Page 13 of In Bed with the Rancher

“Sounds good to me. But let me help with dishes. I won’t do anything that hurts badly or anything strenuous.”

Working together, he was conscious of each time he touched her hands with his as he handed dishes to her. He fought the temptation to reach for her and kiss her one more time, certain that there would be another time to follow. It was an effort to keep his hands to himself.

In a short time they went down the hall to a room with tan leather furniture and imitation logs that she turned on in a large stone fireplace with a high mantel. The room was cozy and comfortable with closed shutters, so they couldn’t watch the storm, but they could hear the thunder, wind, rain and hail, and he knew the weather would keep him marooned at her place at least through tomorrow.

Above the mantel, he noticed a large framed photograph of horses running in a fenced pasture. “That’s a beautiful picture.”

“Thank you. That’s one way I entertain myself when I’m here. I have a photography hobby.”

“You’re very good at it,” he said, looking again at the picture. “I have no idea if I have any hobbies and I have no idea what interests I have. It’s a weird feeling and a very uncomfortable one to not know anything about my life.”

“I’m sure. Molly said to let the worries go and relax. Your memory will return.”

“That’s easier said than done, but I’ll try.”

“I’m worried about tonight. You have your own suite, but I don’t want you to lapse into a coma and no one would know it.”

“Oh, Ava, we can solve that one. You’re most welcome to join me and keep an eye on me all night long,” he drawled and she laughed, a faint sound, and gave him an irresistible smile. A smile that made him want to hold her and kiss her.

“You keep that suggestion to yourself,” she replied, laughing again. “We’ll not pursue it. What I had in mind is, since I’m the only person with you, I think we should stay awake a bit longer. I don’t think you should go off alone yet and I don’t think you should go to sleep yet.”

He sighed and looked serious again. “Okay, doc. Let’s continue to sit in front of the fire. That I can do if it makes you happy.”

She smiled at him. “Good. I’m glad you’re cooperative.”

“For the pretty lady who rescued me, I can be very cooperative,” he said to her in a husky voice that changed the moment completely.

“You’re flirting again,” she whispered as she shook her head. “We weren’t going to do that when you don’t know what ties you have in your life.”

His smile vanished. “You’re right. You’re constant temptation, Ava,” he said softly and lapsed into silence. Why was she such a temptation? From the first moment she had entered his life, and he was aware of her big blue eyes and her silky blond hair, he hadn’t been able to keep from wanting to flirt, to touch her, kiss her. She didn’t want him to because of the hurt in her past. He knew he shouldn’t because he didn’t even know his past. So why couldn’t he see her as a stranger, a pretty face, a nice person—and nothing more?

He needed to get his attention elsewhere and keep it there. Think about other things and keep busy so he wouldn’t be looking at her every second.

He knew that would be easier said than done.

* * *

Looking to keep him awake, Ava had an idea. “Want a short tour?”

“Sure,” he said, standing when she did.

As they went downstairs to the basement, she talked about when the house was built. She showed him the gym, a big laundry room, the wine cellar, a huge closet with luggage, Christmas decorations and other holiday decorations. Finally, they went back upstairs and every step of the way, she was acutely aware of him. She showed him her library, and the dining room and her office with three computers, two with two screens. She had oak filing cabinets that blended with the oak paneling. Two large desks were at opposite ends of the room. While he looked at the rooms, she looked at him. He was handsome with thickly lashed midnight eyes and thick, black wavy hair. She remembered how he looked when he came back from his shower with his chest bare. And she knew how it felt to be pressed against that muscled chest.

No matter how much she knew she should, she couldn’t stop thinking about him and noticing him.

“Looks like you bring your work here with you.”

“Not often, but I don’t want to have to work and not have what I need here. I did less work when my mother and sister could be here. We all brought friends when I first had this built.”

“This is a great place to live, but out here all alone, don’t you worry about being here by yourself? This is a big house.”

“No. See the light switches by the door? Go flip the switch with the pale blue plate.”

When he did, bright lights came on outside, making the yard almost as light as inside the house. Even with the rain, lights were on all over the yard and in trees, illuminating the surroundings.

“Well, I can see why Gerald told you to turn on the outside lights. He can easily see this. I’ll turn them off before he gets into his truck and drives over here. But I get it. With these lights you can see what’s happening, but you’re still isolated.”

“I have alarms that will ring at Gerald’s. He’s not really far away and some of his cowboys are up at all hours. Also, usually when I’m here, he brings over three dogs that I like and they stay with me. They stay in the house at night.”

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