Despite the lateness of the hour, the freeway between Phoenix and Mayer was heavy with traffic. It was almost ten-thirty when Jenny parked her car in her yard beside Mitch’s Jeep. He pulled her door open before she had the chance and helped her out. He held her hand for a long time, finally releasing it when she gave a slight tug.
“I enjoyed myself tonight,” he told her, his throaty voice causing those cartwheels in her stomach again.
“I did, too. Thank you for taking me.”
“My pleasure.” He was looking at her in a way no man ever had before and it made warmth ripple across her in waves.
“I’m having a barbecue next Saturday,” he told her. “I’d like you to come. David and Renee, also.”
Jenny hesitated. His earlier animosity toward her seemed to have dissipated, but was he only being polite? Tonight, for the first time since she had met him, she felt as though they might just be able to put the past behind them and be friends.
“I’ll have to ask David and Renee.”
“By all means,” he agreed. “Just don’t use them as an excuse not to come.”
Really? Did he have to go there? Jenny’s temper flared instantly. “I’ll have you know, I don’t hide behind my brother and sister. I don’t have to. If I want to come, I’ll come. And if I don’t want to, I won’t.”
She knew she sounded childish. He must have thought so, as well, because instead of getting angry, his lips twitched and, reaching out a hand, he stroked a gentle finger down her cheek. Her mind told her to go inside before the feelings he engendered in her could become something more complicated, but her feet were rooted to the spot.
His hand curled around the back of her neck and he tugged her forward until their lips were mere inches apart. He was obviously giving her the chance to object but although one part of her mind cried out for her to do so, the other part knew that it was too late.
His kiss began as a gentle exploration, deepening when she responded. When he finally released her, she could hardly breathe and her legs felt like jelly.
“Will you come to the barbecue?” he asked huskily.
Her mind was too numb to deny him.
“We’ll come,” she answered just as huskily.
He had to lean forward to catch the words and his eyes gleamed. Releasing her, he retreated to his Jeep, pausing before sliding inside.
“Go inside and turn on the light. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
Unlocking the door, Jenny quickly disappeared inside.
* * *
Driving home Mitch continually chastised himself. What on earth had prompted him to kiss her, for crying out loud? He could still feel the warmth of her in his arms, making his heart pound furiously. He had never intended to go that far, but staring into those enticing eyes had sent his common sense somewhere beyond retrieval.
Her kiss had convinced him that she was attracted to him, as well. She had been tentative at first, but then she had given herself up to the same feelings that had been coursing through him. It had taken a great effort to put a brake on that scene, or he might have said or done something he would have later regretted.
What surprised him was how right it had felt. He couldn’t ever remember anything having felt so right before. Even with Amanda. With her, he had been attracted to her physical beauty; the same couldn’t be said of Jenny. With Jenny, it was something more elemental.
Amanda’s beauty had incited physical desire, whereas holding Jenny in his arms had made him feel protective. Strong. As though he could slay any number of dragons.
Sighing, he leaned his head back against the seat. This feeling was nothing close to what he had experienced with Amanda. She had been so beautiful and he had been so young. He had wanted her more than anything in the world, until he’d realized how shallow she was. Physical desire had quickly diminished in the face of her selfishness.
He had been struggling against these encroaching feelings for Jenny since the first moment he had laid eyes on her, which had caused him to, at times, be harsher than he should have been.
First his mother, then Amanda. He never wanted to trust another woman again. He had believed himself to be immune from such attraction. Vaccinated by pain.
But Jenny. So sweet. So trusting. Giving of herself so unselfishly. Or was she as innocent as she seemed? She needed money and he had that in abundance. He had been fooled before. Was he following down that same path again?
Somehow, he had to put a brake on his thoughts and feelings before things got out of hand. Pulling into his driveway, he snorted softly. That was going to be easier said than done.
Chapter 7
Jenny was calling herself all kinds of a fool as she headed down the dirt road toward Mitch’s ranch. The cool breeze lifted the curls away from her forehead, where an unattractive frown resided. Every time she thought about the night Mitch had brought her home from Phoenix, she squirmed a little in the seat.
Why had he kissed her? Was it even remotely possible that he could be developing feelings for her, or was it some kind of ruse to get her to sell her ranch to him? Or was it something even more basic than that? She was the only single woman around for miles. Was she, as she had been with Alexander, something to play with until something better came along? That kiss had left her more shaken than she cared to admit, and she didn’t like feeling so vulnerable again.
Dreams aside, the cold light of day had restored her normally levelheaded disposition. If she allowed herself to become emotionally involved, she was just asking for trouble. She had learned about Mitch’s past from Hattie and, although he was certainly no misogynist, he would protect his own heart at all costs. The only one who would be hurt by such a one-sided relationship would be her.
And now here she was about to beard the lion in his den. Surely she must be a masochist or something. She had decided to treat him coolly at church, which had turned out to be a waste of effort since his coolness had far exceeded hers, showing her that he regretted his action, as well.
If it hadn’t been for David and Renee she would have found an excuse not to attend the barbecue. But David had disappeared early this morning when Mitch had stopped by to pick him up, making it necessary for her to retrieve him from Mitch’s ranch.
Her mind was jerked back to the present when Renee screamed.
“Stop! Jen, stop!”
Slamming on the brakes, the car skidded sideways toward the shoulder of the road. Renee already had her hand on the handle and was jerking open the door. Heart pounding, Jenny watched in the rearview mirror as Renee ran back along the road, her movements urgent.
Climbing from the vehicle, she followed on unsteady legs. “Don’t ever do that again!” she remonstrated harshly. “What do you see?”
It was several seconds before Jenny could see past Renee’s bent form and noticed some sort of animal lying on the side of the road. When Renee would have reached out to touch it, Jenny quickly pulled her back.
“Don’t touch it!”
“But it’s just a puppy, Jen. It’s hurt. It needs help.”
From the look of it, the puppy needed more than she was equipped to offer. Ratty brown fur was mingled with blood across its backside. Its little pink tongue hung forlornly from the side of its mouth. A soft whine escaped its throat and Renee pulled away from Jenny’s restraining hand, kneeling beside it.
“We have to do something!” she protested. “We can’t just leave it here.”
If they left it here there was no telling what might happen to it. It was possible they wouldn’t even be able to find the same spot on this stretch of road. Worse yet, either the coyotes or buzzards might take it away. It was amazing that they hadn’t found the poor thing already.
Squinting her eyes against the sun, Jenny thought she could detect black shapes circling above their heads even
now. Shivering, she turned back to the puppy.
“We’ll just have to take him to Mitch’s with us. He might be able to do something.”
She could remember the night he had helped to deliver the colt. Mitch seemed to know a lot about caring for animals, and he seemed to genuinely care about their welfare.
“Go get the blanket from the trunk of the car,” she directed Renee as she knelt beside the trembling ball of brown fur.
Seconds later the blanket was thrust into her hand. Turning to Renee she enjoined her to get in the car while she carefully lifted the puppy. “I’ll put him in your lap.”
A sudden yelp made her hesitate. It was possible that she would injure the puppy even more than he already was if she moved him, but she sure couldn’t leave it here. She would just have to hope for the best.
Constant little whimpers came from the blanketed bundle as she hurried toward the car. Laying the puppy gently on Renee’s lap, she told her, “Hang on tight, but try not to hurt him.”
Jenny drove down the dirt road like a maniac, dust scattering along behind her. The puppy seemed unusually quiet now. Worried that it might have already died, Jenny glanced at the white, set face of her sister and prayed not. Renee’s gentle heart would be broken. As though she read Jenny’s mind, Renee offered up a strained little prayer.
“Please, Lord. Don’t let him die.”
Skidding to a halt in Mitch’s driveway, Jenny threw open the door and slammed it behind her. “Stay put. I’ll see if I can find Mitch.”
It didn’t take Jenny long to spot Mitch. He stood head and shoulders above nearly everyone in the crowd, although Stetsons abounded throughout the grassy area. Barely pausing, Jenny pushed her way forward, ignoring Hattie’s rapidly waving arms.
Reaching his side, she placed an urgent hand on his arm. He glanced down, his face at once becoming a hard mask. “So, you’re speaking to me today, are you?”
At his icy tone, she jerked her hand away. Everything considered, she supposed she deserved the rebuke, although she considered it was a little more the pot calling the kettle black.
Jenny sighed impatiently. She had neither the time nor the inclination to go into this with him now. “I need your help.”
His face was instant attention. “It must be something important if you’re asking for my help.” He glanced behind her. “Where’s Renee? Did something happen to Renee?” he asked anxiously.
“She’s in the car...”
Grabbing her arm, Mitch strode toward the front of the house. Since he was in a hurry she had to run to keep up with him, too breathless to protest. Rounding the corner, he spotted Renee sitting in the car. Even from that distance it was obvious she was in distress. Her cheeks were wet with tears.
Letting go of Jenny, Mitch rapidly covered the rest of the distance without her. Jenny could hear his gentle voice as she approached, but she couldn’t make out the words. Renee started babbling and pointing to her lap. By the time Jenny arrived, Mitch had taken control. He was kneeling beside the open door and was studying the pup, going over it with gentle hands.
“I don’t think anything’s broken. Looks like he might have been hit by a car.” When he touched the pup’s hindquarters it let out a meager yelp. “Muscles are probably bruised. The tendons may be strained. I need to clean him up a bit before I can tell for sure.”
Reaching down, he gently lifted the puppy from Renee’s lap, blanket and all. He barely glanced at Jenny before he strode away. Renee got out of the car and ran to catch up with him. Jenny watched them walk away, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Well, what had she expected? The way she had treated Mitch the past week, it was a wonder he was speaking to her at all.
Jenny chose to join the party by the pool rather than follow Mitch and Renee. It was obvious she wasn’t needed. Feeling more than a little sorry for herself, she wound her way through the guests, greeting people she knew as she went along. When she reached Hattie’s side, Hattie placed a cool drink in her hand.
“I saw you arrive,” she told her. “What’s happened? I watched you and Mitch disappear and now you return alone looking like you lost your last friend.”
Jenny took a sip of the lemonade, hoping that it would help remove the knot that seemed to have formed in her throat.
“On the way here, Renee spotted an injured puppy alongside the road. We brought it here. Renee is with Mitch now. I think they went to the stables.”
“Probably.” Hattie nodded. “Mitch has a dispensary of sorts there.”
Hattie pulled Jenny along as she mingled with the other guests. Most of the people Jenny recognized from church. A few she had never seen before.
Jenny noticed a woman standing off to the side. Artificially colored platinum-blond hair was coiled into a French twist. Her makeup was applied skillfully so as to give the allusion of being natural. Her clinging blue silk dress hugged her body, showing off her excellent figure to its best advantage. For some reason Jenny felt instant antipathy toward the stunning creature. Surely she wasn’t envious. She had met enough ravishing beauties in her time who hadn’t caused the least little twinge. But something about this woman stirred a mixture of feelings inside, and none of them were very Christian.
“Who’s that?”
Hattie followed her look, the smile on her face freezing into place. “What’s she doing here?”
The other woman noticed Hattie and made her way to their side.
“Hello, Hattie.”
“Amanda. What brings you to the back of beyond? Does Mitch know you’re here?”
“Heavens, yes. He invited me.”
The tension between the two women was so thick it could have been cut with the proverbial knife. Reluctantly, Hattie introduced Jenny.
So this was the infamous Amanda, the foolish woman who gave up a life with Mitch here on this beautiful ranch to be near the bright lights of the city. Before she could comment, Mitch joined the group. He nodded to each woman before turning to Jenny.
“We cleaned the pup up as best we could under the circumstances.” His voice was clipped. Cool. “He should survive, but I wouldn’t advise moving him right now. Renee, however, seems to disagree with me. She wants to take him home tonight. Perhaps you can talk some sense into her.” Taking Jenny by the arm, he walked her away from the group. “Excuse us, ladies.”
That he seemed to be only mildly polite to the blonde beauty seemed to cause Hattie some sense of satisfaction. She called after Jenny, “I’ll talk to you later.”
Jenny tried to pry Mitch’s fingers from her arm, but he only tightened his grip. “You’re hurting me.”
The pressure was instantly loosened although his fingers remained firmly around her arm. “That’s nothing compared with what I’d like to do to you,” he growled.
She glanced up at him in surprise but wisely refrained from comment. Anger simmered just beneath his civilized exterior and she had no desire to be the one who brought it to a boil.
When they reached the stables he turned right, entering a small office to the side. Everything was in pristine condition, the chrome gleaming brightly on utensils placed strategically throughout the room. Renee sat next to the examining table, gently stroking the puppy, though it was hardly recognizable. It had been cleaned fairly well, and was trying to sit up. Renee laughed as it reached up and, taking her by surprise, licked her chin. Jenny noticed a reluctant smile tug at Mitch’s lips. The hardness left his eyes and, walking across the room, he placed an arm around Renee’s shoulders.
“See, Mitch,” she told him. “He’s better already. Can’t I please take him home?” Spotting Jenny, she turned her arguments to the one she considered carried more weight in the decision. “Please, Jen. I’ll be very careful and I’ll take really good care of him.”
Jenny refused to look at Mitch. “What did Mitch say?”<
br />
Renee’s shoulders drooped. “He says that the pup should stay here in case he develops an infection.” Her eyes were pleading. “But I don’t think that will happen. Not if I take very good care of him.”
Walking over to the table, Jenny reached a gentle finger down to stroke the pup’s head. He playfully nipped her. She could almost swear that it was smiling. The haggard-looking lump of fur they had brought here had changed dramatically. It was still far too thin, but good, nourishing food would soon cure that. She smiled at Renee before looking up at Mitch.
“Did I hear you say he?” He was watching her with interest, though his eyes remained fathomless pools of green. He nodded his head slightly, still saying nothing.
“Is there really a chance that he’ll develop an infection?”
“There’s always the chance that an infection will result from as severe an injury as this, but I gave him an antibiotic.”
She sighed as Renee continued to watch her with those pleading blue eyes. “I suppose if something happened we could give you a call?” It was more a question than a statement.
Blowing out an aggravated breath, Mitch stared at her a long time before he answered, “I can see that neither one of you is going to be sensible about this.” He raked his hand through his hair, skewing it to the side. “Yes, you can call me anytime.” The look he gave Renee was much more tolerant than any he had given Jenny heretofore.
“Now, why don’t you go see if you can find David and tell him all about it?” he told Renee. “He’s around here somewhere.”
As Renee got up to leave, she lovingly stroked the puppy. “I’ll be right back,” she told him.
Jenny watched her leave with something akin to panic. The last thing she wanted was to be alone with Mitch. She hastily made to follow when Mitch reached out and pushed the door closed, effectively blocking her only escape route.
The Rancher Next Door Page 8
