Taming a Texas Rascal (Bad Boy Ranch #6) - Katie Lane Page 0,43

that he doesn’t want to sell.”

“I might think about selling him,” Daryl said. “If the price is right.” He glanced at Maisy. “I mean, it seems like your wife has really gotten attached to him.”

She thought Sawyer would correct him, but he didn’t. “It does seem that way. I guess my life will be a living hell if I don’t please the little woman.”

The amount Daryl wanted for Angel made Maisy feel sick to her stomach. There was no way Sawyer had that much money and she resigned herself to the fact she would have to let Angel go. But instead of declining, Sawyer nodded and held out his hand.

“Then it’s a deal, Daryl.”

Chapter Thirteen

Sawyer saw the shocked look in Maisy’s eyes as he shook Daryl’s hand. He was pretty shocked himself. What the hell was he doing? He didn’t need a horse. Nor did he have thousands of dollars to spend on one. He knew where to get the money, although he knew it would come at price. If it would keep Angel safe and take the sadness from Maisy’s eyes, he was willing to pay that price.

“You can just Venmo me the money,” Daryl said.

“Sorry, I don’t have that app.” Or the money to send through it. “How about I meet you at the bank in Simple tomorrow morning?”

Daryl didn’t like the idea. “How do I know I can trust you to show up?”

Maisy jumped in and played the part of indignant wife to a tee. “If he doesn’t show up and buy me my horse, he won’t be sleeping in my bed for a month.”

That seemed to appease Daryl. After they made arrangements about what time to meet, he hopped in his truck and drove off. As soon as the trailer lights disappeared from view, Maisy turned to Sawyer.

“You have that kind of money?”

“No. But I can get it.”

She stared at him for a second before she hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Sawyer. Thank you so much.”

“I didn’t just do it for you, Maze. I’ve gotten attached to that horse too.”

“I know. I was just so sure we were going to lose him to that idiot. But you played Daryl like a fiddle.” She drew back, but kept her arms looped around his waist. He liked them there. “Equine mambolitis?”

He grinned. “He fell for it, didn’t he?”

“But if he looks it up online, he’ll know you made it up.”

“He doesn’t care enough to look it up. Getting a ranch and a horse were just a whim. The excitement of playing cowboy will wear off shortly—if it hasn’t already—and he’ll sell his fake Texas ranch and head back to the big city. He’ll never give another thought to Angel. Or should we call him Black Beauty?”

“Don’t you dare. He’s Angel.” She winked at him. “Just like his new owner.”

“Don’t try to brown-nose me just because I saved that damn horse. I need a horse like I need a hole in the head. What am I going to do with him when I leave? I can’t leave him with Chester and Lucas when he won’t even let anyone ride him.”

“I’ll get him saddle broke.”

“Of course you will. Maisy Sweeney can do anything . . .except blow bubbles.”

“I’m working on that.”

Just the thought of Maisy sitting in her trailer with her face all scrunched up in concentration as she chewed bubble gum and tried to blow bubbles made him laugh. She joined in. Seeing Maisy laugh up close was like watching sunlight dance across water. Her brown eyes sparkled and her freckled nose crinkled and her soft lips opened to reveal the gap in her front teeth.

At the sight of the gap, the memory of sliding his tongue over the slight space popped into his head. Hot, thick desire unfurled inside him and his hands tightened on her waist.

She stopped laughing and her gaze locked with his. She must have seen his lust reflected there because her eyes registered surprise.

“Sawyer?” His name came out all breathy and sexy. He wanted to let her go and step away, but his body refused to listen. He drew her closer as his head dipped.

Her lips were as soft as he remembered. As he brushed a kiss across them, they separated and welcomed him inside a warm, wet mouth that tasted like sweet nectar. He devoured the sweetness with deep pulls and gentle tongue sweeps as his hands slid down to her butt and lifted her up on her toes, pressing her against the