Whirlwind

by Jennifer Mikels

  His voice was soft. "I like what I see."

  She asked, "Are you going to persist in staring at me?"

  He leaned toward her, a smile accompanying his words. "It would be harder not to. You are a beautiful woman."

  The long-handled spoon slipped from her fingers and his larger hand captured hers, forcing Dayna to raise her eyes to him. Damn, she thought with irritation, why does he have to be so gentle?

  "You're very beautiful. And smart. And a little shrewd," he added, squinting slightly.

  The soothing, caressing sound of his voice quickened her pulse. Dayna couldn't prevent the pink blush of self-conscious embarrassment from sweeping over her cheeks.

  His hand squeezed hers affectionately. "You're also really kind of sweet."

  "You have an overzealous imagination," she said, calling on all the poise her twenty-seven years could command.

  Mocking lights glinted in his eyes but his voice was low and husky. "You're right about that. I've been fantasizing about you since the first moment we met. This is much nicer. I'm glad we're not at each other's throats."

  "I think you're a little too smooth for me."

  His amused chuckle answered her. "I doubt it. I'm the country boy, remember? You're the sophisticated one from the big city." He released her hand and said quite seriously, "Actually, you call the shots, Dayna. If you don't like the direction you're going, you can change it. I like being with you." He shrugged one shoulder and appeared to laugh at himself. "Even when we're sparring."

  He looked down at his soda, and Dayna's eyes narrowed skeptically. She doubted very much that he meant what he had just said. He assumed he was in control and just as definitely had already determined where they were headed.

  Most of the trip back was spent in silence. Brand turned the truck onto the dirt road that led to the ranch and stepped on the gas as they approached the building. The speed of the truck reminded her of her first day there and his abrupt welcome. Some instinct made her caution him. "You'd better slow down. What if W.R. sees you speeding again?"

  A crease formed between Brand's brows, but he quickly complied with her warning and slowed the truck to a respectable speed. Dayna noticed his amused smile, and she was confused by her own actions. What did she care if he got into trouble with W.R.? Wasn't that exactly where she would put him eventually if Alexandria Minter's story was true? Despite such realistic, disturbing thoughts, she was relieved she had warned him when she saw W.R. emerge from the lodge as they approached.

  "Did you get all the supplies?" he asked, walking over to the truck when they stopped. When Brand nodded affirmatively, W.R.' advised, "Well, if I were you I'd hightail them over to Charlie before he comes chasing after you with that meat cleaver of his."

  Dayna was ready to punch Brand. He was offering no explanation and she wondered anxiously if W.R. might be getting the wrong impression about their late return as he added, "He said you left for town early this morning and he expected you back hours ago. He needs some of the supplies for tonight's dinner."

  "We were a little detained. I'll take Dayna with me. A smile from her in Charlie's direction should protect me from Chinese torture."

  W.R. cast an anxious look in her direction. Vividly, she recalled his conversation with Brand concerning her. Did W.R. think she needed words of warning too? If he did, his anxiety equaled hers. "You'd better hurry," he stated before turning back toward the lodge.

  When they reached the side of the main building where the kitchen was located, Dayna made a move to open her door and help him. But he was out of the truck and approaching the steps with the two boxes in his arms before she even stirred into action. An irate Charlie, wearing a mandarin-collared shirt and dark sack pants, met him in the doorway. Although Charlie came only as high as Brand's chin, he acted as if he was equal in strength and height to the man standing before him with arms encumbered. Charlie's thin mustache twitched violently as he berated Brand for taking so long.

  Only a few short sentences from Brand and Charlie, quiet now, looked over Brand's shoulder and eyed her. With a bowing smile to her, Charlie accepted the two boxes and went back in the kitchen.

  Shoving his hat back to a casual position on his head, Brand flashed a reckless smile at her. It completed the carefree picture he presented. She realized then that she liked his smile, she liked the sound of his voice—in fact, she liked everything about him.

  A struggle was beginning inside her. They hardly knew each other. And after all the men she'd met who had shown the same smooth actions and had spoken similar sweet words, how could she be falling for him so easily? she wondered with a slight frown.

  She waited until he was seated next to her again to ask, "Was Charlie angry?"

  "Only briefly."

  "I thought you wanted my help?"

  His hand rested on her thigh. "No, I knew I could handle him, but this way I kept you with me a little longer."

  His blue eyes met hers. They caressed her face intimately before his gaze settled on her lips; it was obvious he was thinking of kissing her again. Dayna fought the temptation to let it happen as the beat of her heart quickened. The magnetic power he possessed commanded her to lean toward him, and her body swayed slightly in his direction before she found the will to break free and quickly open the truck door.

  As she slammed it shut and turned toward the lodge, she yelled out, "See you."

  Despite the carefree manner of her departure, her voice was charged with emotion. Was she really starting to feel something for him? It was ridiculous.

  Inside their room, Karen and Shelly were in various stages of dressing in preparation for dinner. Judging from the pink color of Shelly's nose, Dayna guessed they both had stayed by the pool too long. Karen moved her shoulders slowly as if in agony—her skin was taut and red.

  Dayna asked the obvious. "Sunburned?"

  "Hmmm," Karen groaned. "You were gone a long time," she said, reaching for the first-aid cream in her flight bag.

  Dayna reached out for the tube. "Here, turn around. I'll do your back." Lightly smoothing the cream over the bright pink flesh of Karen's shoulders, Dayna asked, "Why didn't you come inside sooner?"

  Karen winced as Dayna touched a tender spot. "Dumb." She looked back over her shoulder at Dayna. "Did you have fun today?"

  Putting the cap back on the tube of cream and handing it to Karen, Dayna sat down on her bed and began to remove her boots. Absently, she answered, "Brand showed me the town and some historical landmarks."

  Lying carefully down on the bed, Karen eyed Dayna. Despite the indifference Dayna tried to convey for the man she had spent the whole afternoon with, it was apparent there was a new lift to her spirits.

  Dayna caught the meaningful look on Karen's face and released an exasperated sigh. She didn't need Karen to say out loud what she was battling to suppress. Brand had stirred new emotions in her. It was that revelation more than anything that really bothered her. She wasn't a fool. And yet even forewarned about the kind of man he was, she seemed unable to suppress the feelings he aroused so effortlessly.

  With a few minutes to spare before dinner, Dayna wrote a quick letter to her father, informing him that she hadn't learned anything yet.

  Chapter Six

  Dayna stood at the floor-to-ceiling window in the lobby and watched a rising sun break above the mountains. Normally a morning groaner who hated to wake before ten, since she had arrived at the ranch she had made a point of getting up early just to see the marvelous sunrises. There usually wasn't a great deal of activity that early in the morning; however this morning was different. Upon entering the lobby she had found new guests arriving and others who were ending their stay, preparing for their transportation to the airport by Bonnie.

  W.R. was in his office with a man she had never met. She assumed he was a new guest, a businessman. She would have given no more thought to him, but as she turned to enter the dining room for breakfast, W.R. came out of the office with the man and proceeded in her directi
on. The stranger was almost as tall as W.R., trim and conservative in appearance, and Dayna noted there was a vague similarity in appearance between the two men.

  W.R. stopped her and asked, "Have you seen Brand, Dayna?"

  That simple question made it clear that her name had been linked with Brand's through the wranglers' grapevine, which, Dayna had already learned, relayed news faster than any group of office gossips. With some annoyance, she wondered just who was spreading stories about her and Brand. It was easy to guess. Even though Dayna had managed to keep some distance between Brand and her, she had no doubt a few stories had been exaggerated, including one describing her relatively compliant attitude when they were in Phoenix. There was no other explanation for W.R.'s assumption that she would know where Brand was. She veiled her indignation and answered him with a shake of the head. "No."

  "Have you seen him at all this morning?"

  Dayna shifted on her feet, discomfited even more by the cool scrutiny of W.R.'s companion. His assessment, though not as bold or sensuous as Brand's, was still unnerving. It was as if he were trying to analyze her inner self. Already having guessed that the man before her was W.R.'s son, she wondered just what had been said about her to provoke such a curious regard. "No, I haven't." She glanced at Bonnie, who had just entered the lobby and was standing in the doorway.

  Her look was caught by W.R., who looked over his shoulder and growled at Bonnie, "Do you know where he's gone?"

  "Sir?" Bonnie asked in bafflement.

  W.R.'s voice was filled with impatience as he shot one word at Bonnie. "Brand."

  Ambling over to them, Bonnie shook his head. "Not now. Last time I saw him was right about dawn. He was riding Valiant in the direction of the river."

  W.R.'s brow cleared. "Oh, yes, that's right. He was supposed to exercise the horse. It's been acting cagey the last couple of days. A high-spirited animal gets rambunctious if it isn't ridden regularly."

  The man next to W.R. cleared his throat, and W.R.'s face lit up with a proud smile. He directed his smile at Dayna. "I'm sorry, Dayna. That darn Brand and his disappearing act has me so up in arms I forgot my manners." Placing an arm around the shoulder of the younger man beside him, W.R. said, "This is my son, Tom, Dayna. Thomas, Dayna Palmer." As the man shook Dayna's hand, W.R. continued. "He's visiting for a few days. Although he's here on business, I think he's looking to stretch his muscles—they get cramped up from sitting day after day behind a desk."

  Responding to his father with an indulgent smile, Tom Reardon laughed easily and said, "My pleasure, Miss Palmer. Don't believe him. I feel just as cramped up after I get off a horse." He looked at her politely but with interest. "She is as beautiful a woman as you were telling me. You certainly didn't exaggerate."

  Dayna's friendly smile was replaced by a quizzical frown, as she wondered why W.R. would discuss her. Quickly he explained, a furrowed brow indicating his embarrassment over his son's statement, "I was telling Tom there was more beautiful scenery inside the lodge than out this year, and I happened to mention your name, Dayna. I hope you're not offended."

  Dayna smiled. "No, of course not. I'm flattered. Thank you for the compliment."

  Appearing relieved, W.R. said, "If you'll excuse us, Dayna, we have some business to discuss. I'm beginning to believe attorneys are like doctors— always working." He winked. "I'll humor Tom now and maybe he'll sit and relax with me later."

  It was apparent Tom's opinion of her was favorable, and he said warmly, "Nice meeting you, Miss Palmer."

  "I'm sure we'll see each other again over the next few days. Please call me Dayna."

  Tom nodded his head, acknowledging her preference for informality, and with his father headed for the office. As W.R. reached the door, he glanced back at Bonnie. "See if you can find Brand. Tom wants to talk to him." In a softer tone but one still edged with irritation, W.R. requested, "Dayna, if you do see Brand, would you inform him I want to see him immediately?"

  Dayna nodded her head in answer. From the irritation she heard in W.R.'s voice, if Brand knew what was good for him, he'd better show up somewhere soon.

  That morning she took a trip around the ranch, even going so far as to ask one of the ranch hands if he had seen Brand, but her search was to no avail; he couldn't be found.

  By midafternoon it was becoming a driving ob-session to find him and confront him with her suspicion that he was allowing the ranch hands to believe she was already just another female on his long list of conquests. Spotting his chestnut quarter horse tied outside one of the sheds, she stormed in that direction.

  Word must have circulated that Dayna was searching for Brand because one ranch hand coming toward her deliberately altered his course and took the long way around the corral to the lodge just to avoid meeting her. She nearly whirled around and returned to the lodge, as it occurred to her that, by seeking him out, she might be fueling the stories already started. Why was it that every other day he had seemed to be underfoot constantly and today he had managed a prize-winning disappearing act?

  Flinging open the shed door, Dayna assumed a battle stance, while her eyes bore into the broad back of the man standing before her. She cleared her throat loudly. When he began to turn around, Dayna opened her mouth to berate Brand for what she was now sure was an intentional game of hide-and-seek. Swiftly she clamped her lips together as she spotted a stranger's face.

  Offering Dayna a surprised smile, he said, "Hi, there, can I help you?"

  At a loss, Dayna stood like an empty-headed ninny. She cringed mentally, visualizing the fool she had almost made of herself and the laugh the ranch hands would have had over such an asinine display on her part.

  She gave a clipped reply to his question. "No, I—I was just looking around."

  He nodded politely, but his grin clearly declared that he knew whom she was looking for. Smiling briefly at him, Dayna hurried out the shed door. She shook her head, dismayed at the obsessive need she had had to find Brand. Dismally, she wondered what her real motive had been. And now she had nearly made a laughing stock of herself because of it. Never before had she acted so ridiculously about a man. Mentally she scolded herself. No more! In anger, she stomped off up the hill toward the lodge.

  She stopped abruptly as Bonnie stuck his head out of a nearby barn door. "Ma'am, Brand's here. He'd like to see you."

  Dayna reeled around, hurrying toward the barn, passing Bonnie on the way. His knowing smile made Dayna question her own actions. Just why did she want to see Brand so badly? As she reached the barn door, she assured herself it was to have it out with him and stop not only his pursuit of her but any falsehoods he might be tempted to spread about their relationship. With that purpose in mind, she flung open the barn door.

  Inside she was met by a strong aroma of horse and hay. A glance down the aisle to the individual stalls showed no sign of Brand. A quick look behind and above her toward the loft also gave no clue to his whereabouts. She was about ready to leave, find Roscoe T. Bonner, and reprimand him for his not-so-funny sense of humor when she heard Brand's deep, soothing voice. "There— almost done."

  Dayna followed the sound. In the last stall she found him hunkered down, scrutinizing the white stallion's hoof. She stood in silence, leaning against one of the barn uprights and watching the strength in his sun-browned hands as they held the horse's hoof steady. She thought she hadn't made a sound, but Brand's head snapped around in her direction. "I didn't know you were here." Pulling a rag from his pocket, he wiped his hands. "When did you come in?"

  Dayna offered a brittle smile in response to the latest deception. "Right after you asked me to come."

  A crease formed between his fair brows. "When was that?"

  Dayna moved forward. This ridiculous act of innocence rankled her. "Did you or did you not ask Bonnie to tell me you wanted to see me?"

  His eyes fastened on her face. He stared at her uncomprehendingly at first, and then answered with laughter in his voice, "Why, that old codger." He shook his head
and didn't need to say more.

  Wishing the floor would cave in, Dayna was at a loss as to what to say. Brand's smile didn't help. He knew she had come running the minute she thought he wanted to see her. She spun around to beat a hasty retreat, sure that Brand probably knew also of her determined efforts all day to find him.

  There was no point in trying to explain her reasons. Squaring her shoulders, she moved rapidly down the aisle, not wanting him to see her face turn crimson with humiliation. She yanked at the barn door, but an outstretched arm closed it. Dayna stared at the hand barring her exit. Brand's breath caused strands of her hair to flutter and his mouth was so close it tickled her ear, sending a shiver of anticipation through her. "Don't go, Dayna. I'm glad you're here." His lips lightly touched the side of her neck and gently caressed her earlobe. Unwittingly she swayed back against him as his hands touched her shoulders and his mouth moved with light, disturbing kisses over the base of her neck and upper shoulder. She could feel desire kindling in him when his hand moved to her waist and pressed her back against the hardness of his body.

  Effortlessly, he turned her to face him and his arms tightened around her back.

  "I am teasing, but you deserve it," he said, kissing the tip of her nose. "You torment me unmercifully with your game playing."

  "I haven't been playing any games," Dayna answered, meeting warm eyes. As his hand slowly moved down her spine to the rounded edge of her buttocks, she knew she had made a mistake in seeking him out, in being alone with him now.

  "Why are you pretending you came only because Bonnie told you I wanted to see you, when we both know you've been looking for me all day?"