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  “I know both of them will know you’ve been here, but I just hope they don’t know exactly when you leave here.”

  She watched him gather his clothes and stride toward the bathroom. Her gaze ran down his muscled back, down over his firm buttocks and long legs that were sprinkled with short, dark hair.

  The night hadn’t gone as she had intended, and there were problems and questions to face all too soon, but for a few hours, they had captured the joy of loving each other and during that time, everything else was suspended.

  At the door downstairs, as he kissed her goodbye and she stepped away, she caught his hand.

  “Boone, give some thought to keeping the ranch and just enjoying it and taking the profits from it. Will you do that?” she asked him.

  “Sure thing, darlin’,” he replied, kissing her lightly. “Stop worrying about it. I won’t do anything to hurt you.”

  Turning, he strode away, finally disappearing in the shadows and then reappearing in his own yard. She stood until he reached his door. He turned and waved and she waved back before going inside and locking up.

  She closed the door and walked back to bed without thinking about what she was doing. She couldn’t imagine him coming back to vacation—unless she was in his bed when he did. As much as she was attracted to him, she was just too old-fashioned to accept his casual ways. And she didn’t think he would stay long at the Double T. She was going to have to give him an answer about moving in with him and she knew she might as well go ahead and do it when she saw him tomorrow.

  She rubbed her forehead. That was one problem between them. A bigger one was the future of the ranch.

  What if she said no to his selling the ranch? Could she really stop him since he had full ownership? She made a mental note to call Savannah Remington as soon as possible.

  She needed to talk to Savannah about her rights involving the ranch. It was really Boone’s ranch now and if he wanted to sell it, she didn’t think she could stop him, but maybe the will was totally binding.

  A terrible feeling curled in the pit of her stomach. Why did the sexiest, most handsome man she had ever met also have to be the man who might wreck her life and take the thing she loved most away from her?

  Seven

  E rin slept little and Saturday she dressed in a T-shirt and cutoffs. She was eager to see Boone while at the same time, she dreaded what she knew they had to discuss.

  She didn’t think he would have one more thing to say about selling the ranch today than he’d had last night. He wasn’t in a hurry and for that, she didn’t know whether to be glad or not, because the future of the ranch was a constant concern.

  Erin knocked on Boone’s kitchen door and he glanced out to see her, wind catching her hair. He crossed the kitchen, and her eagerness won out over her worry as he threw open the kitchen door and she walked into his arms.

  She stepped into the kitchen and kicked the door closed while he kissed her.

  When Erin pushed against his chest, Boone raised his head. Dazed, he looked down at her. Her solemn expression gave him a hint what was coming and he braced for bad news.

  “Boone, I won’t move in with you yet.”

  He hurt, wanting her, yet not surprised and not totally daunted.

  “But we’ll still see each other?” he asked, holding his breath. This was the one woman who had him unable to guess the next move. Always before, the women in his life had been predictable, but there was nothing predictable about Erin.

  She nodded solemnly and he let out his breath, kissing her lightly. “Then I’m happy,” he said. “Could be happier, but if we can keep on seeing each other like we do now, I’ll settle for that and be happy. You might change your mind,” he offered playfully, but he meant it and watched her reaction.

  Again, she nodded, seeming to think over what he’d said. “I might. I know you consider me hopelessly old-fashioned, but I think you’re rushing into things. You’re not going to change, so it’s up to me to slow this down.”

  He nuzzled her throat. “Fine with me. If you’ll spend time with me, then we’ll just go from there.”

  “Good. And it’s still early in the evening. Why don’t we get dressed and I’ll show you a place to go dancing. It’s sort of a honky-tonk so we’ll go in jeans.”

  “Whatever you want,” he said, tightening his arms around her to kiss her. He turned her against his shoulder, leaning over her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, and by the time the subject of dancing came up again, it was far too late in the night to go.

  “I should go home now,” Erin said, slipping out of bed and gathering up her things to hurry to the shower.

  When she came out, Boone had showered and dressed, his dark hair still wet and combed sleekly back, giving him a dangerous, rougher look, yet still handsome enough to take her breath.

  “I’ll walk you home,” he said, taking her hand as they went through the house.

  “Tomorrow’s Sunday. You want to go to church with me in Stallion Pass and meet people there?”

  “Sure. I’ll do anything with you that you’d like to do.”

  Erin glanced up at him, thinking that there was one thing he wouldn’t do with her—marriage. The more she was with him, the more his attitude about marriage bothered her because she knew that was what she wanted in life. No temporary affair for her, yet she realized she was already into a temporary one.

  “So what time is church? Some early hour like Perry hauling me out before sunrise?”

  She laughed. “You’re going to have to stand up to Uncle Perry at some point. I would never have guessed what a marshmallow you would be with those guys.”

  “Just for you, darlin’,” he replied. “Like I told you, I want to stay on Perry’s good side if I can. And he stayed out of my hair today.”

  “Next week may be another story. You don’t have to involve yourself with the ranch.”

  “Might as well. While I’m here, I want to know about it. Perry won’t run me off, and we’ll get a decent relationship established.”

  “You don’t want me to talk to him?”

  “You do and you’re in trouble. I can take care of myself with Perry and the rest of them. Even Tornado—he tossed me once, but I spent the rest of the day riding him. Maybe he’ll be my horse.”

  She laughed as they crossed her porch and he swung her into his embrace. “Ah, Erin. What you do to my heartbeat! Let me come in for a short time.”

  She shook her head while she wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe. “Not tonight. Sorry, Boone, but I can’t.” She kissed him before he could protest and he tightened his arms, kissing her long and passionately until she pushed against his chest.

  “Night, Boone,” she said softly and unlocked her door, stepping inside. “See you in the morning about seven.”

  She closed the door in his face and he stared at it.

  He realized he was standing, staring at a door, so he turned, crossed the porch and strode across her yard. Unaware of what he was doing, he vaulted the fence instead of opening the gate. He wanted her in his arms and thought about moving to Texas.

  He ought to leave and go back to Kansas City, but he wanted to stay close to Erin.

  He raked his fingers through his hair and laughed at himself. When had he ever been concerned that a woman might not be interested in him? Not since he was about fifteen.

  He would go to Kansas City, soon.

  He swam and worked out and did everything he could think of to wear himself down so he would sleep.

  As Boone ran on an indoor track in the exercise room, he continued to think about Erin. He knew she wanted commitment, probably marriage, but he had made it clear that he couldn’t marry. That was out and she had known that from the first and still been willing to make love and see each other, so it might just be a matter of time until she moved in with him. She always talked about him rushing to get what he wanted and he had to admit that she was right.

  Lost in memories of making
love to her, he groaned. He knew he had to stop thinking about her every second when he wasn’t with her.

  The feisty redhead did have him tied in knots. He made a mental note to go to a jeweler’s and get something special for her.

  By four in the morning he tossed aside the sheet and sat up, running his hand through his hair and wondering why he couldn’t get her out of his thoughts. He reached for the phone and called her, his pulse jumping when he heard her sleep-filled voice. He could imagine her warm and tousled, lying in bed, and he became aroused.

  “Boone? What? It’s 4:00 a.m.! Are you all right?” she asked, alarm filling her voice as she became more awake.

  “I’m fine except I miss you.”

  “For heaven’s sake! Go to bed!” She hung up the receiver, and he stared in consternation at the phone.

  “Dammit, Erin,” he said, tempted to call her again, but she would just hang up again. When had that ever happened to him before? He had to laugh at himself. “You’re still a pompous jackass,” he told himself aloud in the dark bedroom and got up to go swim, hoping to exhaust himself before the sun came up.

  Finally, it was almost dawn when he sprawled across his bed and slept, only to wake to the alarm and have to hurry to get to Erin’s in time to go to church.

  He showered, shaved and dressed in a brown suit, going to get Erin. At the sight of her in a sleeveless turquoise dress, he wanted to toss aside plans for the day and take her into his arms, but he knew she would say no.

  Beneath a bright, sunny sky, they went to Erin’s church in Stallion Pass and then to eat at the Stallion Pass Country Club. Boone left the car with a valet and took Erin’s arm.

  As they headed toward the door, Boone saw a familiar head of black hair and recognized his friend Mike Remington and Mike’s blond wife, Savannah. Boone shook hands with his tall friend while the Remingtons greeted Erin, whom they already knew. Erin and Boone spoke to Jessie, the baby girl Mike held in his arms. Jessie gazed at them with big blue eyes, her face framed by a pink bonnet.

  As the women chatted and played with the baby, Mike glanced at Erin and then back at Boone. “How’s the sale of the ranch coming along?”

  “I’m in no rush. I’m living there.”

  “That was quick, but she’s a beauty,” Mike said in a low voice.

  “I’m learning about the ranch.” Boone said.

  “You don’t know a thing about quarter horses,” Mike remarked dryly.

  “Doesn’t matter. I’ll sell the Double T in time.”

  “I might have an acquaintance who would be interested in the ranch,” Mike offered. “If I need to get in touch with you, I have your cell number. Otherwise, do I call your house or hers?”

  “Call mine if you want me. Call hers if you want her.”

  Mike’s eyebrows rose higher, and his eyes twinkled as he glanced at Erin again and then back at Boone. “If she’s not living in your house, this is a first. Women fall for you like you’re the only man left on earth. You’ve found one who doesn’t hang on your every word and give in to your every whim?”

  “I guess you could put it that way,” Boone snapped, and Mike grinned.

  “I never thought I’d see the day! Much less with the manager of the horse ranch. I made a bet with Savannah. When she told me about Erin’s age, we made a bet that Erin would succumb to your charms within twenty-four hours. I take it that I’ve lost that bet completely.”

  “Yes, you have. How’s your security business?”

  “You’re changing the subject and you’re getting prickly. I’m beginning to be impressed with Miss Frye. I hardly know her, but we’ll have to have you two over for dinner sometime soon.”

  “I suppose I deserve this,” Boone admitted. “Who’s the best jeweler around here?”

  “For a wedding ring or—”

  “Oh, hell, no wedding ring! I’m not marrying anyone. This is just a new experience with Erin. I haven’t changed. I’m not about to get locked up in marriage vows.”

  “Is that right? Well, there are three jewelry stores on Main, and you can’t go wrong with any of them, but I like J. Danforth’s the best.”

  “Thank you,” Boone said, knowing Mike was still laughing at him and having to admit that he probably did deserve it because in the past women had always been easy.

  He glanced at Erin, his gaze skimming over her in her tailored turquoise dress. She looked beautiful, proper, cool. But he wasn’t so wrapped up that he was thinking about marriage. That wasn’t going to happen.

  Moving closer to Erin, he slipped his arm around her waist. They talked a few more minutes to the Remingtons and then parted from the couple. Boone and Erin entered the clubhouse.

  “Have you known Savannah long?” he asked Erin.

  “All my life. We’re both from this area. We’ve never been close, but we’re friends and since she was John’s attorney, we’ve had business dealings because of the ranch and wills and inheritances. That sort of stuff.”

  They crossed the polished hardwood floor of the large foyer and entered the dining room where they were seated by a window with a view of the golf course. A bouquet of daisies was a cheerful contrast to the forest-green, linen tablecloth.

  Over grilled Alaskan salmon, they talked about the week ahead, a week that was coming up too quickly to suit Boone. He wasn’t ready to go back to Kansas City yet, but he knew business was piling up and there were transactions only he could authorize. Reluctantly, he knew he had to tell Erin.

  “I’ll fly back to Kansas City Monday morning.”

  “Fine,” she said, sipping her water. “Will you come back soon?”

  “Probably,” he said, knowing he was being indefinite, but he had never liked being pinned down or having to make definite commitments and he wasn’t ready to start now.

  “I’ll take you to the airport,” she said and he nodded, seeing a little cloud of worry in her eyes and wondering how much she cared what he did.

  He needed to fly home for business, and he wanted a breather. Erin dazzled him and he wanted to get away and see her in perspective and cool down a little. This whole affair with her was so unlike any he had ever had with another woman.

  At the same time, he wanted to make love to her before he left town. If he had his way, they would have a whole night of loving, but she might say no to that one.

  After they ate, they drove back to the Double T, deciding to go for a swim as soon as they reached the ranch.

  When they reached the border to the ranch, he glanced at the fence. “Erin, that old wood fence is picturesque, but when I’ve been out in a truck and looked at it closely, it’s rotten in places. Have you ever thought about replacing it with pipe fencing?”

  “No, I haven’t,” she answered coolly and in a glance he saw she was bristling at the suggestion. “We can repair or replace it where it’s rotted away. That’s what we’ve been doing.”

  “That’s a damned expensive way to take care of it.”

  “We can afford to mend the fences.”

  “How old is most of that fence?”

  “It’s old, but sturdy,” she answered in what he thought was an evasive manner. He knew if he got a buyer for the ranch, the outdated fences would be a drawback to a sale.

  “Your fences are ancient and dilapidated and falling down in spots. It would be cost efficient, not to mention being stronger, to replace them.”

  “You don’t know that much about ranching or this ranch in particular. We’re not changing the fences. They add to our charm.”

  “There’s charm here, all right, and the prettiest smile in Texas,” he said, catching her hand and placing it on his thigh and the fence conversation was dropped.

  The next morning on Monday, Boone stopped by Erin’s house at seven to tell her goodbye as he left for Kansas City. She stood in the window, watching him drive away, and had a pang of loss, which she told herself was ridiculous.

  She wanted to stay with him, but she knew she shouldn’t. She was falling i
n love with him, there was no escaping that fact, but she tried to keep it hidden from him so he wouldn’t feel guilty about not loving in return. Was it real—a true love that would last? Or was it infatuation? The answers eluded her now. Time would hold the only answers.

  She shook her head and turned away to go to work catching up on bookkeeping and calls and myriad things she had put off because of Boone.

  During the day he called her half a dozen times, and that night while she lay in bed, she talked for three hours with him.

  She replaced the receiver, smiling. She fell asleep mulling over her future and what she wanted to do, missing him and their times together. She longed for his arms around her tonight. She wanted his arms around her every night. It would be so easy, so wonderful to stay with him. To pretend this would last forever. She wasn’t one to rush into things, especially not when that seemed the road to heartbreak.

  Was she really holding out for a marriage proposal?

  She had to admit that she might be. She knew she’d never get that from Boone, but that’s what she had always wanted with the man she loved. It couldn’t be a casual thing the way Boone wanted it to be.

  She wanted to know about Boone’s family. He barely mentioned them. He had answered her questions about them, but otherwise, he didn’t talk about them.

  She sighed and rubbed her forehead. Why did he have to be so special to her? But he was special, incredibly so.

  As the days passed while he was in Kansas City, they talked often on the phone, but the night calls lasted hours. Thursday night when he called, he told her he could not get away as easily as he had expected and he would have to stay into the next week.

  When he returned to the ranch, she was waiting on the porch. She had rehearsed what she would say and do, wanting to resist falling into his arms and have some restraint from the start—more than she had shown the night she met him. Instead, when he stepped out of a black car and slammed the door, her heart thudded against her ribs and she could not keep from dashing down the steps and running to meet him.