"With ours that will make a big herd of little over six thousand."
"At least we'll have enough men to handle it." Lance sighed.
"So, when are you leaving for Boston?" George asked.
"When the herd starts out, I'll help get us on the run, and then head out."
"Sounds reasonable." George nodded.
"Are you sure you can handle things?"
"I been goin' up that trail a lot longer than you, kid." George chuckled. "I can handle it with my eyes closed. So, you don't have to hurry catchin' up. Just get it done, son."
"I guess you have, thanks, George, for everything." Lance finally smiled.
"Who you gonna leave here, with Trudy?" George asked.
"Chico, Mark, and Bill."
"Bill will be mad," George shook his head. "He's gonna assume the worst, that you're putting him out to pasture."
"No, it's not that at all. Bill's got a good head on his shoulders, whereas Mark is a hot head, Bill will keep him in control. Chico is a natural to stay here, he knows how to handle rough hombre's in case there are any. He also knows how to act like he doesn't know a thing. That's what I like about him. He seems harmless, but you can't put one over on Chico."
"Good thinkin'. He is a crafty one."
"You'll be in charge of our herd and boys until I return. I don't plan on staying in Boston long, but it will take time to get there and back."
"We'll manage." George chuckled.
Lance nodded and walked out, satisfied that he'd finally decided about Priscilla and would end the doubts with Trudy.
"I want Trudy to trust me George." Lance told him as he turned to look at him at the door.
"Women trust everything except other women, that's a fact. It's certain she's never given her heart to any man… yet!" George smiled.
Chapter Eleven
That same evening, it was late when Lance got through checking all the doors, when he came to Trudy's door and knocked. The house was very still.
Trudy was stunned to see him standing there when she opened her bedroom door.
"Something wrong?"
"Yeah," he sighed and leaned against the door frame.
"I didn't kiss you this morning and it wasn't the best of days." He said.
She looked speechless.
"Aw… hell honey." Then he pulled her unresisting body against his and planted a more than sultry kiss to her lips. Shocked she wrapped her arms around his neck and encouraged the kiss with a slight groan. He heard her slight intake of breath, felt her body melting against his, and deepened the kiss. She lost herself for a moment, totally oblivious to anything but the sweet taste of his mouth on hers. The male scent of him sent her senses whirling. This time she opened her mouth willingly, inviting the exploration of his tongue. His lips wandered over her face, around her ear, down her neck and she heard him whisper, "God, I needed that."
"Oh," she murmured when his head came up to stare into her starry-eyed look.
When he grinned, she finally smiled.
"Mine wasn't very good either," she said softly.
"One thing my dad taught me, never let the sun go down on your anger." He told her with a sexy grin. "I think he was right, I'll sleep much better now."