Tempting the Rancher

by Brenda Jackson

  “So how is our patient, Doctor?” she asked the tall, muscular man who reminded her of a lumberjack more than a doctor.

  “Walker’s fine. The stiches are out and he should be able to maneuver the stairs in a day or so. I’m encouraging him to do so in order to work the stiffness out of his legs.”

  Bailey nodded as she sat her coffee mug on a side table. “So he’s ready to start handling things on his own now?”

  “Pretty much, but I still don’t want him to overdo it. As you know, Walker has a hard head. I’m glad you’re here to make sure he doesn’t overexert himself.”

  Bailey nibbled her bottom lip before saying, “But I can’t stay here forever. I have a job back in Denver. Do you have any idea when it will be okay for me to leave?”

  “If you have pressing business to attend to back home then you should go now. I’m sure Lola won’t mind moving in for a few days until Walker’s fully recovered.”

  Dr. Witherspoon was giving her an out, so why wasn’t she taking it? Why was she making herself believe she was needed here?

  “Just let me know when you plan to leave so I’ll know what to do,” the doctor added. “I’m sure you know Walker would prefer to be by himself after you leave, but that’s not wise. Personally, I think he needs you.”

  The doctor didn’t know just how wrong he was. Sure, Walker liked kissing her, but that didn’t mean he needed her. “I doubt that very seriously. He’ll probably be glad to have me gone.”

  “Um, I don’t think so. I’ve known Walker all his life. I delivered him into the world and looked forward to delivering his son, but his wife wouldn’t hear of it. She wanted their son born in California. She wasn’t too fond of this place.”

  Dr. Witherspoon paused, and a strange look appeared on his face, as if he’d said too much. “Anyway, if you decide to leave before the end of the week, let me know so I can notify Lola.”

  “I will.”

  Before reaching the door, the doctor turned. “Oh, yes, I almost forgot. Walker wants to see you.”

  Bailey lifted a brow. “He does?”

  “Yes.” The doctor then opened the door and left.

  Bailey wondered why Walker would ask to see her. He’d seen her earlier when she’d taken him breakfast. She hadn’t been able to decipher his mood, mainly because she hadn’t hung around long enough. She’d placed the tray on the table and left. But she had seen that he’d opened the curtains and was sitting in what was evidently his favorite chair.

  After taking a deep breath, she moved toward the stairs. She might as well go see what Walker wanted. All things considered, he might be summoning her to ask her to leave.

  * * *

  “Dr. Witherspoon said you wanted to see me.”

  Walker turned around at the sound of Bailey’s voice. She stood in the doorway as if ready to sprint away at a moment’s notice. Had his mood been as bad as Doc Witherspoon claimed? If so, she had put up with it when any other woman would not have. “Come in, Bailey, I won’t bite.”

  He wouldn’t bite, but he wouldn’t mind tasting her mouth again.

  She hesitated before entering, looking all around his bedroom before looking back at him. That gave him just enough time to check her out, to appreciate how she looked in her sweats, sweater and jacket. She wore her hair pinned back from her face, which showed off her beautiful bone structure. Although he hadn’t stuck around to meet her sister Gemma, he had met Megan. There was a slight resemblance between the two but he thought Bailey had a look all her own. Both were beautiful women but there was a radiance about Bailey that gave him pause whenever he saw her.

  “Okay, I’m in,” she said, coming to stand in front of him. However, he noted she wasn’t all in his face like last time. She was keeping what she figured was a safe distance.

  “You’re standing up,” she observed.

  “Is there a reason for me not to be?”

  She shrugged. “No. But normally you’re sitting down in that chair over there.”

  He followed her gaze to the chair. “Yes. That chair has special meaning for me.”

  “It does? Why?”

  “It once belonged to my mother. I’m told she used to sit in it and rock me to sleep. I don’t recall that, but I do remember coming in here at night and sitting right there on the floor while she sat in that chair and read me a story.”

  “I heard you tell Dillon you’re an only child. Your parents didn’t want any more children?”

  “They wanted plenty, which is why they built such a huge house. But Mom had difficulties with my birth and Doc Witherspoon advised her not to try again.”

  “Oh.”

  A moment of silence settled between them before Bailey said, “You didn’t say why you wanted to see me.”

  No, he hadn’t. He stared at her, wishing he wasn’t so fascinated with her mouth. “I need to apologize. I haven’t been the nicest person the past several days.” No need to tell her Doc Witherspoon hadn’t spared any punches in telling Walker just what an ass he’d been.

  “No, you haven’t. You have been somewhat of a grouch, but I’ve dealt with worse. I have five brothers and a slew of male cousins. I’ve discovered men can be more difficult than sick babies when they are in pain.”

  “Regardless, that was no reason to take out my mood on you and I apologize.”

  She shrugged. “Apology acc—” As if remembering another time those words had set off a kiss between them, she quickly modified her words. “Thank you for apologizing.” She turned to leave.

  “Wait!”

  Bailey turned back around. “Yes?”

  “Lunch.”

  She raised a brow. “What about it?”

  “I thought we could eat lunch together.”

  * * *

  Bailey eyed Walker speculatively before asking, “Why would you want us to eat lunch together?”

  He countered with a question of his own. “Any reason we can’t? Although I appreciate you being here, helping out and everything, you’re still a guest in my home. Besides, I’m doing better and Doc suggested I try the stairs. I figured we could sit and eat in the kitchen. Frankly, I’m tired of looking at these four walls.”

  She could see why he would be. “Okay, I’ll serve you lunch in the kitchen.”

  “And you will join me?”

  Bailey nibbled her lips. How could she explain that just breathing the same air as him was playing havoc on her nervous system?

  Even now, just standing this close to him was messing with her mind. Making her remember things she shouldn’t. Like what had happened the last time she’d stayed this long in this bedroom. And he wanted them to share lunch? What would they talk about? One thing was for certain—she would let him lead the conversation. She would not give him any reason to think she was interviewing him undercover. He’d already accused her of having underhanded motives.

  When she’d walked into this room, she hadn’t counted on him standing in the middle of it. She’d been fully aware of his presence the moment she’d opened the door. He was dressed in a pair of well-worn jeans and a flannel shirt that showed what an impressive body he had. If he’d lost any weight she couldn’t tell. He still had a solid chest, broad shoulders and taut thighs. She’d been too taken with all that masculine power to do anything but stand and stare.

  Without the beard his jaw looked stronger and his mouth—which should be outlawed—was way too sexy to be real.

  Bailey couldn’t stop herself from wondering why he wanted to share lunch with her. But then, she didn’t want to spend time analyzing his reason. So she convinced herself it was because she would be leaving soon, returning to Denver. Then there would be no reason for their paths to cross again. If things worked out between the Westmorelands and the Outlaws, she could see Walker hanging out with her brothers and cousins every now and then, but she doubted she would
be invited to attend any of those gatherings.

  Knowing he was waiting for an answer, she said, “Yes, I’ll share lunch with you.”

  Chapter 10

  “So, Bailey, who taught you how to shoot?”

  She bit into her sandwich and held up her finger to let him know it would be a minute before she could answer because she had food in her mouth. Walker didn’t mind watching her anyway.

  “The question you should probably ask is who didn’t teach me to shoot. My brothers and cousins were quick to give me lessons, especially Bane. He’s so good that he’s a master sniper with the navy SEALs. Bane taught me how to hit a target. I don’t want to sound as if I’m bragging, but I’m an excellent shot because of him.”

  “You’re not bragging, just stating a fact. I’m living proof, and note I said living proof. There’s no doubt in my mind that grizzly would have done me in if you hadn’t taken it down.”

  “Well, I’m glad I was there.”

  He was glad she’d been there, too. At the sight of a huge grizzly any other woman would have gone into shock. But not Bailey. She had showed true grit by bringing down that bear. She’d made that shot from a distance he doubted even he could have made. His three men had admitted they could not have made it without running the risk of shooting him.

  “My men are in awe of you,” he added. “You impressed them.”

  She frowned. “I didn’t do it to impress anyone, Walker. I did what I felt I had to do. I wasn’t going after accolades.”

  That, he thought, was what made her different. Most of the women he knew would use anything to score brownie points. Hadn’t making a good impression meant everything to Kalyn?

  “I think you’re the real hero, Walker. You risked your life getting that bear away from the shack before it got to Marcus.”

  He shrugged. “Like you said, I did what I felt I had to do. I wasn’t going after accolades.” He blinked over at her and smiled. He was rewarded when she smiled back.

  Just what was he doing flirting with her? He was pretty rusty at it. There hadn’t been a woman he’d really been attracted to since Kalyn. He’d had meaningless affairs solely for the purpose of quenching raging hormones, but he hadn’t been interested in a woman beyond sex...until now.

  He bit into his sandwich. “This is good. I hope I didn’t get underfoot while you prepared lunch, but I couldn’t stay in my bedroom a minute longer.”

  “Thanks, and no, you didn’t get underfoot.”

  But he had made her nervous, he was sure of it. She’d been leaning over looking into the refrigerator when he’d walked into the kitchen. The sight of her sweats stretched over a curvy bottom had definitely increased his testosterone level. He had been happy just to stand there, leaning against the kitchen counter with an erection, and stare. After closing the refrigerator she’d nearly dropped the jars of mayo and mustard when she’d turned around to find him there. Of course she’d scolded him for coming down the stairs without her assistance, but he’d ignored all that. He wasn’t used to a woman fussing over him.

  She’d made him sit down at the table and had given him a magazine that had been delivered by the mailman earlier. Instead of flipping through the pages, he’d preferred watching her move around the kitchen. More than once she’d caught him staring and he’d quickly glanced back down at the magazine.

  Walker would be the first to admit he’d picked up on a difference in the atmosphere of his home. It now held the scent of a woman. Although the guest room she was using was on the opposite side of the house, the moment he’d walked out of his bedroom, the scent of jasmine had flowed through his nostrils. At first he’d been taken off guard by it but then he decided he preferred it to the woodsy smell he was used to. It was then that he realized someone other than himself occupied the house for the first time since his parents’ deaths. His privacy had been invaded, but, surprisingly, he didn’t have a problem with it. Bailey had a way of growing on a person.

  “Will you be returning to your room after you finish lunch?” she asked.

  He glanced over at her. “No. There’re a few things I need to do.”

  “Like what?”

  He lifted a brow. Did she think whatever he did was any of her business?

  As if she read his mind, she said, “I hope you’re not planning to do anything that might cause a setback, Walker.”

  He heard the concern in her voice and clearly saw it in her eyes. It reminded him of what had been missing in his life for almost ten years. A woman who cared.

  A woman he desired.

  Although they had never made love, they had come close. It didn’t take much to remember a pair of perfectly shaped breasts or the wetness of her femininity. Going down on a woman wasn’t part of his regular lovemaking routine, but Bailey’s scent had made him want to do it for her, and after that first time he’d found her flavor addictive.

  So yes, he desired her. With a passion. Whenever he saw her, his mind filled with all the things he’d love to do to her. It had been a long time since he’d slept with a woman, but that wasn’t the issue. He desired Bailey simply because she was a woman worthy of desiring. There had been this attraction between them from the start, and they both knew it. The attraction was still alive and kicking, and they both knew that, as well.

  How long were they planning to play the “try to ignore it” game?

  “No setbacks for me. I intend to follow Dr. Witherspoon’s orders.”

  “Good.”

  Did Bailey realize she liked getting in the last word? “I need to go over my books, replenish my stock and order more branding equipment. I’ll be fine.”

  She nodded before getting up from the table. She reached for his plate and he placed his hand on hers. He immediately felt a sizzle race up his spine and he fought to ignore it. “I can take care of my own plate. I appreciate you being here but I don’t want you to feel as if you have to wait on me. I’m doing better.”

  What he didn’t add was that he was doing well enough for her to go back home to Westmoreland Country. However, for reasons he wasn’t ready to question, her leaving was not what he wanted.

  “Fine,” she said, moving away from the table.

  He tried concentrating on his cup of coffee, but couldn’t. He watched her move around the room, putting stuff away. He enjoyed watching how her body looked in sweats. Whenever she moved, so did his sex as it tingled with need.

  “Any reason you’re staring?” she asked, turning to meet his gaze.

  She looked younger today. Softer. It could be the way the daylight was coming in through the window. “You got eyes in the back of your head, Bailey?”

  “No, but I could feel you staring.”

  In that case there was no need to lie. “Yes, I was staring. You look good in that outfit.”

  She looked down at herself. “In sweats? You’ve got to be kidding me. You must have taken an extra pill or two this morning.”

  He smiled as his gaze raked over her. “No, I didn’t take an extra pill or two. Just stating the facts.”

  He sensed she didn’t believe him. She brushed her fingers through her hair as if his comment had given her reason to wonder if she looked just the opposite. Possibly disheveled and unkempt. He found that interesting. How could she not know she looked good no matter what she wore? And she probably had no idea that her hot, lush scent filled the kitchen instead of the scent of what she’d prepared for lunch.

  As if dismissing what he’d said, she turned back to the sink. “Are you going to sit there and stare or are you going to work in your office?” she asked over her shoulder a few moments later.

  “I think I’ll just sit here and stare for a while.”

  “It’s not nice to stare.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  She swung around and frowned at him. “Then, stare at something else, Walker.”


  A smile touched the corner of his lips. “There’s nothing else in this kitchen I would rather stare at than you.” And he meant it.

  “Sounds as if you’ve got a case of cabin fever.”

  “Possibly, but I doubt it.”

  She placed the dish towel on the counter. “So what do you think it is?”

  He placed his coffee cup down, thinking that was easy enough to answer. “Lust. I’m lusting after you, Bailey.”

  * * *

  A drugging urgency slammed into Bailey’s chest, making her nipples pucker and fire race through her veins. Now, more than before, she felt the weight of Walker’s gaze. She didn’t usually feel feminine in sweats, but he had a way of making her feel sexy even when she didn’t have a right to feel that way.

  And while he sat there, watching her every move, she was fully aware of what was going through his mind. Because she was pretty certain it was the same thing going through hers. This seductive heat was beginning to affect her everywhere—in her breasts, deep in the juncture of her thighs and in the middle of her stomach. The memories of those two kisses they’d previously shared only intensified the hot, aching sensations overwhelming her common sense.

  She heard him slide the chair back and watched as he slowly stood. “You can come here or I’m coming over there,” he said matter-of-factly in a deep voice.

  She swallowed, knowing he was serious. As serious as she was hot for him. But was she ready for this? A meaningless affair with Walker? Hadn’t he told her that night in the truck at Bailey’s Bay that all he could offer was a meaningless affair? At the time, she’d responded by saying that kind of relationship didn’t bother her. Her future was tied to Westmoreland Country and not to any man. There wasn’t that much love in the world.

  But there was that much passion. That much desire. To a degree she’d never encountered before. She couldn’t understand it, but there was no denying the way her body responded to him. It responded in a way it had never reacted to another man. A part of her believed this was no accident. What was taking place between them was meant to be. Not only was that thought a discovery, it was also an acceptance.