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Authors: Rita Herron
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And if what he said was true, if his land was his pride, if he really thought he’d have nothing left if he lost the ranch, she would be calculating how she planned to take it all away from him.
Chapter Six
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll show you some other sights on the property,” Rafe said as they brushed the horses after dismounting at the barn.
“Sure.” Suzanne patted Blondie’s back. “I enjoyed the ride.”
“You’re a natural.” She would probably be a natural at other things, too. He put the supplies away, then washed his hands, trying to cleanse himself of his lustful thoughts. But their fingers touched briefly, a frisson of awareness rippling through him. The same kind of longing he’d felt by the pond when she’d stretched out those long legs and he’d imagined them wrapped around his waist.
That was the reason he’d abruptly decided they had to return to the ranch. The clearing by the pond was too secluded, too tempting. Back at the barn, there was safety in numbers.
Besides, he had work to do, and no time to flirt with Suzanne Hartwell.
He dried his hands, waited until she’d done the same, then gestured for her to lead. He’d follow her to her car, then put her out of his mind. At least until tomorrow.
But as he crossed the yard, he spotted his mother holding on to her walker, clipping the rosebushes along the trellis, and he took off at a jog. Seconds later he stood beside her, gazing at her weathered features, her pale complexion. “What are you doing out here, Mom? I thought you were supposed to be resting.”
Suzanne appeared beside him, looking flushed, windblown and concerned.
His mother chuckled, pushing a loose thread of gray hair beneath her straw hat. “Honey, I have to tend the flowers. I can’t stay holed up all the time or I’ll go plumb nuts.”
Rafe’s heart was still pounding irregularly. “I know, but you should wait until I’m here or one of the hands are nearby. What if you fell?”
“I’d call for Maria. She’s out back hanging the sheets on the line to dry.” She hesitated, straightening her hat, and peered from him to Suzanne. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend, Rafe? You didn’t tell me we had company or I’d have changed.”
“She’s…” A friend, he started to say, then caught himself.
“I’m Suzanne Hartwell.” Suzanne extended her right hand, her big sapphire ring shimmering. “And you look fine, Mrs. McAllister. I just came out for a riding lesson.”
“Oh, yes.” Rafe’s mother flattened a hand over her housedress. “Rafe said he’d decided to teach. He’s such a good rider. I hope he showed you the lovely pond.”
Rafe frowned, determined to get rid of Suzanne before his mother got any matchmaking ideas in her head. The wheels were obviously spinning already.
“Yes, it was beautiful. And so are your roses.” Suzanne’s smile seemed genuine. “My Grammy Rose adores her flower garden, too. She has this lovely gazebo draped with roses that overlook Pine Mountain.”
“It sounds like a postcard,” Rafe’s mother exclaimed. “Or a lovely place for a wedding.” She gave Rafe a pointed look, which he ignored, silently praying Suzanne hadn’t detected the hint. Lately, his mother had been badgering him about wanting grandchildren.
Like he could afford another mouth to feed right now.
“As a matter of fact, my cousins and sisters got married there.”
Mrs. McAllister’s gaze dropped to Suzanne’s ring. “Oh, are you engaged yourself, dear?”
The ring tightened around her finger. “No. Sapphire is my birthstone.” She hated to lie to the sweet woman, but she wasn’t officially engaged.
Rafe barely managed not to grunt. “Well, ladies, I have to get back to work. Mom, can I help you inside?”
“Certainly. Why don’t you join me, Suzanne? I’ll have Maria bring us some sweet tea. I believe she baked some homemade lemon-drop cookies this morning, too. You want to
And if what he said was true, if his land was his pride, if he really thought he’d have nothing left if he lost the ranch, she would be calculating how she planned to take it all away from him.
Chapter Six
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll show you some other sights on the property,” Rafe said as they brushed the horses after dismounting at the barn.
“Sure.” Suzanne patted Blondie’s back. “I enjoyed the ride.”
“You’re a natural.” She would probably be a natural at other things, too. He put the supplies away, then washed his hands, trying to cleanse himself of his lustful thoughts. But their fingers touched briefly, a frisson of awareness rippling through him. The same kind of longing he’d felt by the pond when she’d stretched out those long legs and he’d imagined them wrapped around his waist.
That was the reason he’d abruptly decided they had to return to the ranch. The clearing by the pond was too secluded, too tempting. Back at the barn, there was safety in numbers.
Besides, he had work to do, and no time to flirt with Suzanne Hartwell.
He dried his hands, waited until she’d done the same, then gestured for her to lead. He’d follow her to her car, then put her out of his mind. At least until tomorrow.
But as he crossed the yard, he spotted his mother holding on to her walker, clipping the rosebushes along the trellis, and he took off at a jog. Seconds later he stood beside her, gazing at her weathered features, her pale complexion. “What are you doing out here, Mom? I thought you were supposed to be resting.”
Suzanne appeared beside him, looking flushed, windblown and concerned.
His mother chuckled, pushing a loose thread of gray hair beneath her straw hat. “Honey, I have to tend the flowers. I can’t stay holed up all the time or I’ll go plumb nuts.”
Rafe’s heart was still pounding irregularly. “I know, but you should wait until I’m here or one of the hands are nearby. What if you fell?”
“I’d call for Maria. She’s out back hanging the sheets on the line to dry.” She hesitated, straightening her hat, and peered from him to Suzanne. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend, Rafe? You didn’t tell me we had company or I’d have changed.”
“She’s…” A friend, he started to say, then caught himself.
“I’m Suzanne Hartwell.” Suzanne extended her right hand, her big sapphire ring shimmering. “And you look fine, Mrs. McAllister. I just came out for a riding lesson.”
“Oh, yes.” Rafe’s mother flattened a hand over her housedress. “Rafe said he’d decided to teach. He’s such a good rider. I hope he showed you the lovely pond.”
Rafe frowned, determined to get rid of Suzanne before his mother got any matchmaking ideas in her head. The wheels were obviously spinning already.
“Yes, it was beautiful. And so are your roses.” Suzanne’s smile seemed genuine. “My Grammy Rose adores her flower garden, too. She has this lovely gazebo draped with roses that overlook Pine Mountain.”
“It sounds like a postcard,” Rafe’s mother exclaimed. “Or a lovely place for a wedding.” She gave Rafe a pointed look, which he ignored, silently praying Suzanne hadn’t detected the hint. Lately, his mother had been badgering him about wanting grandchildren.
Like he could afford another mouth to feed right now.
“As a matter of fact, my cousins and sisters got married there.”
Mrs. McAllister’s gaze dropped to Suzanne’s ring. “Oh, are you engaged yourself, dear?”
The ring tightened around her finger. “No. Sapphire is my birthstone.” She hated to lie to the sweet woman, but she wasn’t officially engaged.
Rafe barely managed not to grunt. “Well, ladies, I have to get back to work. Mom, can I help you inside?”
“Certainly. Why don’t you join me, Suzanne? I’ll have Maria bring us some sweet tea. I believe she baked some homemade lemon-drop cookies this morning, too. You want to
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