Read Online Lone Star Rancher by Laurie Paige - Free Book Online Page B

technique. I was jealous that I’d never experienced it for myself. Now I have.”
    He loomed very close all of a sudden. “And?”
    She studied his expression as she poured the eggs intothe hot skillet. “Pretty devastating. I’d rate you a nine and a half.”
    â€œWhy not a ten?” he demanded.
    She rolled her eyes at this show of male arrogance. “Because you regretted it afterward. Because you acted as if the whole situation was my fault. Because you’re acting like a bone-headed mule this morning. I had to take off a half point for attitude.”
    That seemed to set him back on his heels. She let him simmer while she finished preparing their meal. While they ate, he kept tossing little scowls her way as if he really wanted to say something nasty to her, but couldn’t decide if he should or not. She hid her laughter and gave him several bland smiles each time she caught his eye.
    â€œThat was very good,” he said politely when he finished. He put his plate in the dishwasher, then poured coffee in an insulated travel mug. “I’ll probably be working late today. I won’t be in for lunch.”
    He left by the back door, and she watched his progress across the yard to the barn, his long legs making quick work of the distance. He loaded strands of fencing and the tools he would need, then drove off after telling Smoky to stay at the house when the dog started to leap into the truck.
    Jessica cleaned the kitchen, got her book and went to the creek to hide. Today was Monday and the housekeeper was due. Smoky joined her and flopped down in the shade beside her with a loud sigh. She scratched his ears and proceeded to read.
    Â 
    At six, Jessica peered out the back windows and wondered when her host was going to call it a day. She could see the front bumper of his truck gleaming in the late afternoon sun where it was parked among the trees next to the creek.
    Earlier, big trucks had arrived and Clyde had directed the loading of the cattle that would go to auction. That had taken over two hours. He’d worked through lunch, then headed for the creek below the dam to repair the fence. He’d been there for the remainder of the day.
    Restless, she looked in the fully stocked refrigerator and spotted some deli-sliced roast beef, whole-wheat buns with sesame seeds on top and kosher dill pickles. Her favorite.
    On an impulse, she made up three sandwiches, put pickles and chips in plastic bags and used a decorative basket on top of the fridge to carry the food. She added two cans of soda and two straws.
    Slipping on comfortable clogs, she whistled for Smoky and the two of them strolled down to the creek, following the path past the dam and to the section where the creek made a sharp turn around a stand of trees. She didn’t see anyone working on the fence.
    Smoky startled a rabbit and the two set off in a run across the pasture. Several cows stared after them as if wondering what all the fuss was about.
    â€œClyde?” she called, stopping at the higher elevation next to the dam. Several feet below that point she could see the shiny new section of fence attached to two new posts. The hair stood up on her neck at the lack of sound or the presence of the man.
    The sound of splashing water caused her to jerk. She whirled in time to see broad shoulders emerge from the depths of the small lake. Her host stood and shook his head, sending water in a rainbow spray about his muscular body.
    She realized he was nude.
    The water level reached the midpoint of his hips. Below that, she could clearly discern the taut outline of his thighs. At her gasp, he turned abruptly.
    They stared at each other, frozen in time and place foran eternity. His chest rose as he took a deep breath, then sank into the water up to his neck.
    â€œGood timing,” he said, his smile as challenging as it was unfriendly. Well, not exactly unfriendly…
    She indicated the basket. “You