Caitlan fingered the soft chambray material in her arms. "Well, I appreciate you lending me your clothes."
"I'm happy to do it." Hesitating briefly, Debbie glanced covertly at Caitlan, as if sizing her up. Her speculative smile reached her eyes. "I think you're good for J.T., Caitlan. I know this is presumptuous of me, considering you've only been here a few days, but have you and J.T… I mean, are you and J.T… " She flushed and pressed her hands to her cheeks. "Oh, never mind!"
Caitlan laughed softly at Debbie's apparent embarrassment. "Are you trying to ask if J.T. and I are involved?"
"I know it's none of my business," Debbie rushed on, the color from her cheeks fading. "And you don't have to answer, but J.T. has changed in the short time you've been here."
Caitlan couldn't help wondering about that, even though she had to admit she'd seen a softening in him the last day or so, since the incident at the creek. "In what way?"
"I noticed the biggest change today." Debbie shrugged and picked at a piece of lint on the quilt. "It's the way he watches you. He seems so relaxed and at ease." She struggled for the right words. "There isn't that loneliness in his eyes that always makes me ache for him, an emptiness like he's lost a part of himself he can't find. Today, his eyes are clear and his smiles are genuine. You're good for him, Caitlan," she said softly, earnestly. "I knew that the first time I saw you and him together."
Caitlan lifted a brow at Debbie. What was it with his family conspiring to matchmake her and J.T.? "I care for your brother, but I'll be leaving Idaho soon." Why did the thought make her feel so forlorn?
"You can always visit, and you might find you like it here."
Not two days ago she'd heard the same lecture from J.T.'s daughter. "Have you been talking to Laura?" she teased.
Debbie smiled. "No. I just know it takes a special kind of woman to adapt to life in the country, and you fit in well. You seem happy here."
"I am happy here." And content. Caitlan sensed she belonged here in a way she couldn't fully define; she only knew J.T. was the reason. Then reality put things back into perspective. "But that doesn't mean I belong here."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Debbie shook her head, an apologetic look crossing her features. Standing, she grabbed Caitlan's hand and squeezed it affectionately. "I'm sorry, this is really none of my business, but I know J.T. better than anyone, and it's good to see him so carefree and happy."
Caitlan backed away subtly, knowing it was best if they let the subject drop. "Well, I guess I'd better change."
"Yeah." Debbie grinned ruefully. "Sorry; I didn't mean to go on and on. You're very easy to talk to, just like Amanda was. She's been gone sixteen years, but I still miss her friendship."
Caitlan managed a smile for Debbie's compliment, but couldn't shake off the sensation of being suffocated. Disturbing impressions of Amanda crowded in on her until she wanted to run from this room and out of this house. She needed to change and get outside so she could breath in fresh air and clear her head. "Where can I change?" she asked, startled by the strangled sound of her voice.
"Go ahead and use my bathroom." Debbie waved a hand toward a connecting door. "I'll meet you outside. I'm sure the guys are wondering what happened to us. Maybe if we're real lucky they cleaned up the kitchen, but I won't pin my hopes on that too much."
Caitlan forced a light laugh and agreed, even though everything in her coiled up as tight as a spring, ready to snap at any given moment. Once Caitlan stepped inside the bathroom, she closed the door and leaned against it, willing her taut body to relax and the images taunting her mind to cease. Gradually, with each slow breath she drew, her throbbing head began to ease.
Pushing off her damp jeans, Caitlan slipped on first the petticoat, and then the matching chambray skirt, vowing that this niggling feeling of hers wouldn't ruin her day.
For the tenth time in the past twenty minutes J.T. glanced toward the slider leading into the house, looking for a sign of Caitlan. Shifting in his plastic lawn chair, he spared a brief look at his watch, then glanced back at the door. He perked up when Debbie passed the window, waved, and mouthed, "I'll be out in a sec," then moved on to the kitchen. J.T. waited for a glimpse of Caitlan… and waited and waited. Had he missed her when she'd walked by?
"You lookin' for someone?" Kirk asked from the chair beside him, his tone filled with goading humor.
J.T. pinned him with a quelling look, then turned his attention to the girls playing jump rope over on the slab of pavement. "Just wondering where the women are."
Kirk grinned. " 'Fraid they're talking about you?"
"I'm sure Debbie is. We all know how she loves to gab about my lack of a love life. It's her favorite pastime for anyone who'll listen."
Kirk stretched lazily and clasped his hands behind his head. "Well, I do believe they've spent enough time together for Debbie to convince Caitlan she's the perfect woman for you. They should be planning a wedding right about now."
J.T. scowled, declining to comment.
"So, what is going on between you and Caitlan?"
J.T. wanted to ask his brother-in-law to define "going on." Physically, nothing was happening between him and Caitlan-at least not what he'd like to be doing: making slow, deep love to her, losing himself in her gentleness and warmth. Emotionally? Well, that was something he'd rather not discuss. Even he didn't understand the feelings Caitlan evoked in him. He wrote off the chaotic emotions to lust, because wanting Caitlan, naked and in his bed, was becoming a consuming need, blending in with passion and desire.
"Nothing's going on," J.T. replied, slouching in his chair and squaring an ankle over the opposite knee. "She'll be going back to Parson's soon.
From what I hear, the bridge should be fully repaired by the end of the week."
Kirk slanted a look J.T.'s way. "You know, you could always drive her to the airport and put her on the first flight back to Chicago. She'd be out of your hair within three hours."
"And ruin her lovely vacation in paradise?" J.T. said dryly.
Kirk laughed, a deep masculine chuckle. Standing, he slapped J.T. on the back. "Man, you've got it bad for her."
Watching Kirk walk toward the slider, J.T. searched for a retort to his comment but couldn't come up with anything appropriate. What could he say to something that held too much truth? Caitlan was becoming a fever in his blood.
J.T. mused over Kirk's comment about taking Caitlan to the airport. He'd thought about doing exactly that the first night she'd stayed at the ranch, but something had held him back. He'd told himself this was her vacation, and as long as she stayed out of his way he'd let her remain. Thinking back, he realized she hadn't been any trouble, but everywhere he turned she'd been there, with her violet eyes and soft smiles. Hell, he'd even spent the day with her yesterday, pouring out all his secrets and heartaches-to a woman he barely knew.
Maybe he should've given Caitlan the option of flying back to Chicago; maybe she would have wanted to go home rather than wait at his ranch for the bridge to be repaired. He hadn't asked, and she hadn't mentioned it. For the most part she seemed perfectly satisfied at the Circle R.
"Maybe she hasn't asked you to take her to the airport because you were such a bastard about the whole situation her first day at the ranch," he mumbled to himself, remembering how abrupt and harsh he'd been with her, how he'd wanted nothing more than to send her on her way to wherever she belonged.
Now he wasn't sure he wanted her to go, which was ridiculous considering the havoc she played with his body, and the delicate way she threatened the barriers he'd built around his heart. But eventually she'd go back to Chicago, and ultimately that thought kept his emotions locked up, safe and secure.
J.T. glanced toward the slider again and did a double take. He hadn't known what to expect when he saw Caitlan again, but the sight that greeted him tied his insides in knots. Desire surfaced, hot and swift, nearly overwhelming him.
His gaze slid over Caitlan's shirt, the long sleeves rolled to j
ust below her elbow. The first three buttons down the front were undone, the tails tied into a knot around her tiny waist. The skirt she wore aroused more than just his interest. She had nice legs-he remembered that from the night he'd nearly seduced her in his bed-long, graceful limbs that conjured up images of them wrapped around his hips, hugging him tight as he made love to her.
She smiled shyly and started his way. The muscles in his belly tightened as she neared, and he briefly wondered how much longer he'd be able to keep his hands off her. She tempted him to the brink of insanity.
"Caitlan!" Laura grabbed Caitlan's hand and tugged her toward where her and Brittany and Alisha were playing. "I need a partner for double jump rope."
Caitlan glanced doubtfully at the two lines of rope arching in a large loop, engineered by Laura's cousins. "Are you looking to lose?"
Laura laughed. "It's not that hard, really. It'll take you a few times to get the hang of it, but you'll have fun. Aunt Debbie loves to do this."
Caitlan shrugged, pulling off her beige boots and socks and tossing them aside. "I'm game."
J.T. wasn't sure if he should have been annoyed or relieved with Laura's interruption, then decided he'd just sit back and enjoy Caitlan from a safe distance, where touching her wouldn't be such a temptation.
Caitlan attempted to jump in cadence with the two ropes, but only succeeded in tangling up the line. Chuckling at her clumsiness, J.T. teased her, watching in delight as sparks of determination lit up her incredible eyes. After a few more botched attempts she finally got the rythym of the rope coordinated with the flow of her jumping and managed to execute the game beautifully, like a pro.
Caitlan shot him a triumphant look over her shoulder as she kept up the rhythm. J.T. grinned. Despite her accomplishment, he couldn't help but feel like the victor, because at his vantage point she presented him with a winning view.
Holding her skirt to her thighs, she clutched the material tightly in her fists so it wouldn't get tangled in the rope, giving him an unobstructed view of her endlessly long, shapely legs and bare feet. Ruffles from her slip spilled from beneath her skirt, a soft, feminine contrast that served to give her a countenance of childlike innocence. She even had cute knees, he mused, enjoying himself thoroughly.
She laughed breathlessly, tilting her head back as the sweet sound escaped her. The setting sun sparkled threads of gold off her dark bouncing hair and kissed her cheeks with a natural blush.
She looked wild and radiant. Incredibly beautiful. Vibrant and warm. The slow burn of desire for her ignited into a scorching flame of pure need.
Twilight settled in, bringing with it a slight evening chill. The group moved indoors for peach cobbler and to watch a Sunday evening program. J.T. deliberately kept his distance from Caitlan, not trusting himself to give in to the urge to touch her in ways that went beyond a friendly manner. However, sitting a couch away didn't stop him from watching her every move, listening to her every word. The wanting and hunger in him grew with each passing look between them.
At ten-thirty they said their good-byes and headed home. Except for Caitlan thanking him for a nice day, the short drive was made in silence.
Laura yawned as they walked in the front door. "I'm going to bed." She turned to J.T. and gave him a hug, then embraced Caitlan. "Good night, Dad, Caitlan."
"Good night, Smidget," J.T. replied.
"Sweet dreams," Caitlan added as Laura bounded up the stairs.
Caitlan was the type of woman who would say sweet dreams, J.T. thought with a smile. Gentle. Caring. She glanced up at him, her eyes luminous pools of violet that reached deep inside him and gripped him in unrelenting desire. He'd turned on the hallway light, and the soft glow illuminated the nervousness in her gaze now that they were totally alone. He found her anxiousness endearing.
She stepped back, her tongue running over her bottom lip. "I, uh, think I'll go to bed, too. I'm exhausted."
"Yeah, me too." Maybe a good night's rest would cool his attraction to her. Don't count on it, buddy. This ache isn't going to leave until she does.
That silent taunt rerouted his thoughts to his earlier conversation with Kirk. "Caitlan, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"Yes?" A curious expression etched her features.
He forced out the words before he had a chance to consider what he might be giving up. "Would you like me to take you to the airport so you can fly back to Chicago? It's about a three-hour drive from here."
Dismay flashed in her eyes. "Do you want me to leave?"
No. Glancing over her shoulder so she wouldn't see the truth in his eyes, he absently rubbed at the back of his neck. "I just don't want you to feel like you're stuck here. I know I should have asked you sooner, but, well, I guess I haven't been such a gracious host, have I?" His gaze slid back to hers, and he offered her an apologetic smile. "Anyway, the bridge should be repaired by the end of the week. You're welcome to stay until then, or if you'd like, I'll take you to the airport."
She didn't hesitate. "I'd really like to stay, if you don't mind. I'm having a nice time, and I'm not due back home for a while."
"No, I don't mind."
"Great." A smile touched the corner of her mouth as she backed away again to leave. "Good night, J.T."
" 'Night." He watched her climb the stairs, eyes riveted to the gentle sway of her hips. He wished he had the right to follow her up to her bedroom, or take her to his, and make love to her until the sun came up.
Frustrated with his sensual thoughts and his anatomy's natural response, he started up the stairs to his bedroom, knowing it was going to be a long tossing-and-turning kind of night.
Chapter Nine
Three hours later, hot, restless, and still aroused, J.T. lay in bed, cursing the woman down the hall for the sensual effect she had on him. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so hungry for the feel of a woman pressed beneath him. Not just any woman, but Caitlan.
The sound of the guest bedroom's door creaking open broke the night's silence. J.T. listened, unmoving but alert. Recognizing Caitlan's tentative booted steps on the wooden floor, he frowned. Seconds later he heard the latch on the front door unlock, and the squeak of the hinges when she opened the door.
He bolted upright in bed. Where in the hell was she going at one-thirty in the morning? Damn!
Caitlan of all people should've known better than to roam around the ranch alone, especially at night, when an "accident" could easily befall her.
Fearful for her safety, J.T. threw the covers off his naked body and jumped out of bed. Hastily, he pulled on his jeans and donned the shirt he'd shucked only hours before. Within minutes he was dressed, boots on, and out the front door, his fear congealing into anger at her foolishness. The emotion ran parallel with the tense, aroused state of his body.
Caitlan wasn't on the porch, or anywhere around the close perimeter of the house, from what he could see. Pure instinct had him heading for the barn, the glow from the full moon guiding the way. The cold night air wrapped around him, yet the welcoming chill did nothing to temper the heated blood running through his veins. Only one woman had the cure for that.
She'd left the barn door open and he slipped in quietly. Her soft voice drifted to him. Was she with someone, he wondered, unable to stop thoughts of another woman's infidelity. He had no ties to Caitlan, but he found himself silently praying she was alone, that she wasn't out here to meet one of his men. Jealousy, an unfamiliar emotion, coiled tightly inside him.
Stopping in the shadows of the last stall, he saw her, standing by King's Ransom. Alone. She was talking to the stallion, sweet, encouraging words and praise. The tension cramping the muscles across his shoulders slackened, and he released a long, slow breath.
Curbing the impulse to make himself known and chastise Caitlan for going against his orders to stay away from King, he watched her cajole the animal into accepting whatever she extended in her hand through the slats. Sugar cubes, J.T. guessed, mesmerized by the gentle way the nor
mally crazed stallion nuzzled the treat from her palm, then allowed her to stroke his nose before sidestepping away. How in the hell did she manage to calm the beast?
She laughed softly, the sound curling around J.T. like a narcotic. "See, that wasn't so bad, was it, King?" Pulling back her hand, she brushed her palm on her skirt. "You know I won't hurt you, don't you, boy?"
The horse gave a soft snort as his reply but didn't venture back to her.
The moonlight filtering into the barn from the loft window gave Caitlan an ethereal appearance, shimmering off her hair like a halo. Taking in the view of her profile, J.T. put to memory every delicate feature of her face. God, she was beautiful. Not in an elegant sense, but in a way that went deeper than the surface. Much, much deeper.
Suddenly she straightened, glancing over her shoulder toward where he stood cloaked in the shadows. "J.T.?"
How did she know it was him? Or had she just guessed? Not wanting to scare her, he stepped into the beam of moonlight so she could see him, feeling a little guilty that she'd caught him spying on her.
"It's late, Caitlan." He tried to summon some authority, but his tone lacked conviction, so he gave up the pretense for something more basic and honest: concern. "You shouldn't be out here alone."
She didn't seem all that surprised to see him. A beguiling smile curved her mouth. "Then come keep me company."
Had he only imagined the sultry invitation in her voice? Probably so, considering everything she said and did took on a provocative aspect. "It's past one-thirty." Hooking his thumbs through his belt loops, he moved toward her slowly, lazily. "You should be in bed."
She lifted a brow, playfully flitting to the back of the barn. "Are you ordering me to bed?"
Heaven's Gift aka Kiss of an Angel Page 16
