“No.People thrive on risk.It’s playing it safe that ruins them.These two men were both stagnating, needing a challenge but not sure what it should be.I provided one.”
From his assured tone of voice, Freddy easily pictured him in a luxurious office in Manhattan, playing the market with nerves of steel, winning and losing small fortunes as if he were using Monopoly money.“And what about you?Did you need a challenge, too?”
“Apparently, I did.”
“I suppose your partners will want to come out to the ranch, too.”
“Definitely.Chase Lavette, the trucker, plans a trip as soon as the physical therapists have released him, and Joe, the cop, wants to bring his little boy out.”
“Of course, the deal isn’t finalized,” she said.“It could still fall through somehow, or one of your partners could back out.”
“They won’t.”
As crickets chirped in the mesquite branches, Freddy turned this new information over in her mind.She’d been devastated when she’d had to sell the ranch to Westridge, but life around the True Love hadn’t changed as much as she’d expected.This time, however, the owners wouldn’t be a faceless company.Real people were buying the True Love, people looking for a challenge.God knows what havoc that could create.She felt a headache coming on.“Maybe it’s time to call it a day,” she said.“We probably both could use some rest.”
“Should I check for bugs before I go to bed?”
“No,” she said with a weary shake of her head.“We’re on a regular schedule with an efficient exterminator.You’re safe here.”
“I’m almost sorry to hear that.”
She looked into his eyes.Had he already developed a taste for danger?
“Good night, Freddy,” he said softly.“Sleep well.”
Nodding, she retreated inside before the spark of excitement in his gaze could lure her to stay.
Two hours later, her headache was worse.Climbing out of bed, she changed into her red tank-style bathing suit, grabbed a towel and headed toward the pool.But once she’d entered the enclosed patio, she paused.Ry was in the Jacuzzi, his head pillowed on a towel, his eyes closed.
She decided to go back to her room, but for a moment she stood and watched him.His arms were stretched out along the lip of the Jacuzzi and his broad chest moved rhythmically as warm water foamed and splashed against his taut belly.Droplets of water clinging to the pelt of his chest hair winked in the light from a nearby gas lantern.Desire eddied through her, but it wasn’t just the sight of his naked torso that stirred her senses.It wasn’t even the memory of his kiss, although that played a part.But physical beauty and sensuality wouldn’t have captured her imagination if she hadn’t witnessed the courage with which he’d faced whatever trials she’d thrown at him since his arrival yesterday.He’d responded just like...a cowboy.
Perhaps he’d make a good owner of the ranch, after all.But he would be the owner, and he didn’t believe in compromising his business relationships with personal involvement.She thought it was a wise strategy, herself.She turned to leave the patio.
“Don’t go.”
She stopped in midstride.
“I owe you an apology.”
She swung back, astonished.“You owe mean apology?How do you figure?”
He’d lifted his head from the towel and gazed at her.“I lost control at least twice today.I shouldn’t have dunked you in the horse trough, for one thing.”
“I probably had it coming.”Her heart pummeled her ribs.“Nobody likes to be laughed at.”
He gave her a wry grin.“That doesn’t excuse my assaulting you...in the pond.”
She wondered if he considered the tackle an assault, or the kiss.Whichever it was, she didn’t think they were wise to discuss the incident.“Never mind.I don’t hold grudges.”
“Good.Because I have a favor to ask.”He braced his hands on the edge of the Jacuzzi and lifted himself upward, so he sat with only his feet dangling in the water.His trunks were very brief and very wet.“I noticed you have a fax in your office.I’d like to use it in the morning, if you don’t mind.I’ll cover the charges.”
Freddy gulped and glanced away.“No problem.I have some errands to run in Tucson tomorrow, so I won’t be working in there, anyway.”
“I see.If my being out here now makes you uncomfortable, I’ll go in and let you have the patio to yourself,” he said.
She focused on his face and tried to ignore the Chippendale image he presented lounging on the lip of the Jacuzzi.“That’s ridiculous.”
“I agree.We can’t work together very well if you run every time I show up.”
