by India Heath
The rider fast approaching Ned from across the flat rusty plain looked angry. Really angry. Clouds of billowing red dust were being churned up from beneath the hooves of the galloping black stallion and unleashed fury emanated from the rider's taut, powerful body. The lanky cowboy squared his shoulders and swallowed hard, praying he was not responsible for the boss's wrath. Max Carter was a fair-minded guy most of the time but when he lost his temper, everyone took cover.
With grim determination, Max clenched his muscled thighs against the galloping horse's belly. He was mad and someone was going to pay. His clear golden eyes narrowed into slits as they blocked the glaring rays of the setting sun. Dark, shaggy hair was just visible beneath the grey Stetson jammed hard onto his striking head. Wide shoulders stretched the cotton of his chambray shirt across the expanse of his back. Even with his jaw clenched shut in anger, Max was an impressive sight.
"Ned," he yelled, swinging the stallion to an abrupt halt in front of the wary cowboy. "Why the hell are Storm Appleton's cattle still grazing on my land? I thought I told you to send a man over to fix her northern boundary fence this morning?"
Ned's gaze never quite made it past the arrogant thrust of Max Carter's jaw. His accusing glare was sending out spears of retribution and Ned had no desire to be caught in the line of fire. "I did, Boss. I sent young Dan over there first thing, just like you told me to. Only-"
"Only?" Max probed quietly, the pulse in his neck twitching rhythmically.
"Only she sent him back here with a flea in his ear." Ned cleared his throat. "She said she don't need no-one's help. Said she'll fix her own damn fence when she's good and ready to."
The line of Max's jaw tightened like a stretched bow, his hands clenching as he imagined them around Storm Appleton's annoying little throat. "Damn that wretched girl," he growled. "Having her for a neighbour is worse than having a cougar on the prowl. At least cougars I get to shoot."
"Storm is a top little lady, Boss," Ned muttered with reluctant admiration. "She's a real worker. Maybe just a mite too independent for her own good though."
"Independent!" Max spat. "Try stubborn, unreasonable, bull headed and bad tempered. How I've kept my hands off her all these years I'll never know. What that little madam needs is damn good spanking."
Ned grinned. "A spanking might help but I doubt it. She sure is a spunky kid, ain't she?" If anything, Max's expression grew fiercer and Ned swallowed his grin behind a nervous cough. "You want me to send Dan back over there, Boss?"
Max drew in a long deep breath. "No. I'll round up the cattle and take them back to her myself. I reckon it's about time me and Miss Appleton had a little chat."
"You planning on letting your hand do the talking?"
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