Page 19 of One Scorching Summer

He moved his lips about, then a soft sound rumbled through him, reminding her of a purring cat. “Intriguing.” He sipped from his mug, a glint in his eye. “Those boots good for walking a distance? Takin' you to see some of the ranch. To help you grasp the importance of the guarantees we want and why.”

“We?”

“Lee, Skye, and me. He’s in Colorado and Skye hasn’t reached the age of majority, but she sure as hell has opinions. I’ve got power of attorney.”

Good. Another indication that he was serious about a real discussion. Hope soared within her. “My work boots are in the truck.” Her eyes dropped to his feet, which were surprisingly nice, and, when she realized what she was doing, they darted upward, landing on his face.

He looked as if he was fighting not to laugh. “I'm more than a just a handsome face, nice feet, and a sexy body. I promise you that.” His purring was more pronounced, like a caress that had goosebumps spreading all over her skin. “Fess up. You're more than curious.”

She refused to take the bait. “You did ask me to keep the morning open.”

“That, I did. I have until noon. Let's get you a coffee. Bring an appetite?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Good. We're having eggs and I made a cinnamon streusel coffee cake. No bacon. Someone forgot it on her last trip to the store.” He griped.

The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. “You made coffee cake?”

Dammit. Her question sounded absurd. Of course, men baked and cooked, but the fact that Rake did was a surprise given his alpha-ness. It also fascinated her. What other unexpected aspects of the man were there?

“Oh, woman.” He shook his head slowly, the wolfish glint returning, and winked. “I've got skills. C'mon.” He led her to the large chef’s kitchen.

Jorja was tongue-tied, which was a good thing. The stunning blonde who had been with Rake in Eagle Creek was dressedsimilar to Jorja, but wearing work boots. Her hair was in a ponytail, and she seemed totally at home making eggs in a cast iron skillet on the cooktop. She turned off the gas, spun, and held out her hand. “Good morning. Jorja Ogden, I presume? I’m Cody.”

“Yes.” Jorja was flummoxed but shook the woman's hand. So, his girlfriend knew of her. But why so cordial? Woman were such territorial creatures, as she well knew.

“Honestly, Uncle Rake.” Skye huffed, entering the kitchen in a midriff tee and short shorts. “I heard all of that. Unbelievable. Stop toying with Jorja. Get the business done and then get on with asking her out.” To Jorja, she said, “Morning. He made me get up early for this. I told him my thoughts, but he still made me get up.”

Rake’s tone held an edge. “Part of the responsibility of being an owner of the Carpenter Ranch is being present and learning about the implications of the exploration and drilling of our land.”

Skye stared at her uncle impassively and lifted the coffee carafe before Rake could grab it. “Coffee, Jorja?” Then she addressed Cody. “Did you hear him? Morning. Thanks for making the eggs. Uncle Rake’s are crap.”

Rake stared at his niece and cleared his throat.

“Just stating the truth.”

“Find a nicer way, Skye.”

Jorja glanced about, trying to grasp all of the back and forth between Rake, Skye, and Cody. “Thank you,” she said, accepting the coffee from the sullen teenager.

Skye topped her mug off and placed it on the counter, then pushed herself up to perch on the black granite. “Java fixings are next to the coffee maker.”

“Niece, we're having a business meeting, which includes you. Not a slumber party. Find something appropriate to wear. You have five minutes to change and adjust your attitude.”

Skye's scowl was met with a stern look from her uncle. She hopped off the counter and pranced away.

“Cody and I grew up together, Jorja.” Rake set down his mug and braced himself against the counter. “With Levi, but then Nettie told you that.”

“She did.” Well, about Levi. Not about the head-turning blonde.

“Cody's an oil and gas attorney and one of Levi's partners. She agreed to take this meeting since he's out of town on business.”

Not a girlfriend.Poof.The green monster in Jorja’s mind vanished and relief filled her. “Thanks for the explanation,” she said too enthusiastically, recovering with a subdued follow-up, “I appreciate you being here, Cody, and thank you for breakfast. You too, Rake.”

“Sometimes other things get in the way of thinking clearly,” Cody said with one brow arched and a hint of a smile, her eyes moving from Rake and landing on Jorja.

Jorja’s system went on high alert.What the hell?

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