Kingsville, TX:
Little Joe, Aemilia, and Akari sit in their saddles and just look at all the land that was part of Little Joe’s ranch. They were still acres away from his property border, but it all looked beautiful. It was hot out, and the river that marked the border of the property was still a ride away.

Little Joe turns and looks t Aemilia as she sat in her saddle. She looked so beautiful on top of her horse. She had dressed like she grew up in the saddle. He was surprised by how much she knew about horses and riding. The two of them had taught Akari some basic riding skills.

The horse he assigned Akari to ride was good nature and would follow their horses, so she was safe. He noticed how much Aemilia was enjoying herself in the saddle.

“So, what do you ladies think of my property so far?” Little Joe looks towards Aemilia and Akari.

Akari didn’t know what to feel, because she was still recovering from the death of her parents and being adopted by Ms.Scipio. She looks back at Little Joe “it’s so wide and dry.”

Aemilia smirks at Akari’s comment. She knew Akari was so uses to being on a boat, that land was a new sensation for her. She knew Akari felt uncomfortable on land.

Little Joe looks at Aemilia for her input. “What do you think?”

Aemilia turns her head and look at Little Joe “I love it. True, it’s a little hot and dusty for my taste, but I do love it so far.” Aemilia has always loved open spaces and horseback riding. Even when she served in the British secret service.

A smile appears on Little Joe’s face. He couldn’t get over how beautiful Aemilia looked. He loved hearing her French accent. He has heard her speak in a few other languages, but her French was beautiful.

“There’s a spot where we can stop and stretch our legs for a while.” Little Joe leads the two ladies to one of his favorite spots. It was close to the beach where he and his men loved to come down and party at.

Akari follows behind Little Joe. Her horse seems to be willing to follow, instead of lead. She adjust how she is sitting in the saddle. She has never been on top of an horse before. Aemilia had warned her that her thighs were going to hurt later on tonight.

She had gotten uses to using the reigns to stir her horse. She was glad that her horse was patient with an amateur like her. When Akari slides out of the saddle, she could barely stand. Akari noticed Aemilia was having the same problem.

A smirk appears on Little Joe’s face by the way both women were standing. He knew Akari was going to have problems, but he didn’t figure Aemilia would.

“I take it, you haven’t been in the saddle for a while?” He walks over to help her.

“No, but it will come back to me.” She couldn’t tell him she was still getting uses to the surgery she had done to her pelvic area. So, if she had an
x-rays done of her body, she would show up as a woman. Plus, her organs were fully working and she could carry a baby.

Aemilia helps Akari after Little Joe helped her. The three of them walk over to an area that her keen trained eyes told her was used often.

“Do you bring people here, often?” Aemilia turns to look into Little Joe’s eyes.

“Just me, my men, sometimes friends and family. It’s a nice area to have a nice picnic or to spend some quality time with someone.” Joe loved the area.

Aemilia stands in front of Little Joe, while she watches Akari explore the area. She feels Little Joe move up behind her and wrap his arms around her slim body. He stood a few inches taller than her. She leans back against his chest enjoying his warm arms around her body.

When she started down this path, she didn’t plan on getting a boyfriend or having feeling. Being a spy and being hunted had caused her to not involve herself with anyone. However, after the first time she meet Little Joe, something about him changed her.

Three of them stay down by the water for a while. Akari felt her legs muscles getting a little sore. They mount back up on their horses and head back to the house. By the time they arrived, the sun had already fallen and night was moving in.

Aemilia shows Akari how to stable her horse and feed him. She rubs down Akari’s horse and her own horse. They hear the dinner bell ring “I think Sophie and Henry are calling us.”

Little Joe leads everyone to the where the food was being served, which was outside at a huge table. All the ranch hands were there, and plates and plates of meat, sides, vegetables, and beans. Little Joe lets Preacher say grace for them, before eating.

Some of the men didn’t know what some of the French dishes were, but were willing to try them. Sophie watches as the food she cooked was slowly being devoured. She saw the expression on the cowboys who tried her dish and fell in love with it. Akari was given sweet iced tea to drink, while the men either drunk beer, whiskey, or tea themselves.

Sophie was sitting near Henry. He had loved how she cooked and taste tested some of her dishes. She taste tested some of his cooking as well, especially the cowboy beans. She had never had beans like that before.

Aemilia, Little Joe, and several cowboys volunteered to help with the dishes. They cleared the table and divided the left over for the men to take with them. Akari was shown where she could take a nice soak to ease the stiffness building in her thighs. Sophie gives her some aspirin for her thighs as well.

Aemilia and Little Joe sat outside looking up at the Texas sky. She was surprised by how clear the night sky was.

“It’s a lot different than France.” Aemilia leans back Against Little Joe’s chest. She was sitting between his legs.

“True, but tonight is special with you being here.” Little Joe kisses Aemilia on the neck.

Aemilia melts against Little Joe. She was enjoying how she felt when he kissed her. She turns around in his arms and start kissing him back.
After a few minutes of tongue wrestling, she stops kissing him and look into his eyes “I think I better head back to my bedroom, before I do something we might regret later.”

A playful smile appears on Little Joe’s weathered face “I don’t think we should regret it, but at least let me escort you back.” As Little Joe helps Aemilia off the ground.

“Thank you.” Aemilia smiles at him as she turns and walks back to her bedroom.

She gives him one more kiss, before retiring for the night. She had so many emotions going through her and she was unprepared for everything. She gets undress and takes a cold shower to calm down.

When morning arrives, she is woken up by her alarm on her cell phone. She puts her house robe on and slippers and check on Akari. She found Akari still asleep after everything yesterday. She heads towards the kitchen where she spots Sophie fixing breakfast.

“Has Mr. Cartwright already had breakfast, Sophie?” Aemilia looks towards her housekeeper.

“Ye ma’am. He was up early and left with his men, after grabbing some breakfast.” Sophie goes back to cooking.

“You know, you don’t have to cook while we are here, Sophie.” Aemilia sits down to enjoy a fresh muffin that she knew Sophie made.

“I know ma’am. I enjoy cooking and Mr. Cartwright doesn’t mind me taking over his kitchen while we are here.” Sophie brings over a cup of coffee to Aemilia.

“Thank you, Sophie.” She accepts the cup.

“You’re welcome, ma’am.” Sophie fixes herself a cup and sits down at the table with Aemilia.

The two of them enjoy their coffee in peace, because they both knew Akari would be up soon. Today, they were taking her to the hair salon for the very first time in her life.