“Sure, Pa. Any other rules?”
“Only one other. Clean up after yourself.”
“Hey, I know my way around a dust rag.”
“You sure didn’t prove it when we lived at home.”
“You just worry about taking care of your assignment.” Kace snorted. “That’s going to keep you busy enough.”
Nix soaked in Kace’s words. Although wanting to keep a positive spin on the assignment, truth was, Nix couldn’t deny this whole thing had his ass puckered. He’d slept with the boss’s daughter, and now he would be near her, and without a doubt he’d have to somehow wipe all thoughts of her, naked and under him, from his thoughts. Keeping his pants zipped was crucial, not that it should be a problem since Melly had made it clear she wasn’t interested, although the swelling of her nipples told a different story. Maybe he should forget everything he’d shared with her and concentrate on Hope—the bombshell fox that waitressed at the diner. She’d made it indisputably clear while he was eating his ham melt that she was interested, and at the time, he’d been more interested in gulping down his lunch than eyeing the deep cleavage she’d gone to a lot of trouble to tease him with.
Sure…Hope would do nicely.
Big breasts. Bright, come-hither eyes. Nice, plump lips…
So, why in the hell was Melly’s image tattooed on his brain cells?
Trouble. That’s all she was.
~~~**~~~
Melly wanted coffee, but she’d cut caffeine from her diet. She took a sip of her green tea sweetened with honey, and although it was delicious, it wasn’t her usual double espresso with lots of sweet cream. Taking her cup outside, she stepped into the warm sun and smiled. Although she woke up feeling some morning sickness which required her to lie down for another hour, she was feeling better now, especially after forcing herself to eat two slices of toast. Now wasn’t the most opportune time to be pregnant, but she was getting used to the idea. She had picked out a room for the nursery, decided on a color, looked at baby furniture, and had spent a good chunk of her savings in hiring a crew to remodel the house so it fit her needs. New furniture. Paint on all walls. Baby proofing. And a new roof that had leaked during a rain storm. Since this was her home, she wanted to be comfortable for years to come.
With something to prove to not only herself, but her father and the dozen or so hands that worked Shy Brooke, she planned on turning the ranch upside down. They seemed happy that she was back, but would they respect her authority? They had a loyalty to her father, and would they give her the same? If they didn’t, then she’d have to be tough because what she needed now were hands she could trust.
This included the lawman who was watching her. Goosebumps scattered her skin.
Although Nix had been at the ranch for two days, she’d only caught glances of him on the land. It seemed like he could be dodging her, but then again in reality, it was probably for the best. Or he could be waiting for her to engage in conversation with him so they could get over that first awkward hump. It was enough that her dreams were filled with the handsome cowboy but now she had the real-life hunk turning her days into steamy ones. She’d have to grow a wall of steel around her heart as well as her body. He was here, and there was no way of getting around working with him, at least on occasion. Eventually the other hands would get suspicious if they totally ignored each other and the last thing she needed was for rumors to start about her love life here at her home. Rag magazines owned the corner lot of that aspect, although these days they’d moved on to juicier stories. Now that she and Brad had severed all ties.
Looking out over the land, she could see green spotted with horses and barns as far as the eye could see. It had been a long time since she was that little girl in pigtails riding horses and catching minnows with her fishing pole down by the pond. Now she had a lot riding on this land and her capabilities. She wanted to believe that she had this in the bag, but truthfully, she wasn’t that full of herself. Melly’d learned a lot watching the hands, but things had changed around the ranch which she’d seen while exploring the last few days. The equipment was modern. The process of feeding, birthing, and inoculating the livestock was different. Ranchers had new procedures and humane methods to produce healthier cattle. Being that this was spring, one of the busiest times on a ranch, a lot needed to be done. So, she had a talk with the baby that morning, explaining how important it was that he or she was a good baby and didn’t make her life miserable with more morning sickness. Melly had to do her part and lay off the cravings—sardines, pickles and spicy burritos. Why-oh-why did she want these foods?
Taking another sip of her tea, she noticed how the liquid splashed against the sides of the cup because she was shaking. Caffeine withdrawal? Or something more, like anticipating running into Nix? Maybe even the fact that she was afraid to fail. All her life she’d loved a challenge and considered herself competitive. She’d never backed down from anything, and this was no different. But this wasn’t just a hurdle…it was a dream.
Last night she’d had an ugly cry over a bowl of cereal for dinner. It was triggered when she felt the baby move for the first time. The movement had been so subtle and yet so obvious. She’d ran outside, searching for someone to tell, but she was alone. Very much alone. She wasn’t one to feel sorry for herself, but every strong, independent woman deserved to break down on occasion, and she’d had hers, and it was monumental. It would be much easier to accept defeat, kiss the ranch goodbye and head to the city where she could settle into a nice, comfy apartment and prepare for a baby. Instead, she was here, miles away from milk and bread, and even further away from her friends, what little she had left after giving up the party life. They all thought she was silly for doing this, although none of them admitted to it. They didn’t understand, though, what this ranch meant to her. How the memories enticed her, the same things she wanted for her child.
Growing up was hard to do, but she was getting there. Although life had been tough at times, losing people she loved. Without telling him, she agreed with her father that she’d been spoiled for too long. Gone were the days of carefree shopping, partying with friends, shacking up with the new flavor of the month. Now was the time she took a stance and made a home for her baby. Today, she wanted nothing more than to take her paints and canvas, pick a shaded location and spend the day painting, but responsibility loomed over her. Yet, she planned to set her studio up in the sunroom where there was perfect lighting—the same place where her mother would paint.
Melly also wanted to set up a play area for the baby under the huge oak tree in the back yard where she had swung on a tire swing and climbed into the branches, loving the feeling of being on top of the world.
Here was where she belonged. She supposed it wasn’t until recently that she started really thinking of her future and getting pregnant solidified the need to get the ball rolling. She’d been trapped in her small bubble of fun, and now she must branch out.
Setting her cup on the rail, she leaned over the top, staring into her future, she hoped. The only other person who knew she was pregnant outside of the doctor’s office was her friend, Cinda, and a conversation had ensued that left a fowl taste in Melly’s mouth.
“You can’t be serious. You’re really going to keep the baby?” Cinda had asked.
“Yes. I’m seriously going to keep my baby.”
“You? A mother?” Cinda had laughed.
Melly had opened her mouth, ready to say something, but nothing came out. It had taken her a good thirty seconds to work her tongue around the words that she really wanted to speak. “I can and will do this. And I’ll do a good job.”
“Children require stability. You don’t even know what you want for dinner, let alone what you’ll do with your future. Artist or reality star? Social worker or dancer? Didn’t you even say you wanted to open a café? How will you guide your child to know what they want?”
Cinda’s words had burned their way through Melly’s brain like a branding of evil. She’d f
elt tears come to her eyes, but she’d refused to show her friend any emotion. Melly had squeezed her cell until she thought the glass screen would shatter, then she forced through trembling lips, “I’m sorry that’s how you feel. And I’m sorry that I don’t have room in my life for those who see me as a failure.” She’d hung up, sniffed back unshed tears, and swore she’d show all the naysayers.
And here she was. In a bit of a pickle. She couldn’t trust Nix finding out she was pregnant. Not until the deed was in her hands. If he told her father, she’d never see her name on the title.
Inside, she slipped into her boots, grabbed a water bottle, after all the doctor told her to drink lots more fluids, and she followed the worn path through the field that led to the barn. She came through the open door, hearing the foreman, Randy, discussing the fencing with someone. That someone just happened to be Nix Her first instinct was to slowly back away and disappear before either one of them saw her, but the sound of her footsteps in the straw must have alerted them that they weren’t alone because they both popped their heads around. Randy, one of the oldest hands on the ranch, smiled, crinkling his eyes in a way that told her he truly loved her. He had been like an uncle to her and her mother. However, Nix didn’t offer the same kindness. A frown deepened the corners of his mouth and his gaze narrowed on her. Not a good start of working together.
“Just the girl we were looking for,” Randy said.
“Yeah?” she asked as she stepped closer to the men, feeling her hands shake so she pushed them into her back pockets.
“Cade and I were just heading out on the land to check the fences. I thought maybe you’d like to take this one to give you a chance to see the property. It’s best you get the layout of the pastures,” Randy said as he led the pretty mare toward her. “Her name’s Jewels and she’s a lot like that mare your momma got you for your eighth birthday.”
“I remember Jessie.” Melly patted the horse on the neck.
“She won’t want to come,” Nix surprised her by mumbling.
“Oh? Why won’t she?” Melly asked sarcastically, almost choking on her tongue as she watched his long fingers move across the buckles and cinches of the saddle, then up to rub the gelding’s nose. He whispered something under his breath like a word of encouragement to the horse, and as insane as it was, Melly felt a sliver of jealousy. He’d shown her the same gentleness and kindness the night he’d impregnated her.
Her knees wobbled some.
Nix shrugged a broad shoulder and she wanted to refuse a quick scoping of his thick chest and flat stomach in the black T-shirt, but heaven help her, if she had to give up coffee and sugar for a healthier pregnancy, it just wouldn’t be right to give up looking at a slice of heaven in Wranglers too. A little sneaky peek wouldn’t hurt her. His growl brought her eyes back on his scowl. “I’m sure you’d like to go back up to the house and take it easy.”
She blinked. Did he really just say that to her? “Wrong. I’m here, aren’t I?”
“We’ve been working for two hours now. Should we be grateful that you decided to finally show up?” he forced through clenched teeth.
“I’m sensing some hostility here.” She sighed, not letting him send her packing back up to the house.
“I’ll just go, Melly—”
“No, Randy. I want to do this. You’re right. The sooner I get acquainted with the ends and outs of the ranch, the better.” She took the leather reins from him and he tipped his hat and disappeared probably as fast as his worn, dusty boots would carry him. She turned her attention back on the scowling cowboy. “Should we clear the air?”
“I don’t think there’s a big enough hose to suck out all the tension.” He looked at her over the saddle of his horse.
“Well, I don’t know what crawled up your behind and died, but I don’t appreciate you talking to me like you just did.”
He marched around the front of the horse and only a few feet separated them. “And I don’t appreciate you ignoring your responsibility. Ranch life starts early. If you can’t step up and go to bed a little earlier, then hand the keys over to your father and go back to the life of a spoiled reality star,” he snapped.
The heat of his stare burrowed into her. “You’d like that wouldn’t you? That would mean you could go back home too. Nothing is keeping you here.”
“And so you say,” he whispered.
“Let’s get something clear. I’m here to stay, no matter what you think of me.”
“You’re right, let’s get something clear. Sore muscles are a big part of ranch life and we don’t get those by sleeping in and taking our time. Livestock has a timeline of their own. The day begins at daybreak and lasts all the way until sundown, even when you’re not feeling up to it. Also, as far as your remark about what crawled up my ass, well you should know I’m here to help you. If you don’t put your one hundred percent into this, not even a tenth of a percent less, then that’s fine. And when the month is up, I’ll let your father know exactly what happened here.”
She could practically feel the heat pouring from him. His anger was apparent in his ice-cold eyes, thin lips, and hard jaw. Swallowing the acid coming up her throat, she took a small step, meeting his gaze without shame or humiliation. “Don’t worry, Nix. I’m in this from roots to toenails. By the end of the thirty days you’ll have only to tell my father to hand over the deed along with a smile. Daybreak you say? No problem. Question is, can you keep up with me because if you can’t, maybe you should run back to my father’s office and let him know that you can’t handle this. But just so we have an understanding, you don’t own this place and you’re not the boss so if you ever feel the need to speak to me in a coarse tone then you best make sure that none of my hands are listening. They need to see me as their leader, not some disrespected woman. Got it?”
Two seconds passed, and she thought he’d have something savory to say, but instead one corner of his mouth lifted, not quite a smile, but close. “Loud and clear. Now are you ready to climb into the saddle and get to these fences? Every second matters here on the ranch.”
“I was born ready. I used to barrel race and was one of the best.” She rounded the horse, stuck her foot in the stirrup and climbed in. With her head held high, she trotted the mare toward the field.
Chapter 5
WITH A SOFT clock of his tongue, the gelding took off following Miss Hoity Toity on her horse. Yeah, he got that he might have been a little rough with Melly, but the overall picture was clear. If she wanted to own Shy Brooke, she’d have to make the effort. A lot rode on this working, things she didn’t even realize. He couldn’t screw up or his ass might be out of a career. Not to mention, he was a walking hard-on which was never good for a man when sitting in a saddle. On top of that, he missed his cabin and the peace and quiet. He didn’t like living in the quarters in a room the size of a jail cell with paper thin walls. The other men snored and farted all night, reminding Nix of what it was like back when he lived at home with his siblings.
Catching up to her, he slowed the horse so he and Melly could ride neck to neck. She gave him a disgruntled glance, huffed, then turned her cheek. He pushed his hat further on his forehead and laughed. She did look mighty fine riding in the saddle. He slowed the gelding some.
Her untamed locks caught up in the wind and the silken tresses whipped around her head. The straw hat with the purple ribbon bow that sat askew on her head didn’t keep the thick mass contained. She had beautiful hair and the sun seemed to kiss the highlights. His eyes automatically traveled to her backside that popped up and down in the saddle, much like she’d done to him back so long ago. Sweat beaded on his brow and he swiped his gloved hand across his forehead. This was going to be one long day…month.
Again, he caught up to her, mesmerized by the gentle jiggle of her breasts. He wanted to help out and cup them, protect them from the jostling of the horse’s steps, but she’d probably coldcock him into tomorrow.
“Are you going to answer me?”
&nb
sp; She’d asked a question? “I didn’t hear you.” He wouldn’t dare tell her why.
“Why do you have the shotgun? Should I be worried?” She appeared serious.
“Only if you’re a rattlesnake. They’re bad out here this time of year. I wouldn’t want to see you thrown from the saddle.” He felt her inquisitive gaze on him, but he didn’t look because he’d be forced to admire her lovely breasts again.
“I haven’t been out on the land in so long. It’s so pretty, breathtaking.”
“Imagine how much prettier it is at daybreak.” He chuckled.
“You’re not going to let me live it down, are you?”
“That you were late? Sure. You don’t mind a little teasing, do you? Makes for a more interesting day.”
She gave a small shrug of her shoulders and he was thankful because it gave him an excuse to stare at her beauty. “Tease all you like. I just hope you can handle a bit of ribbing too because I know I wear big girl panties.”
“Is that what they’re calling those itty-bitty polka dotted things you had on?” He couldn’t help himself, he’d taken a step down a path of no return. Did her cheeks turn red? He wasn’t sure because she tugged her hat lower on her forehead, hiding her face. Yeah, she felt the tremor just as he had.
“You’re breaking a rule, lawman,” she said in a sexy tone that targeted areas that shouldn’t be aroused.
“What can I say? I’m a rule breaker. But then again, from what I’ve read, so are you.”
“You can’t believe everything you read online.”
The breeze swept across him but didn’t ease the heat in his blood. “Let’s see, what pissed your dad off more. The nude pictures of you taken on the boat or the reality show?” He didn’t know a lot about Carson, but what he did made it clear that he was a man with traditional beliefs which meant having naked pictures of his daughter floating around the internet would make him, or any father, cringe. Hell, it even reared Nix’s protective side and he wanted to find the bastard who took the pictures and wring his neck.
Seized by the Lawman Page 6
