Read Online Once Tempted by Laura Moore - Free Book Online Page B

pulling it back.
    “Alberta was hiding,” she explained as she made a beeline for the laden table. “It took Carlos and me half an hour to find her. Clever she-devil.” She plucked a slice of the orange-scented olive oil cake off the plate and popped it into her mouth. “Yum. This one has my vote.”
    “That’s what you always say,” Reid noted.
    “Which one is Alberta again?” Ward asked.
    “My Toggenburg kid. That’s a young goat to you, city girl,” she informed Tess with a teasing grin.
    Tess inclined her head. “Thanks for enriching my vocabulary.”
    “You’re welcome. Just so you know, it has not escaped my attention that you have yet to set foot in any of the barns or make the acquaintance of any of our animals.”
    On his way to the coffee station, Ward passed closeenough for Tess to catch his dry murmur of, “Might be difficult in those heels.”
    She pretended she hadn’t heard him. Even if the closet in the one-room cabin where she now lived was stocked exclusively with cowboy boots, she had no desire to say hi to any of Silver Creek’s horses, cattle, goats, or any other creatures in Quinn’s extensive menagerie.
    She had even less desire to win Ward’s good opinion.
    Maintaining her resentment made it easier to ignore the discomfiting realization that she now recognized his scent, an annoyingly pleasing combination of citrus, leather, and man. It didn’t help that the curling ends of his hair were damp. She could smell the shampoo he’d used. And no, she was not going to imagine Ward Knowles naked in the shower, suds sliding down his muscled body.
    “Speaking of animals, Happy Valentine’s Day, brat.” Reaching into the back pocket of his jeans, Ward drew out an envelope and handed it to Quinn.
    Quinn began tearing it open but then paused. “Nothing mushy in here, right? No cupids or hearts?” she asked suspiciously.
    “It was Reid’s turn to prank you this year.”
    “Aww, now you’ve spoiled it,” Reid complained. “Besides, Quinn might enjoy a lacy sequined push-up bra and matching—”
    Quinn raised a hand to halt his flow of words. “Stop right there.”
    “—panties. The line’s called ‘Hello Bombshell.’ I thought they were right up your alley,” he finished.
    “You wretch.” Quinn was fighting back a smile and losing. “How do you dupe all those women into thinking you’re anything but pure evil? No, I really don’t want to hear your answer. Let me open my sober and responsible brother’s present.”
    “Damned with faint praise, huh, Ward?” Reid observed. “Nothing worse than being labeled sober and responsible in the same sentence.”
    Ward didn’t seem particularly perturbed. He was busy watching Quinn’s reaction as she pulled the card from the envelope and opened it.
    Quinn’s delighted squeal confirmed the present’s success. She launched herself at her oldest brother, flinging her arms around his neck. “Thank you, thank you.” She planted a loud smooch on his lean cheek. “You’re the best.” She turned to address the others. “Ward’s adopted another horse for me,” she told them happily.
    Quinn not only helped raise the animals at Silver Creek; she adopted them, too. Horses seemed to be her animal of choice, but there’d been mention of various cats, dogs, rabbits, and birds that Quinn had either rescued or fostered. And a potbellied pig. Tess wasn’t sure what made a potbellied pig different from any other kind, and she wasn’t about to inquire.
    “You can pick the horse up next week,” Ward told his sister.
    “Very thoughtful, Ward.” The deep voice of Daniel Knowles carried easily. “Hey, Dad, how’s Aunt Lucy?”
    “Frantic. Apparently there’s still a lot to be done before the inn’s grand opening.”
    Tess had heard Adele and Daniel talk about Lucy and Peter Whittaker. Lucy Whittaker was Daniel’s sister and also involved in the hotel business. She and her husband had bought an old farm outside of Aiken, South