Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6) Read Free Page B

happy, to have a good life, enjoy life, while at the same time be independent enough to take care of their own needs.
    He didn’t think it would happen. He’d waited too long. Slowing Taro, he studied the herd milling around the pond. His heart filled with sadness. Maybe if he’d brought them here years earlier when they were young enough to adjust and appreciate the ranch…
    A calf’s bawl brought him upright in his saddle. Even after his short time on the ranch, he knew a cry for help when he heard one.
    Edging his way through the cattle, he came to the water’s edge. “Not again,” he muttered. A young calf was in the pond and couldn’t get out, her cries loud and heart wrenching.
    Beau jumped from Taro’s back and pulled out his cell. Gordon didn’t pick up. Neither did his wrangler, Joe.
    Cursing, Beau sat down and pulled off his boots. How hard could it be to get one young calf out of a pond?
    He soon found out.
    An hour later, the calf was still stuck, and Beau was worn out. “Not as young as I thought I was,” he said, swiping at a fly that landed on his nose.
    “Beau? What in the world are you doing?”
    Startled, he looked up. Nell sat on a beautiful white-faced Palomino. She looked magnificent. And he was covered from head to foot in mud. That wasn’t the worst part of it. The calf was still stuck. This wasn’t a picture he wanted her to see.
    “What are you doing here?” he asked a bit gruffly. He popped the calf on her rump. Again. She didn’t budge.
    “I baked pies this morning and thought you might enjoy one.” She pointed to a basket tied to the saddle. “Looks as if you’re having a little trouble.”
    “You could say that,” he said, scratching his head with muddy fingers. “She’s a stubborn one.
    “Do you have a length of rope?” she asked as she slid to the ground.
    “Not with me.”
    “This might do.” She untied the basket from the saddle. “Hope it’s long enough. Catch.” She threw the rope.
    He caught it with one hand, tied it around the calf’s neck, got in front of her, and pulled. Still nothing.
    “I think this is a two-man job,” Nellie said, coming up next to him. She had pulled off her boots, rolled up her jeans, and splashed into the water to stand beside him.
    “What are you doing? You’ll get as muddy as I am. Call Donovan. He won’t mind helping.”
    “Since Donovan left for town an hour ago, that won’t happen any time soon.” She laughed. “Don’t worry, we’ll have her out in no time.”
    Walking around him, she kicked up water with every step, until she was behind the calf. “I’ll push. You pull.”
    Beau shook his head. He didn’t know another woman who would do such a thing. Who else wouldn’t care how dirty they might get? Or how wet?
    Green eyes flashing with mischief, Nell grinned and pushed.
    The calf pranced out of the mud as if going for a leisurely stroll.
    “Damned calf.”
    Nell laughed. Beau’s heart did that rolling thing again.
    “They’re prone to do that, you know.”
    “I’m learning,” he said as he pulled himself out of the pond, reached for Nell’s hand, and pulled her up beside him.
    “Now you’re a mess.” Nell didn’t have a dry stitch on her. His mouth went dry, his heart pounding an uneven rhythm when he took in her perfect-for-him figure. His gaze drifted from her figure to her face. She had a dab of mud on her cheek. He swiped at it with his thumb—and fought the urge to kiss her.
    She laughed again. “You should see yourself.”
    Beau looked down at his mud-encrusted body. “I think I’ll take a swim.” He splashed back into the pond, paddling out until he came to clear water.
    “Better?” Nell called out.
    “Much. You should try it.”
    “Think I will.”
    The next thing he knew she was next to him, laughing and splashing water at him.
    He felt like a kid as he splashed water into her perfect face.
    Throwing back his head, he roared with laughter. Now he knew why he’d bought the ranch.