air, eyes closed. The expression on her face was one of rapt wonder.

      “What are you doing?”

      One corner of her mouth curled up. “Inhaling the scent. There’s nothing like the smell of a horse barn.”

      Curious, he continued to study her. “Most people don’t like it, especially the manure.”

      Shaking her head, she grinned at him. “Well, I do. I like it a lot.”

      He didn’t know her enough to know if she was faking. For him, the scent of horses and hay and leather and sawdust were as heady as the finest perfume. No, better.

      When she turned her attention to the two horses being lunged at each end of the ring, he waited expectantly. If she’d done her research, she’d know that these two animals were among the finest examples of the purebred Arabian horse breed.

      “They’re beautiful,” she breathed. Raising her fancy camera, she snapped shot after shot.

      Idly, he wondered if she even knew how to take decent photographs. One way to find out. “Let me see.” He held out his hand for the camera.

      Slowly, she handed over the expensive piece of equipment. “Please be careful with it,” she said.

      He’d already located the button that would display the digital images. Calling them up on to the display, he viewed them one by one.

      They were first-rate. Professional quality. She’d truly done his horses justice.

      Surprised and impressed, he handed the camera back.

      “They’re good,” he said. “Very good.”

      She gave a nonchalant shrug and turned away. “That’s my job.”

      “How’s your dog around horses?” he asked. The last thing he needed was a crazed dog frightening his stock.

      “She’s good.” Her easy smile told him she once again spoke truth. “I used to have a couple of my own. She came with me to the stables every day. I promise she won’t be a problem.”

      “That’ll work.” If the dog couldn’t handle it, he’d simply ask her to keep it in the trailer.

      His cell phone buzzed, indicating a text message. Digging it out of his pocket, he saw it was from José. I have news, it said.

      “I’ve got to go,” he told Skylar. “Feel free to take a look around the barn and talk to my employees. I’ll see you up at the house later, if you’d like to eat with us.”

      Her eyes widened, as though she hadn’t been expecting the invitation. Finally, she nodded. “Sounds good,” she said, then turned away.

      Matt hurried up to the house.

      José had apparently watched everything from the kitchen window.

      “That’s her?”

      Matt nodded. Skylar McLain hadn’t been at all what he’d expected. The slender redhead looked strong and fit, as befitted a federal agent, yet she was lushly shaped. Her facial bones were delicate, showing off her full mouth and wide green eyes. Worst of all, she was beautiful, even with her silky straight hair scooped back in a careless ponytail.

      “Wow!” José’s grin showed his crooked teeth. “A looker, isn’t she?”

      “Not at all what I expected when you said the woman coming to do a story on me for the Arabian Horse magazine was going to be an undercover ATF agent. I still don’t know how you found that out.”

      José’s grin widened as he executed an exaggerated bow. “One of my many talents. I know people who know things.”

      Despite the worry that gnawed at his stomach, Matt forced himself to smile back. His friend had gone the extra mile, using his past prison experience and connections. Not only to place himself between the ATF and Matt, but with the Mexican drug cartel La Familia, as well.

      “She’s pretty damn hot for a federal agent.”

      “I agree.” José briefly grinned, then frowned. “You can’t let that distract you.”

      “You know better than that,” Matt said, not bothering to try to hide his anger. José knew better than anyone else what he lived for.

      Vengeance, plain and simple. And he didn’t give a damn who or what he had to go through to get it.

      “Take it easy, man.” José cuffed him on the shoulder. “It’s all gonna work out.”

      “Maybe. СКАЧАТЬ