Page 20 of Texas Temptation

She walked closer, leaning against a column, gazing over the dark landscape. The lights were on in the bunkhouse and the barn, otherwise the ranch was cocooned in the velvet night. Stars shone as pinpoints of lights in the vast expanse of the black sky.

“I apologize for the awkwardness at dinner,” Jordan started.

She wanted him to know it hadn’t been her idea, without feeling she was trying to accuse Amelia.

“Aunt Amelia may invite whomever she wishes to dinner,” he commented.

“We’re leaving in the morning.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked, rising.

In two steps he stood beside her.

Jordan looked up. His face was planes and shadows, but she knew he was staring down at her. Her breath caught in her throat, but she held firm.

“I’ll still work for you, if that’s what you want. And I’ll be so grateful for the operation. I’ll pay you back every cent.”

“Unnecessary.”

“But we can’t stay here. It isn’t fair to you.”

He was silent for a long moment.

“I can decide what is fair for me. Stay.”

She shook her head.

“I can’t. We can’t. It’s too awkward, too painful.”

“How?”

“I can see it in your eyes. You don’t want Caleb around, no children. Amelia said you disappear when your sister and her children come. You’ve asked your cousins not to come to visit. It’s because of Vicki. I understand, truly I do, which is why we need to leave. That way you won’t be constantly reminded, won’t have a rambunctious four-year-old underfoot all the time.”

He turned and glared off into the night. The silence stretched out. Jordan wished she could ease the man’s anguish, but there was nothing. She was about to turn to reenter the house when he spoke, his voice low and pain fulled.

“She was eight.Eight. She should have had another eighty years.”

Jordan swallowed, longing to reach out and offer sympathy, not knowing if he would accept it. Words were so inadequate at a time like this.

“It’s so tragic,” she murmured. “I’m sorry. I wish I could change things.”

“A senseless waste of two good lives.”

“I know.”

Tentatively, she reached out to touch his arm. He turned, hesitated a moment. Even in the dim light, she could see the intensity of his gaze. He leaned closer and Jordan held her breath. Was he going tokissher?

Her heart raced. For the first time in years, she longed for the touch of a man’s mouth against hers. She had dated only casually since her Cade Cullen Everett had left her life. None of the men had interested her long enough for a second or third date.

But this attraction that flared had her wishing for things that couldn’t be. She almost leaned forward, just a few scant inches, to meet him halfway. To offer her mouth to his, hoping he’d kiss her and find some solace in the contact.

Startled at the thought, Jordan did nothing for several minutes, conscious of the tension that rose until she could almost reach out and touch it.

Finally, he turned with an expletive and headed out to the barn. Slowly she drew in a breath, unaware she’d been holding hers until he left.

She watched as he strode across the dark grass, his back ramrod straight and taut. He’d wanted to kiss her. She was sure of it. And she’d wanted him to.

Hadn’t she learned anything from Cade Cullen Everett of South Beach?

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