Chapter 11

Once everybody’s clothing lay drying in the sun, the cowboys splashed into the river to wash themselves. Frank had provided enough soap and they passed the bars around until everyone had lathered up and rinsed off. The bubbles floated away downstream, probably confusing the local wildlife.

Joe cupped a hand and splashed Roy’s back. Roy whirled with a grin.

“You don’t want to start anything with me, friend,” he called. “Remember I was on the wrestling team, too.”

The thought of a team of sweaty men wrestling one another in front of a crowd created a wave of heat in Joe’s groin. He was happy he stood chest-deep in the river so nobody could spot anything. Belatedly, he realized he was supposed to reply to Roy’s challenge.

“You sure were wrestling that old cow” he yelled. “Bet I can take you.”

Roy slicked the wet bangs back out of his eyes and closed the distance between them. “Bet you can’t,”he said softly, his blue eyes alight with mischief.