Thunder Canyon Homecoming / A Thunder Canyon Christmas: Thunder Canyon Homecoming

“Where is he now? Want me to go beat him up?”

She laughed. “That’s not necessary. I got over him a long time ago.”

“Glad to hear that,” he said. “How about more recently?”

“More recently what?”

“Have you been dating anyone in Thunder Canyon?”

“No. And I’m not looking to start, either.”

“Why not?”

She shrugged. “I’ve been working a lot.”

“You know what they say about all work and no play,” he warned her.

“I don’t play games.”

“Some games are fun, darlin’.”

She smiled at that, but her smile quickly faded. “I was dating someone in San Diego for a while.”

“Did he break your heart, too?”

She shook her head. “But I think I might have bruised his.”

“And you’re still feeling guilty about it,” he guessed.

“Maybe. I don’t know. I didn’t think our relationship was that serious. We hadn’t been dating very long, but he was looking to make a commitment and I wasn’t.”

“Because you’re not ready to settle down? Or because you didn’t want to settle down with him?”

“I just didn’t want to settle,” she said and winced when she realized how the words sounded.

But Corey nodded, understanding. “There was something missing.”

“A lot of somethings, actually,” she admitted.

“How is that your fault?”

“Well, according to my mother, I didn’t give him a chance, my expectations are too high, I need to understand that chemistry takes time—” she broke off, her cheeks burning. “Well, that’s getting a lot more personal than I meant to.”

“So, there was no chemistry with this guy, huh?”

She ignored his question because she knew the answer would lead her down a treacherous path.

They were at the barn now, and Corey dismounted before turning to help Erin down. She was grateful for his assistance, because as relaxed as she’d begun to feel in the saddle she wasn’t at all confident in her ability to get out of it. She put her hands on his shoulders and slid down, the front of her body brushing against the front of his.

Like flint rubbing against rock, sparks flashed, heat flared. Her breath caught, her pulse pounded. His hands stayed on her hips, holding her close.

And suddenly she was smack in the middle of that treacherous path she’d been so determined to avoid.

“Did you guys have a good time?” Russ asked.

Erin jumped back, her cheeks burning.

“Oh, yes,” she said. “It was wonderful. Thank you.”

“Not a problem,” Russ said. “Melanie’s just about to put dinner on the table. There’s plenty of food, if you wanted to join us.”

“Oh.” She wasn’t sure how to respond to the invitation. She’d met Russ and Melanie a few times and didn’t want to refuse his generous offer, but she wasn’t sure she’d feel comfortable sitting down at a table with people she barely knew.

“Thanks for the invite,” Corey said, coming to her rescue. “But Erin and I have other plans.”

“You’re sure?” Russ pressed.

“Positive. But please thank Melanie for us.”

His friend nodded. “I will. And I hope you’ll find your way out here again before you head back to Texas.”

“You can count on it,” Corey said, shaking his hand firmly.

The rancher tipped his hat to Erin, then led the horses into the barn.

* * *

“How are you holding up?” Corey asked when they were back in his truck and heading away from the ranch.

“Not too badly,” she said.

“You should take a hot bath before you go to bed tonight,” he suggested. “It will help ease any soreness in your muscles.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” She tipped her head back and closed her eyes as if she was imagining herself sinking into a tub filled with bubbles.

Or maybe he just assumed that was what was on her mind because it was on his.

“And if it doesn’t work, I’ll call Stefan in the morning and see if he can squeeze me in for a quickie during my lunch.”

“Stefan? A quickie?”

She laughed. “A quick massage,” she clarified.

“Oh.” But his frown deepened. “Don’t they have women who give massages?”

“Of course. But Stefan has the most amazing hands.”

“And you let him put them all over your body?”