by Day Leclaire
“It never ceases to amaze me how much trouble you can stir up even with your mouth full. We weren’t going to mention our little experiment-gone-awry, remember?” Hickory hooked Rube with his cane and began to tow him toward their house. “I believe this is an excellent time to depart.”
Dogg hesitated in front of Flynn. “Paulie wants to stay. He likes Salmon Bay. He’ll start a new business here if you want.”
A half smile tilted Flynn’s mouth. “You trying to convince me to stick around?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not the sort of man you want for your niece. You knew that from the beginning.”
Dogg grinned. Leaning closer, he whispered, “I knew. I knew if you came we’d have four more chemists to train.”
Flynn stilled. “Four?”
“Three girls. One boy. Boy will be a lot of trouble. But at least we’ll have pollution-free power.”
“What are you saying, Uncle Dogg?” Jane demanded. “I can’t hear you.”
“Hickory won’t be happy if I stick around,” Flynn said, trying one more time.
“Will be in nine months, three days. Very happy.”
Flynn shook his head, giving up. “Get out of here, Dogg, or your prediction will just be so much talk.”
“Use the lab.”
Flynn lifted an eyebrow. “Mind telling me why?”
Dogg chuckled while Jane watched in openmouthed astonishment. “No condoms. She forgot to fill the drawers in there.” With that, he disappeared across the lawn.
“What was that all about?”
“Guy talk.”
She looked as if she intended to pursue the subject, so he stopped her the only way he could. He kissed her until every last thought scattered out of her brilliant curly-topped head.
“Was that a goodbye kiss?”
“It would be the smart thing to do,” he muttered.
“Why?”
“You know why.”
“Because you’re afraid I’ll get hurt?”
“Something like that.”
She tilted her head to one side. “How were you planning to hurt me?”
“What?”
“Come on, Flynn. Tell me. Were you going to cheat on me?”
“No!”
“Steal my formulas?”
“I’ll leave that to Mick,” he said tightly. “I’ve given up my thieving ways, remember?”
She smiled warmly. “I remember. Then maybe you were thinking about lying to me?”
“No! And if you’re referring to the auction, I didn’t tell you about it because I was afraid it would hurt your feelings. And also because I didn’t want you to think badly of your uncles.” He glared at her indignantly. “More fool me. You thought it was sweet. Sweet! Hell.”
“So if you’re not going to lie or cheat or steal, how were you planning to hurt me?”
“I—” His mouth opened and closed. Then he sighed. “Knowing me, I’ll come up with something.”
“That’s all right, then.” Gold-streaked curls bounced against her temple. “Once you come up with it, just don’t do it. Okay?”
He couldn’t help laughing. “Good suggestion.”
“I thought so.”
He filled his hands with the soft, springy curls, then filled his arms with a soft, curvy chemist. “I’m glad for myself that your formula didn’t work, but I’m sorry for your sake. If it makes you feel any better, I have every confidence you’ll succeed eventually.”
“I think I’m just as happy I didn’t succeed. Otherwise I’d never have known if you really loved me.” She peeked up at him. “Flynn?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“The pheromones aren’t nearly as important to me as you are.” She slipped her arms around his waist. “Will you stay?”
“There’s only one way you can convince me.”
“What’s that?”
He smiled tenderly. “You’ll have to make an honest man of me. I’m a changed man, remember? And changed men marry the women they love.”
Happiness radiated from her expression, turning her eyes as green as spring-fresh leaves. “You do love me, don’t you? It’s not the perfume or the pheromones? It’s just me.”
“It’s always been you, Jane.” He gathered her close. “And it always will be.”
And then he sealed his promise with a kiss, bidding a final farewell to the man he’d once been. Sending another silent thank-you to Lost Springs Ranch. He’d been tossed on their doorstep as an angry child, lost and adrift and headed for ruin. He’d probably set a record for the longest, most difficult success story of all the kids who’d passed through the ranch doors. But he had succeeded. And the future looked bright with promise.
Hell, with Jane at his side, every day would be the sweetest of adventures.
* * * * *
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ISBN: 9781460312995
Copyright © 1999 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Day Leclaire is acknowledged as the author of this work.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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