MountainStallion Read Free

walked into her
shop, she could scarcely believe her eyes. She’d seen attractive Horsemen but
Pace had actually taken her breath away.
    Despite his disheveled appearance, the tall,
lean Horseman carried himself with grace and dignity. The cropped hair on his
head and the scruffy beard dusting his face were a shade darker than the golden
coat covering his equine body. The only Horsemen she’d seen with such a
combination of athleticism and elegance were the magnificent Fighting Carriers.
The idea of a Horseman like Pace toiling for the profit of another man sickened
her.
    Until she’d set eyes on him, she’d been
focused on closing her shop for the night and getting some much needed rest.
Just looking at him prompted a rush of desire she’d never experienced before
but also incited her anger. He’d looked even more tired than she felt. Most of
the craftsmen from the mountain seemed badly overworked. The way her salves
practically flew off the shelves told her the proverbial King of the Mountain
was nothing more than a slaver.
    After locking the door behind Pace, she
hurried to the window to watch the gorgeous palomino trudge wearily toward the
village Running Way. Even tired he exuded power and vitality that made her long
to mount his sleek back and fly with him through the summer sky.
    From her shop she had a clear view of the
Running Way. She watched Pace gallop for takeoff. He spread his beautiful
wings, the same cream color as his equine legs and tail, and ascended.
    Gayle watched until he disappeared from her
view. She drew a few deep breaths, trying to calm her pounding heart.
    “Pace,” she whispered then sighed. Thinking
about him would do her no good. Most likely he had a wife and possibly children
too.
    Besides she couldn’t waste time fantasizing.
Not when so much still needed to be done. She had to renovate the shop as well
as the house, not to mention she was out of salve and didn’t want to disappoint
the workers when they came looking for more.
    She’d eat a quick dinner then rest a bit. That
would leave her enough time to walk to the valley to gather the herbs she
needed for the salve and return home before it got too dark. One thing she
enjoyed about summer was the longer daylight hours.
    Gayle ate a tasty meal of bread and fruit,
then settled onto her favorite chair. She’d intended to rest for a short time,
but with a full stomach and lulled by some rare moments of total relaxation,
she soon drifted to sleep.
    * * * * *
    On his way back to the mountain, Pace tried to
sort out the strange feelings coursing through him. How could he be attracted
to a woman who irked him? Not that the attraction mattered. She thought him a
greedy, slave-driving beast. He had best forget about Gayle and perhaps
continue shopping in Hornview.
    When he returned to his mountain, most of his
workers had left for the evening. Pace had built his home on the mountain so he
could be close to his work. He also loved the fresh air and the gorgeous view.
The rain had yet to start, so he decided to wash in the lake not far from his
house. He ducked in and tore a branch from a tree overhanging the water. He
used the branch to scrub his equine back and flanks. Despite their strength,
Horsemen needed to take precautions with their wondrous shapeshifting bodies.
After heavy work or exercise, they needed to properly clean and care for their
coats and muscles or else risk developing permanent soreness and other
problems.
    After his bath, Pace walked to shore and shook
off. He applied Gayle’s salve, noting that she knew her craft well. Not only
did the salve have a pleasant aroma but it eased the pain in his tight arm and
shoulder muscles.
    He glanced skyward, toward the dark, heavy
clouds. Still no rain. The grass near the lake had yet to cool after a day in
the sunlight, so Pace lay down and closed his eyes to enjoy a short rest before
returning home.
    He must have been even more tired than he
realized because no sooner had he