Sunset Seduction

by Charlene Sands

  Sunset Lodge had its own stable of horses, Luke had explained, that were primarily used for the lodge’s guests. They were sweet, gentle-natured animals that would provide trail rides and hayrides to entertain visitors. But the barns on the real working ranch housed some of the finest stallions, mares and geldings in the western half of the United States.

  Casey had always bragged about the Slades’s horses until Audrey’s ears had burned. Her brother hadn’t a clue that hearing about anything regarding Luke gave her a warm, fuzzy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Memories of him, and the fact that Luke had never married, had her daydreaming of him more times than she’d like to admit. It had sabotaged her feelings for most other men. At least until her recent boyfriend. She’d taken a chance with Toby and had really begun to like him, despite his flaws, until the day she’d learned he’d been a cheat with more than one woman.

  That had been a hard pill to swallow.

  And what upset her most wasn’t so much that she was out a boyfriend, but that she hadn’t really cared that much. Sure, she’d been hurt by his betrayal and humiliated that she’d been made a fool, but losing Toby wasn’t so great a loss. What shattered her was an impending fear that she’d never settle for any man but Luke.

  And clearly, he was an impossible dream.

  So when the opportunity had presented itself, Audrey grabbed the brass ring. Then fool that she was, she’d lost her nerve and had run out on Luke.

  “Idiot,” she said, plopping her ball cap on her hopeless hair and striding out the door.

  A few minutes later, she stood by the ranch’s corral fence close to the trunk of a tree where three horses huddled under the umbrella of shade. One of the horses looked over. He was a beauty, a bay gelding that stood fifteen hands high, his legs marked with white socks.

  She softened her tone, “Come here, boy.”

  The horse wandered over and Audrey put her hand over the corral fence, letting the horse sniff her scent and look into her eyes. “You’re a pretty one.”

  The horse snorted quietly and when she was sure he felt comfortable with her, she laid her hand on his coat and stroked his withers.

  “You and I are going to be friends. Yes, we are.”

  Another horse wandered over and before long, all three horses were nudging each other to get some attention.

  She smiled, realizing she hadn’t felt this good in days.

  Horses had always been her salvation.

  A dog scurried by, barking at the horses for no apparent reason as he ran the perimeter of the corral. Audrey could tell it was a game between the animals. The horses paid little mind to the black-and-white Border collie.

  Soon, a small boy appeared, running at full speed after the dog, his little legs making long strides. He came to a screeching stop when he saw her by the tree.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Hi.” He looked at the ground.

  “My name is Audrey Thomas. I’m a friend of Luke’s. I’m going to be taking care of the horses. What’s your dog’s name?”

  The dog stood twenty feet up ahead, having taken a break from his run to catch his breath.

  “Oh, h-he’s not my d-dog exactly. I w-watch him for Mr. S-Slade. H-his name is B-Blackie.”

  Audrey nodded. “Good name. I bet you have a good name, too.”

  The boy’s mouth curled up. “It’s E-Edward. No one c-calls me Eddie.”

  “I won’t call you Eddie, either, Edward.”

  “Thanks.” He glanced at the dog, patiently waiting to resume the game of chase. “I havta g-go. My g-grandma’s waiting f-for me.”

  “Okay, nice to meet you, Edward.”

  The boy nodded and took off again.

  Luke found her grinning when he walked up a minute later. “I see you met Edward and Blackie.”

  The sound of his voice hummed through her body. She couldn’t look at him. She stared at the horses, who were still vying for her attention. “Yes. Seems like a sweet boy.”

  “Yeah, he’s a good kid. Ten years old. His grandmother runs the kitchen at Sunset Lodge. It’s a long story, but he loves living at the lodge. My brother Logan and I give him chores to do around here. Blackie’s one of his chores with bonuses.”

  “I’m getting the picture.” She finally turned to him. His blue eyes devastated her. It was hard looking at his handsome face.

  Get a grip, Audrey. You have to see him every day now.

  His stomach growled and he laughed. “Sorry. The housekeeper’s on vacation and I’m hopeless in the kitchen. I was going over to the lodge to scrounge a meal. You wanna come?”

  “I, uh… No, thanks. Look at me. I’m not exactly lodge-worthy right now.”

  He pulled the bill of her cap down with an affectionate tug, just like he used to do way back when. “Sure you are.”

  “I’m not, really,” she said, her eyes flashing. She looked like hell. She could hardly believe she’d walked up to Luke’s door looking like this. “I need a shower and a fresh change of clothes. Besides, I don’t want to leave Jewel alone too long. She needs to adjust to her new environment.”

  Lucky cat was probably sleeping the afternoon away.

  Luke studied her face a second. “You still got cooking skills?”

  “I can stir a pot when needed.”

  “I remember. You’re a pretty darn good cook. Why don’t you shower and change and meet me in the kitchen. Between the two of us, we can probably whip up something edible for lunch. I really don’t want to beg a meal over at the lodge. Much rather spend my time sharing a meal with you.”

  It would hardly be begging, since Luke and his family owned the place. And she couldn’t take to heart what he said about spending time with her. That throwaway line, while she thought it genuine, was merely Luke being Luke. He was cordial to everyone.

  She should refuse. She should tell him she needed to rest, but who was she kidding? She had enough adrenaline pumping through her veins right now to run a marathon. Luke’s beckoning eyes darkened to a deep ocean blue, causing her breath to catch in her throat. Unknowingly, he had powers of persuasion that quelled a woman’s resolve. He was everyone’s Mr. Nice Guy and he’d been her own private knight in shining armor. It was hard denying him anything—thus her taking up residence here and working for him on Sunset Ranch. “Okay. I’ll meet you in the kitchen in thirty minutes.”

  His stomach complained again and he grinned like a little boy. “I’ll be there.”

  * * *

  Audrey turned on the faucet, adjusting the water temperature to medium-hot, and stepped inside the shower. As the pulsating spray hit her naked body, she closed her eyes to the warmth and relaxed as she washed away the dusty morning drive. And just like that, memories rushed into her mind of an awkward, lonely time in her life.

  She’d been sixteen and upset about missing her high school dance. Not that she was much of a dancer, but she’d missed being with friends who seemed to be moving on without her. She wasn’t happy spending most weekends on the road with Casey and this one Saturday night, she’d let her sour mood get the best of her.

  Judd Calhoon and his friend were slightly older than she was and pretty much harmless. She wouldn’t call Judd her friend. He’d mostly teased her about being scrawny and younger, but they’d shared one common complaint—both would rather be spending their weekends at home. So when he’d dared her to sneak out of the trailer that was her second home with Casey, Audrey had found herself eager and willing to thumb her nose at her big brother’s rules. He was her half brother, anyway, she’d thought. And she’d been tired of his demanding, overprotective ways.

  She’d met the boys at midnight—Casey, with a Saturday-night drunk on, would never have known she was gone—and they’d built a small campfire in a cleared-out field half a mile away from the rodeo arena. They’d had some laughs, and she’d been feeling really good about her rebellion. She’d even taken a swallow or two of whiskey the boys had brought along. Before she knew it, Judd’s friend had p
assed out, falling into a snoring heap on the ground three feet away from her. Judd had been drinking heavily by then, and his usual mocking tone had suddenly turned affectionate. His hands got grabby and his pockmarked face was suddenly all over hers. Judd Calhoon, the brother of the rodeo clown, was no Romeo, and Audrey had shoved him away, telling him he was stupid for trying such a stunt.

  Judd hadn’t taken no for an answer. His affection had turned to demand and before Audrey knew it, she’d been pinned to the ground under him. “Get off,” she’d said, shoving at him.

  He was too big, too clumsy and too strong for her and she’d realized he’d let her shove him away the first time. This time, her shove didn’t budge him.

  “Aw, come on, Audrey. No one will know.”

  He’d smelled of whiskey and tobacco. He’d kissed her chin, her cheek and kept missing her mouth because he’d been drunk and because Audrey kept turning her face away as fast as he came at her. “I said get off,” she’d shouted again, her fists pummeling the wooden block of his chest.

  And he’d complied, just like that. Only it hadn’t been Judd doing the moving, but Luke, his hands in a vise grip on Judd’s shoulders. The next thing she knew, Judd was flying through the air, and Luke’s face was red with fury when he’d gone after him. He’d picked Judd up where he’d landed and had held him by the scruff of the collar. He’d spoken with deadly calm then. Audrey, knowing Luke like she did, had realized his great restraint as he’d lectured Judd and placed the fear of God in him.

  “You okay?” Luke had asked her after he was through with Judd. He’d helped her up and she’d dusted herself off, grateful to Luke, but fearing what he had to say to her, too.

  “I’m f-fine.”

  “I wasn’t gonna do anything to her, I swear,” Judd’s voice squeaked from the darkness.

  Luke hadn’t taken his eyes off her. “Shut up or I’ll take you to the sheriff.”

  Luke had taken her hand then and led her to his truck. She’d gotten in and sat in silence on the ride back. She could tell Luke was fuming and part of his anger was aimed at her.

  “That was real dumb going off in the middle of the night.”

  “I kn-know.”

  “Dangerous, too. Those boys are losers. Stupid to boot.”

  Audrey had nodded again.

  Luke had killed the engine of his truck twenty feet away from the trailer she shared with Casey.

  “Why’d you do it, Audrey Faith?”

  She’d stared straight ahead into the night and opened up her heart, telling him about her loneliness, her sadness over missing her friends at school and her terrible boredom at the rodeo. She’d told him how Casey was all over her with rules and regulations and that she’d felt like she never fit with anyone, anywhere. How Casey was only her half brother and how she’d had half a life. She was rarely home when it mattered and her only salvation was her love of horses. She’d cried a few times and Luke had leaned over to wipe her tears tenderly with his kerchief.

  She’d spilled her guts and Luke had nodded like he understood, giving her words of encouragement for her to let it all out. He’d truly listened to her and in the end, when her body sagged, spent from her crushing confessions and soulful tears, Luke had offered her a compromise. He wouldn’t tell Casey what happened, and he’d go back to Judd and his friend and make sure they never bothered her again, if Audrey would promise to come to him when she was feeling like doing something stupid or reckless or dangerous. He’d encouraged her to talk to Casey about everything that bothered her, but told her he’d be there if she ever needed him.

  For a girl who’d thought her brother would ground her for life if he ever found out what she’d done, Luke had offered her a dream deal. She’d agreed to his terms and Luke had sealed their little pact with a brotherly kiss to the cheek.

  Audrey wasn’t sure a girl of sixteen knew a darn thing about love, but she was ninety-nine percent certain that that was the night she’d fallen deeply and wholeheartedly in love with Lucas Slade.

  Audrey stepped out of the shower and toweled off vigorously, purging the memory from her mind. She dabbed at her throat, chin and face and talked herself out of any more reminiscing. It wouldn’t help her current situation. She was at a loss here with Luke.

  And ten minutes away from making his lunch.

  “You are in a pickle, Audrey,” she muttered as she dressed in her only change of clothes.

  She combed her hair, banding it in a ponytail, and glanced in the mirror. The clothes were a slight improvement over the ones she’d worn this morning—new black jeans hugged her hips below the waist and a white peasant’s blouse with short sleeves sloped on her shoulders. Her boots were dark tan and well broken in, the most comfortable shoes she owned.

  With three minutes to spare, she closed the door on her sleepy cat and sashayed down the hall, heading to the kitchen wondering if the old cliché still held true. The way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. If only…

  * * *

  “Hey,” Luke said as she entered the kitchen. His head was poking inside the fridge as he perused the shelves. “We’ve got leftover roast beef, turkey, ham and three different kinds of cheeses. It figures. I’m in the mood for a patty melt.”

  As Audrey breezed by him, she picked up the lime scent of his aftershave and refused to let it give her heart failure. Luke smelled good. Period. She’d have to get over it or she’d make a fool of herself. “I’ll make you a patty melt. It’ll be the rich man’s version.”

  His mouth curved up. “What’s that?”

  “Wait and see, big man.”

  Luke laughed and sat at the granite island counter, watching her cook.

  She found a fry pan, sweet butter, bread crumbs and sesame seed buns. It wasn’t rocket science, but she was pretty darn proud of her creation when she was all through heating small chunks of roast mixed with bread crumbs and layered with melted cheese. The patty came together and she plopped it into a bun with a spatula. “Here you go.”

  Luke glanced at the dish she slid his way and cocked a brow. “I’m not that rich, by the way.”

  “Yes, you are.” He was wealthy by anyone’s standards with his shared ownership of Sunset Lodge and Sunset Ranch and, from Casey’s accounting, half a dozen other investments. “But I won’t hold that against you. Eat up.”

  He picked up the bun and dived in, taking a big bite. His eyes closed slowly and his face settled into an expression of sublime pleasure. “It’ll do,” he said.

  “I thought so.”

  He took two more bites before his gaze slid back to her. “You having one?”

  She shook her head. “I’ll stick to a cheese sandwich.”

  He drew his brows together. “That’s no fun, honey.”

  She couldn’t get excited about an endearment he’d used in his usual brotherly tone.

  “You’re doing fine without me.” He’d gobbled up the entire sandwich while sitting on a stool at the counter. “I’ll make you another one, if you’d like.”

  He contemplated his empty plate, then gave two pats to a rock-solid stomach a quarter would bounce off. “Tempting, but I’d better not. Sophia and Logan are bringing us dinner tonight. And she’s cooking up one of her specialties.”

  Us? They’d be a foursome tonight, but it would hardly be a double date. “I heard Logan was getting married.”

  “Yep. My brother’s getting the better end of the deal, if you ask me.”

  She remembered how Logan would come to see Luke at the rodeo and they’d give each other a world of grief. It was all in good fun, for the most part, except when it wasn’t. But even though they teased each other unmercifully, Audrey saw the love they had for each other. They’d have each other’s backs if there was ever a problem. “Logan’s quite a catch. I bet Sophia feels pretty lucky. I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “You will in a few hours.”

  She placed a bun in the fry pan, then added a slab of cheese and a fresh slice of tomato. Luke walked
over to the fridge again and pulled out a pitcher of lemonade. He poured two glasses and handed her one. He stood close, watching the cheese melt onto the bun as he sipped his drink. A trickle of moisture slipped down her neck. Just being near Luke made her break out in a sweat.

  “What are you doing after you eat that?”

  She shrugged. “I have no plans.”

  “I was gonna wait until tomorrow, but if you’re up to it, I thought I’d take you over to meet Trib.”

  “Ah…the horse that nearly killed you.”

  “An exaggeration. There were a few broken ribs.”

  “He broke your right arm, too.”

  Luke stared at her. “I see your brother filled you in on my injuries.”

  Yes, Casey had told her afterward, but she’d also had firsthand knowledge of his broken arm in the cast. But mercy, the man had left-hand skills that satisfied her just fine.

  “You had a concussion, too.”

  “But I’m right as rain now.”

  It was permission to look him over from top to bottom. Not that she didn’t already know how right the man was. From the top of his sandy-blond hair down to his black snakeskin boots, Luke was perfect. “I’m glad you’ve recovered.”

  “Wasn’t ever any doubt, but thanks. Appreciate it.”

  She took the last bites of her sandwich and rubbed shoulders with Luke, who insisted on helping with the mess. They tidied up the kitchen, cleaned the counters and put the plates away in the dishwasher before heading outside.

  A few minutes later, Luke led Audrey to a distant stable, one built for special cases like Tribute, a stallion with great ancestry and beautiful grace, but temperamental as all get-out. The ranch hands had nicknamed him Tribulation for all the darn trouble the horse gave them on a daily basis. One day Luke thought he’d broken the damn horse’s barriers and had let down his guard. That was the day Trib had sent him to the hospital.

  “I don’t want you near him unless I’m with you,” Luke said. They walked out of the bright sunlight and into the much cooler barn. Even before he laid eyes on the dang horse, he heard the sound of his shuffling in his stall. “He isn’t keen we’re here. Darn horse is antisocial.”