Orr Loveless is exactly where he knows he belongs, rescuing and training mules. Despite their reputation, which he feels is undeserved, he knows they are smart, sure footed, and great mounts for trail riding and outdoor adventures. The only thing he lacks is a human partner to share the work and the fun, but he knows his lifestyle is not likely to attract one.<br><br>Jase Keller has returned to New Mexico, where his forgotten roots remain. With his high finance job destroying him, he desperately needs a big change for this vacation. Only Orr Loveless doesn’t seem to want to take him on a wilderness trip. When they go, it’s the opposite of the farm boy seeing the city for the first time. Jase discovers another life and it’s the one he wants to live ... with Orr by his side.<br><br>Can Jase persuade a stubborn mule man like Orr that he doesn’t need to be “loveless” any longer?

The Mule Man

Now the trail meandered through tall evergreens. The rich cinnamon scent sweetened the air and the thick needles that had fallen from the trees carpeted the ground. The mules made little noise as they trudged along, just a gentle scuffle of sound as hooves stirred the duff. They all had a bit of sweat salt crusted now on their bodies, but they still moved easily and did not seem to be exhausted.


Jase, however, had begun to count the hours until he could get down and stretch. He’d sit on something a bit softer than this iron-hard saddle; could perhaps even lie down; relax his hands, too, now stiff from clasping the reins in a stranglehold. Even while he made sure not to pull them too tight to hurt Katie’s mouth with the bit, he felt dropping one would be tantamount to releasing the steering wheel in heavy traffic. He was sure having no control over his mount would be a dangerous thing.


Chapter 9