Page 29 of Claimed by the Lawman

With no hesitancy, she shifted her body on the couch and stretched out, laying her legs over his lap. The feel was familiar and it would be easy to forget that years divided the two of them. He pressed the soft cloth against her knee so lightly as if he was afraid he’d hurt her. How was it possible a man his size with all that masculinity could be so gentle? He’d always been tender.

She watched him, admiring his strong profile and his large hands, one that was now laid on her ankle and the other moving the cloth over her wound to clean it out. “You don’t have to do this, Kace.”

He looked at her, dimples bracketing his famous Cade smile. “No, I don’t have to, but call it part of the job.”

So, he did this because it was his duty? That dulled some of the shine, although she couldn’t complain. Having his hands on her not only soothed her physically, but emotionally as well. She could wonder what it would have been like if she’d stayed in Bohannan. Would she and Kace have married? Had a couple of kids now? Living on a ranch somewhere? He’d talked about his dreams when they were younger, but he’d never talked about his emotions.

Watching him for a long minute, she cleared her throat. “Who do you think did this?”

“Without investigating, I’d only be guessing.”

“I’m keeping you from doing your job, aren’t I?”

He shrugged. “Remember what I said. This is part of my job.” There it was again. Was he trying to squash any hope of her feeling special? Why did she feel so vulnerable? So needy? “Okay.”

“I should go and take a look outside while things are still fresh. Will you be okay?”

“Yes. Sure.” She scooted her legs off his lap and brought her knees up to her chest where her heart skipped several beats. Her knees stung some, but she could handle a few scratches, but what she couldn’t handle was being near Kace without sliding back to the girl who wanted to challenge him just to see those dimples.

Once he took his leave, she got up off the couch and hurried—or rather limped—

upstairs where she checked herself in the bathroom mirror. Her stomach dropped into her toes. Oh, for heaven’s sake. She looked like she’d taken a bath in a barrel of ashes. And her hair…oh wow.

Why did she care what she looked like at a time like this? Because she had a Greek God in her backyard. One who always looked good.

Speaking of…

She hurried into her bedroom and looked out the window into the backyard where Kace was bent over examining something in the grass. Footprints maybe? If anyone could find out who started the fire, it would be Kace.

Watching him stand, he seemed completely engrossed in looking at the still smoking embers. He moved to the back of the smoking pile and she left the window to wash her face. She’d need a long scrub in the shower, but for now, a clean face and a hair brushing would go a long way.

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