by Renee Roszel
She stood rooted there, inches from him, frozen with annoyance. “I’ve only been trying to convince you that I can help,” she said stormily, “and that I know what I’m doing—” She cut herself off as his lips thinned in displeasure. What good would ranting and raving do? He wasn’t listening. Straightening herself to her full five feet five inches, she managed thickly, “Is that all, sir?”
His nod was curt and his stare so cold it could have chilled a side of beef. “Good night, Miss Andrews.”
Thoroughly dismissed, she headed for the door.
Before she stepped across the threshold, he called, “If you know what’s good for you, no more talk about trucking in any of your billy goats.”
Barely able to contain her resentment, she barreled through the exit, muttering, “Why not? Why should you be the only contrary buck on the place?”
“I didn’t catch that,” he said. “Was it something about my terminal charm?”
There was too much mockery in his tone for Anna to attempt an answer. He would definitely fire her if she told him the uncharitable things she was thinking.
In a desperate bid to keep from losing everything she’d just gained because of one hot-headed urge to talk back, Anna rushed along the hall at a breakneck pace. She craved nothing more than to put acres and acres of distance—no, make that continents and continents—between herself and that arrogant tyrant!
CHAPTER FOUR
THE DAY WAS SO BEAUTIFUL Anna had taken her work out onto the veranda attached to her office in the stable. Now that she’d done the necessary inoculations, she was updating the health records. The June afternoon was laying a warm hand against her face, as the sun, dropping toward the horizon, furtively slid its rays beneath the wide veranda’s covered roof. The breeze was sweet with the smell of wildflowers mingling with the tart aroma of horses and hay. She smiled, looking out over the rolling green landscape, crisscrossed with white wooden fences marking off pastures and training paddocks that went all the way to the edge of the woods.
Heavens! she mused. This ranch was a perfect place for anyone who loved horses—a trainer’s dream. She sobered at the thought, wondering for the thousandth time how Steven could have been so foolish to throw away such a great opportunity.
The breeze fluttered her page, and she smoothed it down, carefully printing the dosage of influenza vaccine she’d given Freckle, along with today’s date. “There.” She closed the book, satisfied that the inoculations had gone well. “Find fault with that, Mr. Dare,” she muttered, standing up.
When she reentered her wood-paneled office, she thought she heard her name being called. Replacing the record book in its niche on the shelf behind her desk, she went to her office door and listened.
“Anna?” came a distant call.
She recognized the voice, now. It belonged to Thad, her ex-fiancé. It had been a month since they’d broken up, and she hadn’t heard a word from him in all that time. What in the world was he doing here?
Stepping into the wide central aisle, she saw a slender man slightly under six feet tall, standing beneath the vented cupola in the stable’s center. Her eyes widened at the sight of him. He wasn’t dressed in his usual three-piece suit and silk tie. Instead, he was wearing cowboy apparel from the top of his white ten-gallon hat to the tip of his needle-toed boots.
He wore a red-and-white checked shirt reminiscent of a pizza-parlor tablecloth, a bolo tie, a big silver belt buckle in the shape of a truck and white designer jeans. She was so appalled at his idea of what a cowboy was supposed to wear, she could only gape. “What’s...what’s all this?” she asked finally, spreading her arms to indicate his gaudy attire.
He was grinning broadly. “Howdy, ma’am.” He tipped his hat to show off his blond curls, then plopped the monstrosity back on his head. “I was just promenadin’ through this burg and thought I’d mosey over to see y’all.”
Anna was confused. Hadn’t she and Thad decided their wants and needs were just too different for them to ever make it as a couple? She loved horses, and he was allergic to hay dust. She craved a solid permanent home, and he managed a hotel and could be transferred any time. She loved the wide open spaces and any wife of his would have to live in a hotel suite in town. Hadn’t they reluctantly decided all that was too much to overcome? If so, what was this?
“Why are you so dressed up, Thad?” she asked. “Are the Village People making a comeback?”
Thad’s grin faded slightly. “What? Is there something wrong with my duds?”
She shook her head at him. “Let’s just say, if you ever decide to wear that to an actual rodeo, I’d suggest one more accessory?”
“What’s that?”
“A big gun.” She walked over and smiled. She thought Thad was the most stable hardworking man she knew, and she respected him for that. It wasn’t his fault they were so different. “Where did you buy that stuff—Tenderfeet-R-Us?”
His expression was suddenly downcast. “Well, heck, I tried. Don’t I get points for that?”
She frowned, completely baffled. “Points? For what?”
His smile returned. “Anna, sweetie, I’ve got a surprise for you. I’ve saved up a week’s vacation, and I’ve decided to spend it with you. Here! Learning to be a cowpoke!”
She stared at him, not believing her ears. “You...you want to...”
He nodded vigorously, his grin as bright as ever. “Yes— I mean, yup! I want to understand what it is that you love about this horse stuff.” He gestured expansively, then sneezed, shuddering from head to foot, then sneezed again as he dragged out a handkerchief to stifle a third. When he’d composed himself, he wiped his watering eyes and stuffed the kerchief into his hip pocket. “I want to be your John Wayne.”
She knew her expression must be pained, but she couldn’t help it. “This is crazy, Thad. You can’t even breathe out here.”
He waved his hands before him, negating that suggestion. “New medication’s going to handle that. I’m picking it up this afternoon.” He pulled her into his arms for a quick kiss, murmuring, “Tomorrow, you teach me to ride.”
“Tomorrow? You mean here? Tomorrow?”
He nodded. “Sure. Why not?”
“But, Thad, Mr. Dare won’t allow that. I’ve got work to do.”
“I’ll help you work. Then on your breaks you can teach me to ride.”
“On my breaks?” she echoed, doubtful. “Thad, this isn’t a nine-to-five thing with a morning and afternoon break, an hour for lunch, then dashing off the minute the whistle blows.”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “Okay, whatever. But I’m here to lend a hand and... and...” He sneezed again.
“And blow your brains out, it sounds like.”
“I told you, I’m picking up the hay-dust prescription today. I’ll be a new man in the morning. Wait and see.”
“Wow!” came a young voice. “Killer jeans.”
Nicole ambled out of the tack room on Anna’s right. She was carrying a kitten. She’d discovered one of the three barn cats had had a litter in a drawer there, and she was delighted.
“Nicole,” said Anna, “this is Thad Kelly, my—a friend of mine.”
Nicole smiled at Thad and nuzzled the purring ball of gray-and-white fuzz. “Hi, Thad.” She walked around to critically eye the hip pocket of his jeans. “Monsieur Aphrodite’s a dynamite brand.”
Thad winked at the girl. “Now there’s a woman with taste.” He nodded benevolently. “Well, sweetie, I’ve got to get back and pick up the medicine. What time should I be here tomorrow?”
“Uh, Thad, really, this isn’t a good time. I’ve been pretty busy.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “This place is so big I’ve been swamped with work. Besides, Mr. Dare is barely tolerating me as it is. I just don’t think he’d go for—”
“Well,” Thad interrupted, “you tell him you have a free hired hand for a week and see how upset he gets. He’s a businessman—he’ll be glad I’ve offered my services.” He rub
bed his thumb against her chin in an affectionate gesture. “Honestly, Anna. I’ve missed you. I want to get back into your good graces. Let me do this for you—for us both.”
She had a sinking feeling in her stomach. Apparently he’d thought about their relationship during this past month and decided he didn’t want it to end. She had to admit she’d been unhappy about having Thad out of her life, too. Hadn’t her mother always said, “Find a solid hardworking man, Anna. If love isn’t there at the beginning, it will come. Respect each other, care for each other. That’s what counts.” Her mother had loved her father, Abe, wildly, unreservedly. But he’d loved action, adventure and challenges more than anything else. Finally he’d left when life with his wife and two young kids had become a bore. Three years later, Bruce, Anna’s stepfather, had come along. He was a little dull, but steadfast. Over the years, her mother had been content.
She stared into Thad’s pea-green eyes, so earnest, almost pleading, and she couldn’t say no. With a sigh, she nodded. “My day starts about five, but you don’t have to get here that early.”
He laughed out loud and hugged her to him. “Sweetie, I’ll be here at five. Love you.” With that, he swept off his big white hat and left, bellowing, “Yahoo!”
When he was gone, Nicole said, “That’s your boyfriend, isn’t it?”
Anna shrugged. “He was once.”
“Kind of a geek, but he’s nice. And he sure has got the hots for you.”
Anna gave Nicole a startled look. “The hots? What do you know about such things?”
Nicole laughed. “I’m fifteen.”
She said “fifteen” as though it meant the same thing as “Wake up and smell the coffee!” Anna decided not to pursue the subject.
Nicole was cradling the kitten and looking like a little girl. Anna wondered if fifteen-year-old girls had it harder now than she’d had it. Did they know too much, or had she known too little?
“Do you think Scumface can stay in my room?” Nicole asked, drawing Anna from her musings.
“Scumface?” she asked. “I can’t imagine why you’d want to take someone with such a horrible name to your room.”
Nicole held up the kitten, kissing its nose. “This is Scumface. Isn’t he sweet? I named him after the lead singer in my favorite grunge group, Spit on My Shoes. It’s a totally killer band.”
Anna nodded, hoping her horror didn’t show. “I see. Well, you’ll have to ask your uncle Dusty about Scumface. It’s his house. Meanwhile, I have a feeling the tack room still needs to be swept.”
“Aw, now?” Nicole whined, kicking at a pile of straw with her chunky combat-style boots. “My fave soap’s about to come on.”
“Record it, put Scumbag back with his mother and get the broom.”
“You’re mean, Anna. Almost as mean as Uncle Dusty. And it’s Scumface not Scumbag!”
Anna felt badly, not because she was making the girl do some light chores, but because Nicole had chosen to compare her to the grouchy Mr. Dare. “Whatever,” she said, swiveling to return to her own work. She stopped when she realized that Mr. Grouchy himself was standing close by, glowering in her direction.
“Uh, is there something I can do for you?” she asked.
His glower moved from her to his niece. “No,” he muttered, moving past Anna with hardly a glance. “Nicole?” he said.
Anna knew it wasn’t her business, but she couldn’t just leave. Poor kid. What was he going to growl about now?
Anna watched Nicole’s features pinken. A mixture of puppy love and apprehension was starkly evident on her face. “Yes, Uncle Dusty?” she whispered, clutching the kitten to her breast.
He surprised Anna by kneeling before the girl and reaching out to stroke the kitten. “How’s it going?”
Nicole swallowed. “Fine... sir.”
“You like the kitten?” he asked, lowering his hand to his knee.
Nicole nodded. “I... I never had a pet before. I was sort of wondering, maybe...maybe... that is, Anna said I should talk to you. I...” The words slid away into nothingness, and Nicole blushed furiously, no doubt too frightened of his rejection to go on.
Anna bit her lip, feeling for the girl, but she didn’t say anything.
“You want to keep the kitten in your room?” Dusty guessed. Or had he overheard Nicole a minute ago? Anna didn’t know.
Nicole nodded, her eyes filling with tears.
Dusty frowned and looked away. He appeared to be thinking about it. After a moment, he said, “I tell you what, Nicole. Go have Max put kitty litter on his shopping list. As soon as he gets it, the kitten can stay in your room.”
Both Anna and Nicole let out a gasp. Anna’s was obscured by Nicole’s, which was loud enough to startle several mares. They nickered and whinnied in agitation.
With happy enthusiasm, Nicole hugged her uncle, crying, “Oh, thank you, Uncle Dusty. I love you! And I love Scumface.” Smacking a sloppy kiss on Dusty’s cheek, she dashed off into the tack room.
After the teen had gone, Dusty stood and turned to go, but stopped when he saw that Anna was still there. Lifting a questioning brow, he asked, “Did you need something?”
She shook her head, but couldn’t suppress a small smile. “That was nice of you. Why did you let her have that kitten?”
He leaned against a stall support, eyeing her solemnly. “Until I overheard her call me mean, I had no idea I’d been so hard on her. I guess I’ve been so busy I haven’t thought of her feelings.” He lifted a shoulder casually. “And since Patty didn’t leave her daughter here to be bullied, I figured I owed her something. The kitten seemed little enough.”
Anna felt herself soften toward her boss and allowed herself to admit it. “It’s the kindest thing I’ve seen you do. But I’m afraid it won’t help ease the crush she has on you.”
He shook his head dismissively. “I think you’re making too much of that.”
“Maybe,” she said, doubtfully. Then it occurred to her she should mention Thad’s bombshell about coming to the ranch. “Oh, by the way, Mr. Dare?” He halted just as he’d begun to amble away. “Thad Kelly, my ex—er ... an old friend is going to be dropping by during the next week. To... help out,” she hedged, deciding her boss didn’t have to know about the riding lessons. She’d manage to give them to Thad somehow, without interfering with her job.
Dusty’s eyes narrowed a fraction. “Oh? What did you say he was? An ex-something? I hope it’s ex-championship trainer, but the name isn’t familiar.”
Anna’s face went hot with embarrassment. “No. Thad can’t actually even ride, but he’s willing to—”
“Willing to what?” He silenced her, his tone mocking. “Hell, Miss Andrews, this isn’t ‘The Bachelorette.’ It’s a business. I don’t want any screwing around on my time. Is that clear?”
She bristled at his bluntness. “Congratulations. That is by far the crudest remark anyone has ever made to me! For one second, wrestle your mind out of the gutter and remember this—I’m doing everything humanly possible to make amends for what Steven did.” She ignored him when he tried to interrupt. “Okay, so maybe Thad picked a bad time to try to get back together with me, but if he’s willing to help along the way, you should be happy. I know you’re upset about what my brother did, but to be frank, you’ve been about as nice to me as a dentist’s drill. Couldn’t you at least be civil?”
He met her angry glare and held it. The seconds passed slowly, agonizingly. “I’ll think about it, Miss Andrews,” he finally said, his tone grim. Shifting around to give the horses in the nearby stalls a cursory look, he asked, “How did the inoculations go?”
“Fine!” she snapped. “I’m happy to report only six dropped dead.”
He examined her with hooded eyes. “Be in my office at ten tonight.” His fierce tone knotted her stomach with foreboding. It was as plain as the sun at high noon she’d crossed that line again. And tonight he was going to make her pay.
WITH THE DAY’S WORK completed, dinner over and he
r nerves frayed, Anna took Candy Cane out for a long calming ride. At least it was supposed to be calming. It wasn’t. She was still anxious and miserable when she returned to the stables.
Once she’d used up as much time and nervous energy as she could grooming Candy, she returned the mare to her stall, then roamed aimlessly across the manicured back lawn of the ranch house, her hands fisted in her jeans pockets, her jaws clenched with dread.
Ten o’clock! Why such a late meeting? Why draw out her torment that long? It was only nine. Time seemed to be dragging by with the sole purpose of torturing her. Some incessant gremlin in her brain nagged and nagged about the looming meeting with Mr. Dare. He wasn’t about to let her insolence go unnoticed. She didn’t know what to do. Fall to her knees and beg for mercy? Or simply take her punishment and go?
Maybe if she told him the truth—that she was so terribly worried. And because of her agitated state, she said things she didn’t mean. Surely he knew she was half out of her mind with fears about Steven! And for some demented reason, Dusty Dare unsettled her so badly she said things she would never say, never had said, to another soul on earth!
She chewed her lower lip, uneasy about her mixed feelings for him. There was such boldness hovering in his eyes, such tremendous male grace in the way he moved. He was exciting to be near, even when he growled at her.
So, in her attempts to fight her attraction, she blew every conversation with him by snapping and talking back. No wonder he was angry with her.
She made up her mind. She’d plead for a second chance. Steven’s freedom and her family ranch depended on her being civil to Mr. Dare. From now on, no matter how nervous and flustered and upset his scowling presence made her, she’d bite her tongue and say, “Yes, sir!” Even, “Yes, Your Majesty,” if he insisted. Whatever he wanted, he’d get. She’d turn over a new leaf. Be meek and obliging.
Anna caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and peered into the distance. About fifty feet to her left, up a slight rise, was the pool, surrounded by a privacy fence. Nicole was crouched down, peeking through what must be a crack between the boards. Curious, Anna headed toward her.
