He was only a little surprised. He poured them each a Stagg Kentucky Bourbon, an expensive brand he’d grown fond of, and carried Carly’s glass over to where she’d collapsed bonelessly on the sofa.
Linc handed her the heavy crystal tumbler and sat down beside her. “Rough day,” he said.
“Seems like they’ve all been pretty rough lately.”
He took a sip of his drink, savored the taste and the burn. “Yeah.”
Carly sipped her whiskey. “I don’t know anyone named Raymond Archer. I have no idea why he would destroy my home.”
“Sometimes we have enemies we don’t know we have. Maybe you crossed paths with this guy and don’t remember. Hell, maybe he was just some drunk on a plane you pissed off because you wouldn’t serve him another round.”
She tilted her head against the back of the sofa. “Maybe.”
“Townsend will find the link if there is one. In the meantime, I’m glad you’re staying here.”
She sat up and her eyes found his. “Why, because you want to protect me? Or because you need a woman in your bed and I happen to be handy?”
Irritation trickled through him. “Where’s that coming from? I thought we’d already settled this particular issue.” He set his heavy crystal glass down on the coffee table. “Wait a minute. It’s what Howler said, isn’t it? That the whole town was talking about us.”
She shrugged, pretending it didn’t bother her, but clearly it had. “I knew they would.” She took a sip of her drink. “I’m being stupid, I guess.”
He took the drink from her hand and set it down on the table next to his. Reaching over, he caught her chin, bent his head, and very softly kissed her.
“You’re the woman I want, Carly. The way we are in bed together, I’ve got to figure I’m the man you want. We’re doing what’s right for us and the hell with the rest of them.”
She looked at him and some of the clouds in her eyes seemed to fade. “You’re right. I’m being a coward. Granddad didn’t raise me to be a coward. To hell with the rest of them.” She stood up and reached down to him. “Take me to bed, Lincoln Cain. Remind me again why I’m staying with you.”
Linc laughed. Standing, he took hold of her hand and she led him down the hall. It didn’t take him long to remind her. It didn’t stop him from worrying about her.
* * *
At the ranch house Sunday morning, Carly worked on her laptop. It sat on a desk in the spare bedroom she was using as an office. Figuring Rowena had probably worked at Jubal’s last night, she waited till nine o’clock to call her. With Donna gone, she was desperate for someone to take the job as office manager, but she wanted someone reliable, someone she could trust. She prayed Rowena would accept the position.
“Row, it’s me. Did I wake you?”
“No, I had the early shift last night.”
“Good. Have you got a minute to talk?”
“Sure. If you’re going to dish on Cain, I’ve got all the time in the world.”
Carly laughed. “Sorry, no. All I’m willing to say about Linc is the man is smokin’ hot.”
Row chuckled. “You’ll get no argument from me. So what’s up?”
“You know that full-time job you’ve been looking for? Something interesting that pays well and provides benefits?”
“How could I forget? I’ve been pounding the pavement for nearly a year.”
“What would you think about a job at Drake Trucking? Office manager. Donna just quit.”
“What, are you kidding me?”
“Completely serious. I think you’d be a real asset. If you wouldn’t mind taking orders from me.”
“I’d take orders from the devil himself if the job was right.”
“Then you’re hired. But before you say yes, there are a couple of things you need to know. I’d rather not discuss them over the phone.”
