“Hey.” Tamsan interrupted Anna’s circuit of anger. “I reckon it’s time to get out of the office,” she announced. “Leave the monies for another time. We’re going to work on that gelding of yours.”

“Tex?”

“He needs a few lessons in manners. Way he rides it’s only a matter of time before he bucks you off, and personally, I don’t want to see that cute butt of yours in the dirt.”

“You’re welcome to try,” Anna said, scratching her chin. “I don’t think he’ll work for anyone besides my dad. He was always dad’s favorite. And I guess dad was his. The ranch hands won’t ride him.”

“That’s because they have their own dead broke horses. Ones that know how to work. Tex knows how too. He just needs a reminder.”

If there was anyone who could give Tex a reminder, it was Tamsan. Anna followed the woman out and watched her as she caught Tex. At first the paint was happy enough to be bought in. There was the prospect of food, and he’d always been happy to work for food. The trouble started when Tamsan tied him up without presenting any tasty grain as a bribe. Then he began to swing around and move back at the post, putting dangerous weight on his halter.

“That’s enough of that,” Tamsan said sternly. “Stand up!”

Following the correction, Tex stood quietly at the post, licking his lips.

“Horses have a hierarchy,” Tamsan explained. “Dominant horses control the movement of other horses. When he moves at the post, he’s telling you he’s in control. If you let him swing around like that and push his butt against you, you’ll find yourself in trouble.”

“I’ll let you push your butt against me if you like,” Anna winked.

“Brat,” Tamsan smiled affectionately. “Pay attention. I’m trying to teach you something.”

“I think I’m going to buy an ATV,” Anna said. “Something that won’t buck or bolt or require stabling or feed.”

“Aside from gas.”

“This is Texas. We’re surrounded by oil.”

“So you’re just going to give up on him?”

“Nope, I’m going to find a way around. Tex doesn’t want me to ride him, and I don’t want to ride him neither.”

Tamsan snorted. “You’re just as stubborn as he is. A matched pair.”

“You going to smack my rump if I won’t do what you want?”

“Likely,” Tamsan said casually, turning to saddle Tex.

“You wouldn’t,” Anna laughed. “I mean, you’re a control freak, but you’re not that much of a control freak.”

“You have no idea how much of a control freak I am.” Tamsan flickered a wink over her shoulder as she tightened the cinch.

“I’ve slept with you,” Anna reminded her. “I know you like to be on top.”

“I went easy on you, seeing as it was our first time.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Mhm. Didn’t want to scare you off.”

Anna’s grin became broad and mischievous. “Well I don’t scare easy, you know.”

Tamsan turned, one hand on the saddle. “That remains to be seen.” There was an intensity in her eyes, something exciting and erotic. “You seem to get antsy when you think you’re losing control.”

“Are you into some weird stuff?”

“Weird stuff? I guess that depends what you consider weird.”

“Wow, it must be interesting, if you’re being so coy about it.” Anna’s grin grew wider. “Now I’m really curious.”

Tamsan picked up the bridle and fed the metal bit gently into Tex’s mouth. He accepted it graciously and allowed her to fit the rest of the bridle up and over his ears. He’d suddenly discovered his manners, so it seemed.

“I’m going to take him out for a little schooling,” Tamsan said. “Once that’s done, I’ll come back and school you.”

“Will you now?” Anna laughed as Tamsan swung herself up into the saddle.

“Mhm. Go get cleaned up and wait in your room.”

Anna’s mouth fell open. “You can’t be serious.”

“If you’re not in your room when I get back, there will be consequences.” Tamsan winked and backed Tex up slowly.

Not sure if Tamsan truly was serious, Anna watched the woman ride out onto the ranch. It took a few minutes for what Tamsan had requested to really sink in. Requested was the wrong word really, what Tamsan had actually done was more or less send Anna to her room.

Biting her lower lip, Anna found her smile fading a little. Should she ignore it? Laugh it off as if she thought it was a joke? Or should she do what Tamsan wanted and see where the night took them? At any rate, she was sticky from raging all day and a shower didn’t sound like a bad idea.