by R. C. Ryan
When Bull Hammond showed up at the barn, she’d felt a momentary flash of fear. Not that she’d have ever admitted it to him. Or to her little sister. But Luke had been calm, cool, steady, and absolutely fearless. With all that was going on around her ranch lately, she would take all the strong backup she could get.
There was an edge of danger about Luke Malloy that frightened her even while it appealed to her.
At another burst of laughter across the room, she turned to watch. At that moment Luke caught her eye and shot her a devilish wink. She felt her face grow hot.
Who was she kidding? It wasn’t just his fearlessness that she was drawn to. It was the man himself. That tall, muscled, self-assured cowboy whose simple touch left her breathless.
But her reaction to him frightened her just a little. His mere touch got her feeling all hot and off stride. When his hand had brushed her hair, she’d felt a rush of pure sexual tension down her spine, all the way to her toes. And when she’d glowered at him, he’d merely grinned like he knew a secret.
This cowboy was dangerous. And not just because of the way he handled a rifle.
She had no doubt he knew exactly how to handle women, too. Didn’t he already have Nadine and Lily eating out of his hand?
Well, there was one Larsen who wasn’t buying what Luke Malloy was selling.
Chapter Six
One more game, Luke. Please?”
Luke stifled a yawn. “Sorry, Li’l Bit. I can’t keep my eyes open.” He glanced at the clock on the mantel. “Besides, shouldn’t you be in bed?”
Before she could protest, Ingrid set aside the papers she’d been working on and shoved away from the desk. “Come on, Lily. You’re lucky I was too busy to notice the time. You and Luke can always play again tomorrow.”
“Okay.” The little girl started toward the stairs. On the first step she turned. “Promise me you won’t leave after I fall asleep.”
“I promise.” He winked. “Besides, you beat me six times in a row. I’m looking forward to a rematch. I plan on winning tomorrow night.”
Her smile was back as she turned away and climbed the stairs, calling over her shoulder, “Are you going to hear my prayers, Ingrid?”
“I’ll be up in a few minutes. I’m going to turn out the lights in the kitchen.”
Luke gathered up the cards and set the deck in the center of the table. “What’s up with Lily’s question? Why did she think I’d leave in the night?”
“I’m not sure, but I think I understand.” Ingrid’s look was both sad and pensive. “Nadine has a history of leaving. But my dad’s sudden death, with no warning, may have her believing that nobody stays for very long. I guess I’ll try to get her to open up to me about her feelings.” She sighed. “But I intend to wait for the right opening before I do.”
She paused in the doorway of the parlor. “Good night, Luke.”
“’Night.” Luke climbed the stairs and made his way to the office that was now his bedroom.
He was aware of Ingrid moving through the house before coming upstairs and letting herself into Lily’s room.
He thought he heard the back door open and close.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he shoved off his boots and set them aside before unbuttoning his shirt and tossing it over the back of a chair.
Unsnapping his jeans, he turned in surprise when his door was shoved inward.
Nadine’s rusty voice was like the scrape of nails on a blackboard. “Hey, cowboy. There was nothing shaking in town, so I figured you might like some company, to keep you from feeling homesick.”
He stayed where he was. “Thanks. But I can handle being alone. I’m a big boy now.”
She looked him up and down. “Are you ever.” She sauntered across the room, swaying slightly, and lifted her hands to his naked chest. Her breath reeked of whiskey and cigarettes. “I’ve always been partial to good-looking, muscled cowboys.”
He caught both her wrists to stop their movement.
His voice was low. “I’m only going to say this once. I know this is your house, but my room is off-limits.”
Her eyes went wide before narrowing to angry slits. She yanked her hands free and took a step back. “Just who do you think you are? Accepting my hospitality and treating me like an intruder in my own husband’s room?”
“You called it straight. Your husband’s room.” He glanced around. “I don’t see much of you reflected on these shelves. Are you sure you’ve ever been in here before?”
She frowned. “Lars liked his privacy.”
“And you like your freedom.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Has old Mick been spilling family secrets? I ought to send that old geezer packing—”
“Yeah. That’s just what your daughters need. Get rid of the last man standing. See that they’re completely alone, with nobody left to look out for them. How long do you think this ranch could function without the help of old Mick?”
“It doesn’t matter. Whether it’s now or a month from now, this place is already dead. Ingrid and Lily and Mick are just prolonging the agony.” She gave him a hopeful look and stepped closer. “That’s why you ought to consider my offer while you still can. I bet I could show you a few moves—”
“You heard me, Nadine. Now get out.” He stepped around her and pulled open the door.
“Your loss. Too bad you don’t know what you’re missing, cowboy.”
Seething, she shot him a last look before she stepped through the doorway and started down the hall, head high, hips swiveling.
His glance was drawn to Lily’s room at the end of the hallway. Ingrid was standing in the doorway. Her mouth was a tight, grim line of anger. Her eyes were fierce enough to shoot daggers through his heart.
He knew what she was thinking. He’d be damned if he’d say a word in his own defense. Let her think the worst of him.
Without a word she crossed the hall to her bedroom and let herself in before slamming the door.
Luke swore as he retreated inside his room and closed the door.
He couldn’t blame Ingrid. It was a natural enough mistake. She’d been too far away to hear the angry words spoken between him and Nadine. And then there was her mother’s history. Not to mention his own reputation for hard living. Hadn’t Burke and Colin made it clear on their visit? That reference to him riding his Harley over mountain ravines like some crazy drifter. He’d even looked the part of a bearded biker when he first arrived.
He finished undressing and turned out the lights before crawling naked under the blanket. With his hands beneath his head, he stared at the outline of the distant mountain peaks touched by moonlight, framed in the window.
What in the hell was he doing here, in the middle of nowhere, thinking he could do anything to help these people? From what he’d seen so far, they didn’t stand a chance of saving this falling-down hulk from sinking under its own debt.
But then he thought about Ingrid Larsen, with that boyish cap of hair and that lush body she kept hidden under layers of bulky clothes, and he knew why he was staying against all odds.
In the beginning it might have been the allure of her rare beauty, which seemed at such odds with her determination to keep it hidden. But now, he had to admit to himself it was much more than Ingrid’s good looks.
There was just something about her. The way she fought so hard for an impossible dream. The way she seemed determined to make it on her own. The way she protected her little sister, even from their own mother.
He’d always been a sucker for a hard-luck story.
Ingrid lay in her bed, wallowing in misery. Why was she not surprised? After all, Nadine could no more change her habits than a zebra its stripes. Her mother had a testosterone radar that never failed her. If there was a horny cowboy within miles, it was a certain bet that Nadine would not only find him, but also lure him into bed.
But she’d thought better of Luke.
Not at first, of course. He’d been a wounded stranger, whom
she suspected of shooting at a herd of mustangs. And even after he’d convinced her that he wasn’t the shooter, she’d been wary of him. There was something bold and dangerous about him. Something…tempting. Like a wild creature that, though badly wounded, would fight anyone who came too close. She admired the stoic way he’d accepted his pain. And he’d caught her completely by surprise when he’d decided to stay and help with the chores, to repay her for taking care of him.
And then tonight, watching him playing a dozen games of Fish with Lily, she’d seen a side to him she never would have expected. Though he must have been bored out of his mind, he’d made it such fun for her little sister.
It had been rare and wonderful to hear Lily’s laughter. The giggles behind her hand. The way the little girl got caught up in the game, cheering right out loud whenever she beat Luke. Ingrid had caught that teasing light in his eyes when he’d turned to her and winked. Her heart had actually swelled with pleasure, knowing he was going to such pains to make it fun for her little sister.
For a minute or two, she’d actually thought he was someone rare and special. Now she’d been shot down to earth with a resounding thud. He was just another drifter on his way to someplace else. Someplace more pleasurable. More…adult.
At a knock on her door she sat up.
“Ingrid?” Lily’s voice, soft and tentative, had her switching on a bedside light.
“What’s wrong, honey?”
Lily hurried over. “Can I sleep with you tonight?”
“Sure.” Ingrid pulled back the covers. “Climb in.”
The little girl snuggled close while Ingrid pulled the covers over the two of them.
“I heard the back door open and close. I think Nadine’s home.”
Ingrid sighed, remembering the scene she’d been trying to block out of her mind. “She is.”
“Why?” Lily lifted her head to stare at her sister. “She never comes home this early. Do you think she’s sick? Is she going to die like Daddy?”
“Of course not, honey.” Ingrid looked away, switching off the light. As she moved lower into the blanket, she sighed. “Maybe she couldn’t find anyone interesting to talk to.”
“Oh.” After a long silence, Lily whispered, “You still awake?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I want to talk about Luke. I really like him. He’s fun.”
“It sounded like the two of you were having a grand time.”
“He’s so silly. He makes me laugh. Don’t you like him, too?”
“I guess. Why do you ask?”
“You frown when you look at him. But I know he likes you.”
“How would you know that?”
“I saw him looking at you a lot tonight. Sometimes, when I was dealing the cards, he’d forget to pick them up for a minute ’cause he was too busy staring at you.”
Ingrid was grateful for the dark. She knew her cheeks felt hot. “I think you imagined that.”
“Uh-uh.” Lily snuggled closer. “Luke had a funny look on his face when he was looking at you. Like seeing you made his heart happy.”
Her voice grew softer with each word. “I never had a nickname before. Well, Daddy used to call me Lily Lally Lolly sometimes. But only when he thought I needed cheering up. Anyway, I like when Luke calls me Li’l Bit. It makes me feel special, you know?”
“Honey, you shouldn’t let yourself get too fond of Luke. He’s…he’s a cowboy. They come and go, and they rarely stay in one place long enough for anybody to really get to know them. I don’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy his silly teasing and jokes, but you don’t want to start trusting him to always be around. If you do that, you’re bound to be disappointed. It would be better if you could just treat him like a neighbor or one of the wranglers that used to work for us, and not like a real friend. Do you understand?”
She listened to the soft, even breathing that told her Lily hadn’t heard a word she’d said. With a sigh she realized the little girl was sound asleep.
She ought to do the same. But all the worrisome thoughts swirling around in her brain had her wide awake and replaying that last glimpse of Luke as he’d held the door for Nadine. Barefoot, shirtless, his jeans unsnapped. And his eyes, those always piercing eyes, looking heavy-lidded and sleepy. And when he’d caught her staring, he’d turned away without a word.
Guilt, no doubt.
She couldn’t blame Nadine. The man was sexy as hell.
And at the moment, she hated Luke Malloy with every fiber of her being.
Chapter Seven
With bright morning sunlight streaming through the upstairs windows, Ingrid stared at the closed door to Luke’s room as she made her way to the bathroom.
A short time later she stepped out, wearing a bulky robe. Before turning toward her room, she again stared at the closed door. Was he asleep this late? Or was there another reason there was no sound coming from his room at this time of the morning? Was Nadine in there with him?
She gritted her teeth and dressed quickly, eager to get started on her chores. Maybe then she could dispel all the disquieting thoughts taking over her mind.
As she started down the stairs, Lily trailed behind. “Thanks for letting me sleep with you, Ingrid.”
“You’re welcome, honey. You know you can always sleep with me when you’re feeling worried about something.”
As they moved through the parlor toward the kitchen, she draped an arm around her little sister’s shoulders. She realized she was doing it as much for herself as for Lily. She was preparing herself for the pain of having to watch Nadine and Luke coming down the stairs together whenever they managed to rouse themselves. No doubt they’d be laughing and sharing secrets.
In the kitchen, Mick looked up from the stove. “’Morning, ladies.”
“’Morning, Mick.” Lily glanced around. “Where’s Luke?”
Ingrid was quick to intervene. “Honey, that’s none of our bus—”
“He’s out in the barn.” Mick handed Ingrid a mug of coffee, which she immediately bobbled, spilling it across her fingers and onto the table.
She hissed in a breath as she wiped it up, keeping her face averted. “He’s in the barn?”
“Been out there for a couple of hours, I’d say. He was heading out the door when I woke up. By now, I’m betting he’s worked up a powerful appetite.”
“I’ll go and tell him breakfast is ready.” Lily was already racing toward the back door.
Mick grinned at Ingrid. “We’d better watch out. That little girl’s falling hard for our guest.”
“She’ll have to get in line behind Nadine.”
At her flat tone, the old man’s look sharpened. “You know something I don’t?”
She shrugged. “What they do behind closed doors is none of my business.”
“Of course it is. But I’d bet good money you’re wrong about this, girl. I can’t see Luke Malloy buying what Nadine is selling.”
“You mean giving away, don’t you?”
At that, the old cowboy chuckled.
Minutes later Luke followed Lily into the mudroom, scraping his boots, then rolled up his sleeves and washed at the sink before ambling into the kitchen.
His shirt, stretched tautly across his muscled chest, was damp from the hard work he’d done. His hair was tied back, but a few wet locks spilled over his forehead. He looked so appealing, Ingrid was forced to clench her hands into fists in her lap to keep from giving in to the temptation to brush it aside.
“’Morning.” He accepted a mug of steaming coffee from Mick before taking a seat at the table.
“You’re up early.” Ingrid hated the accusing tone, but she was determined to steel herself against that devilish light in his eyes.
“I grew up keeping rancher’s hours.” He sighed when Mick placed an omelet on his plate. “And you, Mick, understand a rancher’s appetite.”
“That I do.” Mick circled the table filling their plates.
“Was there some reason why you wanted to ta
ckle the barn so early?” Ingrid studied him across the table. Even the way he savored his food was annoyingly sexy.
“I figured with that out of the way, we’d get an early start on riding up to the hills to see the herds.”
“We only have one herd.” Lily drained her milk and wiped her mouth on her sleeve.
“Even better. That’ll give us a chance to make sure they’re all healthy enough for the end-of-summer roundup. It’ll be here before you know it.”
“Do you plan on being here for that?” Again, Ingrid thought, there was that note of sarcasm in her tone. But she couldn’t quite believe this rolling stone would actually stick around long enough for roundup.
“How would I know? My crystal ball broke.” Luke winked.
Lily burst into giggles. “You’re funny, Luke.”
“It wasn’t that funny, Lily.” Shoving aside her plate, Ingrid pinned him with a look. “Even without your crystal ball, what do you think? Will you be here, or will you be off on some new adventure, riding your…Harley across some challenging mountain ravines?”
He shot her a lazy smile. “You really ought to try it sometime. It’s a feeling like no other.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’re good at chasing feelings.”
“Since I was no bigger than Li’l Bit here.”
At her nickname, Lilly’s smile lit up the room as she said to Mick, “Did you hear what Luke calls me?”
“Yeah.” The old man grinned. “I have to say, it suits you, girl.”
Ingrid scraped back her chair. “I’m heading to the barn to saddle up and head to the hills.”
Luke picked up his mug. “I’ll be along in a few minutes.”
Ingrid turned to her little sister, who could be counted on to shadow her. “You coming?”
Lily shrugged. “I’d rather stay here with Luke.”
Ingrid stalked to the mudroom to pick up her denim jacket and wide-brimmed hat before slamming out of the house.
“Looks like somebody didn’t get enough sleep last night,” Mick muttered.
“I slept in her bed,” Lily said softly. “Maybe I shouldn’t have. Maybe I kept her awake.”
