Kissed by a Carrington

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It was a fine Texas evening for a romantic moonlit stroll around the ranch.

Houston was eager to show Kelly around the place. It was too big to see all at one time. It might take a couple of days to tour the entire property.

“Let’s walk down to the stables first.” He pointed out the whitewashed buildings to her. “I’d like to introduce you to Austin’s pride and joy, Q.B. and T.D.”

Kelly lifted a brow. “Horses! Quarterback and Touchdown, right?”

“Yeah, but how’d you guess?”

Kelly laughed heartily. “Stables might’ve given it away. As for their names, they’re a perfect fit for Austin’s career.”

Houston chuckled. “I didn’t stop to think about what I’d said. You’re right, of course. Austin loves his Palominos. The other horses on the property are used by the hired hands. There’s also been a new addition to the stables. My brother purchased a beautiful Appaloosa for Ashleigh before they found out she was pregnant. She named the frisky horse, with the beautiful, shiny spots, Sundance. Although she’s only gotten to ride Sundance a few times she visits her every day. She’ll ride again after the baby comes.”

Kelly got a far-away look in her eyes. “I used to want a horse when I was little. I received a flat-out ‘no’ when I asked. I never brought it up again. Do you ride?”

“There isn’t a Carrington who doesn’t. We were taught to ride at an early age.”

Kelly took off running toward the area Houston had pointed out, surprising him. She couldn’t wait to see the horses. She hadn’t learned to ride, but she was now thinking it wasn’t too late for her to take lessons. Maybe one of the guys could recommend a good teacher. She made a mental note to ask Houston about it later on.

After catching up to Kelly, Houston steered her into the stables and over to the stall where T.D. was housed. The horse greeted the visitors with a loud whinny, making them both laugh. “This is a friendly one, but we still have to be careful. Here,” he said, taking her hand, “let me show you how to handle her without getting injured.”

“Her? T.D. is a girl?”

Houston cracked up. “She’s a girl, a very beautiful one. Stroke her mane gently. That’s the way. She loves to be cuddled.”

“What woman doesn’t?”

Their eyes met and held for several engaging seconds. Kelly wasn’t sorry about what she’d said. If Houston didn’t like it, that was too bad for him. She wasn’t going to monitor every word she spoke for his comfort. She was used to speaking freely.

“Men like to be touched, too. I already know you have soft hands. I’ve felt them.”

Kelly was glad he wasn’t bothered by her comment. “They’re soft but strong. I know how to minister one hell of a deep-tissue massage.”

Houston’s eyes locked with hers. “Is that something I can look forward to?”

“We’ll have to wait and see. I pray that you don’t get injured during the off-season, but if you have one that calls for a massage, I’ll see to it or have one of the therapists take care of you.”

“I set myself up for that one, didn’t I?”

Kelly shrugged, feigning ignorance. “Set yourself up for what?”

Houston laughed inwardly. “Okay, so it’s going to be like that. I’m cool. Let’s move two stalls down so you can meet Q.B., who is not a girl.”

Q.B. was also a beautiful animal, whose light-colored coat glowed like sunlight. The horses’ coats were so healthy-looking. Kelly was careful to gently touch Q.B., the same way Houston had shown her how to handle T.D. The horse gently nudged her shoulder with his nose, causing her to giggle. She’d seen people kiss the noses and foreheads of horses, but she wasn’t going that far, though Kelly would like to hug Austin’s pride and joy. Texas and Wrangler were also favored by their owners.

“Let’s move on down to the lake before it gets too dark to see anything.” Houston grabbed a checkered blanket from a wall rack. “There are a lot of fish in the lake, but we don’t catch them. Austin’s not willing to reel them in to fry up in a pan. They buy fresh fish at the seafood market nearby.”

“Are all the Carrington men that sensitive?”

“Every one of us. We don’t hunt wild game, but we do purchase deer steaks and pheasant and other wild game from the neighbors who do.”

Kelly scowled. “It sounds utterly barbaric! But I guess it’s no different from eating any other kind of meat. Slaughter is involved no matter how it’s performed.”

Houston looked uncomfortable with what Kelly had said, but it was the truth. He didn’t like the idea of harming animals, but men had been acquiring meat that way for countless years. It was the way of the world, whether it was right or not.

Down at the lake Houston spread out the blanket and prompted Kelly to sit. He followed suit. While taking off his shoes, he urged her to do the same.

Kelly was happy to free her feet and let the air rush through her toes. Setting her shoes aside, she stretched out on the blanket, propping her head on one elbow. “This is nice. It’s much cooler by the water’s edge. This is some Texas ranch. I spotted a white gazebo during our journey. I have a fondness for the structure. Do Austin and Ashleigh use it?”

Houston nodded. “Boy, do they use it. Austin had it wired with speakers and hundreds of tiny white lights when it was built on that slope. It has a wooden dance floor and built-in seating around the inside perimeter. There’s also a bar and bandstand. One can see for miles and miles from up there. It’s a pretty romantic setting.”

“It sounds lovely. Have you ever taken anyone there with romance in mind?”

Houston chuckled. “I’ve been up there hundreds of times but not for romance. Austin throws old-fashioned hoedowns and uses the gazebo for social events. We love country and western music, but we’re kind of selective.”

“Austin Carrington thought of everything, didn’t he? It sounds like Ashleigh gets her fair share of romance from her loving husband. By the way, I like CW music, too.”

“They are a very romantic couple. We always tell them to ‘get a room.’”

Lanier and Dallas, hand in hand, came upon Houston and Kelly, but they just waved, smiled and moved on.

Houston waved back at the couple. “I wonder if they’re leaving already. They usually stay a lot longer. What about you, Kelly, are you ready to go home?”

Kelly sighed with deep contentment. “Not yet. It’s so peaceful out here. But if you’re ready, I’m okay with leaving. Is it getting late?”

Houston slipped his hand into hers. “It’s not that late.” His eyes softened. “I like being here with you this way. I agree that it’s quiet and peaceful. I love the outdoors as much as you seem to. I wish our basketball games could be played outside. Austin and Dallas have the best of both worlds. Occasionally they play in indoor sports stadiums, but for the most part they’re out in the elements. I wish. NBA games are always played inside as you know.”

Kelly leaned over and kissed Houston on the nose. “You poor, millionaire baby,” she cooed. “I feel so sorry for you.”

Houston chuckled. “You love messing with me, don’t you? I have no complaints. I know I’m blessed. How many people get paid megabucks to do what they love?”

“You are right about that.” Kelly lay back on the blanket and looked up at the dazzling stars. Locating the brightest one, she closed her eyes and made a wish upon it. “Starlight, star bright,” she chanted softly, “please make my wish come true tonight.”