“Maybe. Then again, she’s a ninja cow and she may be building up steam to put on the afterburners.”
Trey laughed again. Misty was too adorable for words. Not that he’d ever tell her that to her face. He just couldn’t resist her any longer. To hell with the cows. He stepped in close, put an arm around her shoulders, and kissed her with all the heat and passion that’d been building up since they’d left his bed. She responded with as much fire and urgency as he could possibly want from the woman who was making all his dreams come true.
And then a loud moo sounded directly in his ear. Misty jumped back with a little shriek and held up her switch.
“Bessie, mind your manners.” He put a hand on the cow’s jaw and pushed her large head away. She licked her soft nose with her big tongue while she looked at him imploringly with brown eyes.
“Okay. I got it. You’re hungry.”
He looked around for a good place to spread the oats. He walked over to the oak tree, cleaned off a wide area of ground with the sole of his boot, and then dumped a row of oats in a long line.
“Ladies, come and get it.” He walked back over to Misty, who watched as Bessie started toward the tree in a trot.
“We’d better get out of here,” Misty said in a low voice. “Looks like they’re about to break into a killer run.”
“Yep. Those oats don’t stand a chance,” he agreed, chuckling. “Now is a good time to fix the fence.”
Chapter 32
“This is delicious.” Misty cut a piece of flaky catfish with her fork. She hadn’t felt this lighthearted in ages. She’d been making mischief just to see Trey’s eyes light up with humor. “I’m not convinced Bessie doesn’t have superpowers. You saw the way the other cows hid behind her.”
“They weren’t hiding behind Bessie.” Trey set down his salad fork and smiled at her. “They were walking single file behind their leader in their pecking order.”
“You may think that’s normal, but it sounds more like Wonder Woman to me.”
“If so, why didn’t she load ’em up in her invisible plane and fly them back to their pasture?’”
Misty smiled mischievously. “No doubt she’s working undercover as Bessie the Ninja Cow.”
“And that explains why we’re not eating bison steak.”
“Exactly. No red meat while she’s lurking about. She might be a little sensitive on the subject.”
Trey chuckled as he forked up another bite of salad.
“Here’s a thought.” Misty couldn’t resist expanding on her premise. “If those shoe prints turn out to be a clue to our culprits, we’ll have Bessie to thank. She’s the one who called our attention to them.”
“I wish Mom was home. She would totally get into this scenario with you. She’s a huge Wonder Woman fan. She’s got a big collection that takes up one wall in her office.”
“Really?” Misty grinned in delight. “I can’t wait to see it. We gals must stick together.”
“That include Bessie?”
“She’s the leader, isn’t she?”
“True.”
“And now that I’ve proved my absolute devotion to your adorable cows, you won’t breathe a word to your cousins or friends about my first introduction to the big beasts.” She could just imagine Slade’s reaction, or maybe he’d get into it and suggest Superman and Batman be given roles in the cattle herds. Morning Glory would probably offer really good suggestions. She might like Spider-Woman or the Huntress.
“My lips are sealed.” He squeezed them shut as if to prove his point.
“Cross your heart and hope to die?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“I knew it! You’re gonna blab the first minute you see them.”
“You’ve got to admit, it’s a pretty good story.”
“Bessie’s eyes did look red in the sunlight. And she was wearing a black ninja suit. I rest my case.” Misty forked another bite of catfish into her mouth.
“She’s a black Angus. That’s her natural color.”
“Not if she’s undercover.” Misty set down her fork and leaned forward. “I bet Morning Glory would recognize Bessie for who she truly is.”
“No doubt.” Trey chuckled, coughed, and took a quick sip of tea. “I’m not sure you’ve earned your cowgirl spurs yet.”
“What makes you think I want them?”
“You’ve got the boots.”
“I do like the boots.” She gave that idea a little thought. “Fortunately, they’re red, not black.”
“There are red Angus in another pasture.” He chuckled as he speared a bite of salad.
She mock pouted at him. “You’re just determined to ruin my dinner.”
“Not after I went to so much trouble to change the menu.”
“Bessie and I do appreciate the thoughtfulness.” She drummed her fingertips on the tabletop. “Maybe I’d better go back to Twin Oaks, where there are no judgmental cowboys.”
“I wouldn’t count on that being a cowboy-free space.”
“Dallas then.”
“Not before Christmas.” He gave her a quelling look. “We’ve got too much to do.”
“Guess I’m stuck.” She smiled at him, watching him watch her with that light in his eyes. “Thanks again. This is tasty catfish. Great hush puppies, too.”