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

“Yeah, you just kick back awhile. I’ll have the chores done in no time and then we’ll have coffee and some supper. Maybe pretty soon they’ll get that powdered alcohol stuff on the market so we could have a drink in camp!”


At that, Jase seemed to brighten a bit. “Yeah, I saw that on TV. That’d be cool.”


Before he said or did something inappropriate and way off base, Orr hurried away to take care of the mules. He made sure Katie got an extra scoop of grain. She’d definitely earned it.


Jase let himself slump for a few minutes, waiting as feeling and then pain returned to his legs. His butt hurt, too. The idea of another day of this torture loomed over him like grim death. Then he squared his shoulders. No. Fucking. Way. He wasn’t going to roll over and play dead.


Chapter 11