Page 8 of Jonathan

He had to admit that she was a fine horsewoman. He had deliberately increased the pace, and she was almost keeping up. In several minutes, they arrived at her cabin.

“You knew where I am staying.” They came to a halt in front of the lean to that housed Belinda and he stayed where he was as she dismounted.

“This is a small town, so nothing is kept secret.” He flicked a glance at the cabin. “Besides, the place is part and parcel of McCarthy’s Ranch.”

“Want to come in for a glass of wine?” She asked as she led the horse in.

He went rigid, his breath turning shallow.

“No!” He actually snapped it out.

Her husky laughter unnerved him and had him feeling like a jackass.

“Another time then. Thanks for the escort, cowboy.” Tilting her head, she gave him a sultry once over before turning towards the cabin. He stayed where he was and watched as she went inside and closed the door behind him.

His horse shifted and he realized that he had the reins in a death grip. Relaxing his hold, he continued to stare at the closed door with a frown, before jerking the reins to turn the animal around and heading back.

He put his horse through a fast pace, his mind in a turmoil. He had been herding the cattle back when he heard the sound of horse’s hooves. Deciding to check it out himself, he had handed over the task to his foreman. The sight of the woman had unnerved him. Pulling on the reins, he stopped in the exact spot and dismounted.

This was ridiculous, he thought impatiently. She was just a woman, a visitor from a big city. He knew she was some sort of food critic; had heard she was a celebrity in her own rights. One who had come here to write a book or some such nonsense.

He never got involved with the arrival of visitors, especially not after the disaster of being involved with one. Pushing off his hat, he dragged restless fingers through his hair.

After the affair that had ended badly, he had started seeing women just to find a release. Before he starts anything, he would make them understand that it was just physical and he had been able to leave without a backward look.

In order not to complicate things, he had started taking his ‘affairs’ out of town. If he felt the urge to unwind, he would make a trip of it – go away for a weekend and spend time with someone who would not complicate his life. He was married to the ranch and that’s the way it’s going to be.

Hunkering down, he cupped his hands and drank from the cool, clear water. His mind drifted back to the woman he had left at the cabin. Yes, she was sexy as hell and beautiful.

But there was no way he was going to be foolish enough to get involved with someone like her. She was ‘trouble’ with a capital ‘T’, and he could see that even after one meeting.

He would stay away from her and hope to God she had the good sense to stay off his property. Rising, he wiped his palms on his denims and started back to his horse. Perhaps it was time to take another trip. He would arrange that as soon as possible.

Chapter 3

Staying away from her would probably have been easier if a few stray cattle had not ventured into the direction of the cabin.

And after he had steered them back to the fold, he should have gone back to the ranch. It was late and he was tired and hungry. He was also miserable for some reason. Perhaps it was that reason that made him turned his jeep around and heading towards the cabin.

A storm was brewing. It was the end of summer and rain was in the forecast. In McCarthy Fields, it meant that there would be flooding and thunderstorms. Someone should warn her. And that someone should be him.

Out of towners were unaware of the danger of the unpredictable weather. Coming to a stop, he hesitated behind the wheel, his expression brooding. It had been two days since the encounter at the lake, but he had heard whispers of her going into town, going to the museum, and even having a drink at the local watering hole.

His men had been all excited in discussing what she was wearing. Something tight and revealing. His mouth tightened at that. It was none of his business if she wanted to display her attributes for all to see.

He was about to shove the door open when he saw her coming up the winding path. Staying where he was, he watched the sexy undulation of her hips. She was wearing something loose, like a caftan, unrelieved black except for a white piping around the deeply cut neckline.

She looked over suddenly and saw him. Without breaking her stride, she came forward, stopping when she reached the driver’s side. Leaning a slender arm on the door, she smiled, that slow and sexy smile that turned his insides into mush.

“Hi. What are you doing here cowboy? Am I allowed to tell you that you’re trespassing?”

He had to clear his throat to respond. Up close, she was lethal to his already shaky senses and her perfume was assailing his nostrils.

“It’s my property,” he said foolishly.

“That might be the case, but I am the renter.” Her eyes slid to his mouth and had him holding his breath. “What brings you by?”

Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady his heart. “Er…, there’s a storm coming.”

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