The Rancher's Return

His cell phone rang again. Brock McCauley, his old high school buddy and one of the few people who’d not only visited him in prison, but had stood by him ever since he’d been out.

“Did you see the news?” Brock asked. “Tim’s old girlfriend has been abducted. I didn’t even know she’d taken up with Alex Ramirez, of all people.”

Before he could help himself, Reed snorted. “I saw that. I’m not surprised. Kaitlyn Nuhn was nothing but trouble.”

Next to him, Kaitlyn made a soft sound of protest, which Reed ignored.

“Maybe,” Brock conceded. “But she always was pleasant to me. Zoe liked her, too.

“And she never cheated on Tim,” Brock continued. “Even though he was always fooling around behind her back and bragging about it.”

Reed refused to acknowledge the slow flush of guilt. He’d had three long years to regret what he and Kaitlyn had done. Somehow he’d managed to forget the way Tim always managed to have a girlfriend on the side.

“Do you think she knew?” Eyeing the subject of their discussion, Reed was suddenly glad she couldn’t hear both sides of the conversation.

“About Tim? I doubt it.” Brock sounded contemplative.

“Hey, I really called to see if you wanted to come to dinner tomorrow night. Zoe’s making lasagna, and she knows how much you like it.”

“Like it? That’s the understatement of the year.” Grimacing, Reed declined. “But I can’t. I’m not in town. I’m out at the ranch right now.”

“Even better,” Brock laughed. “You know I’ve been wanting to show Zoe that place. How about we drive up there tomorrow after I close the feed store? We can bring the lasagna, too. We could spend the night.”

Reed winced. Not only was Brock one of the only people who knew about the ranch, they were good enough friends that he didn’t think twice about inviting himself over.

“Not right now,” Reed said. “I have company.”

“Company?” Brock’s voice sounded surprised, and Reed couldn’t blame him. Brock knew Reed didn’t socialize much. Brock also knew that Reed didn’t lie.

“Yeah.” Taking a deep breath, Reed braced himself for his friend’s reaction. “I have, er...a lady friend with me.”

“That’s great!” Brock plowed on. “We’d love to meet her. Unless it’s a first date?”

The question sort of hung there, waiting to be answered. Reed inwardly cursed as he sorted through a possible response that wouldn’t be an outright lie. “It’s too early for anyone to be meeting her. It’s not a date at all, actually. We’re just...hanging out.”

“Well, then, what’s the problem?” One thing about Brock, he’d never been good at taking a hint.

Crap. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?” Brock actually sounded puzzled. “Are you ashamed of her or something?”

“Hell, no.” Reed didn’t even have to think. “It’s not that. It’s...”

“So you’re ashamed of us, then?” From the slight lilt in his voice, Reed realized Brock just might be enjoying this.

“You know better. It’s just too early. Next time, maybe.”

“Okay.” Brock laughed. “It’s incredibly promising that you know there will be a next time. I can’t wait to meet her.” Brock ended the call before Reed could respond.

Slowly, Reed replaced the receiver, startled to realize his palms were sweating. Eyeing Kaitlyn, he shook his head. “That was Brock McCauley,” he said.

Her smile lit up her entire face. Trying to ignore the way that smile affected him, he scratched his head. “He just invited us to dinner tomorrow night. And when I told him I was at the ranch, he wanted to drive on out.”

Her grimace told him what she thought of that. “That’s what you meant when you said you didn’t think that was a good idea.”

“Yep.”

She froze. “Are they coming here? Because even with this disguise, one or both of them is bound to recognize me. I’ve known them for years.”

“I agree. But no worries. I told him now wasn’t a good time. I think he’ll respect that.”

“You think?” Eyes huge, she appeared visibly shaken. “Just in case, maybe you should call him back and tell him you’re sick, or I’m sick. Both of us, with something contagious, like the flu.”

Slowly, he shook his head. “I don’t lie.”

Her eyes widened even more. “Ever?”

“Ever. Not if I can help it.”

He wondered if she knew how kissable she looked like that, with her face tilted up and her mouth pursed in mutiny. As his body reacted, he turned away. “Get some rest. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

Reed didn’t think he’d sleep much, but the instant his head hit the pillow, he was out. Sunlight streaming through his window woke him. Stretching, he wondered why he felt uneasy, especially since he didn’t recall any of his dreams. And then he remembered.

Kaitlyn. Alex Ramirez, Tim’s death, and the way the past had managed to catch up with him. Ignoring his arousal, he pushed back the sheet, got to his feet and padded into his bathroom. From past experience he knew a shower, fresh clothes and a cup of steaming hot coffee would do wonders to help him think.

Chapter 4 (#ulink_ca884689-ae8e-5256-b6c1-90f531572411)

For a man used to living alone, it was a shock to get out of the shower and step into your kitchen to find one of the most beautiful women in the world sitting at your table, reading a book and drinking coffee. The baggy T-shirt hinted at the luxuriant curves underneath and the short, shaggy hairdo only enhanced her perfect features and lush lips. It didn’t help that Reed was still half-asleep despite the hot shower, or that he’d woken aroused. Desire slammed into him like a sucker punch to the gut.

He stopped, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, and wished there was a way to grab his cup of coffee without having to speak.

He made it halfway to the coffeemaker when she looked up from her book and smiled. That smile stopped him dead in his tracks.

“Good morning,” she said. “I hope you don’t mind, but I made coffee.”

Mouth dry, he struggled to speak. “Thanks. I thought you’d be sleeping in.”

“Nope. I never do. I’m a morning person,” she said. “In case you can’t tell.”

Clearing his throat, he settled on a brusque nod and went past her. Hopefully, the awkwardness would fade with time. With time? How long did he expect her to stay with him anyway?

“What’s on the agenda for today?” she asked, her voice far too cheerful for so early in the day. He had to wonder if her relentless happiness was a coping mechanism of sorts. After all, she’d just escaped her own prison. Maybe she was afraid if she let go and thought about it, she’d lose control and reveal exactly how much trauma she was dealing with.

Or perhaps he just overanalyzed everything.

He shrugged and took a long drink of his coffee, hoping the caffeine would send a jolt and help with his brain fog. “I’ve got to talk to my foreman and get an update. I also want to take a quick drive around the surrounding area and see if anything looks out of the ordinary. After I get back, I thought I might take a ride around the ranch.”

She nodded. “A ride as in horses? Or in your truck?”