He met her gaze for a long moment and said nothing, but she felt him putting his guard back up. She couldn’t help wondering why he refused to let her get close. A part of her said let it go, that if that’s the way he wanted to be then so be it. Another part, the part that felt there was more to it than what she was seeing, decided not to let it go. There was a reason for McKinnon’s behavior and she intended to find out what it was.
* * *
“Isn’t he a beautiful colt?” Casey said excitedly about the foal Spitfire had given birth to a couple of hours earlier. Both mother and baby were doing fine, and proud Poppa Thunder had whined proudly.
“Yes, he most certainly is,” McKinnon said as the two of them walked back toward the house. “And I know your dad is going to be pleased.”
“I’m sure he will be.” After Paul arrived, everyone got busy and there was no time to concentrate on anything but the business at hand. But now they were back to square one.
“You mentioned something about sleeping late in the morning. Does that mean you plan to stay on the ranch all weekend?” McKinnon asked, his voice neutral as if he didn’t care one way or the other.
“My parents are off the mountain visiting with yours for the weekend. In fact, I’m going with both parents to a play in town tomorrow night. You’re welcome to join us if—”
“No, thanks. I’ll have work to do.”
She nodded, knowing this was his way of putting distance between them again. “All right. Then I’ll see you later.”
Before he could comment, and whether he intended to do so was doubtful, she turned and walked quickly toward the guest house.
* * *
Savannah called and invited Casey over for Sunday dinner. Durango would be working that day and she hated eating alone. Casey appreciated the invitation to get off McKinnon’s ranch for a while since once again he had made himself scarce where she was concerned. Besides, Casey appreciated the company of a female close to her age, and since meeting Savannah at Chase’s wedding the two had developed a close friendship.
They talked about a lot of stuff but Casey would be the first one to admit their current topic was one she wouldn’t mind changing. She glanced over at Savannah as she finished her meal. “Why do you think something is going on between me and McKinnon?”
Savannah tilted her head and smiled. “Because there is,” she said simply. “You can deny it all you want but it’s there. But honestly, I think you really don’t recognize it for what it is.”
Casey knew that was definitely a possibility since she had little experience with men. “And how do you know it’s there?”
Savannah’s smile widened. “Because I’ve seen the two of you at several functions. I’ve watched how you look at each other when the other’s not noticing. I know first-hand how that is because that’s how things started with me and Durango. Things got so intense between us that we were in bed together the day after we met.”
She then rubbed her stomach and grinned. “And as you know, the rest is history.”
Casey chuckled. “But the two of you are so much in love, which means the marriage didn’t happen because you got pregnant.”
“That was supposed to be the reason but that’s the clincher,” Savannah said, smiling broadly. “We didn’t know we were in love. Or maybe deep down somewhere we knew it but were afraid to acknowledge it. I’m just glad we came to our senses. I can’t imagine my life without Durango and I want the same thing for you and McKinnon.”
Casey shook her head. “Whoa, back up, hold on. I think your eyes are so full of love for Durango that you think everyone else’s eyes should have that same glow. But to set the record straight, there’s nothing going on between me and McKinnon.”
“If you think so, but I believe otherwise. Whenever the two of you are together, it’s like spontaneous combustion just waiting to happen. And I don’t think you fully understand just how explosive that can be.”
Umm, after two kisses, which she had no desire to discuss at the moment, she did know how explosive passion could be. “Okay, I’ll be the first to admit I’m extremely attracted to McKinnon. What woman wouldn’t be? But an attraction is as far as things go. He has chosen the life of a bachelor and right now I’m trying to figure out what I want to do with my own life. So much of it has been filled with nothing but lies.”
She chuckled harshly. “Do you know I was so wrapped up in all that fairy-tale stuff my mother used to feed me about her and my father that I wanted that same type of love for myself to the point that I’m still a virgin?”
Casey sighed deeply. There was no turning back now—she’d revealed her secret. In a way she was glad to get it out. She’d never had a sister and her brothers were the last people she could talk about something like that.
“I think it’s wonderful that you’re still a virgin,” Savannah said, shifting to more comfortable position in her chair. “I wished I had saved myself for Durango. My one and only guy before him was a selfish bastard and I regret the day I ever met him, let alone sleep with him.”
She glanced over at Casey before she continued. “But then I had no reason to believe in tales of romance and love. My father was the biggest bastard of them all. Trust me when I say he didn’t set a good example.”
“Yes, but at least you hadn’t been fed lies your whole life,” Casey said softly.
“No, but I still think you have a lot to be thankful for. Your mother took very good care of you and your brothers. That couldn’t have been easy for a single woman, and it seems you were all raised with good values. Not all kids can claim that, Casey. And before she died, your mom wanted all of you to know the truth when she could have carried the information to the grave. Although you missed not having a father around while growing up, you did finally get to meet him and look what a wonderful man he is. I’ll trade Jeff Claiborne for Corey Westmoreland any day.”
Silence engulfed the room for several seconds before Savannah spoke. “There might be something else you’re overlooking.”
“What?”
“Why your mother fabricated the story that she did. That could have been her way of coping with life, of dealing with the realization that the one man she loved more than life itself had a heart that belonged to another. That had to have been hard on her.”
Casey gazed at Savannah, thinking she’d never thought of it that way. For the past two years she had been so angry at what her mother had done that she never given thought to the pain her mother must have endured knowing that no matter how much she loved Corey, he hadn’t loved her back.
“I want you to promise me something, Casey.”
Casey lifted a brow. “What?”
“If you ever do come to realize you care for McKinnon, don’t give up on him and walk away, no matter what. I’m not a psychic by any means, but I feel something. Even when he appears happy I can detect his sadness and I don’t know why. It’s like there’s something private eating at him but I have no idea what it could be. I’ve caught him looking at me and Durango during some of our play times with a pensive look in his eyes. And although he claims he doesn’t ever want to marry and have children, I think that deep down he really does. I’ve tried talking to Durango about it but he refuses to discuss certain things about McKinnon with me. But then I have to respect that the two of them share this special bond.”
Casey nodded. She knew of the bond the two men shared.
“Well, I’ve said enough,” Savannah said, getting up from the table. “Just promise me that if the time comes, you’ll remember what I said.”
Casey sighed and met Savannah’s gaze. “I promise.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
In the comfort of his office McKinnon tossed a report on his desk. The white stallion he had imported all the way from the Blue Mountains of Australia had arrived earlier that day. Crown Royal was a magnificent animal with stunning looks, exceptional athletic ability and temperament. After his capture, he had spent time with renowned horse trainer Marcel
lo Keaston and was more than ready for the task intended for him to do, and the brood mare selected was of the highest quality and value. McKinnon had no doubt that Crown Royal’s first crop of foals would bring in a pretty penny at any auction.
He stood and stretched, and automatically his gaze drifted across the room to the calendar on the wall. It had been four days since he’d interacted with Casey. He had made it a point to keep his distance and it seemed she was doing likewise. The woman had a way of pulling his emotions in a way he couldn’t afford to indulge.
He glanced toward his office door when he heard a knock. “Come in.”
He smiled when Durango walked in. “How are things going, Rango?”
“Fine. I dropped Savannah off at a hair salon in town and thought I’d come here to kill some time. I just saw Crown Royal. Man, he’s a beauty.”
McKinnon chuckled proudly as he sat back down. “Yes, he is and I intend for him to make us plenty of money over the next few years. I’ve gotten a call from Mike Farmer already.”
Durango’s smile widened. “News travel fast.”
McKinnon nodded. “Which is fine with me as long as it’s in our favor, and you know Mike. He wants to be the first in everything and has the money to make it happen. He’s hinted at acquiring the entire crop of Crown’s first foals, now that we’ve selected Courtship as the mare.” Courtship, a product of Thunder and a valuable Australian mare name Destiny, had already proven her worth as a fine magnificent piece of horseflesh and was known for her speed.
“And I got a call from Jamal today as well,” McKinnon said, smiling.
“Did he want to know how Prince Charming was coming along?” Durango asked, leaning against the closed door.
“Yes, and he wants me to meet with a couple of his associates who’ll be in D.C. this week. They’re interested in our breeding program.”
Durango nodded. “Will Jamal be attending this meeting?”
“No. Delaney’s condition is keeping him in Tehran for a while. They’ll attend Ian’s wedding next month but other than that, Delaney’s doctors don’t want her jet setting all over the world.”
Durango chuckled. “I can understand that since we have a lot of pregnant Westmorelands. So, will you be traveling to D.C.?”
“Yes, I leave first thing in the morning and probably won’t be back until Saturday.”
Durango nodded again. “Sounds like you’ll miss Casey’s party.”
“There’s a pretty good chance that I will.” McKinnon didn’t want to add that perhaps that was a good thing. “Would you like something to drink?”
Durango shook his head. “No, thanks. Savannah’s cooking tonight and I don’t want to spoil my appetite. You’re invited, by the way.”
McKinnon thought on Durango’s invitation. If he was invited then chances were Casey had been invited as well. He quickly decided to pass on the invitation. The last thing he wanted was to torture himself by looking across the table at her, knowing he couldn’t touch her. “Thanks for the invite but I have a lot of paper work to do before taking off in the morning.”
Before Durango could comment that his reason was a lame excuse, McKinnon quickly added, “While you’re here, Rango, can you look over the books? I’m sure you’ll find everything in order.”
“Don’t I always?” Crossing the room, Durango took a seat at the extra desk.
When they’d decided to enter the partnership they had known that horse breeding was a risky business, but the risks were now paying off. In just a few years, not only had M&D earned the respect of their colleagues in the horse breeding world, but it was showing more of a profit than either Durango or McKinnon had imagined.
“So how is Casey working out?” Durango asked a few minutes later.
“Good. She’s using a different approach that takes longer, but I have no doubt it will work. She knows what she’s doing, that’s for sure.” McKinnon decided not to mention how, on numerous occasions, he would often stand at the window in this office and watch her interact with the horses. But mainly he watched her. And each time he saw her he thought about the heated kisses they had shared.
Damn it to hell, the need to feel her mouth beneath his again was almost overwhelming, although he’d been fighting the craving for days. Even now he could distinctively remember the warmth of her lips and how they would automatically part under his, the swift breath she’d take just seconds before his tongue mingled with hers and—
“And how are you handling her being here on the ranch?”
McKinnon gave Durango a look that grimly said he wasn’t handling it very well. “Your cousin is a beautiful woman who can be a distraction if I let her be one, Rango.”
Durango nodded. “And for you that’s a bad thing, isn’t it?”
McKinnon let out a deep sigh. “You of all people know that it could be if I were to let anything get out of hand. As long as we maintain an employer-employee relationship, we’re fine,” he said, knowing he hadn’t even been able to really do that. “I made a decision a few years ago that I knew would affect any future relationship I had with a woman. At the time I felt it was the right one to make. I still do.”
“Yes,” Durango said, closing the accounting books. “I understand and like I told you then, I support your decision. But having that procedure done wasn’t the end of the world. Why don’t you want to consider your other options?”
McKinnon didn’t answer. At least not immediately. When he did his voice was filled with the anguish he sometimes felt. “I have considered those options but I can’t expect every woman I meet to want to consider them as well, Rango. Lynette didn’t. Trust me, it’s easier this way.”
Durango leaned forward in his chair, his gaze fixed on his best friend’s features. “Choosing a life where you’ll spend the rest of your days alone isn’t the way, McKinnon. At one time we both thought living like that would work for us, but since having Savannah in my life, I’m glad things happened the way they did. I probably would have died a very lonely and miserable man. Besides, it can’t be as easy as you claim if I read correctly what I saw in your eyes whenever you looked at Casey that night at dinner. You want her in a bad way—that much was obvious, at least to me. But I think it might be a little deeper than that. I think you might be falling for her, McKinnon.”
“No,” McKinnon growled, denying Durango’s allegations as he narrowed his gaze at him. “You’re dead wrong on that one.”
Durango was silent for a moment and then he leaned back in his chair. “We’ll see.”
“Damn it, there’s nothing to see.” Exasperated and angry that he’d allowed Durango’s false assumption to needle him, he pushed out of his chair. “I’m going out,” he said tersely.
Durango lifted a brow. “Where?”
“To ride Thunder.”
He spun around on booted heels and before Durango could blink, an angry McKinnon had walked out of the room.
* * *
Casey squinted against the brightness of the May sun when she saw the horse and rider slowly approach. She held her breath when she recognized it was McKinnon. Beneath the Montana sky, his hair was loose and hung around his shoulders, touching his chambray shirt. His jeans were worn and as far as she was concerned he looked perfect, all the way down to his boots, as he sat atop the huge horse with the rugged mountains as a backdrop. She swallowed and tried to downplay the fluttering that was going on in her chest. Seeing him reminded her of the heated kisses they’d shared, each one seemed to get bolder and more daring.
“Hello, McKinnon,” she said when he stopped close to where she was standing with her horse beside the stream. She had finished with Prince Charming early and decided to do a little riding. At least today she wouldn’t be eating alone since Savannah had invited her to dinner.
“Casey. You decided to go out riding I see,” he said, eyeing her. His tone was cautiously polite.
“Yes, and before you insinuate otherwise, I did give Prince Charming a good workout today.”
“I told you it would,” she said pointedly, crossing her arms over her chest.
He nodded. “Yes, you did.” A few minutes later, after dragging in a deep breath, he said, “I’m leaving in the morning for D.C. and I probably won’t be back until sometime Saturday. If you need anything while I’m away see Henrietta or Norris.”
The thought of him leaving, knowing he wouldn’t be around—although she knew he had been avoiding her again—made a part of her stomach dip, but she inhaled in swift denial. Why should it bother her if he was leaving town? He meant nothing to her and she meant nothing to him. “Thanks for letting me know,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Have a safe trip.”
Tightening his hand on the reins, he turned Thunder to leave and as he did Durango’s words slammed into his ears. Even before his best friend had spoken them, McKinnon had come to suspect the allegations were true. His feelings for Casey had been growing since the day she set foot on the ranch, and that wasn’t good because nothing could ever come of it…of them. But still, there was no way he could get on a plane tomorrow without taking the memory of another kiss with him.
He trotted a couple of feet before bringing Thunder to a stop and turning the horse around. The reason he had left to go riding was to escape the memory of her. But here she was. She stood there, meeting his gaze as an electrified silence stretched between them. With a will he couldn’t resist, he climbed off Thunder and slowly began walking toward her, eliminating the distance separating them.
* * *
Casey watched McKinnon. His handsome features were hard as granite in one sense, but filled with a sensuous longing in another. She had sworn after the last time they’d kissed and he’d made himself invisible afterwards that he wouldn’t get near her again. But the closer he got, the more she suspected what she had begun feeling for McKinnon was too bone-deep to deny him anything.
Ian's Ultimate Gamble ; Seduction, Westmoreland Style Page 22
