Page 35 of Home to the Cowboy's Arms

There was a stretch of silence after the laughter subsided. She stood and began to clear the dishes.

“Don’t you hate awkward moments like this?” He had stood up and was watching her.

His question seemed to surprise her. “Awkward?”

“I am taking your advice. State your case and get it over with, you said. Don’t waste time. You never know how precious little of it there might be. So here goes.” He took the coffee mug from her hand and set it in the sink. Then he placed his hands on either side of her so that she was more or less a captive audience with the cabinet behind her. Was it his heart that was beating so loudly?

“We could beat around this subject for a while, but time would be wasted. I’ll put it plain and simple. I like you Victoria Parker. I also like Tori Parker. You keep me on my toes and call me out when I need it. You can be maddening. You can also be pretty damn amazing…always surprising me. You keep me off-kilter and no one has managed to do that.”

“Is that all?”

“And there is this.” His hands slid around her waist and brought her up against him as his head lowered and his mouth claimed hers in a much different kiss than the first one. He was searching, exploring, drawing her into his kisses. It was natural that somehow her hands found their way over the broad shoulders and locked behind his head. As the kiss deepened, the heat coursed through both their bodies, sending nerve ends rioting and pulses out of control. A fire had begun deep within and it was threatening to blaze out of control. A faint bell began in the back of his mind and it wouldn’t stop. There was a slight shift in the pressure on his lips and then he felt a soft groan escape him and the bell gained clarity. It was a phone. And the moment fractured like fragile glass.

Cade raised his head and sought control of his breathing. He muttered something and jerked the cell from his pocket. He took a step back as he answered with a curt hello.

The moment gave Tori time to slip away and gather her wits about her. The call ended and he turned to her.

“I need to get to the ranch. We have a problem with a mare that is foaling. The vet is on the way.”

“I totally understand. It’s late and I do have an early meeting.”

“I hate that…”

“You probably need to hurry. And we will blame this on the champagne. Good night, Cade.”

“This is something we will discuss again. But I’ll leave now. Sweet dreams, Tori.”

Chapter Fourteen

“He kissed youand then he left. And you don’t plan to see him again. Are you crazy?”

Trust her sister to cut to the chase. Tori had been surprised to find her on her doorstep early that next morning. It wasn’t often her sister, Cassie, could get away from her assignment but when she could, it was a great surprise. Except her highly trained interrogator experience wasn’t fun to be on the receiving end of. Cassie had easily found out why there were telltale signs of a night spent tossing and turning and tears even being shed.

“No, I have my senses. That’s why I don’t intend to have this go any further. It’s better to end it before it begins. It has catastrophe written all over it. I’m not the type of woman who would fit into the life of a Lockwood. I don’t need that drama in my life.”

Cassie sat looking at her sister for a moment or two. “You don’t need drama. What type of BS is that? Last I looked, life is always full of drama of one kind or another. Our lives are perfect examples of that. From the time we were little kids up until and including today. You always taught us that we were never to count ourselves out against anyone else who might have more or be more or whatever. We needed to realize that it was what was inside a person that counted the most. And you have a multimillionaire gorgeous cowboy obviously interested in you if he drops thousands of dollars to have dinner with you when he could have just as easily written a check and dropped it in the mail if he wanted to contribute. He fixed the gutter issue on your home without expecting anything for it. Yet you have already counted yourself out where he is concerned.

“And to have him do the things he has done and say the things he has said…and you just want to tell him to take a hike because you are afraid of whatmighthappen? Where is my tough big sister and what have you done to her?”

“I’m right here. Now let’s order some lunch. Our brother probably got held up and I do have to make a dent in putting together a new budget. What looks good to you on the menu?”

Cassie did not respond to the question. Tori looked up from her menu. “I thought you were on a limited schedule today also. We need to order. What interests you?” Cassie wasn’t looking at her.

Her attention was on something behind her. “I would say I want one of those, but I believe he’s taken.”

“He? What are you talking about?” About that time, Matt appeared beside the table. Tori looked up at him and then at her sister. “Are you talking about Matt?”

“It’s a good topic if you are.” Matt spoke up, drawing out a chair. “Let me make introductions.”

“No need,” Cassie said, the smile on her face almost gleeful as she raised her hand. That’s when another person stepped around from behind Tori and shook hands with her sister. “I believe you must be Cade Lockwood. I’m Cassandra Parker. Cassie to most.”

“I ran into this fellow over at the courthouse and invited him along. Hope you ladies don’t mind?” Matt was too cheerful as he settled into his chair. Tori wasn’t in the mood for whatever he was up to. Cassie was still smiling as she shook hands with the man still standing.

“I think this is great. I’ve heard so much about you from my siblings. Do sit and join us.”

“Good afternoon, Mayor.” Cade finally acknowledged her presence. “I hope I’m not interrupting a family get-together.”

“Good afternoon,” she responded, aware they were drawing attention from the other diners. “Do sit down.”

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