Page 16 of Savage Secrets

He jerked forward in his seat, elbows on his knees and face in his hands. “That was all stripped away from me years ago. But then I went to the Gracey…and things were different for a time.”

“We’ve discussed your feelings about how you’ve been treated on the ranch lately.”

“Sean Gracey took me off the ranch and moved me to the Springvale. Yeah, I would have gone willingly to help Opal. That’s not the point. The point is—” He broke off, choking on the anger clogging his throat.

“The point is you weren’t given a choice.”

“Yes, goddammit.” He tore off his hat and raked his fingers through his hair.

“Okay, Zach. I can see this is upsetting you. How can we ease that anger in you? How can you take back control?”

He gave her a jaundiced look. “I ran the Gracey foryears.Now the guys who took over think I’m a thief and demoted me toa common ranch hand. While they talk things over that I should be in on, they’ve got me sitting at the kid table.Literally.” The word barely escaped his clenched teeth at what had gone on after Mr. Vale’s funeral.

Suddenly, he remembered the key in his pocket and let out a slow breath.

While he was glad to have a place on the Springvale, he didn’t like how things had turned out on the Gracey. Not one bit.

But given his past, how could he ask for more?

Slipping his hand in his pocket, he touched the edge of the key. At least Opal trusted him.

Chapter Five

Opal paced across the kitchen to the coffeemaker, checking that she’d switched it on to brew. Yes, she had. The dark roast was already starting to fill the glass carafe.

After only a week of sharing a mug on the porch with Zach, she already associated the scent with the man. Morning and night, the smell of coffee made her think of him.

She glanced at the clock. Only five minutes to go. Well, give or take. While he usually wrapped up his chores by this time every night, sometimes he ran into a problem that would take him a few minutes longer.

Her heart fluttered with each tick of the second hand on the old wall clock. Warmth spread through her cheeks from the anticipation inside her.

Why was she feeling like this? She should be professional—she was a ranch owner now.

The recollection of how she’d come to own the ranch was a sharp jab into a deep bruise that wouldn’t fade for a very long time. She missed her dad with her whole heart. The local police department didn’t have anything new to share about the crime that took his life. Tomorrow morning she would call them—again—and be that squeaky wheel that got the grease.

With another glance at the clock, she strode to the door and peered out. Surprise mixed with excitement rolled through her.

Zach was already seated on the porch, waiting for their talk.

When she opened the door, cold air rushed over her. He glanced up at the sound. Though he sat in mostly shadow, she knew he was looking at her.

“You might change your mind about our talk tonight, Opal. The temperature dipped and the frost is coming on.”

“I feel it.” She paused for a beat, trying to decide if her next question was a good idea.

She was a grown woman. If she wanted to invite a man inside for coffee by the fire, who was to judge her?

“Why don’t you come inside? I have a fire going.”

Was it a trick of the shadows or did she see his fingers clamp where they rested on his muscled thigh?

She pushed the screen door open in invitation. “Come in.”

The old chair creaked as he stood. The thump of his cowboy boots on the floorboards shouldn’t sprinkle goose bumps down her spine.

Maybe it was the cold air causing her nipples to pebble.

When Zach stepped into the house, she was aware—so aware—of his size. He took up a lot of space, yet he didn’t frighten or intimidate her.

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