SnowKisses

(1983)

Anovelby

DianaPalmer

Abby Shane has come home to Montana. It's a haven from the nightmares of Manhattan, a place to
recoverfromthetraumathatjeopardizedhercareerandleftheremotionallyscarred.

But she's also come home to the painful memories of an all-too-brief love affair. Now, what is
supposedtobeahealingperiodforAbby,becomessomethingmuchdifferent.

TothestateofMontana,whosegreatestnaturalresourceIsherpeople.

Chapter1

Theroadwaslittlemorethanapairofrutsmakinglazybrownpathsthroughthelushspringgrassof
southernMontana,andHankwashandlingthetrucklikeatankonmaneuvers.

But Abby gritted her teeth and didn't say a word. Hank, in his fifty-plus years, had forgotten more
about ranch work than she'd ever learn. And she wasn't about to put him in a bad temper by asking
himtoslowdown.

She stared out over the smooth, rolling hills where Cade's white-faced Herefords grazed on new
spring grass. Montana . Big Sky country. Rolling grasslands that seemed to go on forever under a
canopyofbluesky.Andamidthegrass,delicateyellowandbluewildflowersthatAbbyhadgathered
asagirl.Here,shecouldforgetNewYorkandthenightmareofthepasttwoweeks.Shecouldheal
herwoundsandhideawayfromtheworld.

She smiled faintly, a smile that didn't quite reach her pale brown eyes, and she clenched her hands
around the beige purse in the lap of her shapeless dress. She didn't feel like a successful fashion
modelwhenshewasontheMcLarenranch.Shefeltliketheyounggirlwho'dgrownupinthispartof
rural southern Montana , on the ranch that had been absorbed by Cade's growing empire after her
father'sdeaththreeyearsearlier.

AtleastMellywasstillthere.Abby'syoungersisterhadanenviablejobasCade'sprivatesecretary.It
meantthatshecouldbenearherfiancé,Cade'sranchforeman,whileshesupportedherself.Cadehad
neverapprovedofJesseShane'sdecisiontoallowhiseldestdaughtertogotoNewYork,andhehad
made no secret of it. Now Abby couldn't help wishing she'd listened. Her brief taste of fame hadn't
beenworththecost.

She felt bitter. It was impossible to go back, to relive those innocent days of her youth when Cade
McLarenhadbeenthesunandmoon.Butshemournedfortheteenagershe'dbeenthatlong-agonight
whenhe'dcarriedhertobed.Itwasamemoryshe'dtreasured,butnowitwasapartofthenightmare
she'dbroughthomefromNewYork.Shewonderedwithamindnumbedbypainifshe'deverbeable
toletanymantouchheragain.

Shesighed,grippingthepursetighterasHanktookonerisealittlefastandcausedthepickuptolurch
tooneside.Sheclutchedtheedgeoftheseatasthevehicleallbutrockedontoitsside.

“Sorry about that," Hank muttered, bending over the steering wheel with his thin face set into rigid
lines."Damnedtrucks—givemeahorseanyday."

She laughed softly—once she would have thrown back her head and given out a roar of hearty
laughter.ShemighthavebeenawillowyghostofthegirlwholeftPaintedRidgeateighteen,come
backtohauntoldfamiliarsurroundings.Thispoised,sophisticatedwomanoftwenty-twowasasout
ofplaceinthebatteredpickupasCadewouldbeinatuxedoattheMet.

"I guess you've all got your hands full," Abby remarked as they approached the sprawling ranch

house.

"Damned straight," Hank said without preamble as he slowed at a gate. "Storm warnings out and
calvinginfullswing."

"Snow?" she gasped, looking around at the lush greenery. But it was April, after all, and snow was
stillverypossibleinMontana.Worse—probable.

ButHankwasalreadyoutofthetruck,leavingtheengineidlingwhileheopenedthegate.

"Drive the truck through!" he called for what seemed the tenth time in as many minutes, and Abby
obedientlyclimbedbehindthewheelandputthetruckingear.

-2-

Shecouldn'thelpsmilingwhensherememberedherchildhood.Ranchchildrenlearnedtodriveearly,
outofnecessity.She'dbeendrivingatrucksincehereleventhbirthday,andmanywasthetimeshe'd
doneitforCadewhileheopenedtheendlessgatesthatenclosedthethousandsofacresheranched.

ShedrovethroughthegateandslidbackintoherseatwhileHanksecureditandambledbacktothe
truck. He'd been part of Cade's outfit as long as she could remember, and there was no more
experiencedcowboyontheplace.

"NewYork,"Hankscoffed,givingheradisapprovingglance.Hechewedonthewadoftobaccoinhis
cheekandgaveagruffsnort."Shouldhavestayedhomewhereyoubelonged.

Beenmarriedbynow,withapasselofyoung-uns."

Sheshudderedatthethought,andhereyesclouded."IsCadeattheranch?"sheasked,searchingfor
somethingtosay.

"UpinthePiper,huntingstrays,"hetoldher."Figuredhe'dbetterfindthosedamnedcowsbeforethe
snowhits.Asitis,we'llhavetofanoutandbringthemintothebarn.Welostoverahundredcalvesin
thesnowlastspring."

Herpaleeyescloudedatthethoughtofthosetinycalvesfreezingtodeath.Cadehadcomehomeone
winternight,carryingalittlewhite-facedHerefordacrosshissaddle,andAbbyhadhelpedhimgetit
intothebarntowarmit.He'dbeentiredandsnappyandbadlyinneedofashave.Abbyhadfetched
himacupofcoffee,andthey'dstayedhoursinthebarnuntilthecalfwasthawedandonthemend.
Cadewassomuchapartofherlife,despitetheirquarrels.Hewastheonlypersonshe'deverfelttruly
athomewith.

"Areyoulistening?"Hankgrumbled."HonesttoGod,Abby!"

"Sorry,Hank,"sheapologizedquicklyastheelderlymanglaredather."Whatdidyousay?""Iasked
youifyouwantedtostowyourgearatthehouseorgoondowntothehomestead."The"house"was

Cade's—themainranchhouse.The"homestead"hadbeenherfather'sandwasnowMelly's.Soon,it
wouldbelongtoMellyandhernewhusband."Where'sMelly?""Atthehouse."

"Thenjustdropmeoffthere,please,Hank,"shesaidwithapacifyingsmile.

Hegruntedandgunnedtheengine.Aminutelater,shewasoutsideunderthespreadingbranchesof
thebuddingtreesandHankwasroaringawayinacloudofdust.Justlikeoldtimes,shethoughtwitha
laugh.Hankimpatient,dumpingheratthenearestopportunity,whileherushedontohischores.

Of course, it was nearing roundup, and that always made him irritable. It was late April now—by
June, the ranch would be alive and teeming with activity as new calves were branded and separated
andthemenworkedtwenty-four-hourdaysandwonderedwhytheyhadeverwantedtobecowboys.

Sheturnedtowardthehousewithasigh.ItwasjustaswellthatCadewasn'thome,shetoldherself.
Seeinghimnowwasgoingtobeanordeal.Allshewantedwashersister.

Sheknockedatthedoorhesitantly,andsecondslater,itwasthrownopenbyasmallergirlwithshort
goldenhairandseagreeneyes.

"Abby!"theyoungergirlburstout,tearsappearinginhereyes.Shethrewopenthedoorandheldout
herarms.

Abbyranstraightintothemandheldonfordearlife,oblivioustothesuitcasefallingontothecleanly
sweptfrontporch.Sheclutchedhersisterandcriedlikealostchild.Shewashome.

Shewassafe.

Chapter2

“Iwassogladwhenyoudecidedtocome."MellysighedovercoffeewhilesheandAbbysatinthe
sprawlinglivingroom.IthadchangedquiteabitsinceCade'smotherdied.The

-3-

delicateantiquesandpastelcurtainshadgivenwaytoleather-coveredcouchesandchairs,handsome
coffee tables and a luxurious, thick-piled gray rug. Now it looked like Cade—big and untamed and
unchangeable.

"Sorry,"Abbymurmuredwhensherealizedshehadn'tresponded."Ihadmymindonthisroom.It's
changed."

Mellylookedconcerned."Alotofthingshave.Cadeincluded."

"Cadeneverchanges,"camethequietreply.Thetallergirlgottoherfeetwithhercoffeecupinhand
andwanderedtothemantel,tostareataportraitofDonavanMcLarenthatoverwhelmedtheroom.

Cadewasayoungerversionofthetall,imposingmaninthepainting,exceptthatDonavanhadwhite
hair and a mustache and a permanent scowl. Cade's hair was still black and thick over a broad
foreheadanddeep-setdarkeyes.Hewastallerthanhislatefather,allmuscle.Hewasdarklytanned
andherarelysmiled,buthecouldbefunnyinadrysortofway.Hewasthirty-sixnow,fourteenyears
Abby'ssenior,althoughheseemedtwicethatjudgingbythewayhetreatedher.Cadewasalwaysthe
patronizing adult to Abby's wayward child. Except for that one magic night when he'd been every
woman's dream—when he'd shown her a taste of intimacy that had colored her life ever since, and
hadrejectedherwithsuchtendernessthatshe'dneverbeenashamedofofferingherselftohim.

Offering herself...she shuddered delicately, lifting the coffee to her lips. As if that would ever be
possibleagain,now."HowisCade?"Abbyasked.

"HowisCadeusuallyinthespring?"cametheamusedreply.

"Oh,Icanthinkofseveraladjectives.Wouldhorriblebetoomild?"Abbyaskedassheturned.

"Yes."Melly sighed. "We'vebeen short-handed. Randybroke his leg andwon't be anyuse at all for
fivemoreweeks,andHobquit."

"Hob?"Abby'spalebrowneyeswidened."Buthe'sbeenhereforever!"

"HesaidthatwasjusthowhefeltafterCadethrewthesaddleathim."Theyoungerwomanshookher
head."Cade'sbeenrestless.Evenmoresothanusual."

"Womantrouble?"Abbyasked,andthenhatedherselfforthequestion.Shehadnorighttopryinto
Cade'slovelife,norealdesiretoknowifhewereseeingsomeone.

Mellyblinked."Cade?MyGod,I'dfaintifhebroughtawomanhere."

That did come as a surprise. Although Abby had visited Melly several times since she'd moved to
NewYork,shehadseenCadeonlyonrareoccasions.She'dalwaysassumedthathewasgoingouton
dateswhileshewasonPaintedRidge.

"Ithoughthekeptthemoncomputer,justsothathecouldkeeptrackofthem."Abbylaughed.

"Arewetalkingaboutthesameman?"

"Well,he'salwaysouteverytimeIcometovisit,"Abbyremarked."It'sbeenalmostayearsinceI've
seenhim."Shesatbackdownonthesofanexttohersisteranddrainedhercoffeecup.Mellyshother
akeenglance,butshedidn'treply."Howlongareyougoingtostay?"sheasked."Inevercouldpin
youdownonthephone."

"Acoupleofweeks,ifyoucanputupwithme..."

"Don'tbesilly,"Mellychided.Shefrowned,reachingouttotouchhersister'sthinhand.

"Abby,makeitamonth.Atleastamonth.Don'tgobackuntilyoufeelready.Promiseme!"

Abby'seyesclosedunderatormentedfrown.Shecaughtherbreath."IwonderifI'lleverbeready,"
shewhisperedroughly.

Thesmallerhandthatwasclaspingherstightened."That'sdefeatisttalk.Andnotlikeyouatall.You're
aShane.Wewrotethebookonpersevering!"

"Well,I'mwritingthelastchapter,"AbbygroundoutShestoodup,movingtothewindow.

"It'sbeentwoweekssinceithappened,"Mellyremindedher.

"Yes,"Abbysaid,sighingwearily."AndI'mnotquiteasrawasIwas,butit'shardtryingto

-4-

cope.."Sheglancedathersister."I'mjustgladIhadtheexcuseofhelpingyouplantheweddingto
comeforavisit.WhatdidCadesaywhenyouaskedifitwasallright?"

Mellylookedthoughtful."Hebrightenedlikeacopperpenny,"shesaidwithafaintsmile.

"EspeciallywhenImentionedthatyoumightbehereforacoupleofweeksormore.Itstruckmeat
thetime,becausehe'sbeenjusttheverydeviltogetalongwithlately."

Abbypursedherlipsthoughtfully."HeprobablyhastheideathatI'velostmyjobandcamebackin
disgrace.Isthatit?"

"Shameonyou,"hersisterreplied."He'dnevergloatoversomethinglikethat."

"That'swhatyouthink.He'salwayshatedtheideaofmymodeling."

Melly'sthinbrowsrose."Well,nomatterwhathisopinionofyourcareer,hewasgladtohearyou'd
bearoundforawhile.Infact,hewasinsuchagoodmood,allthemengotnervous.

SurelyHanktoldyouthatHobhadjustquit?Toobadhedidn'twaitanextraday.Cade'sbuckingfor
sainthoodsinceIannouncedyourarrival."

Ifonlyitweretrue,Abbythoughtwistfully.Butsheknewbetter,evenifMellydidn't.Shewasalmost
certainthatCadeavoidedheronpurpose.Maybeitwasjusthersister'swayofsmoothingthingsover,
to prevent a wild argument between Cade and Abby. It wouldn't be the first time she'd played
peacemaker.

Sheglancedsharplyintohersister'sgreeneyes."Melly,youdidn'ttellCadethetruth?"

sheaskedanxiously.

Mellylookeduncomfortable."Notexactly,"sheconfided."Ijustsaidtherewasaman..thatyou'dhad
abadexperience."

Abbysighed."Well,that'strueenough.AtleastI'llbedownatthehomesteadwithyou.Heshouldn't
even get suspicious about why I'm here. God knows, it's always been an uphill fight to keep peace
whenCadeandIareinthesameroomtogether,hasn'tit?"MellyshiftedsuddenlyandAbbystaredat
hercuriously.

“I'mafraidyouwon'tbestayingatthehomestead,"Mellysaidapologetically."Yousee,myhouseis
beingpainted.Cade'shavingtheoldplacerenovatedasaweddingpresent."

Abbyfeltawaveofpuretensionstretchherslenderbody."We'llbestaying..here?"

"Yes."

"Thenwhydidn'tyoutellmewhenIaskedtocome?"Abbyburstout.

"BecauseIknewyouwouldn'tcome,"Mellyreplied.

"WillCadebeaway?"sheasked.

"Areyoukidding?Inthespring,withroundupbarelyamonthaway?"

"ThenI'llgosomewhereelse!"Abbyburstout.

“No.''Mellyheldherfast.“Abby,thelongeryourunawaytheharderit'sgoingtobeforyou.Here,
ontheranch,youcanadjustagain.You'regoingtohavetoadjust—orburyyourself.

You do realize that? You can't possibly go on like this. Look at you!" she exclaimed, indicating the
shapelessdress."Youdon'tevenlooklikeamodel,Abby,youlooklikeahousekeeper!"

"Andthat'safinethingtosayaboutme,"cameadeepbutfemininevoicefromthedoorway.

Bothgirlsturnedatonce.CallaLivingstonhadherhandsonheramplehips,andshewaswearinga
scowlsourenoughtocurdlemilk.Shewassomewherenearsixty,butshecouldstilloutrunmostof
thecowboys,andfewofthemcrossedher.Shetookherirritationoutonthefood,whichwasashame
becauseshewasthebestcookintheterritory.

"AndwhatdoIlooklike,praytell—thebarn?"Callacontinued,ruffled.

Mellybitherliptokeepfromsmiling.Dressedinahomemadeshiftofpinkandgreen,herstraggly
grey hair pulled into a half-bun, her garter-supported hose hanging precariously just above her
knees,Callawasnobody'sideaofhautecouture.Butonlyanidiotwouldhavetoldherthat,andMelly
hadgoodsense.

"Youlookjustfine,Calla,"Mellysoothed."Imeant"—shesearchedfortherightwords—

"thatthisisn'tAbby'susuallook."

-5-

Callaburstoutlaughing,hermerryeyesgoingfromonegirltotheother.“NevercouldtellwhenI
wasseriousandwhenIwasn't,couldyoudarlin'?"sheaskedMelly."Iwasonlyteasing.Comehere,
Abby,andgiveusahug.It'sbeenmonthssinceI'veseenyou,remember!"

Abbyranintoherwidespreadarmsandbreathedinthescentofflourandvanillathatalwaysclungto
Calla.

“Stayhomethistime,youhear?Callachided,brushingawayatearassheletgooftheyoungwoman.
"Tearing off and coming back with city ways-this is the best you've looked to me since you were
eighteenandhellbentonmodeling!"

"But,Calla.."Mellyinterrupted.

"Never you mind." Calla threw her a sharp glance. "Call her dowdy again, and it'll be no berry
cobblerforyoutonight!"

Mellyopenedhermouthandquicklycloseditagainwithawickedgrin."Ithinkshelooks..mature,"
Mellyagreed"Very..unique.Unusual.Rusticallycharming."

Callathrewupherhands."WhatIputupwith,Lordknows!Asifthathard-eyedcowboyIworkfor
isn'tenoughonmyplate...Well,ifIdon'trush,there'llbenopeacewhenhecomesinanddoesn'tfind
hismealwaiting.Evenifhedoesn'tcomeinuntilteno'clock."Shewentawaymutteringirritablyto
herself.

Mellysatdownheavilyonthecouchwithanexaggeratedsigh."Oh,saved!IfI'drealizedthatshewas
outthere,I'dhavesungthepraisesofyournewwardrobe."

"Stillhookedonherberrycobbler,Inotice?"Abbysmiled,andforjustaninstant,alittleofherold,
vibrantlyhappypersonalitypeekedout.

"Pleasetellhim,"Mellypleaded.

"Andgivehimasticktobeatmewith?"Abbyaskedwithadrylaugh."He'sbeendownonmeever
sinceIcoaxedDadintolettingmegotoNewYork.EverytimeIseehim,allIhearishowstupidI
was.Nowhe'sgotthebestreasonintheworldtosayitallagain,andaddan'Itoldyouso.'Buthe's
notgettingthechance,Melly.Notfromme!'

"You're wrong about Cade," Melly argued. "You always have been. He doesn't hate you, Abby. He
neverdid."

"Wouldyoumindtellinghimthat?"camethecoolreply."Idon'tthinkheknows."

"Thenwhywashesoanxiousforyoutocomehome?"Mellydemanded.Shefoldedherarmsacross
herkneesandleanedforward."HeevenhadHankbringupyourownfurniturefromthehomestead,
justsoyou'dfeelmoreathome.Doesthatsoundlikeamanwho'shatingyou?"

"Then why does he avoid me like the plague?" Abby asked curtly. She searched momentarily for a
waytochangethesubject."Isurewouldliketofreshenupbeforeweeat,"

shehinted.

"Thencomeonup.You'vegottheroomnexttomine,sowecantalkuntilallhours."

"I'lllikethat,"Abbymurmuredwithasmile.Impulsively,sheputherarmaroundMelly'sshouldersas
theywentupthestaircase."Maybewecanhaveapillowfight,foroldtime'ssake."

"Calla'sroomisacrossthehall,"Mellyinformedher.

Abbysighed."Oh,well,wecanalwaysreminisceaboutthepillowfightsweusedtohave,"

sheamended,andMellygrinned.

Itwasjustafterdark,andMeilywashelpingCallasetthetableinthediningroomwhenthefrontdoor
slammedopenandhard,angryfootstepssoundedonthebarewoodfloorofthehall.Abby,standing
atthefireplacewhereCallahadbuiltasmallfire,turnedjustasCadefrozeinthedoorway.

Itdidn'tseemlikeayearsinceshe'dseenhim.Thehard,deeplytannedfaceunderthatwide-brimmed
hatwasasfamiliarasherown.Buthe'daged,evenshecouldseethat.Hisfirm,chiseledmouthwas
compressed,his brow markedwith deep linesas if he'd madea habit ofscowling. His cheeks were
leaner,hissquarejawfirmerandhisdark,fieryeyeswereas

-6-

uncompromisingassherememberedthem.

Hewasdustedwithsnow,hisshepherd'scoatfleckedwithit,hiswornbootswetwithitaswerethe
batwing chaps strapped around his broad, heavy-muscled thighs. He was holding a cigarette in one
lean,darkhand,andthelookhewasgivingAbbywouldhavebackeddownapuma.

"Whatthehellhappenedtoyou?"heaskedcurtly,indicatingtheshapelessbrownsuededressshewas
wearing.

"Lookwho'stalking,"shereturned."Weren'tyouwearingthatsamepairofchapswhenIleftforNew
York?"

"Cattlemenaregoingbustallover,honey,"hereturned,andahintofamusementkindledinhiseyes.

“Sure,"shescoffed."Butmostofthemdon'truneightthousandheadofcattleonthreeranchesintwo
states,nowdothey?Andhaveoilleasesandminingcontracts...”

"Ididn'tsayIwasgoingbust,"hecorrected.Heleanedinsolentlyagainstthedoorjambandtiltedhis
headback."Stealthatdressoffafatlady?"

Shefeltuncomfortable,shiftingfromonefoottotheother."It'sthelateststyle,"shelied,hopinghe
wouldn'tknowthedifference.

"Idon'tseehowyouwomenkeepupwiththelateststyles,"hesaid."Italllookslikeoddsandendsto
me."

"Isitsnowingalready?"sheasked,changingthesubject.

Hetookhishatoffandshookit"Lookslike.IhopeCalla'sloadingatableforthemen,too.

Thenighthawksaregoingtohavetheirhandsfullwiththosetwo-year-oldheifers."

Abbycouldn'thelpsmiling.Thosewerethefirst-timemothers,andtheytookalotoflookingafter.
One old cowhand—Hob, the one who'd resigned—always said he'd rather mend fence than babysit
newmamas.

"Whogotstuckthisyear?"sheasked.

"HankandJeb,"hereplied.

"NowonderHankwassoruffled,"shemurmured.

AcornerofCade'sdisciplinedmouthturnedupashestudiedher."Youdon'tknowthehalfofit.He
beggedmetolethimnursetheoldercows."

"Icanguesshowfarhegot,"shesaid.

Hedidn'tlaugh."Howlongareyouherefor?"

"Ihaven'tdecidedyet,"shesaid,feelingnervous."Itdepends."

"I thought spring was your busiest time, miss model," he said, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"WhenMellytoldmeyouwerecoming,itsurprisedme."

"I'm,uh,takingabreak,"shesupplied.

"Areyou?"Heshoulderedawayfromthedoorjamb."StaythroughroundupandI'llflyyoubackto
NewYorkmyself."

Heturned,andhereyesfollowedhisbroad-shoulderedformashewalkedintothehallandyelledfor
Calla.

Chapter3

"I hope you've got enough to feed the hands, too!" he called, his deep voice carrying through the
house."Jeb'snighthawkingwithHank!"

Jeb was the bunkhouse cook—some of the cowboys had homes on the ranch where they lived with
theirfamilies,buttherewasamodernbunkhousewithaseparatekitchenfortherest"Well,I'llbetthe
boysareontheirkneesgivingthanksforthat!"Callacalledback."It'llbeachangeforthem,having
decentfoodforonenight!"

-7-

Cade chuckled deep in his throatas he climbed the stairs. Abby couldn't help but watch him,
remembering old times when she'd worshipped that broad back, that powerful body, with a
schoolgirl's innocent heart. How different her life might have been if Cade hadn't refused her
impulsiveofferthatlong-agonight.Tearsformedinhereyesandsheturnedaway.Wishingwouldn't
makeitso.ButitwasgoodtobebackonPaintedRidge,allthesame.

She'd manage to keep out of Cade's way, and perhaps Melly was right. Perhaps being home again
wouldhelpherscarstoheal.

Abbymighthaveplannedtoavoidhim,butCadeseemedtohaveotherideas.Shenoticedhisquiet,
steadygazeoverthedinnertableandalmostjumpedwhenhespoke.

"Howwouldyouliketoseethenewcalves?"heaskedsuddenly.

She lifted her eyes from her plate and stared at him, lost for an answer. "Isn't it still snowing?" she
askedhelplessly.

"Sure," he agreed. "But the trucks have chains. And the calving sheds are just south of here," he
remindedher.

Being alone with him was going to unnerve her—she knew it already—but she loved the sight of
thosewoollylittlecreatures,sonewtotheworld.AndshelikedbeingwithCade.Shefeltsafewith
him,protected.Despitethelingeringapprehension,shewantedtogowithhim.

"Well?"hepersisted.

Sheshrugged."Iwouldkindofliketoseethecalves,"sheadmittedwithatinysmile.Shedroppedher
eyesbacktoherplate,blissfullyunawareofthelookCadeexchangedwithMelly.

"We'llhavedessertwhenwegetback,"CadeinformedCalla,pushingbackhischair.

Minutes later, riding along in the pickup and being bounced wildly in its warm interior, snow
flutteringagainstthewindshield,itwasalmostlikeoldtimes.

"Warmenough,honey?"Cadeasked.

"Like toast." She wrapped the leather jacket he had loaned her even closer, loving its warmth. Cade
was still wearing his shepherd's coat, looking so masculine he'd have wowed them even at a
conventionofmalemodels.

"Notmuchfurthernow,"hemurmured,turningthetruckoffontothefarmroadthatledtothecalving
pens,wheretwocowboysinyellowslickerscouldbeseenridingaroundtheenclosures,headsbent
againstthewind.

"Poordevils,"sheremarked,watching.

"Themenortheheifers?"heasked.

"Both.All.It'sroughoutthere."Shebalancedherhandagainstthecolddashboardashestoppedthe
truckandcuttheengineatthesideofthelongshed.Cadewastheperfectrancher,buthisdrivingleft
alottobedesired.

"NowIknowhowitfeelstorideinsideaconcretemixer,"shemoaned.

"Don't start that again," Cade grumbled as he threw open the door. "You can always walk back," he
addedwithadarkglance.

"Did you ever race in the Grand Prix when you were younger, Cade?" she asked with a bright, if
somewhatfalse,smile.

"And sarcasm won't do the trick, either," he warned. He led the way through the snow, and she
followed in his huge footprints, liking the bite of the cold wind and the crunch of the snow, the
freshnessoftheair.Itwassodeliciouslydifferentfromthecity.Hereyeslookedoutovertheacres
towardthedistantmountains,searchingforthefamiliarsnow-coveredpeaksthatshecouldhaveseen
clearlyinsunnydaylight.God'scountry,shethoughtreverently.Howhadsheeverbeenabletoexist
awayfromit?

"Stopdaydreamingandcatchup,"Cadewasgrowling."Icouldloseyououthere."

"In a little old spring snowstorm like this?" She laughed. "I could fight my way through blizzards,
snowshoemyselftoCanada,skiovertotheRockies.."

"..lielikehell,too,"hesaid,amusementgleaminginthedarkeyesthatcaughthersastheyenteredthe
lightedinterior."Comeon."

Shefollowedhimintotheairyenclosure,wrappingherarmstight."Stillnoheat,Isee."

-8-

Shesighed.

"Can'taffordtheluxury,honey,"heremarked,wavingatacowboyfurtherdowntheaisle.

"Isthatwhyit'ssodraftyinhere?Youpoorthing,you,"shechided.

"Iwouldbe,ifIdidn'tkeeptheaircirculatinginhere,"heagreed."Don'tyourememberhowmany
calvesweusedtolosetorespiratoryailmentsbeforetheveterinariansadvisedustoputinthatexhaust
fantokeepstaleairoutofthesesheds?Thoseairbornediseaseswerebankruptingtheoperation.Now
wedisinfectthestallsandmaintainarigidvaccinationprogram,andwe'vecutourlossesinhalf."

"Excuseme,"sheapologized."I'monlyanignorantcitydweller."

Heturnedintheaisleandlookeddownatherquietly."Comehome,"hesaidcurtly.

"Whereyoubelong."

Herheartpoundedattheintensityofthebriefgazehegaveherbeforeturningbacktohiscowboss.

CharlieSmithstoodup,grinningatCade."Hi,boss,gettiredoftelevisionandhungryforsomereal
relaxation?Jedsurewouldlovetohavesomebodytakehisplace—"

"Justvisiting,Charlie,"Cadeinterrupted."IbroughtAbbydowntoseethenewcomers."

"Good to see you again, Miss Abby," Charlie said respectfully, tipping his hat. "We've got a good
cropinhere,allright.Havealook."

Abbypeekedintotheneareststall,herfacelightingupasshestareddownatoneofthe

"blackbaldies,"acrossbetweenaHerefordandaBlackAngus,blackalloverwithalittlewhiteface.

"Jed brought that one in an hour ago. Damn.. uh, doggone mama just dropped it and walked away
fromit."Charliesneered.

"That'snothismama,huh?"Abbymurmured,noticingthetenderlickingitwasgettingfromthecow
inthestallwithit.

"No, ma'am," Charlie agreed. "We sprayed him with a deodorizing compound to keep her from
gettingsuspicious.Poorthinglostherowncalf."

Abbyfeltasurgeofpityforthecowandcalf.Itwasjustanormalepisodeinranchlife,butshehada
hardtimetryingtoseparatebusinessfromemotion.

Cademovedclosebehindher,apparentlyoblivioustothesudden,instinctivestiffeningofherslender
body,thecatchofherbreath.Please,shethoughtsilently,pleasedon'tlethimtouchme!

Buthedidn'tattemptto.Heleanedagainstthestallandrammedhishandsinhispockets,watchingthe
cowandcalfoverhershoulder."Howmanyhavewelostsofar?"Cadeaskedthecowboss.

"Ten.Anditlookslikealongnight."

"They're all long." Cade sighed. He pushed his hat back over his forehead, and Abby, glancing up,
noticedhowwearyhelooked.

"I'dbettercheckonmyownchargedowntheaislehere,"Charliesaid,andwentoffwithawaveofhis
handastheominousbleatingoftheheiferfilledtheshed.

"Primebeef,"Cademurmured,chucklingatAbby'sindignantexpression.

She moved away from him with studied carelessness and smiled. "Heartless wretch," she teased.
"Couldyoureallyeathim?"

"Couldn'tyou,smotheredinonions..?"

"Oh,stop!"shewailed."Youcannibal..!""Howdoesitfeeltobeback?"heasked,walkingbackthe
waytheycamein.

"Nice,"sheadmitted.Shetuckedhercoldhandsintothepocketsofherjacket."I'dforgottenhowbig
thiscountryis,howunspoiledandunderpopulated.It'sawonderfulchangefromacrowded,polluted
city,althoughIdoloveNewYork,"sheadded,tryingtoconvincehimshemeantit.

"NewYork,"heremindedher,"isadangerousplace."

Shestiffenedagain,turningtostudyhisface,butshecouldn'treadanythinginthatbland

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expression.Cadeletnothingshow—unlesshewanteditto.He'dhadyearsofpracticeatcamouflaging
hisemotions.

"Mostcitiesare,”sheagreed."Thecountrycanbedangerous,too."

"It depends on your definition of danger," he returned. He looked down at her with glittering eyes.
"You'resafeaslongasI'malive.Nothingandnoonewillhurtyouonthisranch."

Tearssuddenlymistedhereyes,burninglikefire.Sheswallowedandlookedaway."DoIlookasifI
needprotection?"Shetriedtolaugh.

"Notespecially,"hesaidcoolly."Butyouseemedthreatenedforaninstant.Ijustwantedtomakethe
point. I'll protect you from mountain lions and falling buildings, Abby," he added with a hint of a
smile.

"But who'll protect me from you, you cannibal?" she asked with a pointed stare, her old sense of
humorreturningtosaveherfromtheembarrassmentoftears.

"You'rejustassafewithmeasyouwanttobe,"hereplied.

Shelookedintohiseyes,andforaninstanttheywerefouryearsinthepast,whenayounggirlstood

poisedattheedgeofaswimmingpoolandofferedherheartandherbodytoamansheworshipped.

Withoutanotherword,sheturnedaroundandstartedbackoutintothesnow.

Chapter4

Asshewalkedtowardthetruck,huddledagainstthewind,hermindsuddenlywentbackwardintime.
Andforaninstant,itwassummer,andshewasswimmingaloneinthepoolatCade'shouseonenight
whenherfatherwasinthehospital.

She'd been eighteen, a girl on the verge of becoming a woman. Her father, far too ill during that
periodofherlifetogivehermuchcounsel,hadn'tnoticedthatshewasbeginningtodressinaway
thatcaughtalotofmaleattention.ButCadehad,andhe'dhadatalkwithher.She'dmarchedoffina
huff, hating his big-brother attitude, and had defiantly gone for a swim that night in his own pool.
Therewasnoonearound,soshehadquicklystrippedoffherclothesanddivedin.Thatwasagainst
therules,butAbbywasgoodatbreakingthem.EspeciallywhentheyweremadebyCadeMcLaren.
Shewantedhimtolookatherthewayothermendid.Shewantedmorethanacondescendinglecture
fromhim,butshewastooyoungandfartoonaivetoputhergrowinginfatuationintowords.

She'dbeeninthepoolbarelyfiveminuteswhensheheardthetruckpullupatthebackofthehouse.
Beforeshehadtimetodoanymorethanscrambleoutofthepoolandpullonherjeans,sheheard
Cadecomearoundthecorner.

Shewastotallyunpreparedforwhathappenednext.SheturnedandCade'sdarkeyesdroppedtoher
high,barebreastswithawild,recklesslookinthemthatmadeherbreathcatchinherthroat.Hejust
stoodthere,frozen,staringather,andshedidn'tmakeamovetocoverherselforturnaway.Shelet
him look his fill, feeling her heart trying to tear out of her chest when he finally began to move
towardher.

His shirt was open that night, because he'd just come in from the corral, and the mat of thick black
hairoverthebronzedmusclesofhischestwasdampwithsweat.Hestoppedafootinfrontofherand
lookeddown,andsheknewthatalltheunspokenhungershe'dbeguntofeelforhimwasplaininher
wide,palebrowneyes.

Withoutaword,hebentandliftedher.Very,verygently,hebroughtherbodytohisanddrewhertaut
breastsagainsthischest,lettingherfeeltheroughhairagainsthersoft,sensitiveskininacaressthat
madehermoanandclingtohim,whilehereyeslookedstraightintohisandsawtheflashoftriumph
inthem.

Heturnedandcarriedherintothehouse,upthestairsandintohisownbedroom,andlaid

-10-

herdownonthebed.Andthenhesatthere,withonehandonthebedbesidehertosupporthisweight,
andlookedatheragain,lettinghisdarkeyesfeastonthesoft,pinkbarenessofherbody.Shewasn't
evenawareofbeingwet,ofherbodysoakingthecoverlet.Allshesaw,allsheknew,wasCade'shard,
darkfaceandhiseyes.

Finally,hemovedandhisfingerstracedapatternfromhershoulderdownoverhercollarbone.She
heldherbreathastheykeptgoingdown,andshefelttheslow,sweettracingofthemonthecurveof
her breasts—exploring, tantalizing with the light pressure—until they reached the burgeoning peak
andcaughtitlightlybetweenthem.

Shegasped,archingattheunexpectedsurgeofpleasure,andhiseyeslookedstraightdownintohers.

"Hush,"hewhisperedthen."YouknowIwon'thurtyou."

"Yes,"shewhisperedback,asifthewallscouldhearthem,hereyeswidewithunexpectedpleasure."I.
.Iwantyou..totouchme."

"Iknow."Hebent,onehandstillcuppingher,andsheliftedherarmshesitantlyuntiltheywerearound
his neck. He looked into her eyes as his warm, hard mouth brushed hers, so that he could see the
reactioninthem."Openyourmouthforme,Abby,"hebreathed,movinghishandtotipupherchin,
"justalittlemore..."

Sheobeyedhimmindlesslyandfeltthedeliciousprobingofhistonguebetweenherlips,workingits
wayslowly,sensuously,intohermouth.Shegasped,moaning,andheeaseddownsothatshecould
feelhisbarechestagainstherbreasts.Sheliftedherself,clinging,andforonelong,unbearablysweet
momentshefelthiswarmthandweightandthefierceadultpassionofaman'skiss.

Shethoughtsheimaginedatremorinhishardarmsbeforehesuddenlyreleasedher,butwhenhesat
upagainhewasascalmoutwardlyasifhe'dbeenforaquietwalk.Hiseyeswentdowntoherbreasts
and drank in the sight of them one last time before his big hand caught the coverlet and tossed it
carelesslyoverherbareness.

"Youwantedtoknow,"hesaidgently,holdingherhandtightlyinhisasiftosoftentherejection,"and
I've shown you. But this is as far as it goes. I care too much to seduce you just for an hour of
pleasure."

She swallowed, studying his hard face, her body still tingling from the touch of his fingers, her
mouthwarmfromthelong,hungrykissthey'dshared."ShouldIbeashamed,Cade?"sheasked.

He brushed the damp hair away from her face. "Of what?" he asked tenderly. "Of wanting to know
howitfelttobetouchedandkissedbyaman?"

Shedrewinadeep,slowbreath."Not..byaman,"shecorrected."Byyou."

The impact of that nervous confession was evident on his face. He hesitated, as if he wanted
desperatelytosaysomethingbutthoughtbetterofit.Hisjawtautened.

"Abby," he said, choosing the words carefully, "you're eighteen years old. You've got a lot of
growinguptodo,alotoftheworldtosee,beforeyoutieyourselftooneman.Toanyman."

Hetoyedwiththecoverletatherthroat."It'snatural,atyourage,tobecuriousaboutsex.Butdespite
themodernviewpoint,therearestillmenleftwho'llwantavirginwhentheymarry."

Hiseyesmetherslevelly."Beone.Savethatpreciousgiftforthemanyoumarry.Don'tgiveitaway
tosatisfyyourcuriosity."

"Willyou?"sheaskedinvoluntarily.

"WillIwhat,honey?"heasked.

"Wantavirgin?"

Helookedstrangeatthatmoment.Thoughtful.Hungry.Irritated."Thebiggestprobleminmylife,"he
saidafteraminute,withaflashofhumor,"isthatIwantonerightnow."Hebentthenandkissedher
briefly,roughly,beforehestoodup.

"Cade..?"shebegan,herhandgoingtothecoverlet,theofferinheryoungeyes.

"No,"hesaidfirmly,looseningherfingersfromthematerial."Notyet"

"Yet?"shewhispered.Hetracedhermouthwithalazy,absentfinger."Makemethesame

-11-

offeragaininaboutthreeorfouryears,"hemurmuredwithafaintsmile,"andI'lldragyouintoabed
andmakelovetoyouuntilyoupassoutNowgetdressed.Anddon'ttrythisagain,Abby,"hewarned
firmly. "It's the wrong time for us. Don't force me to be cruel to you. It's something I'd have hell
livingwith."

Herheadwhirlingwithunbridledhope,shewatchedhimwalktothedoorwithherwholeheartinher
mistyeyes."Cade?"shecalledsoftly.He'dturnedwithonehandonthedoorknob,aneyebrowraised.

"I'llholdyoutothat..inthreeorfouryears,"shepromised.

Hesmiledbackather,sotenderlythatshealmostclimbedoutofthebedandthrewherselfathisfeet.
"Goodnight,honey,"hechuckled,walkingoutthedoor.

Neitherofthemhadevermentionedit,orreferredtoit,inallthetimesincethen.Shortlyafterward
shehadlefttheranch;she'dseenCadeonlyafewtimesintheinterveningyears.Itwasoddthatshe
shouldremembertheincidentnow,whenherpromisewasimpossibletokeep.She'dneverbeableto
offerherselftoCadenow.

Sheopenedthedoorofthetruckandgotin.

Cadewasquietonthewaybacktothehouse,butthatwasn'tunusual.Heneverhadlikedtotalkand
drive at the same time. He seemed to mull over problems in the silence, ranch problems that were
never far away. In winter, it was snow and getting enough feed to the livestock. In spring it was
roundup and planting. In summer it was haying and fixing fence and water. Water was an eternal
problem—therewaseithernotenoughortoomuch.InMayandJune,whenthesnowmeltedonthe

mountains and ran into streams and rivers, there would be enough water for agriculture—but there
would also be flooding to contend with. After roundup, the cattle had to be moved to high summer
pastures.Infall,theyhadtobebroughtbackdown.Thebreedingprogramwasanongoingproject,
and there were always the problems of sick cattle and equipment breakdowns and the logistics of
feeding,culling,sellingandbuyingcattle.Cadehadranchmanagers,likeMelly'shusband-to-be,but
heownedthreeranches,andultimatelyhewastheoneresponsibletotheboardofdirectorsandtothe
stockholdersaswell.Becauseitwasacorporationnow,notjustoneman'sholdings,andCadewasat
thehelm.

Her eyes sought his face, loving it as she'd loved it for four, long, empty years. Cade, the eternal
bachelor.Shewonderedifhe'devermarry,orwantchildrenofhisowntoinheritPaintedRidgeand
theotherpropertieshehadstockin.She'dthoughtonce,ateighteen,thathemightmarryheroneday.
But he'd made a point of avoiding her after that devastating encounter. And in desperation, she had
settledfortheadventureandchallengeofmodeling.

Ithadbeentheultimateadventureateighteen.Glamour,wealth,society—andforthefirstyearorsoit
had almost satisfied her. She remembered coming home that first Christmas, bubbling with
enthusiasm for her work. Cade had listened politely and then had left. And he'd been conspicuously
absent for the rest of the time she was at Painted Ridge. She'd often wondered why he deliberately
avoidedher.Butshe'dbeenecstaticovertheglitterofNewYorkandherincreasingsuccesses.Orshe
hadbeenatfirst..

Cade seemed to sense her intense appraisal. His head suddenly turned and he caught her eyes as he
pulleduptothehouseandparkedatthebacksteps.Abbyfeltashockofpuresensationgothrough
herlikefire.Ithadbeenalongtimesinceshe'dlookedintothosedark,glitteringeyesatpoint-blank
range.Itdidthemostwonderfulthingstoherpulse,hersenses.

"You'vebeenawaylongerthistime,”hesaidwithoutpreamble.Heleanedbackagainsthisdoorand
litacigarette."Ayear."

"Notfromtheranch,”shecountered."Youweren'therelastsummeroratChristmaswhenIwas.”

Helaughedshortly,thecigarettesendingupcurlsofsmoke."Whatwastheuse?"heaskedcoolly."I
gotsickofhearingaboutNewYorkandallthebeautifulpeople."

Shesaterect,herchinthrustingforward."Arewegoingtohavethatargumentalloveragain?"

-12-

"No,I'mthrougharguing,"hesaidcurtly."Youmadeupyourmindfouryearsagothatyoucouldn't
findwhatyouwantedfromlifeanyplaceexceptNewYork.Ileftyoutoit,Abby.Iknowalostcause
whenIseeone."

"Whatwasthereformehere?"shedemanded,thinkingbacktoatimewhenhewouldn'tcomenearher.

Buthisfacewentcoldatthewords.Itseemedactuallytopale,andheturnedhiseyesoutthewindow

tolookatthefallingsnow."Nothing,Iguess,"hesaid."Opencountry,cleanair,basicvaluesandonly
fewpeople.Amazing,isn'tit,thatwehavethefourthlargeststateinthecountry,butit'sforty-sixthin
population. And I like it that way," he added, pinning her with his eyes. "I couldn't live in a place
whereIdidn'thaveenoughroomtowalkwithoutbeingbumpedinto."

Sheknewthatalready.Cade,withhislong,elegantstrideandloveofopencountry,mightaswelldie
asbetransplantedtoNewYork.ThiswasBigSkycountry,andhewasaBigSkyman.He'dneverfeel
at home in the Big Apple. A hundred years ago, however, he would have fit right in with the old
frontierways.SherememberedgoingtotheoldCusterbattlefieldwithhim,wheretheBattleofthe
LittleBighornwasfought,andwatchinghiseyessweeptherollinghills.Hesatahorsethesameway,
hiseyesalwaysonthehorizon.Oneofhisancestorshadbeenafull-bloodedSioux,andhaddiedat
LittleBighorn.Hebelongedtothiscountry,assurelyastheearlysettlersandminersandcattlemen
hadbelongedtoit.

Abbyhadwantedtobelongtoit,too—toCade.Buthe'dlethergetonthatbustoNewYorkwhenshe
waseighteen,althoughhe'dhadonehellofafightwithherfatheraboutitthenightbeforesheleft.
JesseShanehadneversharedthediscussionwithher.Sheonlyknewaboutitbecauseshe'dheardtheir
angryvoicesinthelivingroomandhernameonCade'slips.

"YouneverwantedmetogotoNewYork,"shemurmuredasshewithdrewfromthepainofmemory.
"Youexpectedmetofallflatonmyface,didn'tyou?"

"Ihopedlikehellthatyouwould,"hesaidbluntly,andhiseyesblazed."Butyoumadeit,didn'tyou?
Although, looking at you now, I could almost believe you hadn't. My God, Calla has better taste in
clothes."

Sheavoidedhiseyes,puzzledbytheearlierstatement."I'mverytastefullydressedforawomanona
ranch," she threw back, nervous that he might guess why she was wearing loose clothing, why she
couldn'tbearanythingrevealingrightnow.

"Isthatadigatme?"heasked."Iknowranchlifeisn'tglamorous,honey.It'sdamnedhardwork,and
notmanywomenwouldchooseitoveraglitteringcareer.Youdon'thavetotellmethat"

Howlittleheknew,shethoughtmiserably.She'dchuckmodelingandNewYorkandthethoughtof
beinginternationallyfamousifheaskedhertomarryhim.Shewouldhavegivenupanythingtolive
withhimandlovehim.Buthedidn'tknow,andheneverwould.Herpridewouldn'tlethertellhim.
He'drejectedheronce,thatmagicnightyearsbefore,eventhoughhedidittenderly.Shecouldn'trisk
havinghimdoitagain.Itwouldbetoodevastating.

Hereyesdroppedtohersuedeboots.Thebootswouldberuined.She'dforgottentospraythemwith
protective coating, and she'd need to buy a new pair. Odd that she should think about that when she
was alone with Cade. It was so precious to be alone with him, even for a few minutes. If only she
couldtellhimwhathadhappened,tellhimthetruth.Buthowcouldsheadmitthatshe'dcomebackto
behealed?

"Hey."

Shelookedupandfoundhimwatchingherclosely.Hereachedoutandcaughtalockofherlonghair
andtuggeditgently.

"What'swrong?"heaskedquietly.

She felt the prick of tears and blinked to dispel them. It was so much harder when he was tender. It
reminded her forcibly of the last time she'd heard his voice so velvety and deep. And suddenly she
foundherselfwonderinghowshewouldreactifhetriedtoholdher,touchher,now.

-13-

"Nothing'swrong,"shesaidshortly."Iwasjustthinking."

Hisfacehardenedandheletgoofherhair."ThinkingaboutNewYork?"hedemanded.

"WhatthehellareyoudoinghereinApril,anyway?Ithoughtsummerwasyouronlyslacktime."

"IcametoseeMelly,ofcourse,"sheshotback,herfacehotandred."Tohelphergetreadyforthe
wedding!"

"Thenyou'llbestayingforamonth,"hesaidmatter-of-factly,daringhertoprotest.Howcouldshe
whenshe'dstatedtheliesoconvincingly?

Sheswallowed."Well.."

"Iunderstoodyouweredesigningheradress?”hecontinued.

"Yes," she agreed, remembering the sketches she'd already done. Over the last few years she had
discoveredthatsheenjoyeddesigningclothesmuchmorethanmodelingthem.

"My God, you're quiet," he observed, his eyes narrowing against the smoke of his cigarette. "You
usedtocomehomegushinglikeavolcano,fulloflifeandhappiness.Nowyouseem...sedate.Very,
very different What's the matter, honey, is the glitter wearing off, or are you just tired of going
aroundhalf-nakedformentolookat?"

Shegaspedattheunexpectednessoftheattackanddrewinasharpbreath."CadeAlexanderMcLaren,
Idonotgoaroundhalf-naked!"

"Don'tyou?"hedemanded.Hehadthatoldfamiliarlookonhisface,theonethatmeanthewassetfor
a fight. "I was up in New York one day last month on business and I went to one of your fashion
shows.Youwerewearingasee-throughblousewithnothingunderit.Nothing!"

His face hardened. "My God, I almost went up there and dragged you off that runway. It was all I
could do to turn around and walk out of the building. Your father would have rolled over in his
grave!"

"Myfatherwasproudofme,"shereturned,hurtingfromtheremark."Andunlessyoumissedit,most

ofthepeoplewhogotothoseshowsarewomen!"

"Therewerementhere,"hecameback.Hecrushedoutthecigarette."Doyoutakeoffyourclothes
formeninprivate,too,Abby?"

Sheliftedherhandtohithim,buthecaughtthewristandjerked.Shefoundherselflookingstraight
intohisnarrowedeyesatanalarmingdistance.Butworse,shefeltthefullforceofhisstrengthinthat
steelygrip,andshefeltpanicriseinherthroat.

"Letmego,Cade,"shesaidsuddenly,hervoiceghostly,hereyeswideningwithfear."Oh,please,let
mego!"

He scowled, freeing her all at once. She drew back against her door like a cornered cat, actually
tremblingwithreaction.Well,nowsheknew,didn'tshe?shethoughtmiserably.

She'dwonderedhowshe'dreacttoCade'sstrength,andnowshetrulyknew.

"Remember me?" he asked angrily. "We've known each other most of our lives. I was defending
myself, Abby. I wasn't going to hit you. What the hell's the matter with you? Has some man been
knockingyouaround?"Hisfacebecamefranklydangerous."Answerme,"hesaidharshly."Hasone
ofyourboyfriendsbeenroughwithyou?ByGod,ifhehas..!"

"No, it's not that," she said quickly, drawing in a steadying breath. Her eyes closed on a wave of
remorse. "I'm just tired, Cade. Tired. Burned out. Too many long hours and too many go-sees that
didn't work out, too many demanding photographers, too many retakes of commercials, too many
fittings, too many temperamental designers.. ." She slumped back against the door and opened her
eyes,wearyeyes,tolookathim."I'mtired."Itwasalie,butthen,howcouldshepossiblytellhimthe
truth?

"Youcamehometorest,isthatwhatyou'retellingme?"heaskedsoftly.

"Isitallright?"sheasked,hereyessearchinghis."Awholemonth,andIdon'twanttointerferewith
yourlife..."

"That'sajoke,"hescoffed.Hiseyeswentovertheshapelessdress."Youdon'tknowwhatajokeitis."
Heturnedabruptlytoopenthedoor."Let'sgoin.It'sfreezingouthere.Wecansitaroundinsidefor
therestofthenightandwatchyoursisterandJerryclimballovereach

-14-

other."

Hesoundedutterlydisgusted,andshelaughedinvoluntarily."They'reengaged,"sheremindedhim.

"Thenwhydon'ttheygetmarriedandmakeoutintheirownhouse?"hegrowled.

"They'retrying,"shesaid.

Hegaveherahardglarebeforeheopenedhisdoorandwentaroundtoopenhers."Theweddingcan't
besoonenoughtosuitme,"hesaid."TheonlyplaceIhaven'tcaughtthematitisinacloset"

"They're in love." She stepped down from the running board, landing in the soft, cold snow. "My
gosh,you'reold-fashioned,Cade.""Don'ttellmeyouhadn'tnoticedthatbefore?"

he asked as they walked toward the house through the driving snow. It tickled Abby's face, melting
coldandwetoverherdelicatefeatures.

"It's hard to miss," she agreed. She glanced up at him, walking so tall and straight beside her. He
moved with easy grace, long strides that marked him an outdoorsman. It would take wide-open
countrylikeMontanatoholdhim."Butpeopleinlovearenotoriouslyhardtoseparate."

"Whatwouldyouknowaboutlove?"heasked,shootingaglancedownather."Haveyoueverfeltit?"

Shelaughedwithbrittlehumor."Mostpeoplehaveacrushortwoinalifetime."

"Youhadoneonmeonce,asIremember,"hesaidquietly.Hewasstaringstraightahead,orhe'dhave
seentheshockthatwidenedAbby'spalebrowneyes.

"I'm surprised you even noticed," she muttered. "In between raising cattle and fighting off girls at
squaredances."

"Inoticed."Thewordsdidn'tmeanalot,butthewayhesaidthemdid.Therewasaworldofmeaning
inthecurt,harshsoundofthem.

She drew in a slow breath and wrapped her arms around her chest, averting her gaze from him.
Wouldsheeverforgetthatnight?Despitetherecentexperiencethathadsouredphysicalrelationships
forher,shefeltanexplosionofpleasureatthememoryofCade'swarm,roughmouthonherown,
hishandstouchinghersogently...

Theywereatthebackdoor.Heopeneditandletherintothewarm,drykitchenaheadofhim.Calla
hadapparentlysteppedoutforaminute,becauseitwasdeserted.

"Abby,"hecalled.

Sheturnedattheentrancetothediningroomandlookedbackathim.He'dpulledoffhishat,andhis
darkhairglittereddamplyblackinthelight.

Hiseyessliddownherbody,takingintheill-fittingclothing,andwentbackuptoherflushedfaceand
wide,softeyes.Thetensionwassuddenlybetweenthem,theoldtensionthatshe'dfeltthatnightatthe
swimmingpoolwhenhe'dseenherasnoothermaneverhad.Shecouldfeeltheshockofhisgaze,
thewildbeatofherownheartinthesilencethatthrobbedwithunexpectedpromise.

"AreyouhappyinNewYork?"heasked.

Shefaltered,tryingtogetwordspasthertightthroat.Shehadbeen—orshe'dconvincedherselfthat
shehadbeen—untiltheincidentthathadmadeherrunhomeforshelter,forcomfortButalwaysshe'd
missedPaintedRidge..andCade.

"OfcourseIam,"shelied."Why?"

Histallframeshiftedimpatiently,asifhe'dwantedananswershehadn'tgivenhim.Hemadeastrange
gesturewithonehand."Ijustwondered,that'sall.Isawyourfaceonamagazinecovertheotherday,"
headded,studyingher."Oneofthebetterones.Thatmeanssomething,Igather?"

"Yes,"sheagreedwithawansmile."It'squiteacouptohaveacoveronthatkindofmagazine.My
agencywasthrilledaboutit."

His eyes wandered over her face, searching eyes that grew dark with some emotion she couldn't
name."You'rebeautiful,allright,"hesaidquietly."Youalwayswere.Notjust

-15-

physically,either.Youremindedmeofsunlightonamorningmeadow.Allsilkyandbrightandsweet
tolookat.Whateverhappenedtothatlittlegirl?"

Shefeltanachedeepinside,ahungerthatnothinghadeverfilled.Hereyestouchedeveryhardlineof
hisface,linesshewouldhavelovedtosmoothaway.Shewitheredawayfromyou,shewantedtotell
him.PartofherdiedwhensheleftPaintedRidge.

Butofcourseshecouldn'tsaythat."Shegrewup,Cade,"shesaidinstead.

He shook his head and smiled—a strange, soft smile that puzzled her. "No, not quite. I carry her
aroundinmymemoryandeveryonceinawhile,Itakeheroutandlookather."

"Shewasdreadfullynaive,"shemurmured,tryingnottolethimseehowhisstatementhadtouched
her.

Hemovedslowlytowardher,stoppingjustinfrontofher.Hetoweredoverher,powerfulandbigand
faintlythreatening,andshefoughtdownthefearofhisstrengththathadalreadysurfacedoncethat
night.

She looked up, intrigued by the smell of leather and wind that clung to him. "I'd forgotten how tall
youare,"shesaidinvoluntarily.

"I'veforgottennothingaboutyou,Abby,"hesaidcurtly."Includingthefactthatonceyoucouldn'tget
closeenoughtome.ButnowyoubackawaytheminuteIcomenearyou."

Sohehadnoticed.Shedroppedhereyestothefrontofhisshepherd'scoat."DoI?"

"Youshiedawayfrommeinthecalvingshedtonight.DoyouthinkIdidn'tnotice?Theninthetruck.

."Hedrewinadeepbreath."MyGod,I'dneverhurtyou.Don'tyouknowthat?"

Hereyestracedthestitchingonthecoatandshenoticedatinysmudgenearoneofthebuttons,asif
ashesfromhiscigarettehadfallenonit.Sillythingstobeawareofwhenshecouldfeeltheheatofhis
bigbody,andsherememberedasifitwereyesterdayhowsweetitwastobeheldagainsthim.

"Iknow,"shesaidafteraminute.Sheforcedhereyesuptohis."I..havesomeproblemsI'mtryingto
workout."

"Aman?"heaskedcurtly.

Shenodded."Inaway."

Hisfacehardened,andhishandscameupasifhewouldhavelikedtogripherwiththem.

Butheabruptlyjammedthemintohispockets."Wanttotellmeaboutit?"

Herheadwentslowlyfromsidetoside."Notyet.Ihavetofindmyself,Cade.Ihavetoworkitoutin
myownway."

"Doesithavesomethingtodowithyourcareer?"heasked.

"Yes,itdoes.IhavetodecidewhetherornotIwanttogoonwithit,"sheconfessed.

Heseemedtobrighten.Hisfacechanged,relaxed,makinghimlookstrangelyyoung.

"Thinkingofquitting?"

"Why not?" she asked, grinning. "Need an extra cowhand? I close gates good; you ask Hank if I
don't."Hesmiledback,hisdarkeyessparklingwithhumor."I'lldothat."Shesighed.

"You'llbereadytorunmeoffbythetimethatmonth'sup,"shesaidwithashortlaugh.

"Anyway,I'vegotalotofthinkingtodo."Hesearchedherquietface."MaybeIcanhelpyoumakeup
yourmind,"hemurmured.

Onehandcaughtherchinandturneditup,whilehiseyessearchedherscuriously."Mellysaidthere
wasaman.Abadexperience.Whathappened,honey,aloveaffairgonesour?"

She flinched, moving backward to release herself from the disturbing pressure of his fingers. She
hadn'tfledNewYorkonlytowindupbackinCadeMcLaren'shippocketagain;lettinghimgettoo
close would be suicide in more ways than one. His strength unnerved her, but there was more to it
thanthat.Shereactedtohiminwaysthatshe'dneverreactedtoanyotherman.Everymanshe'ddated
orbeenwithsociallyhadbeenforherapoorimitationofthisone,andshewasonlynowrealizing
howlargeheloomedinhermemory.Foryearsshe'dpushedthatnightattheswimmingpooltothe
back of her mind, afraid to take it out and look at it. And tonight, going back in time had stirred
something deep inside her, had momentarily banished the bad memories to make way for
rememberedsensationsandlongings.

-16-

She stared up into Cade's dark eyes and saw her whole world. He was as big as this country, and
nothingsheeverfoundinNewYorkwasgoingtoreplacehim.Buttherewasnowayshewasgoing
tolethimknowit.He'dpushedherawayeversincethatlong-agonight.Itwasasifhecouldn'tbear
havingherclosetohim,inanyway.Evennow,whenshebackedaway,hewasn'tfollowing.Hecould
stilllethergowithoutflinching,withoutregret,eveninthissmallway.

"Aman,"sheagreed,andletitgoatthat,notlookingathim."WhatdoyouthinkIdidinNewYork,
stareoutwindowslongingtobebackhere?"Thatwasthetruth,littledidheknowit.Theglitterhad
longagowornoffherlife,leavingitbarrenandlonely.

"Notme,honey,"hesaid."Iknowalltoowellhowdullthisplaceistoyou.You'vedoneeverything
butshoutitfromtheroof."Heglaredather."Didthemancometooclose,Abby?

Didhewanttosettledown,andyoucouldn'tfacethethoughtofthat?"

She stared at him blankly. "Is that shocking?" she asked, adding fuel to the fire. "I told you, Cade, I
likemylifethewayitis.Ilikehavingmoneytospendandthingstoseeandplacestogo.Iwentto
Jamaica to do a layout last month, and in September I'm going to Greece for another one. That's
exciting;it'sgreatfun."

Hestaredatherwithcoldeyes,believingthelie."Yes,Icanseethat,"hegrowled.

Hepulledacigarettefromhispocketandlititwhilehiseyesranquietlyovereverylineofherface.
"Thenwheredoesyourboyfriendcomein?"

Sheswallowedandturnedaway."Hewasn't..aboyfriend,andit'salongstory."

"I'llfindtimetolisten."

Sheshiftedrestlesslyandturned."Nottonight,ifyoudon'tmind.I'dliketosayhellotoJerry."

Hedrewinanangrybreath,andforjustaninstantshethoughthewasgoingtoinsist.Buthereached
pastherandopenedthedoor.

She went ahead of him, relieved that he'd swallowed her explanation. Boyfriend! Oh, God, what a
horrible joke that was, but she'd rather have died than tell him the truth. Anyway, what would it
matter?Lethimthinkshewasjustgettingoveraloveaffair.Whatdiditmatter?

Chapter5

Mellywascurleduponthesofanexttothetall,blondmanwhowasgoingtobeherhusband.They
bothjumpedwhenCadedeliberatelyslammedthedoorbehindAbbyandhimself.

"Oh,hi,boss."JerryRidgelygrinned,lookingoverthesofabackwithdancingblueeyes.

"Hi,Abby,welcomehome!”

"Thanks,Jerry,"shesaid,grinningback.She'dknownhimalmostaslongasMellyhad.

One of the advantages of growing up in country like this was that you knew most everybody from
childhoodonward.Itgavepeopleasenseofsecuritytoknowthatsomethingsstayedconstant.

"Stayingforthewedding?”heasked,andMellysmiledathersister.

"Iwouldn'tmissitfortheworld,"shepromised."Whichremindsme,Melly,"sheadded,stickingher
handsinherpockets,"I'veroughedoutsomesketchesforyourweddingdress.

They'reinmysuitcase."

"I'dlovetoseethem,"Mellysaid,enthusiastic."You'resureyoudon'tmindmakingitforme?""Don't
besilly,ofcourseIdon'tmind.SometimesIwonderwhyIgotintomodelingwhenIlovedesigning
somuch."Abbysighed.Modeling.ThewordremindedherofNewYork,whichbroughtbackother
memories,andsheturnedaway,hereyesclouding.

Mellygottoherfeetquickly."Let'sgoseeifCallahastheberrycobblerdishedout,"she

-17-

said,catchingAbby'sarm."Canyoumenlivewithoutus?"

"Cadecan."Jerrylaughed,glancingtowardthetaciturnrancher."ButI'llhavetrouble,sweetheart,so
hurry,willyou?"

"Sure,"Mellyagreed,inatonethatwasmeantfortheforemanalone.ShewinkedandtuggedAbby
alongwithher,closingthedoorbehindthem.

"HaveyouandCadebeenatitagain?"sheaskedAbbyassoonasthedoorwasclosedbehindthem.
"Helookslikeathundercloud,andyou'reflushed."

"He'spersistentasallget-out,"Abbygroaned."Henearlybackedmeintoacornerinthekitchenjust
now.He'snotgoingtowormitoutofme,Melly.Ican'ttalktohimaboutit,Ican't!"

Melly sighed and hugged her sister. "Oh, Abby, I hoped you might be able to, once the two of you

werealone."

"TalktoCade?"Shelaughed."MyGod,allIhavetimetodoisdefendmyself.He'sevenworsethanI
remembered.Whydoeshehatemycareersomuch?"

"Youreallydon'tknow,doyou?"Mellymurmured.

Abbyignoredthat,wrappingherarmstightaroundherself."Wegotintoitinthetrack,andItriedto
hithim,andwhenhegrabbedmywrist.."Sheshivered."He'ssostrong..."

"He'salsoCade,"shewasreminded."He'dneverhurtyou,notthelongestdayhelived."

Abby tried to smile. "I want a miracle, I guess. I want Cade to touch me and make the fear all go
away."

"Thatcouldstillhappen,”Mellysaidsoftly."Butyouhavetogiveittime.AndtellingCadethetruth
wouldbeaheckofastart.ForGod'ssake,Abby,itwasn'tyourfault..!"

"Soeveryonetellsme."Shesighed."Let'sgohelpCalla.Ijustwanttogetmymindonsomethingelse
rightnow.Itwillallworkoutsomehow,Isuppose.Someday."

Shecarriedthatthoughtallthroughthelongevening,watchingCadesitinhisbigchairandsmoke
cigaretteaftercigarettewhilehewentoverpaperworkwithJerryanddranktwoneatwhiskeysafter
thedeliciousdessertCallaputbeforethem.Cadewassogoodtolookat.

He always had been, and the four years since he'd kissed her for the first time hadn't changed him
verymuchonthesurface.Hewasstilloverpoweringlymasculine.Strongandcapableandastoughas
well-wornleather.

She watched the way his hands held the sheets of paper in their firm grip. They were tanned and
sprinkledwithdarkhair.Hedidn'twearjewelryofanykind;thewatchstrappedaroundhiswristhada
thickleatherbandandadialthatdideverythingexceptpredictthefuture.Hewentinforutility,not
style.Buthemanagedtolooklikeafashionplateforallthat,eveninwornjeansandafadedshirt.He
hadabig,powerfulbody,anditwasallsteelymuscle.

Cadewasjustplainman,andhestoodoutanywhere.

He looked up once and caught her gaze, and she felt just a touch of the old magic. But she looked
awayandonlythefearwasleft.

Later, Melly went into the bedroom with Abby. They sat on the old bed that had been Abby's from
girlhoodandwentovertheweddingdresspattern.

"It'sjustmagnificent,"Mellybreathed."Butitwilltakeforeverforyoutomakeit..."

"Aweek,inmysparetime."Abbygrinned."Doyoureallylikeit?"

"Iloveit!"Shetracedthedesignwithacaressingfinger."It'sthebestdesignI'veeverseen.Youought

tosellit."

"Sellyourweddinggown?"Abbyexclaimed."DoIlooklikeIhaveacashregisterforaheart?"

"Don't be silly. You know very well what I mean. It's good, Abby. It's really good. You're wasted
showingotherpeople'sdesigns."

"Thankyouforthinkingso,"Abbysaidwithasmile.

"I'mnottheonlyone,either.DidJessicaDaneevergetintouchwithyou?"Mellyasked.

"Sheabsolutelyravedoverthatdressyoumademelastsummer."

"Theboutiqueowner?"Abbyasked."No.Actually,Iwaskindofhopingshemight.Ido

-18-

lovedesigning,Melly.Ifeelasifmodelingisburningmeup.Istaytiredallthetime,andIhaveno
sociallifeatall.Themoney'snice,"sheaddedquietly."Butmoneyisn'tworthmuchinthelongrunif
youaren'thappy.AndI'mnot."

"WillyoumindifItellyouthatIneverthoughtyouwouldbe?"hersisteraskedsoftly.Shesmiled.
"Youpretendeditwaswhatyouwanted,butIsawrightthroughyou."

Abbystaredatherringlesshands."Ihopenobodyelsedid,"shesaid.

"He'sthirty-sixnow,"Mellyremindedher."Inevitably,he'llmarrysoonerorlater."

Abby laughed bitterly. "Will he? He hasn't exactly been in a flaming hurry to commit himself to
anybody. You know what he used to say about marriage? That it was a noose only a fool stuck his
headinto."

"He'salonelyman,Abby,"camethesurprisingreply."Iknowbetterthananybody—Iworkforhim.I
seehimeveryday.Heworkshimselfintotheground,buttherearestilleveningswhenhesitsonthe
porchbyhimselfandjuststaresoffintothehorizon."

That hurt. Abby turned her face away to keep Melly from seeing how much. "He could have any
womanhewanted,"shesaid,forcingherselfnottolethervoiceshowtheemotionshewasfeeling.
"HeusedtostayoutwithsomewomanorothereverydayIwashere."

"Soheletyouthink,"Mellymurmured."Herunsthreeranches—acorporationthesizeofasmallcity
—andinhissparetimehesleeps.Whendoeshehavethetimetobeaplayboy?I'llgrantyou,he'sgot
the money to be one, even if he weren't so good-looking. But he's a puritan in his outlook. It even
makeshimuncomfortablewhenJerrykissesmeinfrontofhim."

"JustlikeDonavan,"sheagreed,rememberingCade'sfather."Rememberthenightyouwerekissing
Danny Johnson on our front porch and Donavan rode by with Cade? Whew! I didn't think Danny

wouldevercomebackagainafterthatlecture."

“Neither did I. Donavan had an overdeveloped sense of propriety. No wonder Cade's got so many
inhibitions.Ofcourse,beingbroughtupinasmallplacelikeCheyenneLodge.."

"OnlyyoucouldcallMontanaasmallplace,"Abbyteased.

"This little teeny corner of it, I meant," came the irrepressible reply. “I'll bet you get culture shock
everytimeyoucomeherefromNewYork,"sheadded.

"No,"Abbydenied.Hereyesbegantoglowsoftly."It'slikehomecomingeverytime.Ineverrealize
howmuchImissituntilIcomeback."

"And stand at the window, hoping for a glimpse of Cade," Melly said quietly, nodding when Abby
flushed. "Oh, yes, I've caught you at it. You watch him with such love in your eyes, Abby. As if the
sightofhimwouldsustainyouthroughanynightmare."

Abby turned away. "Stop that. I'll wear my heart out on him, and you know it. No," she said firmly
when Melly started to speak. "No more. Melly, you do love Jerry, don't you?" she added, concern
replacingthebriefflare-upofirritation.

"Unbearably," Melly confessed. "We fought like animals the first few weeks I worked here, when I
camehomefrombusinesscollege.Butthen,onedayhethrewmedowninthehayandfellonme,"
sheaddedwithagrin."Andwekissedliketwostarvinglovers.Heaskedmetomarryhimonthespot
andIsaidyeswithouteventhinking.We'vehadourdisagreements,butthere'snooneI'lleverloveas
much."

Abbythoughtaboutbeingpusheddownandfallenon,andshetrembledwithreaction.

Shefeltherselfstiffen,andMellynoticed.

"Sorry,"shesaidquickly,touchingAbby'sarm."Ididn'tthinkabouthowitmightsoundtoyou."

"It'sjustthethoughtofbeinghelpless,"shesaidinasuppressedtone.Hereyescameup.

"Melly,menaresostrong..youdon'trealizehowstronguntilyoutrytogetawayandcan't!"

"Don't think about it," Melly said softly. "Come on, we've got to decide on the trimmings for this
dress.Callahasabagfullofmaterialsamplesshegotfromthefabricshop.We'lllookthroughthem,
andshe'llgointotownandgetwhatyouneedtomorrow,okay?"

"Okay."Abbyhuggedherwarmly."Iloveyou,"shesaidinarareoutburstofemotion.

"Iloveyou,too,"Mellyreturned,smilingasshedrewaway."Now,here,thisiswhatIliked

-19-

especially.."Shepulledoutaswatchofmaterialandthegirlsdriftedintoadiscussionoffabricsthat
lasteduntilbedtime.

Abbyspentthenextfewdaysreacquaintingherselfwiththeranch.Shewascarefultokeepoutofthe
wayofthemen—andCade—butshetrudgedthroughthebarnslookingatcalvesandsatonthebales
ofhayintheloftandrememberedbacktoherchildhoodonherfamily'sranch.ItwaspartofPainted
Ridge now, having been bought by Cade at Jesse Shane's death. It would have gone on the auction
blockotherwise,becauseneitherMellynorAbbyhadanydesiretotrytorunit.Ranchingwasafull-
timeheadache,bestlefttoexperts.

Whenthesnowmeltedandtheweatherturnedspringlikeagain,Abbywanderedthroughthegatesup
to a grassy hill where a small stand of pines stood guard, and settled herself under one of the
towering giants. It was good to breathe clean air, to sit and soak in the cool, green peace and
untouchedbeautyofthisland.

Whereelseweretherestillplaceslikethis,whereyoucouldlookandseenothingbutrollinggrassy
hillsthatstretchedtothehorizon—withtall,raggedmountainsontheothersideandtheriverthatcut
likeawideribbonthroughitall?Cadehadlikedtofishinthatriverintheolddays,whenDonavan
wasstillalivetoassumesomeoftheburdenoftheirbusiness.

Abbywentwithhimoccasionally,watchinghimlandbigbassandcrappie,rainbowtroutandchannel
catfish.

The nice thing about Cade, she thought dreamily, was that he had such a love for the land and its
protection.Hewasconstantlyinvestigatingnewwaysofimprovinghisownrange,workingclosely
withtheSoilConservationServicetoprotectthenaturalresourcesofhisstate.

Hereyesturnedtowardthegateassheheardahorse'shooves,andshefoundCaderidinguptheridge
towardheronhisbigblackgelding.Hesatahorsesobeautifully,remindingherofaWesternmovie
hero.Hewasallmuscleandgrace,andsherespectedhimmorethananymanshe'deverknown.

Hereinedinwhenhereachedherandswungonelonglegaroundthepommel,asmokingcigarettein
hislean,darkhandsashewatchedherfromunderthewidebrimofhisgrayStetson.

"Slumming,missmodel?"heteasedwithafaintsmile.

"Thisistheplaceforit,"shesaid,leaningbackagainstthetreetosmileupathim.Herlong,palehair
caught the breeze and curved around her flushed cheeks. "Isn't it peaceful here?" she asked. "No
wondertheIndiansfoughtsoveryhardtokeepit."

His eyes darkened, narrowed. "A man does fight to keep the things he wants most," he said
enigmatically,studyingher."Whydoyouwearthosedamnedbaggythings?"hedemanded,nodding
towardherbulkyshirtandloosejeans.

Sheshrugged,avoidingthatpiercinggaze."They'recomfortable,"shesaidinadequately.

"Theylooklikehell.I'dratherseeyouintransparentblouses,"headdedcoldly.

Hereyebrowsarched."Youlecherousoldthing,"sheaccused.

Hechuckledsoftly,deeply,asoundshehadn'theardinalongtime.Itmadehimseemyounger."Only
withyou,honey,"hesaidsoftly."I'mthesoulofchivalryaroundmostwomen."

Hereyessearchedhis."Youcouldhaveanywomanyouwantthesedays,"shemurmuredabsently.

"Thenisn'titahellofashamethatIhavesuchafussyappetite?"heasked.Hetookadrawfromthe
cigaretteandstudiedherquietly."I'mabusyman."

"You look it," she agreed, studying the dusty jeans that encased his hard, powerful legs, and his
scuffedbrownbootsandsweat-staineddenimshirt.Therewasablackmatofhairunderthatshirt,and
amuscularchestthatsheremembereddesperatelywantingtotouch.

"It'sspring,"heremindedher."Cattletodoctor,calvestoseparateandbrandandherdstomoveupto
summer pasture as soon as we finish roundup. Hay to plant, machinery to repair and replace,
temporaryhandstohireforroundup,suppliestogetin..ifitisn'tonedamnedthing,it'sanother."

-20-

"Andyouloveeveryminuteofit,"sheaccused."You'ddieanywhereelse."

"Amen."Hefinishedthecigaretteandtosseditdown."Crushthatoutforme,willyou,honey?"

"It'snotdryenoughforittocauseagrassfire,"sheremindedhim,butshegotupanddiditallthe
same.

"Back in the old days, Indians and white men would stop fighting to battle grass fires together," he
toldherwithagrin."They'restillhardtostop,eventoday."

Shelookedupathim,tracinghisshadowedfacewitheyesthatachedforwhatmighthavebeen."You
looksoathomeinthesaddle,"sheremarked.

"Igrewupinit."Hereacheddownanarm."Steponmybootandcomeuphere.I'llgiveyouaride
home."

"It'sagoodthingyoudon'trideahorsethewayyoudrive,"sheobserved.

"That'snotagoodwaytogetreacquainted,"hesaidshortly.

"It'sonlythetruth.Donavanwouldn'tevengetinatruckwithyou,"sheremindedhim.

"AlthoughIhavetoadmitthatyou'reaprettygooddriveronthehighway."

"Thanksfornothing.Areyoucomingornot?"

Shewantedanddreadedthecloseness.Hewassoverystrong.Whatifshepanickedagain,whatifhe

demandedananswertohersuddennervousness?

"Abby,"hesaidsuddenly,hisvoiceasfullofauthorityasifheweretossingordersathiscowboys.
"Comeon."

She reacted to that automatically and took his hand, tingling as it slid up her arm to hold her. She
steppeddeftlyontothetoeofhisbootinthestirrupandswungupinfrontofhim.

Hedrewherbackagainsthimwithasteelyarm,andshefeltthepowerfulmusclesofhischestather
shoulderblades.

"Comfortable?"heaskedshortly.

"I'mfine,"sherepliedinavoicethatwasunusuallyhigh-pitched.

Heeasedthehorseintoacanter."You'llbemorecomfortableifyou'llrelax,littleone,"hemurmured.
"I'mnothreat."

Thatwaswhathethought,shetoldherself,reactingwildlytothefeelofhisbodyagainstherback.He
smelledofleatherandcowandtobacco,andhisbreathsighedoverherhead,intoherloosenedhair.

If only she could relax instead of sitting like a fire poker in his light embrace. But he made her
nervous, just as he always had; he made her feel vulnerable and soft and hungry. Despite the bad
experienceinNewYork,heappealedtohersensesinwaysthatunnervedher.

Hechuckledsoftlyandshestiffenedmore."What'ssofunny?"shemutteredabovethesoundofthe
horse'shoovesstrikinghardground.

"You are. Should I be flattered that you're afraid to let me hold you on a horse? My God, I didn't
realizeIwassodevastatingatcloserange.Or,"headdedmusingly,"isitthatIsmelllikeamanwho's
beenworkingwithcattle?"

Laughterbubbledupinsideher.IthadbeenyearssincesheandCadehadspentanytimealone,and
she'dforgottenhisdrysenseofhumor.

"Sorry."Shesighed."I'vebeenawaylongerthanIrealized."

His big arm tightened for an instant and relaxed, and she let him hold her without a struggle. His
strengthwaslessintimidatingnowthanithadbeenthelasttime,asifthenightmareexperiencewere
truly fading away in the scope and bigness of this country where she had grown up. She felt safe.
Saferthanshe'dfeltinyears.

"Fouryears,"hemurmuredbehindherhead."Exceptforafewdayshereandthere,whenyoucould
tearyourselfawayfromNewYork."

Shewenttautwithindignation."Areyougoingtostartthatagain?"

"Ineverstoppedit.Youjuststoppedlistening."Hisarmcontractedimpatientlyforaninstant,andhis

warm breath was on her ear. "When are you going to grow up, Abby? Glitter isn't enough for a
lifetime.Intheend,it'snotgoingtosatisfyyouasawoman!"

-21-

"Whatis?"sheaskedcurtly."Livingwithsomemanandraisingchildren?"

Heseemedtofreeze,asifshe'dthrowncoldwaterinhisface,andshewassorryshe'dsaidthat.She
hadn'tmeantit—shewasjustgettingbackathim.

"It'smorethanenoughforwomenouthere,"hesaidshortly.

Shestaredacrossatthehorizon,lovingthefamiliarcontoursoftheland,theshapeofthetalltrees,
the blueness of the sky. "Your grandmother had ten children, didn't she, Cade?" she asked,
rememberingthephotosintheMcLarenfamilyalbum.

"Yes."Helaughedshortly."Therewasn'tmuchchoiceinthosedays,honey.Womendidn'thavealot
ofcontrolovertheirbodies,liketheydonow."

"Andittookbigfamiliestorunranchesandfarms,"sheagreed.Sheleanedbackagainsthim,feeling
hismusclesripplewiththemotionofthehorse.Hereyesclosedasshedrankinthesensationofbeing
close.

"Itwasmorethanthat,"heremarkedastheyapproachedthehouse."Peopleinlovewantchildren."

She laughed aloud at that. "I can't imagine you in love," she said. "It's completely out of character.
Whatwasityoualwayssaidaboutneverlettingawomanputaringthroughyournose?"

He didn't laugh. If anything, he seemed to grow cold. "You don't know me at all, Abby. You never
have."

"Whocouldgetcloseenough?"sheaskedcoolly."You'vegotawalltenfeetthickaroundyourself,
justlikeDonavanhad.ItmustbeaMcLarentrait."

"Whenpeoplecomeclose,theycanhurt,"hesaidshortly."I'vehadmyfillofbeingcuttothequick."

"Ican'timagineanyonebraveenoughtotrythat,"shetoldhim.

"Can'tyou?"Hesoundedgoaded,andthearmthatwasholdinghertautened.

Shegotaglimpseofhisfaceasheleaneddowntoopenthegatebetweenthemandthehouse,andits
hardness unsettled her. He looked hurt somehow, and she couldn't understand why. "Cade?" she
murmuredbeforehestraightenedagain.

His eyes looked straight into hers, and she trembled at the intensity of the glare, its suppressed
violence.

"Oneday,you'llpushtoohard,"hesaidquietly."I'mnotmadeofstone,despitethefactthatyouseem
to believe I am. I let you get away with murder when you were younger. But you're not a child
anymore,Abby,andthekidglovesareoff.Doyouunderstandme?"

Howcouldshehelpit?Herheartshudderedwithmingledfearandexcitement.

Involuntarily, her eyes went to his hard mouth and she remembered vividly the touch and taste and
expertnessofit.

"Don'tworry,Cade,Iwon'tseduceyou,"shepromised,tryingtosoundasifshewereteasinghimina
sophisticatedway.

Hecaughtherchinandforcedhereyesbackuptohis,andshejumpedattheferocityinhisdarkgaze.
"Icouldhavehadyouthatnightattheswimmingpool,AbigailJenniferShane,"

he reminded her with merciless bluntness. "We're both four years older, but don't think you're
immune to me. If you start playing games, you could goad me into doing something we'd both
regret."

Shetriedtobreathenormallyandfailedmiserably.Sheforcedhereyesdowntotheharshriseandfall
ofhischest,andthenclosedthem.

"JustbecauseIhadahugecrushonyouonce,don'tgetconceitedandthinkI'mstillstupidenoughto
moonoveryou,Cade,"shebitoff.

As if the words set him off, his eyes flashed and all at once he had her across the saddle, over his
knees,withherheadimprisonedinthecrookofhisarm.

Shestruggled,frightenedbyhisstrengthasshe'dbeenafraidfromthebeginningthatshewouldbe.
"No,"shewhispered,pushingfranticallyathischest.

-22-

"Let'sseehowconceitedIam,Abby,"hegroundout,bendinghisheadtohers.

One glance into those blazing eyes was enough to tell her that he wasn't teasing. She groaned
helplesslyashishardmouthcrusheddownontohersincold,angrypossession.

Itmighthavebeensodifferentifhe'dbeencareful,ifhehadn'tgivenintohistemper.Butshewastoo
frightenedtothinkrationally.ItwasNewYorkalloveragain,andaman'sstrengthwasholdingher
helplesswhileamercilessmouthgroundagainstherown.Throughthefear,shethoughtshefeltCade
tremble,butshecouldn'tbesure.Hermindwasfocusedonlyonthehardpressureofhismouth,the
painfultighteningofhisarms.Suddenlyshebegantofight.Shehithimwithherfists,anywhereshe
could,andwhentheshockofitmadehimlifthishead,shescreamed.

Anindescribableexpressionwashedoverhisfeatures,andheseemedtogopale.

Abbyhungbackagainsthisarm,herpalebrowneyesfullofterror,herlipsbloodlessasshestared
upathim,herbreastsrisingandfallingwithherstrangledbreaths.

"MyGod,what'shappenedtoyou?"heasked,inashockedundertone.

Sheswallowednervously,herlipstremblingwithreaction,herbodyfrozeninitsarch.

"Please..don'thandleme..roughly,"shepleaded,hervoicestrangeandhigh.

Hiseyesnarrowed,glittering.Hisfacewentrockhardashesearchedherfeatures."Whatmadeyou
comehere,Abby?"hedemanded."Whatdroveyououtofthecity?"

Hereyesclosedandsheshuddered."Itoldyou,Iwastired,"shechokedout."Tired!"

He said something terrible under his breath and straightened, moving her away from him with a
smoothmotion."It'sallright,"hesaidwhenhereyesflewopenatthemovement."I'monlygoingto
letyousitup."

Sheavoidedhispiercingscrutiny,sittingquicklyerectwithherbacktohim.

Hespurredthehorsetowardthehouse."Ifyoucan'tbeartobetouched,therehastobeareason,"he
saidshortly."You'vebeenhurtsomeway,orfrightened.Iaskedyouifyou'dbeenknockedaroundby
aman,andyoudeniedit.Butyouliedtome,didn'tyou,Abby?"

Herjawsetfirmly."AllthisfussbecauseyoukissedmeagainstmywillandIfoughtyou!"

sheburstout"AreyousoconceitedthatyouthinkIcan'twaittofallintoyourarms,Cade?"

Hedidn'tsayaword.Heroderightuptothefrontstepsandabruptlysetherdownontheground.

Shestoodbythehorseforalongmomentbeforeshelookedup."Thanksfortheride,"sheventured.

He'dlitacigaretteandwassmokingitquietly,hisfacegrimashelookeddownather.

"You'regoingtotellmewhathappenedsoonerorlater."

"Nothinghappened,"shelied,raisinghervoice.

"Ididn'twindupwiththreeranchesandacorporationbecauseIwasanidiot,"heinformedher."You
didn't come rushing down here a month early just to help Melly get ready for her wedding. And it
damnedsurewasn'tbecauseyouweredyingforthesightofme."

Hewashittingtooclosetothetruth.Sheturnedaway."Believewhatyoulike,GreatWhiteRancher."

"Abby!"

Shewhirled,eyesblazing,asgloriouslybeautifulinangerasasunburst,withherpalehairmakinga
frameforherdelicatefaceandwidebrowneyes."What?"

Hiseyeswentoverherreverently,fromtoestohead,whilethecigarettesmokedawayinhistanned
fingers."Don'tfightme."

Itwaslikehavingthebreathknockedoutofher.Shelookedupathimandfelttheangerdrainaway.
Hewassogorgeouslymasculine,sohandsome.Hereyessoftenedhelplessly.

"Thendon'thurtme,"shesaidquietly.

Helaughedmirthlessly."Thatworksbothways."

"Pulltheotherone,"shemuttered."I'dhavetousedynamite.You'rehard,Cade."

"Thisishardcountry.Idon'thavetimeforthelimp-wristedcourtesiesyoucitywomenswearbyin
men."

-23-

"Sophisticationdoesn'tmakeamanpeculiar,"shereturned."Ilikeapolishedman."

His dark eyes glittered. "Not always," he replied. "There was a time when I could look at you and
makeyoublush."

"Thatoldcrush?"shesaid."Ithoughtthesunroseandsetonyou,allright.Butyoumadeacareerof
pushingmeaway,didn'tyou?"

"You were eighteen, damn it!" he shot at her. "Eighteen, to my thirty-two! I felt like a damned fool
whenIleftyouthatnight.Ishouldneverhavetouchedyou!"

Theonebeautifulmemoryinherlife,andhewassorryithadhappened.Ifshe'deverwonderedhow
hereallyfeltinsidehisshell,sheknewnow.

She lowered her eyes and turned away. She walked to the house without another word, without a
backwardglance.Asshewentupthesteps,sheimaginedsheheardhimswear,butwhenshelooked
back,hewasridingaway.

Abbybroodedabouttheconfrontationfortherestoftheday,andatthesuppertableitwaspatently
obvioustoMellyandJerrythatsomethingwaswrongEvenCalla,walkingbackandforthtoserveup
the delicious beef the ranch was famous for with the accompanying dishes, corn-mented that the
weathersurehadgottencoldquick.

Cadefinishedhismealbeforetherestofthemandlitacigaretteoverhissecondcupofcoffee.

"I'vegotthosereportsprintedoutwheneveryouwantthem,Cade,"Mellyventured.

Henodded.“I'lllookthemovernow.Jerry,comeoninwhenyoufinish,"headded,rising.

"We'llhavetomakeadecisionprettyquickaboutthosecowswe'regoingtoselloff.JakeWhitewants

afewdozenheadforembryotransplants."

"Wantsthemcheap,too."Jerrylaughed."Ireckonhethinksourcullswillbetheverythingtocarry
hispurebredAngus."

Mellygrinnedatthem,awareofAbbysittingrigidlyatherside."Oh,theadvancesincattlebreeding.
HerefordsthrowingAnguscalves,withouteventhejoysofnaturalconception."

Cadegaveherahardglareandwalkedoutoftheroom.

"Shameonyou,"Jerrymutteredashestartedtojointheboss."Embarrassinghimthatway."

"I'm just helping him lose some of his inhibitions, darling," Melly whispered back, blowing him a
kissbeforehewinkedandlefttheroom.

"He'llgeteven,"Abbysaidsolemnly,pickingatherfood."Healwaysdoes."

"Youcouldhelphimwiththoseinhibitions,too,"hersistersaid,tongueincheek.

"Notme,sis,"cametheinstantreply.Sheglaredtowardthedoorway."Hecankeephishang-upsfor
allIcare."

Mellystaredatherhard."Whydon'tyouandCadestartkissingandstopfighting?"

"Askhim,"shegrumbled,gettingup."It'soneandthesamethingwithCade,ifyouwanttoknow.I've
got a frightful headache, Melly. Say good-night to the others for me, will you?" And she rushed
upstairswithoutanotherwordbeforeMellycouldaskthequestionsthatwereformingonherlips.

Abbyhadn'thadanightmaresinceshearrivedattheranch,butaftertheconfrontationwithCade,it
wasalmostinevitablethatitwouldrecur.Andsureenough,itdid.

Shewokeupintheearlyhoursofthemorning,screaming.Evenasthesoundsweredyingaway,her
doorburstopenandCadecamestormingintoherroom,flashingontheoverheadlight,withMellyat
hisheels.

Chapter6

Abbysatthereintheplaincottongownthatconcealedeveryinchofherbody,herhairwild,hereyes
rainingtearsdownherpalecheeks,andgapedatthemonthetailofterror.

-24-

Cade was in his pajama trousers and nothing else. They rode low on his lean hips, and the sheer
masculinityofhisbigbodywithitsgenerousblack,curlinghairandbronzedmusclewasenoughto
frightenherevenmore.

"How about making some coffee?" Cade asked Melly, although his tone made it an order, not a
request.

"But.."Mellybegan,nervouslylookingfromhersistertoheremployer.

"Youheardme."

Mellyhesitatedforjustaninstantbeforesheleftthemalone,herfootstepsdyingawaydownthehall.

CadeputhishandsonhishipsandstareddownatAbby.Withhishairtousledandhisfacehard,he
lookedasthreateningasanystorm.

"Getupandputonarobe,"hesaidafteraminute,turningaway,"whileIgetdressed."

"Youdon'thaveto,"shemanagedweakly.

Hehalfturned,hiseyesglittering."Don'tI?"hegrowled."You'relookingatmeasifIwerearapist."

Her face blanched and he nodded. "That's how you feel, too, isn't it, baby? Put on a robe and come
intothelivingroom.Andstoplookingatmelikethat.I'mnotgoingtotouchyou.

Butyou'regoingtotellmethetruth,onewayortheother."

Helefthersittingthere,hisbackasstiffasapoker.

MellybroughtthecoffeeinjustasAbbycameoutofherroom,wrappedtothethroatinaheavynavy
terryclothrobe.

Cade was dressed, barely, in jeans and an open-throated blue shirt that he hadn't tucked in. He was
barefoot, sitting forward in an armchair, worrying his hair with his hands. He looked up as Abby
camein.

"Sitdown,"hesaidquietly."Melly,thankyouforthecoffee.Goodnight."

"Cade.."Mellybegan.

"Goodnight,"herepeated.

The younger woman sighed as she looked over at Abby, her whole expression one of regret and
apology.

"It'sallright,"Abbysaidgently."YouandIbothknowthatCadewouldneverhurtme."

Cadelookedfaintlyshockedbythewords,buthebusiedhimselfwithlightingacigarettewhileMelly
saidgood-nightandleftthemalone.

"Fixmeacup,willyou,honey?"heasked.

Abbyautomaticallypouredcreaminitandhandedittohim.

He took it, cup and saucer balanced on his big palm, and smiled at her. "You remembered, didn't
you?"

Sheflushed.Yes,shehad,justthewayhelikedit.Sherememberedalmosteverythingshe'dlearned
overtheyears—thathedidn'ttakesugar,thathehatedrhubarb,thathelovedathicksteakandcottage
potatoestogowithit,thathecouldgoforforty-eighthourswithoutsleepbutnotonehourwithouta
cigarette..

"Titfortat?"hemurmured,andreachedouttoputtwosugarsandcreaminthesecondcupandhandit
toher,smilingwhensheraisedastonishedeyestohis.

She took it, sitting back on the sofa to study the creamy liquid, turning the cup nervously back and
forthinitssaucer.

"Littlethings,"shemurmured,finallyliftinghereyestohis."Isn'titamazinghowwerememberthem
aftersomanyyears?"

"Irememberalotaboutyou,"hesaidquietly,studyingher."Especially,"headdedonaruefulsigh,
"howyoulookwithoutclothes."

Sheflushed,droppinghereyes."Itwasalongtimeago."

"Fouryears,"heagreed."Butitdoesn'tseemthatlongtome."Hetookagulpofhiscoffee,ignoring
thefactthatitwashotenoughtoblisteranormalthroat,stubbedouthiscigarette

-25-

andleanedbackinhischair."Tellmewhathappened,Abby."

Shefeltthecuptrembleinherhandandonlyjustrighteditintime."Ican't,Cade."

Hetookanothersipofcoffeeandleanedforwardsuddenly,restinghishandsonhisknees.

"Lookup.That'sright,lookatme.Doyourememberwhenyouranoveryourfather'sdogwithmy
oldjeep?"

Sheswallowedandnodded.

"Youcouldn'tfacehim,butyoucamerunningtomebawlingyourheartout,andIheldyouwhileyou
cried."Heshiftedhishands,studyingherdrawnface."WhenVennieWaldencalledyouatomboyand
saidyoulookedlikeastickwithbumps,youcamecryingtomethen."

Shenoddedagain,managingasmileforhim."Ialwayscriedonyou,didn'tI?"

"Always.Whynotnow?"Hereachedoutabighandandwaited,patiently,untilshecouldputherown,
hesitantly,intoitandfeelitswarmthandstrength."Fromnowon,it'sgoingtobejustlikethis.Iwon't
touchyouunlessyouwantmeto.Nowtellmewhathappened.Didyoufindouthewasmarried?"

"He?"sheasked,studyinghimblankly.

"The man you had an affair with," he said quietly. "The one you wake up screaming over in the
middleofthenight."

Sheswalloweddowntheurgetogetupandrun.Howintheworldwasshegoingtobeabletotellhim
thetruth.How?!

"Comeon,Abby,tellme,"hecoaxedwithafaintsmile."I'mnotgoingtositinjudgmentonyou."

"You'vegotitwrong,Cade,"shesaidafteraminute."It..wasn'tanaffair."

His heavy brows came together. He searched her face. "No? I understood Melly to say there was a
man..."

"Therewas."Hereyesopenedandclosed,andthepainofadmissionwasinthemsuddenly.Shetried
tospeak,andhermouthtrembledonthewords.

He was beginning to sense something. His face seemed to darken, his eyes glittered. His hand, on
hers,tightenedpromptingly."Abby,tellme!"hegroundout,hispatienceexhausted.

Hereyesclosed,becauseshecouldn'tbeartoseewhatwouldbeinhiswhenshetoldhim.

"Iwasassaulted,Cade."

The silence seemed to go on forever. Forever! The hand around her own stilled, and withdrew.
Somewhereaclockwastickingwithcomicalloudness;shecouldhearitabovethetorturedpounding
ofherownheart...

Atfirst,shewonderedifhe'dheardher.Untilshelookedupandsawhisleanhands,toughfromyears
of ranch work, contract slowly around the cup until it shattered and coffee went in a half-dozen
directionsontothedeepgreypilecarpet.

Hereyesshotuptohisface,readingtheachingcompassionandmurderousragethatpassedacrossit
inwildsuccession.

"Who?"heasked,theworddangerouslysoft.

"Idon'tknow,"shesaidquietly.

"SurelytoGodtherewasasuspect!"heburstout,oblivioustotheshardsofpotteryandthecoffeethat
wasstaininghisjeans,thecarpet.

"Notyet,"shetoldhim."Cade,thecarpet...look,you'vecutyourhand!"sheexclaimed,seeingblood.

"Oh,tohellwiththat,"hegrowled.Heglancedathishandandtuggedahandkerchieffromhisjeans
pockettowindhaphazardlyaroundit."Whatdoyoumean,notyet?"

"JustwhatIsaid.It'sabigcity."Shegotup,kneelingbesidehim."Letmesee.Comeon,letmesee!"
shegrumbled,forcinghimtogiveherthebig,warmhand.Sheunwrappedthehandkerchiefgently;
therewasashallowcutontheballofhisthumb."We'dbetterputsomethingonit."

"Isthatwhyyoubackedawayfrommeearlier?"heasked,hiseyesonherbenthead.

"WhyyouwereafraidwhenIwasroughwithyouearlier,outside?"

-26-

Hereyesclouded."Yes."

Hestartedtotouchherhairandfroze,withdrawinghishandbeforeitcouldmakecontact.

Helaiditbackonthearmofthechairwithawistfulsigh."WhatcanIsay,Abby?"heaskedgently.
"WhatinhellcanIsay?"

Herfingersletgoofhishandandshegottoherfeet."There'ssomeantisepticintheguestbathroom,
isn'tthere?"sheasked.

"Isupposeso."Hegotupandfollowedherdownthehall,sittinguncomfortablyonthelittlevanity
bench,whichswayedprecariouslywhilesheriffledthroughthemedicinecabinetforantisepticanda
bandage.

Hesatquietlywhileshedressedthecut,buthiseyeswatchedherintently.

"Pleasedon'twatchmelikethat,"sheaskedtightly.

Hiseyesfelltohishand."It'sanoldhabit."Hischiseledmouthmadeahalf-smilewhenshelooked
downathim,startled."Youdidn'tknowthat,Isuppose."Thesmilefaded."Canyoutalkaboutit?"

Shestudiedhimquietlyandloweredhereyes."Iwascominghomefromanassignment,atnight.It

wasanicenight,justalittlenippy,andIhadacoatonovermydress.Ionlylivedafewblocksaway,
soIwalked."Shelaughedbitterly."Thestreetsweredeserted,andbeforeIrealizedit,amanstarted
followingme.Iran,andhecaughtupwithmeanddraggedmeintoanalley."Sheshudderedatthe
memory. "I tried so hard to get away, but he was big and terribly strong... " Her eyes closed. "He
pushed me down and started kissing me, touching me.. I screamed then, just as loud as I could, and
therewerethreemencomingoutofanearbybarwhoheardme.Theycamerunningandhetookoff."
Shedrewinasteadyingbreath,oblivioustoCade'swhite,strainedface."ThankGod,theyheardme.
People talk about cities being cold and heartless places, but it didn't happen that way for me. The
peopleattheemergencyroomtoldmeI'dbeendamnedlucky."

"Wastheresomeonetotakecareofyou?"heaskedasifitmattered,reallymattered.

"Yes. There was a Rape Crisis Center. All women," she said with a faint smile, recalling the gentle
treatment,thecareshe'dreceived."Theysentmeoverthere,despitethefactthatIhadn'tbeenraped.
It'sstillamentallyscarringthing,tobehandledthatway,mauled.

Thinking about the way it might have been.. but I felt dirty, you know. Soiled. I still think about it
constantly.."

Hisfacehardenedashewatchedherquietly."IfI'dmadelovetoyouthatnight,keptyouherewithme,
noneofthiswouldeverhavehappened."

"Didyouwantto,really?"shewonderedsoftly.

Hedrewinalong,steadybreath."Iwantedto,"headmittedafteraminute,andhiseyesdarkened.He
gottohisfeet,toweringoverher."Butitwouldhavebeenaslapinthefacetoyourfather.Hetrusted
me to look after you. And God knows, it would have been a mistake, a bad one." He studied her
intently."I'dnevertouchedavirginuntilthatnight."

Shefeltasurgeofprideatthatconfession,anditshowedinhereyes.

"I'venevertouchedonesince,either,"headdedwithaquietsmile.

"Learnedyourlesson,huh?"shemurmuredwithafeebleattemptathumor.

Henodded."Canyousleepnow?"

Thethoughtofthedarkroomwasdisquieting,butsheerasedthenervousnessfromhereyes."Yes.I
thinkso."

"Youcansleepwithmeifyouwantto,"hesaidquietly,andsheknewexactlywhathemeant—thathe'd
diebeforehe'dtouchher,unlessshewantedit.

Hesitantly,herhandwentouttotouchhisarm,alighttouchthatwasquicklyremoved.

"Thankyou,"shesaidsoftly."ButI'llbeallrightnow."

Hiseyessearchedhersforalongmoment,"Youtrustme,don'tyou?"heaskedgently.

"Yes,"shesaidsimply."Morethananyoneelseintheworld,Cade,ifitmeansanything."

"Yes,"hebitoff,"itmeanssomething."

"Thecarpet!"sheexclaimedsuddenly."Oh,Cade,I'llbetthecarpet'sruined.."

-27-

"I'llbuyanewone.Gotobed."

"Thank you," she said as he turned to go out into the hall. "I. .I. .Melly said I should have told you
aboutit,butIdidn't..Iwasn'tsure..."

"Youdidn'tthinkthatI'dblameyou?"heaskedsoftly.

Shestareddownatthecarpetedfloor,embarrassednowthatheknew.

"Stopit,forGod'ssake,"hesaidbluntly."Soyougotmauled.You'vehadaterribleexperience,and
I'msorryashell,butitdoesn'tchangewhoyouare!"

Herlipstrembled."Ifeelunclean,"shewhispered,shaken."AsifI'dbeenrobbedofsomethingIhad
therighttogivetoamanIchose.Hetouchedmeinwaysnomaneverdid,notevenyou.."

Hedrewinaraggedbreath."Yes,youwererobbed,butnotofyourchastity.Evenifhe'drapedyou,
you'dstillhavethat."

Shestaredupathimnumbly."What?"

He lit a cigarette with unsteady fingers. "Oh, hell, I'm putting this badly." He blew out a cloud of
smokeandstareddownatherwithnarrowedeyes."Abby,howlongagodidithappen?"

"Weekbeforelast,"sheconfessed.

"Okay,andyou'restillraw,thatmakessense.Butyou'llgetoverit.Anditwillbedifferent,withaman
youcareabout."

Herlipspouted."Itwasn'tanydifferentthisafternoon.Youscaredmetodeath."

Hisfacepaled,buthedidn'tlookaway."Myfault.I'vebeenwithoutawomanforawhile,andthefeel
ofyouwenttomyhead.IwasrougherthanIevermeanttobe.Butyou'vegottohelpyourselfalittle
bynotdwellingonwhathappenedtoyou."

"HowcanIhelpit?Itmakesmesickjustremembering..!"sheburstout.

"Putitinperspective,honey,"hesaidcurtly,jamminghisbandagedhandinhispocketasifhewere

afraid he might try to touch her with it. "Has it occurred to you that by letting the experience warp
yourmind,you'regivingthatpieceofscumwhoattackedyoumorerightsoveryouthanyou'dgivea
husband?"

Shestaredathim,stunned.

Hetookanotherlongdrawfromthecigarette."You'regivinghimtherighttodominateyourlife,by
dwellingonwhathappened,byblowingupwhathedidtoyouandlettingitlockyouupemotionally
andphysically."

"I..hadn'tthoughtofitlikethat."

"Supposeyoustart."

She wrapped her arms around her trembling body. "You can't know how it is for a woman," she
murmured."Againstaman'sstrength..."

"Icanrememberatimeinyourlifewhenyouverymuchlikedbeinghelplessagainstmine,"hesaid
underhisbreath.

"Thatwasdifferent.Iknewyou'dneverhurtme."

"Youknewthatthisafternoon,butyoufoughtmelikeawildcat."

Sheflushed."Youhurtme!"

Hisjawtightened."DoyouthinkbecauseIhavetobehardwithmymenthatI'mthathardinside?You
get under my skin like no other woman ever has. You deliberately needle me and then take offense
whenIdefendmyself.It'salwaysbeenthatway."

"Ineverthoughtyoucouldbehurt,"shemurmured,avoidinghispiercinggaze."Leastofallbyme."

"Whytalkaboutit?"heaskedwearily."It'sallwaterunderthebridgenow."

"Thanksforthetherapysession,"shesaidsoftlyandsmiled,becauseshemeantit.

Hesmiledback."Didithelp?"

Shenodded.Hereyessearchedhis."Cade,I'msorryIscreamedthisafternoon."

Hereacheddownandsmoothedalockofhairfromherface."Ididn'tknow.NowIdo.

Giveittime—you'llbefine.I'llhelp."

-28-

"Thanksforlettingmecome."

Helookedstrangeforaminute."WhenMellysaidyouwantedtogethereearlyforthewedding,so
youcouldspendsometimeontheranch,Ididn'tknowtherealreason.Ithought.."Hedroppedhis
handwithagrufflaugh."Youcanstillsleepwithme,ifyouwant.Iwouldn'ttouchyou."

Her soft eyes searched his, and he looked back as if it were beyond his power to remove his eyes
fromhers."CallaandMellywouldbeshockedtothebackteeth,"shewhispered,tryingtojokeabout
itandfailing.Itwouldhavebeenheaventolieinhisarmsallnight."Butthankyoufortheoffer."

He shrugged. "It wasn't for purely selfless reasons," he said, winking at her. "Bed's damned cold in
earlyspring,"hechuckled.

Shehithimsoftly."Beast!"

"Thinkyoucansleepnow?"

Shenodded."Ifeelalittledifferentaboutit.MaybeIjustneedtimetoputthingsintoperspectiveafter
all."

"If you'd like something to occupy your mind, I'll take you out to see the rest of the calves in the
morning."

"Oh, boy," she said enthusiastically. "But what if it snows again?" she asked. "It was awfully cloudy
thisafternoonandcoldasblazesandtheradiosays—"

"When has snow ever stopped me?" he asked, chuckling. "Night, honey." He turned and strode off
towardthestairs.

Whenhasanythingeverstoppedyou?sheaskedherselfsilently.

Exceptonce..she'dneverrealizeduntilnowthathe'dreallywantedherthatnight.He'dbeensocool
andcalmonthesurfacethatshe'dhalfwayconvincedherselfhehadonlybeensatisfyinghercuriosity
to keep her from experimenting with younger, more hot-blooded males. But now she began to
wonder.Shewasstillwonderingwhenshefellintoadeep,satisfyingsleep.

Chapter7

CadehadofferedtotakeAbbybacktoseethecalves,butbymorningthesnowhadcoveredPainted
Ridgeandhewasoutwithhismentryingtobringinthehalf-frozencalvesandtheirnewmothers.
AccordingtoHank,Cadewascursingabluestreakfromoneendoftheranchtotheother.

"Wants his other gloves," Hank growled at Calla when he paused in the hall, the familiar wad of
tobaccotucked into hischeek. "Ruined apair trying to unhookone of themdamned cows from the
barbedwire."

"He goes through gloves like some men go through food," Calla grumbled, shooting an irritated
glanceatHankforinterruptingherinthemiddleoflunchpreparation."Onlygotonepairleftasitis.
Youbestremembertotellhimthat!"

"Can'ttellhimadamnedthing,"Hankmuttered,waitinguncomfortablyinthehall.Hiswide-brimmed
hatwasspottedwithmeltedsnow,andhisheavyclothcoatwasequallydamp.

"He hit the ground cussing this morning and he ain't stopped yet. I just follow orders, I don't give
'em!"heshoutedafterCalla.

"Isitbadoutthere?"Mellycalledfromtheden,whereshewasbusilyoperatingCade'scomputer.

"Badenough,"Hankreplied."Hopeyourfingersarerested,MissMelly,'causeyou'resuregoingto
dosometypingwhenwegetatallyonthesenewcalves!"

"Asusual."Mellylaughed."Don'tworryaboutit,Hank,Igetpaidgood."

-29-

"Ifwegotpaidwhatwewasworth,Cadewouldgointhehole,Iguess,"thethincowboysaidtono
one in particular. He glanced at Abby, who was standing there quietly in her jeans and a blue
turtlenecksweater."Ihearyou'regoingtostaywithustillMissMelly'swedding.

How'reyousettlingin?"

Shesmiled."Justfine.Itfeelslikeoldtimes."

"Farcryfromthecity,"heobserved.Shenodded."Lesstraffic,"shesaidwithahintofheroldhumor.

Hanklookeddisgusted."Givemeahorseanyday,"hemuttered,"andopencountrytoridehimin.If
God wanted the world covered in concrete, he'd have made human beings with tires!" It was the
cowboy'sfavoritetheme,andAbbywaslookingforawaytoescapebeforehehadtimetogetstarted
whenCallacamethumpingbackdownthehallwithawornpairofglovesinherhand.

"Here,"shesaidshortly,slappingthemintoHank'soutstretchedhand."Andmakesurehedoesn'tget

holesinthem.That'sallthereis."

"WhatamI,anursemaid?"hespatout."Mygosh,Calla,allIdoisbabysitcowsthesedays.

IfCadegaveahangaboutmyfeelings,he'dgivemesomedecentwork."

"Maybehe'llsetyoutodiggingpostholes,"theolderwomansuggestedwithmaliciousglee."I'lltell
himwhatyousaid."

"Youdo,"hethreatened,"andI'lltellhimwhatyoudidwiththatcherrycakehehadhisheartsetonthe
othernight."

Shesuckedinafuriousbreath."Youwouldn'tdare!"

Hegrinned,somethingrareforHank."YoutellhimIlikediggingpostholes,andI'lldoitorbust.
Bye,Abby,Melly,"hecalledoverhisshoulderashestompedoutthedoor.

"WhatdidyoudowithCade'scherrycake?"Abbyaskedwithasidewaysstare.

Callaclearedherthroatandwalkedbacktowardthekitchen."IgaveittoJeb.Cade'snottheonlyone
who'spartialtomycherrycake."

Abbysmotheredachuckleasshewanderedintotheden.Withitsbarewoodfloors,Indianrugsand
woodfurniture,itwasafarcryfromtheluxuryofthelivingroom.

MellylookedupasAbbycametowardthedeskwherethecomputerandprinterweresetup."Ididn't
wanttodesertyoulastnight,"shesaidapologetically."Didyoutellhim?"

"Ihadto,"Abbyadmitted,perchingherselfontheedgeofthechairbesideMelly's."YouknowCade
whenhesetshismindonsomething.Butitwasn'tasbadasIthoughtitwouldbe.

Hedidn'tevensay'Itoldyouso'."

"Ididn'texpecthimto.Youunderestimatehimsometimes,Ithink.”Mellylookedsmug.

"There'sabrownspotonthecarpetinthelivingroom."

Abbylookedguilty."Iwasafraidofthat,buthewouldn'thearofmycleaningitup.”Shesighed."He
washoldingthecoffeecupwhenItoldhim.He..crushedit."

Mellyclosedhereyesforaninstant."Inoticedhishandwasbandagedthismorning,"shemurmured.
"Iwonderedwhy.."

"He said some things that made me think," Abby recalled, smiling faintly. "He may not be a
psychologist, but he's got a lot of common sense about things. He said I was giving the man who
attackedmeaholdoverme,bydwellingonit.I'dneverconsidereditinthatlight,butIthinkhehasa
point."

Mellysmiledathergently."Maybeheoughttoopenanoffice,"shesaidimpishly.

Abby grinned back. "Maybe he ought." She studied her sister closely for a minute as her head bent
overthecomputerkeyboardwhileshetypedinacodeandglancedupatthescreen.

TheabbreviationswereGreektoAbby,buttheyseemedtomakesensetoMelly.

"Whatareyoudoing?"

"Herdrecords.We'regettingreadytocullcattle,youknow.Anycowsthatdon'tcomeuptoparare
going to be sold off, especially if they aren't producing enough calves or if the ones they're
producingaren'tgoodenoughorifthey'reold.."

"Slavery,"Abbyburstout."Horrible!"

-30-

Mellylaughedmerrily."Yes,Cadewastellingmewhatyouthoughtaboutvealsmotheredinonions."

"That'sreallyhorrible,"shemuttered."Poorlittlething,allcoldandhalf-frozenanditsmamaturned
herbackonit,andCadetalksabouteatingit.."

"Lifegoeson,darling,"Mellyremindedher,"andacattleranchisnoplaceforsentiment.Ican'tjust
seeyouowningone—you'dmakepetsofallthecattleandbecomeavegetarian."

"Hmm,"Abbysaid,frowningthoughtfully,"IwonderifCade'severthoughtofthat?"

"Idon'tknow,"cametheamusedreply,"butifIwereyou,I'dwaituntilwayafterrounduptoaskhim!"

Abbylaughed."Youmayhaveapoint."

Melly murmured something, but her mind went quickly back to the computer and her work. Abby,
curious,askedquestionsandMellytoldheraboutthecomputernetworkbetweenCade'sranches,and
thecapacityofthecomputerforstoringinformationaboutthecattle.Therewasevenavideocassette
setupsothatCadecouldsellcattletopeoplewhohadneverbeentotheranchtoseethem—theycould
buy from the tape. He could buy the same way, by watching film of a bull he was interested in, for
example.Itwasafarcryfromtheolddaysofranchingwhenrancherskeptwrittenrecordsandwent
crazytryingtokeepupwiththousandsofheadofcattle.Abbywasfascinatedbythecomputerandthe
rapidityofitsoperation.Butafterafewminutesthephonestartedringinganddidn'tstop,andAbby
wanderedofftowatchthesnow.

"Isn't Cade going to come in and eat?" Melly asked as Calla set a platter of ham and bread and
condimentsonthetable,alongwithaplateofhomemadeFrenchfries.

"Nope."Theolderwomansighed."Saidtopackhimasandwichandathermosofcoffeeandhe'drun
uptothehousetogetit"Shenoddedtowardasackandathermosonthebuffet

"Ishecomingrightup?"Abbyasked.

"Anyminute."

"I'llcarryitout,"Abbyvolunteered,andgrabbeditup,hurryingtowardthefrontdoor.

She only paused long enough to tug on galoshes and her thick cloth coat, and rushed out onto the
porchassheheardapickupskiduptothehouseandstop.

Cade was sitting in the cab when she crunched her way through the blowing snow to the truck. He
threwopenthepassengerdoor.

"Thanks,honey,"hesaid,takingthesackandthermosfromherandplacingthemontheseatbeside
him."Getinoutofthesnow."

Shestartedtoclosethetruckdoor,butheshookhishead."Inhere,"hecorrected."Withme."

Somethingaboutthewayhesaiditmadeherpulsepound,andsheshookherselfmentally.Shewas
readingthingsintohisdeepvoice,thatwasall.

"Hanksaidyouwereturningtheairblue.Isthisnewsnowyourfault?"Abbyaskedhimwithhumorin
herpalebrowneyes.

He returned the smile and there was a light in his eyes she hadn't noticed before. "I reckon," he
murmured,watchingthecolorcomeandgoinherflushedface."Feelbetterthismorning?"

“Yes,thankyou,”shesaidsoftly.

Hereachedoutabighandandheldit,palmup.

Shehesitatedforaninstantbeforeshereachedoutherowncold,slenderhandandputitgingerlyinto
his.Thehardfingersclosedsoftlyarounditandsqueezed.

"Thisishowit'sgoingtobefromnowon,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepandquiet,thetwoofthemisolated
inthecoldcabwhilefeatherysnowfellontothewindshield,thehood,thelandscape."I'llask,Iwon't
take."

Shelookedintohiseyesandfelt,forasecond,theoldmagicofelectricitybetweenthem.

"Thatgoesagainstthegrain,I'llbet,"shesaid.

"I'musedtotaking,"hereplied."ButIcangetusedtoasking,Isuppose.Howaboutyou?"

-31-

She looked down at his big hand swallowing hers, liking the warmth and strength of it even while
somethinginthebackofhermindrebelledatthatstrength."Idon'tknow,"shesaidhonestly.

"Whatfrightensyoumost?"heasked.

"Yourstrength,"shesaid,withouttakingtimetothink,andhereyescameuptohis.

Henodded,andnotbyaflickerofaneyelashdidhebetrayanyemotionbeyondcuriosity.

"And if I let you make all the moves?" he asked quietly. "If I let you come close or touch or hold,
insteadofmovinginonyou?"

Thethoughtfascinatedher.Thatshowedinherunblinkinggaze,intheslighttiltofherhead.

"Therapy,Cade?"sheaskedinasoft,steadytone.

"Whatevernameyouwanttocallit."Heopenedhishandsothatshecouldleavehersthereorremove
it,asshewished.Itwasmorethanagesture—itwasastatement.

Shesmiledslowly."Suchpowermightgotomyhead,"shesaidwithatentativelaugh.

"Suppose I decided to have my way with you?" she added, finding that she could treat the matter
lightlyforthemoment.

Hecockedaneyebrowandlookedstern."Don'tstartgettinganyideasaboutme.I'mnoteasy.Noneof
youwildcitygirlsaregoingtocomeouthereandluremeintoanyhaystacks."ISheletherfingers
curlintohisandholdthem."It'salongshot,"shesaidafteraminute.

"MygrandfatherwonthisranchinapokergameinCheyenne,"heremarked."Iguessit'sinmyblood
totakelongshots."

"Won't it interfere with your private life?" she added, hoping her question wouldn't sound as if she
werefishing.

Hestudiedhercloselyforaminutebeforehereplied."IthoughtyouknewthatIdon'thaveaffairs."

Shealmostjumpedatthequietintensityofhiseyes."I..neverreallythoughtaboutit,"shelied.

"I'vehadwomen,"hesaid,"butnothingpermanent,nothinglasting.There'snoprivatelifeforyouto
interferewith."

Shewassuddenlyfiercelygladofthat,althoughshedidn'tknowhowtotellhim."It'snotgoingtobe
veryeasy,"sheconfessedshyly."I'veneverbeenforward,evenbeforethishappened."

"Iknow,"hemurmured,smilingdownather."Icouldsithereandlookatyouallday,"hesaidaftera
minute,"butitwouldn'tgettheworkdone,"headdedruefully.

"Icouldcomeandhelpyou,"shevolunteered,wonderingathersuddenreluctancetoleavehim.

"It'stoocold,honey,"hesaid.Hiseyeswanderedoverhersoft,flushedface."Feellikekissingme?"

Herheartjumped.Shefeltanewkindofexcitementatthethoughtofit."Ithoughtyouweren'teasy,"
shechallengedassheslidhesitantlytowardhim.

Surprise registered in his eyes, but only for a second. "Well, only with some girls," he corrected,
smilingwickedly."Comeon,hurryup,I'vegotcalvestodeliver."

"Young Dr. McLaren," she murmured, looking up at him from close range, seeing new lines in his
face,fatigueinhisdarkeyes.Therewereafewsilverhairsoverhistemplesandshetouchedthem
withunsteadyfingers."You'regoinggray,Cade."

"Igotthosebecauseofyou,whenyouwereinyourearlyteens,"heremindedher.

"Hangingoff saddles tryingto do trickriding, falling into therapids out ofa rickety canoe, flying
overfencestryingtorideDonavan'sbroncs..myGod,youwereahandful!"

"Well,MellyandIdidn'thaveamama,"sheremindedhim,"andDadwasinpoorhealthfromthetime
wegotingrammarschoolon.Ifithadn'tbeenforyouandCallaandthecowboys,IguessMellyandI
wouldn'thavemadeit.”

"Stopthat,"hegrowled."Anddon'tmakemeouttobeanoldman.I'mjustfourteenyears

-32-

olderthanyou,andIneverdidfeellikearelative."

She put her fingers against his warm lips and felt their involuntary pursing with a tingle of
satisfaction. "I didn't mean it that way." She looked into his dark eyes with a thrill of pure pleasure.
"CanIreallykissyou?"

Hischestseemedtoriseandfallwithunusualrapidity;hisnostrilsflaredunderheavybreaths."Do
youwantto?"

"I. .I want to." She reached around his neck to pull his dark head down to hers, letting her fingers
savorthethickcoolnessofhishair.Hereyesfelltohishardlipsandshenoticedthattheydidn'tpart
when hers touched them, as if he were keeping himself on a tight rein to prevent the kiss from
becomingintimate.

Shelikedthewarmthofhismouthunderhers,andshelikedthefaintraspofhischeekwherehernose
rubbedagainstitasshepressedharderagainsthislips.Hisbreathwasevenhardernowbuthewasn't
movingamuscle.Withaquiet,trustingsighsheeasedawayfromhimandlookedup.

Hisfacewasrigid,hiseyesblazingbackather."Okay?"sheaskeduncertainly,needingreassurance.

Afaintsmilesoftenedhisexpression."Okay."

Shefrownedslightly,studyinghissetlips."Youkeptyourmouthclosed,though,"shesaidabsently.

"Idon'tthinkweneedtogothatfarthatfast,baby,"hesaidquietly.

Hemovedawayfromher,hishandgoingtotheignitiontostartthetruckandletitidle.

"It'slikelearningtowalk.Youhavetodoitonestepatatime."

"Thatwasanicestep,"shetoldhimwithasmile.

"Ithoughtsomyself."Heraisedhischinandhiseyeswereallarrogance."Areyougoingtoneedan
engravedinvitationeverytimefromnowon?"

"IguessIcouldsneakuponyourblindside,"sheconfessedwithagrin."Ordragyouoffintodark
corners.MaybeifIwatchMellyandJerryI'llgetsomenewideas.Shesaidhepushedherintoahay
stallandfellonher."

Heburstoutlaughing,andshefoundthatshecouldlaugh,too—afarcryfromherfirstreactionwhen
Mellyhadconfessedit.

"ThatsoundslikeJerry,"hesaidafteraminute.Hiseyessearchedhers."It'swhatI'dhavedone,once."

Thesmilefaded,andshefeltadeepsadnessforwhatmighthavebeenifshehadn'tbeensocrazyto
gotoNewYorkandbreakintomodeling.

"Inahaystall?"sheteasedhalfheartedly.

"Anywhere.Aslongasitwaswithyou,andIcouldfeelyou..allofyou...undermybody."

Sheturnedawayfromthehungerinhiseyeswithatinylittlesound,andhehitthesteeringwheelwith
hishandandstaredblindlyoutthewindshield,cursingunderhisbreath.

"I'msorry,"hegroundout."Thatwasadamnedstupidthingtosay..!"

"Don'thandlemewithkidgloves,"shesaid,lookingbackathim."Mellywasright,andsowereyou.I
can't run away from the memory of the attack, and I can't run away from life. I'm going to have to
learntodealwith..relationships,physicalrelationships."Hereyesmethisbravely."Helpme."

"I'vealreadytoldyouthatIwill."

Shestudiedthewornmatonthefloorboard."Anddon'tgetangrywhenIreact..predictably."

"Likejustnow?"heasked,andmanagedasmile.

Shenodded,smilingback."Likejustnow."Hereyessearchedhis,lookingforreassurance.

"Itfrightensme,still,the..theweightofaman'sbody,"shewhisperedshakily,andonlyrealizedmuch
laterthatshe'dconfessedthattonooneelse.

"Inthatcase,"hesaidgently,"I'llhavetoletyoupushmedowninthehay,won'tI?"

Tearsmistedinhereyes."Oh,Cade.."

-33-

"Will you get out of my truck?" he asked pleasantly, preventing her, probably intentionally, from
showinganygratitude."IthinkIdidmentionaboutahalf-houragothatIwasinaflaminghurry."

"Some hurry," she scoffed. "If you were really in a hurry," she added, nodding toward the snow,
"you'dwalk."

"That's an idea. But I left my snowshoes in the attic. Out! Go let Melly show you how to work the
computer. You do realize that somebody's going to have to do her job while she's on her
honeymoon?"

"Me?But,Cade,Idon'tknowanythingaboutcomputers..."

"Whatagreattimeforyoutolearn,"headvised.Hesearchedherflushedface,seeinganewpurpose
init,aslackeningofthefear,andhenodded."Don'trushofftoNewYorkafterthewedding.Staywith
me."

"I'dliketostaywithyou,"shesaidinasoft,gentletoneasshelookedintohisdarkeyes.

Heheldhergazeforalong,warmmomentbeforeheavertedhiseyestothegearshift.

"NowI'mgoing,"hesaidfirmly."Eitheryouskedaddleoryoucomewithme."

"I'dliketocomewithyou,"shesaidwithasigh,"butI'djustgetintheway,wouldn'tI?"

"Sure," he said with a flash of white teeth. Then his eyes narrowed. "Do you want to come, really?
BecauseI'mgoingtoletyou,andtohellwithgettingintheway,ifyousayyes."

Shetookadeep,slowbreath,andshrugged."Betternot,Isuppose,"shesaidregretfully.

"Melly'sweddingdress..!havetogetstarted."

"Okay.Howaboutfabric?"

"Calla bought it for me; it's just a matter of deciding what to use," she told him. "Don't get sick,
okay?"

Heliftedaneyebrow."Why?Afraidyou'dhavetonurseme?"

"I'dstayupallnightforweeksifyouneededme.Don'tbesilly,"shechided,reachingforthedoor
handle.

"TellCallanottokeepsupper,honey,it'sgoingtobeanotherlongnight."

Shenoddedassheheldthedoorajar."Wantmetobringyoursupperdowntoyou?"

Hesmiled."Onyoursnowshoes?Betternot,it'sdamnedcoldouthere.I'llhaveabitelater.Seeyou."

"Seeyou."

Sheclosedthedoorandwatchedhimdriveawaywithwistfuleyes.Shealreadyregrettednotgoing
withhim,butshedidn'twaitaroundtowonderwhy.

Thatnight,sheandMellychosethefabricfromtheyardsandyardsofitthatCallahadtuckedawayin
thecedarchest.

"Isn't it strange that I'm getting married first?" Melly asked as they studied the pattern. "I always
thoughtitwouldbeyou."

"Meandwho?"Abbylaughed.

"Cade,ofcourse."

Abbycaughtherbreath."Heneverfeltthatway."

"Oh,youpoorblindthing,"Mellysaidsoftly."Heusedtowatchyoulikeamanwatchingarainbow.
Sometimes his hands would tremble when he was helping you onto a horse or opening a door for
you,andyouneverevennoticed,didyou?"

Abby'spalebrowneyeswidenedhelplessly."Cade?"

"Cade."Mellysatbackinherchairandsighed."Hewasheadoverheelsaboutyouwhenyoulefthere.
Heroaredaroundfortwoweeksafteryouweregone,makingthemennervous,drivingtherestofus
upwalls.He'dsitbythefireatnightandjuststarestraightahead.I'veneverseenamangrievelikethat
overawoman.Andyoudidn'tevenknow."

Abby's eyes closed in pain. If she'd known that, career or no career, she would have come running
back to Montana on her bare feet if she'd had to. "I didn't have any idea. If I'd known that, I never
wouldhavelefthere.Never!"sheburstout.

Mellycaughtherbreathatthepassionthatflaredupinhersister'seyes."Youlovedhim?"

-34-

"Deathlessly."Hereyesclosed,thenopenedagain,mistywithtears."I'lldielovinghim."

"Abby!"

Shetookasteadyingbreathandslumped."Fouryears.Fourlongyears,andanightmareattheendof
it.AndifI'dstayedhere..whydidn'thetellme?"

"Isupposehethoughthewasdoingthebestthingforyou,"Mellysaidgently."Youweresoexcited
aboutacareerinmodeling."

"IthoughtatthetimethatitwouldbebettertomoonoverCadeatadistanceinsteadofgoingtoseed
whileIwaitedinvainforhimtonoticemeagain,"Abbysaidmiserably.

"Again?"

DarnMelly'squickmind."Justneveryoumind.Let'sgooverthispattern."

"Hestillcaresaboutyou,"Mellymurmured.

"Inadifferentway,though."

“Thatcouldchange,"camethesoftreply,"ifyouwantitto."

"IfonlyCadedidn'thavesuchasoftspotforstraythings,"Abbysaid,hereyeswistful."Ineverknow
whathereallyfeels—Ineverhave.HewassorryformewhenIwasakidand,inaway,hestillis.I
don'twantamanwhopitiesme,Melly."

"HowdoyouknowthatCadedoes?You'realovelywoman."

"A woman with a very big problem," Abby reminded her, "and Cade goes out of his way to help
people,youknowthat.Wegobackalongwayandhe'sfondofme.HowcanIbesurethatwhathe
feelsisn'tjustcompassion,Melly?"

"Giveittimeandfindout."

"That,"shesaidwithasigh,"issageadvice.Bytheway,you'regoingtohavetoteachmehowtodo
yourjob,becausehe'salreadymaneuveredmeintoreplacingyouwhileyou'reonyourhoneymoon."

"Oh,hehas,hashe?"Mellypursedherlipsandhereyeslaughed."Thatisn'tsomethinghe'ddoifhe
reallyfeltsorryforyou!"sheassuredhersister.

"Nowcutthatout!Here,tellmeifyoulikethedressbetterwithalongtrainorashortone.."

Andfortherestofthenight,theyconcentratedontheweddinggown.

Chapter8

Inthedaysthatfollowed,AbbylearnedmoreaboutthelogisticsofrounduponPaintedRidgethanshe
wantedto.Thewholeranchsuddenlyrevolvedaroundpreparationsforit.

Thereweresuppliestogetin,mentohireandaddtotheweeklypayroll.Andattheheadofitallwas
Cade, mapping out strategy, tossing out orders as he organized everything from the butane for the
torches they used to heat the branding irons to ear tags. At the same time, he was involved with
roundup on the other two ranches he had interests in, and in between were cattle auctions, board
meetings and a rushed trip to New York to discuss his corporation's plans to buy a feedlot in
Oklahoma.

Abby couldn't help thinking how sexy Cade looked in his pale grey suit with matching boots and
Stetsonwhenhecamedownstairswithhissuitcaseinhishand.

"Well,IguessI'mready,"hegrumbled,headingtowardthefrontdoor.Hankwaswaitingimpatiently
outsideinthetruck.

"You really need something snazzier than a pickup truck to ride to the airport in," Abby remarked
withasmile."Youlookverysophisticated."

Heglancedather,hiseyesclearlyapprovingherjeansandpaleT-shirt."I'dratherbewearingwhat
you'vegoton."

"You'dsurelookfunnyinit,"shemurmuredwickedly.

Hechuckledsoftly."IguessIwould.Oh,damn,Ihatethesedressupthings,andIhateto

-35-

ridearoundthecountryonairplaneswithotherpeopleatthecontrols."

"Ifyouflylikeyoudrive—"shebegan.

"Cutthatout,"hesaiddarkly.Hecheckedhiswatch."StayoffthehorsesuntilIgetback,too.Itold
Hanktomakesureyoudo."

Hereyesflashed,andshedrewherselfuptoherfullheight,liftinghershouldersproudly.

"I'mnotachild."

Hisgazewentpointedlytothehigh,firmthrustofherbreastsandhesmiledfaintly."No,ma'am,you
surearen't."

"CadeAlexanderMcLaren!"shegasped.

Hechuckledatherredface."Well,youcan'tblameamanfornoticingthings,honey."

"Hank'sleaningonthehorn,"shemurmured,glancingnervouslytowardthedoor.

"Lethimleanonit.Orstandonit.Hankwasborninahurry."Hestudiedherforalongmoment."I'll
letyoukissmegoodbyeifyouaskmenice."

Shecoloredevenmore."WhydoIalwayshavetodoallthekissing?"sheasked.

"BecauseyoumightnotlikethewayIdoit,"hesaid.

"Areyousure?"Herheartpoundedwildlyandshefeltherbreathcominghardandfastwhenshesaw
the expression that washed over his dark face. He dropped the suitcase with a hard thud and strode
rightforher.

Before she even had time to decide whether to run or duck, he had her by the waist. He lifted her
completelyoffthefloorsothatshewasonalevelwithhisglitteringdarkeyes,andshenoticedthat
hewasbreathingasraggedlyasshewas.

"Let'ssee,Abby,"hesaidquietly,andtiltedhishead.

Hismouthbitsoftlyathersinbrief,roughkissesthatmadeherbloodrunhot.Herhandstangledin
hisdarkhairasshetriedtoholdhismouthoverhers,hungrytofeelthefullpressureofit.Herbody
felttautasacordandsheopenedherlipstothecoaxingplayofhis.Itseemedtobejustwhathewas
waitingfor,becausehetookpossessionthen,andshefelthistonguegointohermouthinanintimacy
they'dsharedonlyoncebefore.

She caught a sharp breath, but she didn't protest. Not even when he eased her sensuously down and
heldhercloseagainsthistautbody.Heforcedhermouthopenfurther,tastingitwithgrowinghunger,
increasingthepressureuntilshemoanedwithsuddenpleasure.

One big hand released her and slid up her side to her breast. It hesitated for an instant, and then it
engulfedher,histhumbcoaxingahelplessresponseeventhroughtwolayersoffabric.Shemoaned
again.

He lifted his mouth, breathing roughly, and studied her rapt face. "Look, Abby," he whispered,
glancingdowntothedarknessofhishandwhereherbodywasfranklyshowingitsresponsetohis
touch."Seehowyoureacttome..."

"Don't,"shewhisperedachingly,pushinghishandawayevenassheleanedherheadagainsthisvest
whileshecaughtherbreath.Herheartbeatwasstillrapid,andshefeltflushedwithembarrassment.

Hisforeheadnuzzledagainsthersoftblondhair."Don'tbeshywithme,"hesaidquietly."Iknowyou
wouldn'tletanothermantouchyoulikethis.Idon'tthinklessofyouforit."

Tearswelledinhereyes.Hewasthemosttendermanshe'deverknown;hehadawayofmakingthe
mosttraumaticthingsseemeasy,uncomplicated.

"Itshockedmealittle,"shewhisperedunsteadily.

"Ilikethewayyoukissmewhenyou'reshocked,"hemusedwithafaintsmilewhenheliftedhishead.

Hereyesdarkenedasshelookedupathim,unafraid."Itastedyou,"shewhisperedshakily.

His hands tautened like steel around her upper arms and his face seemed to harden even as she
watched."Don'tsaythingslikethattome,"hesaidunsteadily."Youdon'trealizetheeffectithas,and
I'malreadylatefortheairport."

Shelookeddownathisbroadchest."Sorry.Willyoubegonelong?"

-36-

Hishandscontractedandthenreleasedher."Acoupledays.Ican'tsparethem,butIdon'twanttheman
tochangehismindaboutthatfeedlot.Thecorporationneedsit"

She nodded, glancing up at his set features. "I'll do my best not to foul up your bookkeeping while
you'regone."

"Mellywon'tletyou,"hereplied.Hetookalongbreathandmovedbacktothesuitcase,swingingit
upeasily."Besides,allthebookkeepingwedohereispayroll,andyou'llbedoingcattlerecords,not
that.Takecare,honey."

"You, too," she said softly, missing him already. He would take the color away when he left. It had
beenthatwayallheradultlife.

Hank was blowing the horn again, and Cade shook his head. "He's afraid the plane will leave me
behind,"hesaidamusedly."Ichewedhimoutthismorningforforgettingtoputinasupplyorder.He
feelssaferwhenI'mastateortwoaway."

"Don'ttheyall,"shemurmuredwithawickedgrin.

HetiltedtheStetsonlowoverhiseyes."Bye.Don'tkissanyotherboyswhileI'mgone,okay?"

"What'sthematter,afraidImightmakecomparisons?"Shelaughed.

"Howdidyouknow?"Hewinkedatherandwalkeddownthestepswithoutlookingback,yellingat
Hanktostopwearingouthisbesthorn.

AbbyspenthertimewithMelly,learninghowtousethecomputer.Itgavethesisterstimetotalkand
getreacquainted,anditgaveAbbysomethingtooccupyhermind.

Even when Cade returned, she hardly saw him. He was up with the dawn and out past dark, getting
everythingreadyfortheroundupandthemassivetaskofmovingthecattleuptosummerpasture.By
theendoftheweek,Abbycouldpickoutasingleregisteredbullfromtheherdrecords,printoutthe
informationrequiredanddoitwithoutlosingasinglepunctuationmark.

Meanwhile,Cade,inhissparetime,dictatedoneletterafteranothertoMellyandansweredtheflood
ofphonecallsthatneverseemedtostop.Thenextweek,Cadewascalledoutfromsigninglettersat
hisdeskbyoneofthemenwhenhisprize-winningbullkeeledoverinthebarn.Hewentstalkingout
the door with Abby at his heels. Melly and Jerry had gone out just after breakfast, and Abby was
tryingtokeepupwithCade'smachine-gundictationandquicktemperallalone.

Abbyfollowedhimoutsidewithatypedletterinherhandashetookthereinsofhisblackgelding
fromoneofthemenandstartedtoswingintothesaddle.

"Cade,couldyousignthisletterbeforeyougo?"shecalled."It'saboutthatnewhaybaler."

"Oh,hell,Iforgot,"hemuttered."Handithere,honey."

Heproppeditagainstthesaddleandslashedhisnameinaboldscrawlacrossthebottomofit."I'llsee
if—"

"Mr.McLaren,"oneofthenewcowboysinterrupted,reiningupbesidethem."Hanksaidtofindyou
andtellyouthatthenewtractorwejustboughtisbusted.Axlebrokecleaninhalfonuswhilewewere
plantingoverinthebottoms.Hanksaysyouwantweshouldcallthatfellerwhosoldittousandseeif
it's still under warranty? The other tractor's still down, you know. Billy's trying to fix it, and we
loanedthreeouttoMr.HastingsandletJoneshaveone.."

“Oh,goodGod,"Cademutteredangrily."Allright,tellHanktocheckwiththesalesmanandseehow
longitwilltaketogetareplacement."

"Yes, sir," the cowboy agreed politely. "And the hardware wants to know if you'll want any more
butane."

Cadelookedpositivelyhunted."TheycanwaituntilIgetthroughlookingatmysickbull,can'tthey?"
he asked the man. "Damn it, son, that bull cost me a quarter of a million dollars, and the insurance
won'thealmyheartifhedies!"Hegloweredatthecowboy."TellJerrytotakecareofit."

"Uh,he'skindofbusy,"theyoungcowboymuttered,avoidingCade'seyes.

"Doingwhat?"camethetersereply.

-37-

"Uh,heandMissMellyaredownattheirhouse,herhouse,checkingpaintswatches.."

Cade'scheekscoloreddarklywithtemper."YougetdownthereandtellJerryIsaidhecanstopthat
kindofthing.Ipayhimtorunthisdamnedranch,nottogoaroundcheckingpaintswatchesonmy
time!"

"Yes,sir,Mr.McLaren!"Hesalutedandrodequicklyaway.

AbbywaswatchingCadewithtwinklingeyes.Itwassomethingelsetowatchhimdelegate.Hedidit
well,andhistempermostlyamusedthemenbecauseitwasnevermalicious.

He turned, catching that gleam in her eyes, and cocked an eyebrow at her from under the wide-
brimmedhat."Somethingtickleyourfancy,MissShane?"

"You,"sheadmittedquietly."Ijuststandinaweofyou,Mr.McLaren."

Hechuckledsoftly."Andyouthoughtarancher'slifewasallpettingcattle,Isuppose?"

"Igrewuphere,"sheremindedhim."ButIneverrealizedjusthowmuchworkitwasuntilIstarted
helpingMelly.Howdoyoustandit,Cade?"

"I'musedtoit."Hewasholdingthereinsinonehand,buthereachedoutanddrewhisfingersdown
hercheek."Iloveit.Thewayyoulovetheglitterofyourownwork,Iimagine,missmodel."

"I wish you wouldn't make fun of what I do," she said sadly, searching his dark eyes. "I've worked
veryhardtogetwhereIam.Andmodelingismuchmorethanpaintingonaprettyfaceandsmiling."

Hewithdrewhishandandlitacigarette."Itmustseemprettytametoyououthere."

"Tame?"Hereyeswidened."Areyoukidding?"

Hefrownedthoughtfully,andhissearchingeyescaughthers.Theystaredateachotherquietly,while
thesilencegrewtenseandelectricaroundthem,andherlipspartedunderawildrushofbreath.

Hisbreathwascominghard,too.Hedroppedthereinsasifhecouldn'thelphimselfandmovedclose,
sothatshecouldfeeltheheatofhisbodyandthesmellofthespicycolognethatclungtohim.Her
eyeswenttohismouthandshewanteditsomuchthatsheachedwiththewanting.

Hissteelyfingersbitintoherwaist."Wanttokissme,AbbyShane?"heaskedroughly.

"Verymuch,"shewhispered,unembarrassedandunintimidatedasshelookedintohisdarkeningeyes.
"Liftmeup,please.."

Shefelthishandscontract,andsheseemedtofloatwithinreachofthatchiseledmouth.

Herhandsslidaroundhisnecktothebackofhisheadandsheeasedhermouthontohis,lettingher
lipspartsoftlyastheytouchedhim.

His head tilted and his mouth opened under hers with a heavy sigh. He didn't insist, but she could
sensehisowngrowinghunger,andshefedit.Herlipsnibbledsoftlyathis,hertongueeasedoutto
tracethefirmlineofhisupperlip.Andthereactionshegotwasstartling.

Allatonce,shewassweptagainstthelong,hardlineofhisbodyandhewaskissingher,violently.
Hismouthdemandedinakisssosensuousshemoanedatthesensationsitaroused.

Shefelthistongueinhermouth,againstherlips.Ashudderworkeditswaydownherbodyandfires

blazedupinherblood.

"No,"sheprotestedwhenhetriedtolifthisdarkhead.Shetrembledinhisarmsassheclung."Cade,
please,justoncemore..."

Sheheardtheraggedbreathhetookbeforehismouthcrushedbackagainsthers,warmandroughand
forcefulforaninstantThenshewasbackonherfeetagainandleaningheavilyagainsthim,hislips
brushingherforehead.

“Whatdoyouwantfromme,Abby?"hegroundout.

Your love, she thought miserably. I want you to love me as fiercely as I love you. "I'm sorry," she
mutteredagainsthisshirtfront."Ilikekissingyou."

Hewastryingtogethisbreathback,oratleastitsoundedthatway."Ilikekissingyou,too.ButI'ma
man,notaboy.Kissingisn'tenoughformeanymore."

-38-

Her fingers curled against his shirt, and she could feel the thick hair on his chest through it. She
wantedtoopenhisshirtandtouchhimthere.Involuntarily,herfingersmovedacrosshischestandhe
shuddered.

"No,baby," he saidsoftly. He stilledher hands, and shewondered dizzily whathad happened to the
cigarettehe'dbeenholding.Hereyesfoundit,smokingawayinthedirt,wherehemusthaveflungit.

Shesighedwearily,lovingthecomfortingfeelofhishandsatherback.Shedidn'twanttomoveaway
fromhim,butitwasobviousthathewasn'tgoingtolethergetanycloser.

"Iforgot,"shemurmured.

"What?"

Shedrewawayandgrinned,althoughherheartwasaching."Thatyou'rewaryofuswildcitygirls,"
shesaid,herlightbrowneyessparklinginthepaleframeofherhair."Youneedn'tworry,Cade,I'm
notquitestrongenoughtowrestleyoudowninahaystack."

Her quip should have made him smile, but it didn't He searched her face for a long time, touching
every curve and line of it with his eyes. "I think we both need to remember that you're here to
recuperate,Abby,"hesaidafteraminute."Thisistemporary.You'vegotasuccessfulcareerwaiting
foryouinNewYork,butthisismyworld."Henoddedtowardthedistanthills,dottedwithred-coated,
white-facedHerefords."Idon'thavetimeforcasualflings,evenifIbelievedinthem."

Shedrewawayfromhimasifshe'dbeenburned."Excusemeforthrowingmyselfatyou..."

"Stopit."Hisfingerscaughtherupperarmsandheldherinfrontofhimwhenshewouldhavemoved

away."Afewkissesaren'tgoingtohurteitherofus.Ijustwantyoutounderstandthelimits.You're
veryvulnerablerightnow,Abby.Youcouldeasilymakeadecisionthatyou'dregretfortherestof
yourlife."

Hewasspeakinginriddles,andshestaredupathimwithwoundedeyes,becauseitsoundedasifhe
weregentlyrejectingher.Well,sheshouldbeusedtoit,shouldn'tshe?Andifhecouldbeadultabout
it,socouldshe.Damnherbreakingheart,she'dneverlethimseeit!

Keepitlight,girl,shetoldherself,keepyourpride,atleast.Shemanagedabrightsmile.

"SensibleCade,"shemurmured."Don'tworry,Ipromisenottoripyourclothesoff."

He tried to smother a chuckle and failed. "That would be one for the books, in several ways." He
touchedherlipswithalazyfinger."Abby,I'veneverundressedinfrontofawoman."

Shecouldfeelherownsurprisecoloringhercheeks."Never?"sheburstout.

"Lookwho'sshocked,"hemused."Haveyoueverstrippedforaman?"

"For you, once," she reminded him, avoiding his suddenly explosive gaze. "It was an accident, of
course,Ihadnoideayouwereanywhereneartheranchthatnight."

"Iknowthat."Aroughsoundbrokefromhisthroat,asifanunwantedmemorywasplaguinghim."I'd
bettergoseeaboutthatbull.We'llbemovingcattleintothepenstoday.IfthatcallI'mexpectingfrom
Californiacomes,takethenumberandcallHankontheradio.

He'llfindme."

"Yes,boss,"shesaidsmartly.

Helookeddownatherwithnarrowedeyes."Howdidyougetsoshort?"

"I'mwearingflat-heeledshoes,"shesaid."Andyoutowerovereverybody."

Hegrinned."Keepsthemenintimidated."

"Yourtemper'senoughtodothat."Shelaughed."Don'tworkyourselfintoastupor."

"Work keeps my mind off other things," he returned, letting his eyes run boldly up and down her
body."Ifit'sprettytomorrow,I'lltakeyouonapicnic."

Herwholefacebrightenedandshesmiledsosweetlythathiseyesfrozeonherandshecouldn'tseem
tomoveaway.

"Downbytheriver?"sheaskedhopefully.

"Youlovethosedamnedcottonwoodsandpines,don'tyou?"heasked.

-39-

"It'sspring,"sheremindedhim."Ilovethecolorofthecottonwoodswhenthey'rejustbuddingout.
Thesoftestkindofgreen,andthegrassisjustbeginningtogetlush..."

"Well,Ineedtocheckthefencesdownthere,"hemused.

"You work all the time," she grumbled. "You can't even go on a picnic without combining it with
business!"

"Theranchisn'tmybusiness,Abby.It'smylife,"hesaidquietly.

Shesighedangrily."Don'tIknowit?You'remarriedtoit!"

Hisdarkeyesnarrowed."WhatelsehaveIgot?"hedemanded.

Thequestionstartledher.Shewatchedhimswinggracefullyintothesaddle.Therichleathercreaked
underhisformidableweightashesettledhimselfandgrippedthereins.

"Don'tforgetaboutthatCaliforniacall,"hesaid."Andkeepclosetothehouse.Idon'tknowsomeof
thesenewmenexceptbyreputation."

"Cowboysaremostlypoliteandcourteous,"sheremindedhim.

"Andsomeofthemaren't."Hestareddownatherhard."I'dkillamanwhotriedtohurtyouwhileyou
wereonmyland.Youkeepthatinmind."

Hewheeledthebighorseandwentcanteringaway,leavingAbbystandingintheshadeofthetrees,
staringafterhim.Shehadn'tneededtoaskifhemeantthatthreat.Sheknewhimtoowell.Intheold
days,whenhewasyoungerandmuchmorehot-tempered,she'dseenhimgive

"objectlessons"tocowboyswhothoughttheycouldpushhim.Hewasquickonhisfeet,andheknew
how to handle himself in a fight. The men might grin when he blustered around in a temper over
ranchproblems,buttheyknewjustthesamethattherewasalinenobodycrossedwithhim.

Shewrappedherarmaroundherselfandwalkedbackintothehouse.Itwasonlythenthatsherealized
how vague the memory of the attack was becoming. Being here, away from the city, had given her
newperspective,healedthementalwounds.She'dbemorecarefulinthefuture,butshewouldn'tlet
thatonebadexperienceruinherlife.HermindkeptgoingbacktowhatCadehadsaid,aboutgiving
thewould-berapistrightsoverher.Trusthimtoknowtherightthingtosay.

Shewanderedbackintothedenandsatdownatthecomputer.ShewasgladCadedidn'thavearanch
office as such, like many cattlemen did. The den was comfortable and informal, and she liked its
homeyatmosphere.

Thesuddenjanglingofthephonemadeherjump,butsherecoveredquicklyandreachedforit.

"McLarenRanchoffice,"shesaidautomatically.

"AbbyShane,please,"cameapleasantfemalevoiceinreply.

"Thisisshe."

Therewasatinklinglaugh."Well,I'verunyoudownatlast.ThisisJessicaDane,Abby.HasMelly
mentionedmetoyou?"

Theboutiqueowner!Abby'spalebrowneyesglitteredwithexcitement."Heavens,yes!"

shereturned,bubblingover."Iwasafraidshe'dgotitwrongandyouweren'treallyinterested."

"Iwas,Iam,butIcouldn'tcatchyouinyourapartment."Jessicalaughed."NowI'vegotyoutrapped.
Listen,IownalittleboutiqueovertheborderfromyouinSheridan,Wyoming.

I'm never going to be able to compete with Saks, you understand, but I have a good mail order
businessinadditiontoathrivingshop."

"Yes, I've heard all about your success from Melly," Abby said. "She thinks you carry the prettiest
leisureclothesshortofNewYork."

"Andthat'swhyI'mbotheringyou,"theotherwomanreplied."ThosedressesyoudesignedforMelly
arejustwhatI'mlookingfortoaddtomyspringandsummerline.They'resimpleandelegant,they
wouldn'tcostafortunetomakeandmycustomerswouldeatthemup.""Doyoumeanit?"Abbyburst
out.

-40-

"Of course I mean it. We could work something out, if you're interested. I know you make a lot
modeling—Ibrokeoutofthatratracetenyearsagoandriskedeverythingtoopenthisshop.NowI'm
makingjustasmuchasIdidinNewYork,butmyfeetdon'thurtsomuchanymore,"sheaddedwith
laughterinhervoice.

"Youwereamodel?Thenyouknowhowitis,don'tyou?"sheasked.

Jessicalaughed."Oh,yes,Iknowverywell.Ispenthalfmytimetryingtostayoutoftrouble,andI
imagineit'sevenworsenow."

"Idon'tjustgototheparties,"Abbyconfessed,"andIkeeptomyself.Butthen,too,I'mnotinthattop
tenpercent.Frankly,I'msickofitall.Ican'tthinkofanythingIlovemorethandesigning..."

"Thenwhynotdosomeworkforme?"Jessicapleaded."Atleastthinkaboutit.Iknowwecouldcome
toanarrangement.Youcouldcomedownhereandlookovermybusiness,andIcouldshowyouwhat
Ihaveinmind."

“I’d like that," Abby said. "I have commitments lined up for the next few months, but come late

September,I'mafreeagent.CouldIletyouknowthen?"

"Fine!Meanwhile,givemeyouraddressinNewYorkandI'llsendyousomeofmycatalogs."There
wasasmileinthewoman'svoice."Maybethey'lltemptyou."

"I'malreadytempted."Abbysighed.

"Good.You'llbeeasytoconvince."Shelaughed."Here,takedownmynumberandcallmetheminute
youmakeupyourmind."ShedictatedthedigitswhileAbbyjottedthemonhercalendar."Bytheway,
Abby,areyougoingtobeatMelly'swedding?"

"Yes.Idesignedherweddingdress."

"Fantastic!I'minvited,too,sowe'llgetachancetomeetthen.We'llgooffinacornerandI'lldescribe
someofthenewdesignsI'mlookingfor.Howaboutthat?"

"Icanhardlywait,"Abbysaidgenuinely."Jessica,Ican'ttellyouhowmuchIappreciatetheoffer."

"I'mtheonewhooughttodothethanking.You'vegotgreatpotential,honey.Andbelieveme,inthe
long run, you'll make as much designing for the boutique as you will trudging all over New York.
Andyoucandoitatyourownpace,too."

"I hope I'm not dreaming all this. Thanks again, Jessica. I'll look forward to seeing you at the
wedding."

"Me,too,honey.Haveaniceday.Enjoyed,it!"

"So did I!" Abby laughed. She hung up and stared at the receiver in astonishment. It was like the
answertoaprayer.Shecouldgiveupthelonghoursandthestressanddowhatshelovedbest.She
couldevencomehometoMontana!

Foroneinsanemoment,shethoughtaboutgoingouttofindCade,totellhim.Maybeitwouldshow
himthatshewantedtogiveupalltheglitterhethoughtshecouldn'tdowithout.

But as soon as the thought came, she shut it out. He'd just blow up if she interrupted him. And why
should he care if she came home? He was letting her stay on his ranch to be near Melly and get
herselfbacktogether.Hemightwanther—whynot?—shewasanattractivewoman.

Butwantingwasn'tloving,andhewastheworld'smostdeterminedbachelor.Marriagewasn'tinhis
vocabulary—he'dsaidasmuch.Theranchwashiswoman.

Abby sighed and pulled out the herd records she was working on. Anyway, it was nice to have a
choice.ShecouldlookforwardtotalkingtoJessicaaboutherboutique,anditwouldpassthetime.

Thedaywasalongone,evenafterMellycamebacktohelphercatchupwiththework.

"I'm just tickled pink about Jessica's offer," Melly confided as she watched Abby seal a letter. "Are
yougoingtodoit?"

"Idon'tknow,"Abbysaidhonestly.“I’dlovetocomehome.ButIdon'tknowifIcouldbearit."

"Theloneliness,youmean?"

"BeingsoclosetoCadeandsofarawayfromhim,allatonce,"Abbyreplied.Hereyes

-41-

showedthewoundoflovinghopelessly."I'dratherbehundredsofmilesawaythanpracticallynext
door,Melly.IfIcan'thavehim,I'djustassoonnothavetoseehimatall.Ithurtstoomuch."

"Forsomeonewhodoesn'tcare,hesurekissesyoualotlately."

"Hesaiditwouldn'thurteitheroneofus,"shesaidbitterly."ButheremindedmeallthesamethatI'm
heretogetovertheattack,andI'vegotacareertogobackto.You'dthinkhecouldn'twaittogetme
offtheplace."

"Hasiteveroccurredtoyouthathemightwantyougoneforthesamereasonyou'regoing?"Melly
askedquietly."Igettheideathathedoesn'tthinkyoucouldgiveupmodeling."

"It'snotthatatall,"Abbyprotested."Thisranchishiswholelife.He'salwaystalkingabouthowstupid
peoplearetogetmarried,andthatheneverwill.Andalmostinthesamebreath,he'llswearthathe
doesn'tbelieveinaffairs.Idon'tknowwhattomakeofhim."

Mellythrewupherhands."Igiveup.You'reasdenseasheis.Okay,showmetheserecordsandI'll
helpyoucatchup.WhenareyousupposedtogetbacktoJessica,bytheway?"

"She'scomingtothewedding,andwe'regoingtotalk.Whatdoesshelooklike?"

Mellygrinned."Waitandsee.It'llbearevelationtoyou.Now,thisiswhereweneedtostarttakingoff
cattle.."

They worked steadily until supper. Melly went out with Jerry to a friend's house. Abby had just
finishedchangingherclothesandwastellingapersistentcallerforthefourthtimeinasmanyhours
that Cade was still out when he came slamming angrily in the door. His face was rigid, his lips
compressed.Hewasstillwearinghischapsandthebrimofhiswidehatwascrushedinonehand.

"Well, don't just stand there, for God's sake, hang that thing up and get the liniment," he muttered,
hobblingupthestairstohisroom.

"Whathappened?"shecalledafterhim,absentlyhanginguponthecallerbeforeshethought.

"Cowfellonme,"hegrowled."Hurryup,damnit!"Hewentintohisbedroomandslammedthedoor.

Abbyrushedintothekitchentogettheliniment.Callagotitoutofthecabinetforher.

"Bullagain,huh?"oldJebaskedfromthedoorwayasheenteredthekitchen.

"Hesaiditwasacow,"Abbyvolunteered.

"Toldhimheoughttolettheyoungerboyswrestlethemthings."Jebnodded."Yep,Itoldhim,buthe
wouldn'tlisten.He'sgotmorebrokebonesandscarsthananymanIeverknowed.

Lotofthemwerefromhisrodeodays,buthe'sgotmorebeingbull-headedanddoingjobshe'stoo
brittlefor."

"Heneverlistens,"Callaagreed,noddingherhead."WhyIrememberonetime.."

She was still going strong when Abby left the two of them recalling other incidents of Cade's
intentionaldeafness.

Hehadhisshirtoffwhenshewentintothebedroom.Sheclosedthedoorbehindher,hesitating.The
last time she'd been in this particular room was that night when he'd carried her in from the
swimmingpoolinnothingbutherdampjeans.Itbroughtbackbittersweetmemories.

"Openthedoorifyou'renervousbeingalonewithme,"hegrowled,rubbinghisshoulder.

“Sorry,” she murmured, trying not to appear too interested in his naked chest. Without his shirt, he
wasthesexiestthingshe'deverseen,bronzedandmuscular,withathickwedgeofdark,curlinghair
narrowingdowntohisflatstomach.

She uncapped the bottle of liniment and wrinkled her nose. "My gosh, you'd better make your men
signaffidavitsthattheywon'tquitifIputthisstuffonyou."

“Shutupandrub,"hegrumbled,indicatingthesmoothfleshofhisshoulder.

She poured liniment in her palm and began to apply it. Her fingers tingled at the feel of his flesh
underthem."Howdidacowmanagetofallonyou?"

"It'salongstory."Helitacigarettewhileshemassagedtheachinglimb,wincingasshe

-42-

wentoveratenderspot.

"Shouldyousmoke?"shemurmured."Wemightbothblowupifasparkignitesthefumes..."

He glared at her. His hair was tousled over his broad forehead, over his dark, glittering eyes and
heavybrows,andhelookedimpossiblymasculine.

"Funnygirl,"hemocked.

"Laughingbeatscrying,mypapaalwaysusedtosay,"sheremindedhim.

Heturnedhiseyesawayandsighed."Ican'timagineyoucryingoverme."

Abbyblinked,wonderingathowstupidGodhadmadesomemen."Thatworksbothways.

I'llbetyou'rejustcountingthedaysuntilI'monmywaybacktoNewYork."

He didn't answer her. He took a long draw from the cigarette and exhaled through pursed lips.
"Nightmaresfadingaway,honey?"heasked.

Shemanagedafaintsmile."Allbutgone,infact."Sheshrugged,applyingmoreliniment.

"It was so hellish at the time. But looking back, I was lucky. Really lucky. All he did was push me
aroundalittlebeforethebystanderschasedhimoff.Itwastheideaofwhatcouldhavehappenedthat
wassoscary.Gosh,menarestrong,Cade."

"Somemen,"heagreed.Heglancedather.

Shelookeddownashelookedup,andhereyesdrownedinhisdark,intensestare.Herhandsstilled
onhisarm,andtimeseemedtogointoastandstillaroundthem.Shewasrememberinganothernight,
anothertime,whenshe'dlainonthisverybedinhisarmsandexperiencedherfirstintimacywitha
man. But Cade had changed since then. The easygoing, humorous man she'd once known had been
replacedbyafarmorematureman,aharderman.

He'dneverbeeneasytoread,butnownothingshowedinhisexpression.

Hereachedoutwithoutwarningandcaughtheraroundthewaist,pullingherdownonthebedbeside
him.

"Cade!"shegasped,tooshockedtostruggle.

Herolledoveronhissideandonebarearmarchedacrossherbodytoholdhertherewhileheleaned
on an elbow and watched the expressions cross her face. Her eyes dropped to his chest, and she
wantedtotouchhimsodesperatelythatsheclosedthemtoresisttheimpulse.

"Afraid?"heaskedsoftly.

Herfingerstouchedhishardface,sensitivetotheroughtextureofitwhereheneededashave,tothe
feelofhiscool,thickhairagainstthem."I'mwithyounow.I'msafe."

"Notsosafe,"hesaidwithafaintsmile."Butprotected,forwhatit'sworth.SupposeIkissyouhalfto
deathandthenIcangrababitetoeatandgobackout"

"Supposeyoujustkissmehalftodeathandforgetaboutgoingbackout?"sheasked,tinglingallover
asshewaitedtofeelthathard,warmmouthoverhers.

"Because,"hebreathed,fittinghislipsslowly,sensitivelytohers,"assureasGodmadelittlegreen
apples,Calla'sgoingtobeknockingatthatdooranyminutetomakesureyou'resafe.AndonceI'm
fed,she'llwanttomakesurethatI'mtootiredtofindmywaytoyou."

"Callawouldn't.."

Hekissedherslowly,softly."Callawould.She'snotblind.SheseesthewayIlookatyou."

Herheartwasracing."Howdoyoulookatme?"sheasked.

Hismouthsmiledmockinglyagainsthers."Haven'tyounoticed?Hush.Iseemtohavewaitedhalfmy
lifetogetyouinbedwithmelikethis..."

Shefelthislipsnibblingathers,nudgingatthemwithexquisiteslowness,andsherelaxed,lettingher
fingerscurlintothehairathisnape.

Histongueteaseditswayintohermouthandshegaspedsharplyatthesuddenintimacy,evenasshe
felt his body moving sensuously against hers. His mouth softened and became coaxing with expert
sureness as his chest scraped abrasively, teasingly across her breasts until the tips hardened. She
moanedsoftlyandheliftedhisdarkheadtolookintohereyes,searchingthemquickly."Wasthatfear
orpleasure?"hewhispered.

-43-

Herlipspartedinvoluntarily.Oneslenderhandmovedfromthebackofhisheaddownoverhischest
andstrokedhim,smoothingthecurlingdarkhairoverthewarmmuscles."I'mnotafraidofyou,"she
saidinabreathlesswhisper,searchinghisdarkeyes.

"I could make you afraid, though, couldn't I, Abby?" he asked, as if it mattered. "You're still very
vulnerable."

"Youmakemesoundlikeaterrifiedvirgin,"shereplied.

Hiswarmfingersstrokedthelong,palehairbackfromherflushedface."I'mdoingmydamndestto
remember that you are one," he said softly. "It's hard for a man to make love like this, Abby. To
remembernottokisstoohard,nottotouchtoointimately.."

Her eyes betrayed the surprise she felt at what he was confessing. "Have you been deliberately
holdingbackallthistime?"sheasked,searchinghiseyes."Becauseyouthoughtyoumightfrighten
me?"

He drew in a deep breath, and she felt his chest expand against her breasts. "I couldn't bear to hurt
you," he said. His voice was like velvet, deep and dark and softly textured. "I've treated you like
porcelainsinceyou'vebeenhere.I'vedamnednearworkedmyselfintoanearlygravetokeepaway.
.and tonight, I caved in. I kept remembering how you were this morning, how you begged for my
mouth..."Hiseyesclosed,hisfacetautened."Oh,God,Abby,whatamIgoingtodoaboutyou?"he
groaned.

She couldn't even speak. He looked so incredibly vulnerable, as if he were at the end of some

imaginary rope. Her fingers stroked his broad shoulders, loving the very texture of his skin. She
lovedeverythingabouthim,everylineandcurveofhim.

"Yousaidthismorning,"sheremindedhimsoftly,"thatafewkisseswouldn'thurteitheroneofus.
Didn'tyou?"

Hiseyesopened,andtheywerelikeblackfires."Andthat'sthewholeproblem,littleone.Iwantmore
thanafewkisses."

Hereyesfelltohischiseledmouthandshefeltherbodybegintotremble."Cade..!don'tmindifyou
touchme,"shewhispered.

Hisfacemovedagainsthers,hisbreathsighingoutheavilyatherear."Thatcouldbedangerous."

Withasurgeoffearlessness,shecaughtoneofthehandsbesideheronthebedandliftedittohers.
Beforehercouragegaveoutcompletely,shetookittoherT-shirtandeasedithesitantlyoverthesoft
curveofherbreast.

She wasn't prepared for the sensations it caused. She drew in a sharp breath and bit her lip to keep
fromcryingout.

Cadeliftedhisdarkheadandlookedather,holdinghereyeswhilehishandpressedsoftlyagainsther.
His thumb moved onto the taut peak and teased it. His heart slammed wildly against her with the
action,andshecouldseethedesirethatwassmolderinginhiseyes.

"Fouryears,"hesaidinahuntedtone."AndIhaven'tforgottenasecondofit.Irememberthewayyou
looked,thewayyoucriedoutwhenItouchedyoulikethis."

"DoyouthinkIdon'tremember,too?"sheaskedunderherbreath."Ilivedonitforyears,Cade—"
Hervoicebroke,hermouthtrembledasshelookedupathim.

"SodidI,"hebreathedoutshakily.Hebentagainandlethismouthbrushwarmlyagainstherparted
lips."Youweresoyoung.Youstillare.Yearstooyoung,andaworldawayfromme.

Abby,areyouwearinganythingunderthis?"

She wished she were more sophisticated. She blushed, feeling her body stiffen as he slid his hand
underthehemoftheshirtanduptofindtheanswerhimself.Hecaughthisbreathwhenhetouched
her,reallytouchedher,andfeltthehelplessresponseofhersoft,bareflesh.

Her own hands reached up to stroke the tangled mat of hair on his chest. "I used to dream about
touchingyoulikethis,"sheconfessed,watchinghim."Feelingyou..."

"Oh,God!"hegroundout,trembling.Hisfreehandcuppedherheadandhelditstillwhilehismouth
devouredhersinthestaticstillnessoftheroom.Shefelthisotherhandmovingoverherbarenessina
long,achingcaressthatmadeherarchupandmoanwithexquisite

-44-

pleasure.

Sheprotestedonce,gently,drawingawaytobreathe.

"Comebackhere,"hemurmured,"I'mnotthrough."

"Ihavetobreathe,"shewhisperedasheturnedhermouthbacktohis.

"Breathe me," he murmured against her soft, eager mouth. His hands smoothed over her back,
pushinguptheshirtastheysweptwithwarmabrasivenessacrosshersoftskin.

"Youtoldmeoncethatyou'dneverletanothermantouchyouthisway.Didyoumeanit?"

heaskedroughly.

"Imeant it," shewhispered, her voicetrembling. Her fingers wereclinging at thenape of his neck,
herbodyarchingtogivehimfreeraccesstoit."I'venever,everwantedaman..afteryou."

Breathinglikeadistancerunner,heliftedhisheadandlookeddownatherwheretheshirtwaspulled
up.Hiseyesdarkenedwithahungershecouldactuallysee.Againstherpalegoldenflesh,hishands
wereasdarkasleather.

"Youcan'timaginehowitfeels,"shebreathed,hereyeslovinghim.

"Beingtouched?"heasked,liftinghiseyestowatchherraptface.

She shook her head slowly. "Being with you.. like this. Oh, Cade, I'd be embarrassed with my own
sister,butIloveitwhenyoulookatme..thisway."

His breathing, already ragged, seemed to freeze inside him. His thumbs edged up, dragging softly
againsttherigidpeaks,andshemoanedsharply,lookingstraightintohiseyes.

Allatonceheremovedhishandsandsatup,hisbigbodyshudderingwiththeforceofhisheartbeat,
hiseyesrecklessandfaintlydangerous.

"That'senough,"hesaidroughly.

Butitwasn'tforAbby,andwithouteventhinking,shefollowedhim,kneelingjustinfrontofhim.She
placed her trembling hands on his shoulders and swayed close, brushing her body softly, slowly
againsthishair-roughenedchest,watchingherownpalenessdisappearingintothecurlinghairwith
awe.

"Abby,"hewhisperedshakily.Hishandsmovedtoherbarebackandbroughtherslowlyagainsthim,
prolongingthecontact,easinghercloserwitharhythmthatmadehertrembleallthewaytohertoes.

Hishandscaughtherhipsandgroundthemagainsthis,andshecriedoutasshefelttheforceofhis
hunger.Trembling,herarmslockedaroundhisneckastheyfellsidewaysonthebed.Hewasbeside
her, then they shifted, and she felt his full weight evenly distributed along the length of her aching
body. She could feel the abrasiveness of his wiry hair against her bareness where they touched, the
scent of the liniment becoming as potent as perfume as they kissed wildly, and she wondered at the
depthofherownloveforhim.

Feelingunusuallyreckless,shebegantomove.Herhandssliddownhisbacktothebaseofhisspine,
andthemouthcrushinghersgroanedharshly.Againstherbody,hewaswarmandhardandshecould
feel every steely muscle in him. Even all those years ago, it had never been like this between them.
Thefeelofhimdrownedherinsensation,inneedandhalf-awakenedhunger.Shewantedtobecloser
thanthis,shewantedallthefabricoutoftheway,shewantedhiseyesandhishandstotouchher.

Sheshiftedrestlessly,hungryassheneverhadbeeninherlife,needinghim..!

She touched him with hands that trembled, delighting in the feel of his smooth back muscles. Her
fingersmovedaroundtocaressthethickmatofhairoverhischest,andhesitantly,softly,tracedthe
arrowofhairthatranbelowhisbelt.Iloveyou,shethoughtsilently.Iloveyou...

Cade'sbigbodycontractedasifhe'dbeenshot,andallatonceheseemedtocometohissenses.He
mutteredaharshcurseandjerkedhimselfawayfromAbby,rollingovertolieonhisback.Hisbody
shuddered with frustrated need; his eyes closed, his jaw tautened. His breath came wildly. Watching
him,shefeltguiltythatshe'dletitgosofar,becausethey'dbothknownallthetimethatCadewasn't
goingoverhisownlimits.Onlyshe'dforgotten,andhe

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hadn't

Fumbling, she pulled down her blouse with shaking hands and sat up. She took a deep breath and
threwherlegsoverthesideofthebed.“Excuseme,"shesaidinabarelyaudiblevoice,"Ididn'tknow
wherethelimitswere."

"Well,youfoundout,didn'tyou?"heshotather.

She got off the bed and glanced toward him. He was pale, and his face was drawn as he sat up and
reachedforhisshirt

"I'msorry,"shesaidunsteadily."I..Iknowit'sunpleasantformento..well.."

"Don'tturntheknife,"hesaid.Hisvoicewascutting.Hedraggedacigarettefromhispocketandlitit
withunsteadyhands."Damnit,Abby,Ican'thandleitwhenyoudounexpectedthingslikethat!You
knockedmerightoffbalance."

Shetriedtosmile."AndafterIpromisednottotryandhavemywaywithyou,too."

Buthedidn'tsmile.Hisfacegrewharder."You'retearingmeinsideout,"hesaid,standing.

"IfI'dthoughtIcouldstandCalla'sinfernalsarcasm,Iwouldhaveletherputthelinimenton!"

"Next time, I'll remember that," she shot back. She whirled, her eyes simmering with anger. "You
startedit!"sheaccusedchildishly.

Hisnostrilsflared."Yes,Istartedit,"hesaidunderhisbreath."Nothing'schanged.

Nothing!Itouchyou,andwebothstarttrembling.Itwasthatwaywhenyouwereonlyeighteen,andI
carried you in here, wanting you until I was just about out of my mind!" He ran an angry hand
through his thick hair and glared up at her. "But I didn't take you then, and I won't take you now.
There'snofutureinit.Thereneverwas."

"Whatanego,"shethrewback."MyGod,you'refullofyourself!"

"That'swhatyouthink,"hesaidharshly."Iwentthroughthemotionsofworkallday,butallIcould
thinkaboutwashowitfeltwhenwekissedthismorning.Irememberedyourmouththewayaman
dyingofthirstremembersicewater,softandsweetJusthowmuchdoyouthinkIcantake?"

"Well,don'tstrainyourself,"shesaid,turningawaywithahotacheallthewaytohertoes.

"I'llbegonesoonenough."

"Iknowthat,"hesaid.Hisvoicesoundedhollow.Themattresscreakedashegottohisfeet."Sexisa
lousyfoundationforarelationship,Abby.We'renotgoingtobuildonit"

She flushed in spite of herself, but she wouldn't turn and let him see it "Amen," she agreed. "If you
wanttocalloffthepicnictomorrow—"

"No,"hesaidunexpectedly."No,Idon'twanttocallitoff.Itwillbethelasttimewehavetogether.”

Hesaidthatasifitmeantforever—thatthey'dneverspendanotherminutealone—andshewantedto
screamandcryandbeghimtotryandloveherjustalittle.Butsheclenchedherjawanddrewina
steadyingbreath."Calla'sgoingtoscreamaboutfixingapicnicwiththosenewhandstofeed.”

"We'll risk it," he said shortly. "Right now, I've got to get back to the barn. That damned bull's
improvingalittle,butIwanttoseewhatthevethastosaywhenhecheckshimforthenight.”

"Icouldpackyouasandwichandsomecoffee,"sheoffered.

"Idon'twantanything.”

Sheopenedthedoorandpaused."Especiallyme?"Shelaughedshakilyandrandownthestairswith
tearsshimmeringinhereyes.

Chapter9

CallawascursingabluestreakwhenAbbywalkedintothekitchenthenextmorningatsix,wearinga
yellowsundresswithanelasticizedbodiceandtinystrapsthattiedovereach

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shoulder.

"Havingtofrybaconandchickenallatonce,"thehousekeepermuttereddarklyasshestoodoverthe
stove."Picnics,withallIgottodo!"SheglaredoverhershoulderatAbby.

"Well,don'tjuststandthere,girl,gosetthetable!"

"Yes,ma'am,"Abbysaidsmartlyandcurtsied.Thedresswasoneshe'ddesignedherself,andwithher
loosenedblondhair,shelookedlikesomethingoutofafashionmagazine.Callastoppedmuttering
longenoughtogiveheranapprovingstare."Nice,"shesaidafteraminute.

"Youmakethatyourself?"

"Suredid."ShewhirledaroundforCalla'sbenefit,herskirtflyingagainstherlong,smoothlegs."It's
coolandcomfortableanditdoesn'tbind.I'llmakeyouone,ifyoulike."

"Icanjustseemeinsomethinglikethat."Theolderwomansighed,indicatingthedowdyhousedress
that covered her ample figure. Then her watery blue eyes narrowed. "You watch Cade while you're
outtherealonewithhim,youhearme?Iain'tblind.Isawhowyoulookedwhenyoucameoutofhis
roomlastnight.Youmakehimkeephisdistance."

Abbyfelthercheeksgohot."Now,Calla.."

"Don'tyou'now,Calla'me!IknowCade.Hehasn'tbeenthesamesinceyouwalkedthroughthefront
door, and it ain't because of the cattle." Her chin lifted. "You and I both know how he feels about
weddings,Abigail,"sheaddedgently,usingtheyoungerwoman'sfullname,assherarelydidexcept
whenshewasserious."You'remylamb,andIlovehim,too,butIdon'twantyouhurt.Mellytoldme
whathappened.Don'tyoujumpoutofthefryingpanintothefire.Allyou'llfindhereisheartache."

Abbysmotheredanurgetohugtheconcernedoldwoman,knowingitwouldn'tbewelcome."You're
sureaboutthat?"sheaskedsoftly.

"Helooksatyoulikeastarvingmanlooksatasteaksmotheredwithonions,"Callareplied."Butonce
he'sfed,younglady,he'sjustaslikelytofindhe'slosthistasteforsteak.

Yougetmymeaning?Wantingain'tloving."

"Iknowthat,"shesaidonawistfulsigh.

"Then act accordingly. He's been sticking close to the ranch for quite a while now," Calla added
gently."Ahungrymanisdangerous."

"I'mabiggirl,"Abbyremindedher."Icanlookoutformyself—mostofthetime,anyway."

"Andwhattimeyoucan't,Iwill,"cametheferventpromise."Nowgosetthetable."

"Yes,ma'am,"Abbysaid,grinning.

Shecarriedtwoplacesettingsofeverydaychinaintothediningroomandhelpedputthefoodonthe
table. Cade was uncharacteristically late getting downstairs, and she was almost ready to go up and
callhimwhenhewalkedintotheroom.

Helookedasifhehadn'tsleptawink.Hisdarkhairwasdampfromashower,andhewaswearinga
tanpatternedWesternshirtoverrust-coloreddenims,andpolishedtanboots.Helookedruggedand
formidable,andsosolemnthatheintimidatedher.

"Ithoughtyouweregoingtofixfences,"Abbyremarked.

"Iam,”hemuttered.Hesatdownattheheadofthetableandstaredatherforalongmoment,takingin
everylineofherfaceandbody."Whenyoufinishyourbreakfast,gobackupstairsandgetdressed.
I'mnottakingyouonapicnichalf-naked."

The sudden attack left her dumb. She gaped at him with wide, hurt eyes before she put down her
napkinandgotupfromthetableintears.She'dwornthesundressespeciallyforhim,topleasehim.

"Whereareyougoing?"Callademanded,elbowinginwithaplatterofscrambledeggs.

"Toputonsomeclothes,"Abbysaidinasubduedtone,anddidn'tlookback.

"Now what have you done?" Calla was demanding, but Abby didn't wait around to hear the answer.
Sherusheduptoherroomandslammedthedoorwithtearsboilingdownherflushedcheeks.

Shecriedforwhatseemedhoursbeforeshedraggedherselfupandputonherbluejeansandashort-
sleevedblueblouse.Sheputonavestoverthat,afringedleatherone,andputher

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hairupinabun.Beforeshewentbackdownstairs,shescrubbedoffeverytraceofmakeupaswell.
Whenshewalkedbackintotheroom,paleandsilent,Cadebarelyglancedather.

"Ifyou'dliketocallthepicnicoff,IcanfinishMelly'sweddingdressinstead,"shesaidasshesipped
hercoffee,ignoringtheeggsandsausageandfresh,hotbiscuits.

"I'dliketocalleverythingoff,ifyouwanttoknow,"hesaidshortly.

"That'sfinewithme.Ihaveplentytokeepmebusy."Shefinishedhercoffeeand,tryingnottolethim

seehowhurtshereallywas,smiledinhisgeneraldirectionandgotup.

"Abby."

Shestopped,keepingherbacktohim."What?"

Hedrewinaslowbreath.“Let'stalk."

"I can't think what we have to talk about," she said with a careless laugh, turning to face him with
fearlesseyes."I'llbeleavingassoonasMellycomesbackafterherhoneymoon,youknow.ButIcan
gorightnow,ifyoulike.I'vehadaninterestingofferfromaboutiqueowner—

"

Hiseyesflashedfire,andhecutheroffsharplybeforeshecouldtellhimtherest."Andyou'llbeoff
toanotherlandmarkinyourcareer,Isuppose?"heaskedwithamockingsmile.

"It'sjustaswell,honey;Iplantodosometravelingonmyowninthenextfewmonths.

There'sonlyonejobhere,andMelly'sgotit."

"Don'tworry,Idon'tparticularlyenjoykeepingrecordsoncattle,"sherepliedwithacoolsmile.

Hestoodupandlitacigarette,leavinghissecondcupofcoffeeuntouchedonthetable.

"Calla'sgotthepicnicbasketpacked.Wemightaswellspendtodaytogether.It'llsureashellbethe
lasttimewehave,becausestartingtomorrowI'llbeoutwiththeboysconstantly."

"Whydon'tyoutakeCallaonapicnic?"sheaskedcoldly."Youlikeher."

Hisnostrilsflaredashestareddownatherfromhissuperiorheight."Iusedtolikeyouprettywell,"
heremindedher.

"Sure, as long as I stayed away." She moved about restlessly. "I should have stayed in New York. I
didn'tthinkI'dbewelcomedherewithopenarms..."

"Youmighthavebeen,once,"hesaidenigmatically,"ifyouhadn'tdecidedthattheworldoffashion
meantmoretoyouthanahomeandfamily."

Sheglancedupathimnarrowly."Pulltheotherone."Shelaughed."IfI'dstayedhere,Iwouldhave
witheredawayandbecomejustanotheroldmaiddottingthelandscape,andyouknowit.Orareyou
goingtotryandtellmethatyouweredyingforloveofme?"sheaddedmockingly.

His dark eyes went quietly over her face. "Why would I waste time telling you something you
wouldn't believe in the first place?" he asked. "If we're going, let's go. I don't have time to stand
aroundtalking."

"Oh,byallmeans,theranchmightfallapart!"shereplied,andwalkedintothekitchen.

Callaglancedatherandscowled,ascowlthatgrewevenfiercerwhenshesawCade.

"There'sthebasket,"shegrumbledathim.

"Thanksahellofalot,"Cadesnappedback,grabbingthepicnicbasket."Ifyouneedextrahelphere,
hireit.Orquit.Butdon'tbothermewithit.I’mslamoutofpatience,Calla."

AndheslammedhishatoverhisbrowandstormedoutthebackdooraheadofAbby.

"Watchout,"thehousekeepersaidsympathetically."Something'seatinghimtoday."

"If he keeps that up, I'll find something that really will eat him!" Abby promised. "A wandering
cannibal.."shemutteredasshefollowedhimoutthedoor.

Cadedrovethemthroughpastureswheretherewerelittlemorethanrutsforthetrucktofollow,and
Abbyheldontotheseatfordearlife,afraidtosayaword.Hisfacewasgrim,eyesdoggedlyonthe
ruts,andhelookedasiftheslightestsoundwouldsethimoff.

Butlater,afterhe'dstrippedoffhisshirtandrewiredtwoorthreestrandsofbarbedwireinapasture
neartheriver,heseemedtohaveworkedoffsomeofhisirritation.

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Abby, who'd already spread out the picnic lunch under the cottonwoods near the river, wandered
throughthetoweringbreakofpinesandsprucetofindhim.

Hewasleaningbackagainstthetrucksmokingacigarette,hiseyesonthedistantmountainsacross
therollinggrasslands.Hishatwasoff,hisgloveswerestillinplaceandhelookedasmuchapartof
thelandasthetallgrassesthatgrewthere.Withhisshirtgone,hischestwasrevealed,thethickwedge
ofhairdampwithsweat,histannedshouldersgleamingwithmoisture.Abbyalmostclosedhereyes
atthesightofallthatprovocativemasculinitysocloseandtempting.Shewanteddesperatelytotouch
him,torunherhandsoverthosebroadshouldersandfeelthetextureofthethickhairthatcoveredthe
bronzedmusclesofhischest.

Butshedidn'tdare.

"Lunchisready,whenyouare,"shesaidquietly.

He glanced at her solemnly. "I've patched the fence," he said. His eyes went back to the mountains.
"God,Ilovethiscountry,"headdedinatonedeepandsoftwithreverence."Icouldstandandlook
overitforhoursandnevertireofthesight."

"Itwouldn'thavebeenmuchdifferentintheolddays,whentrappersandfurtradersandexplorerslike
WilliamClarkcamehere,"sheremarked,goingtostandbesidehim.Thewindwastearingatthetight
bunofherhair,butshepinneditbackrelentlessly.

"It's different," Cade said shortly, his eyes straight ahead. "It's damned hard balancing between
environmentalprotectionandprogress,Abby."

"Betweenminingandranching,agricultureandindustry?"sheaskedgently,becauseitwasasubject
thatcouldsethimofflikeatimebomb.

"Exactly."Heglancedtowardoneofthegrassyridgesthatfacedawayfromthemountains.Therewas
miningafewmilesbeyondthatridge,onlandCadehadleasedforthepurpose.Ithadbeenastruggle,
thatdecision,butintheendhe'dbowedtothenation'sstruggleforfuelindependence.

"I wanted to keep the ranch exactly as it was, for my sons to inherit," he said, his voice strangely
intense.Hiseyessearchedhersforalongmoment."Doyouwantchildren,Abby?"

The question knocked her sideways. She hadn't thought much about children, except when she was
aroundCade.Nowshelookedathimandpicturedhimwithachildonhisknee,andsomethinginside
herburstintowildbloom.

"Yes,"shemurmuredinvoluntarily.

His gaze dropped lower, to her slender body. "Aren't you afraid of losing your figure?" he asked
carelessly,andavertedhisheadwhilehefinishedthecigarette.

Shedidn'tdareanswer,afraidthatherlongingforhischildrenwouldbeevidentinhervoice.Instead,
she changed the subject. "Where do you plan to get those sons to leave Painted Ridge to? Are you
adopting?"

Hisdarkeyebrowsshotup."I'llgetthemintheusualway.Youdoknowhowpeoplemakebabies?"he
added,amockingsmileshadowinghishardface.

She flushed and turned away. "You always say marriage isn't in your book, Cade. I just wondered,
that'sall."

"Maybe I'll be forced to change my mind eventually," he remarked, tossing his gloves in the open
windowofthetruckashefollowedherbackthroughthetreestotheriver.

Shekneltononesideofthered-checkedtablecloth,whereshe'dlaidoutfoil-coveredplatesoffood
andthejugofcoffeeCallahadpackedinthebasket.

"Areyougoingtotasteitfirst?"heasked,movingtotherivertosloshwateroverhisfaceandchest
whileshedishedupthefood.

"IthinkI'llletyou,afterwhatyousaidtoher,"Abbyreplied."Shemighthaveputarsenicinit."

"She didn't have time." He came back to the cloth, grabbing up one of several linen towels in the
basket.Hedabbedathisfaceandchest,andAbbywatchedhimhelplessly,hungrily,ashishandsdrew
theclothoverthewarmmuscleswiththeirfurrycovering.

Hehappenedtolookup,andhiseyesflashedviolentlyatherintensescrutiny.

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Shecouldn'trememberatimewhenshe'dfeltsointimidatedbyhimorsoattractedtohim,allatonce.
Shedroppedhereyesbacktotheclothanddishedupthefriedchicken,potatosaladandrolls,with
handsshecouldbarelykeepsteady.

"Nervousofme,Abby?"heaskedquietly,easinghisformidablebulkdownbesideher,fartooclose,
totaketheplateshehandedhim.

"ShouldIbe?"shecountered.Shepouredhimacupofblackcoffeeandautomaticallyaddedcream
before she handed him the foam cup. "After all, you're the one who should be worrying. I seem to
makeahabitofthrowingmyselfatyou,"sheaddedwithbitterhumor.

"Andifyoudon'tgetoffmyranchprettyquick,AbigailShane,youmaydoitoncetoooften,"hesaid
flatly.Hiseyesweredarkandfullofsecretsashenibbledatapieceofchicken.

"I have utter trust in your remarkable self-control, Mr. McLaren," she muttered, picking at her own
foodwhileheputhisawaylikealastmeal.

Hemadeastrangesound,alaughthatdiedawaytooquickly,andfinishedhisfoodbeforehespoke
again. He swallowed his coffee and stretched out lazily on the ground while Abby gathered up the
remnantsofthepicnicandputeverythingexceptthered-checkeredclothbackinthehamperandsetit
aside.

"You'llbebusywithroundupfromnowon,Iguess,"shecommentedafteralongsilence.

Hereyeswenttothedistantgrassyridges,greenandlonely,withpalebluemountainsbeyondthem.
Theonlytreesinsightweretheonestheywereunder,andthesmallthicketofpinesnearby.Itwaslike
paradise,allcleanairandopenlandandfluffycloudsdriftingoverhead.

“It'sspring,"heremarked."Calveswon'tbrandthemselves."

"How'syourshoulder?"

"I reckon I won't die," he muttered. He was smoking another cigarette, something he seemed to be
doingconstantlythesedays.Hehadoncesaiditwassomethinghedidalotwhenhewasnervous.That
almostmadeherlaugh.Hewouldneverbenervousaroundher.

Shedrewupherjean-cladlegsandrestedherchinonherupdrawnknees,sighingasshewatchedthe
river flow lazily by. "Remember when we came fishing up here the summer I graduated from high
school?"shesaid."YouandmeandMellyandacoupleofthehands?Youcaughtthebiggestcrappie
I'd ever seen, and Melly got her hook caught in one of the cowboy's jeans.. ." She laughed,
rememberingtheincidentasifitwereyesterday.

Shestaredattheriver,lostinmemory.Ithadbeenadaymuchlikethisone.Greenandfullofsunand
laughter.Hankhadbeenalong;sohadacowboywhosenameshecouldn'tremember—oneMellyhad
acrushon.ButAbbyhadsomehowwanderedclosetoCadeandstayedtherewhiletheyfishedinthe
river.

Itwasjustafewweeksafterhe'dtakenhertohisroom,andshe'dbeenmuchtooshytoapproachhim,
butshe'deasedascloseasshecouldget.

"Cold?"he'dteased,glancingdownather.

And she'd blushed, looking away. "Oh, maybe a little," she'd lied. But they both knew the truth,
althoughitdidn'tseemtobotherhimabit.

"Jessesaidyou'dbeenthinkingaboutgoingtoNewYork,"he'dmentioned.

"One of my teachers said I had the right carriage and figure and face for it," Abby had said
enthusiastically,dreaminghowitwouldbetohaveCadeandacareerallatonce.

"NewYorkisalongwayfromPaintedRidge,"he'dmurmured,scowlingathisfishingrod.

"Andfullofdisappointment."

Thathadprickedhertemper,asifhedidn'tthinkshewereprettyenoughorpoisedenoughforsucha
careerinabigcity.

"Youdon'tthinkIcandoit?"she'daskedwithdeceptivesoftness.

He'dlaughed."You'rejustakid,Abby."

"Iwaseighteenlastmonth.I'mawoman,"she'dargued.

His head had turned. His dark eyes had gone over every inch of the shorts and tank top she wore,
darkeningatthesightofherslender,well-proportionedbody.

"You'reawoman,allright,"he'dsaid,andlookedup.

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Hereyeshadmethisatpoint-blankrange.Evennow,shecouldrememberthewildfeelingsthatlook
had stirred, the hot pleasure of his eyes holding hers. Oblivious to everything around them, she'd
actuallymovedtowardhim.

AndMellyhadsaidsomethingtobreakthedelicatespell.Fortherestoftheafternoon,they'dfished,
andCade'smannerhadrelaxedalittle.She'dtossedawormathimoutofpiquewhenhecaughtthe
fishshe'dbeentryingtolandforseveralhours.Andhe'dpickedherupbodilyandthrownherinthe
river..

"Youthrewmeintheriver,"sheremarkedsuddenly,glaringathim.

Hiseyebrowsarched."Iwhat?"

"Thatdaywewentfishing,themonthbeforeIleftforNewYork,"sheremindedhim."Youthrewme
intheriver."

Hechuckledsoftly."SoIdid.Butyoustartedit,honey.Thatdamnedwormhitmerightbetweenthe
eyes."

"Itwasmyfishyoucaught,"shemuttered."Mybigcrappie.I'dhalfhookedhimandhe'dgottenaway
threetimes.Andyoujustsatthereandhauledhimoutofcirculationforever."

"IletyouhavehalfofhimwhenCallacookedhim,"heremindedher."Thatshouldhavemadeupfor
italittle."

Herfulllipspouted."Idon'tknowaboutyourhalf,butminetastedbitter."

"Sourgrapes,"hesaid,grinning."Ifyou'dcaughthim,yourhalfwouldhavebeentwiceasgoodas
mine,wouldn'tit?"

Sheshrugged."Well,Iguessso."Hereyesgazedovertheriverdreamily."Iusedtolovefishing.Now
Idon'thavetimeforanythingexceptwork.Ordidn'thave,untilIcamebackhere.

Funnyhowtimeseemstostopinaplacelikethis,"sheaddedquietly."Notanothersoulinsight,and
youcandriveformileswithoutseeingaranchhouseorastore.Itmusthavelookedlikethiswhenthe
firstsettlerscameandputdownroots.Thewinterkilledalotofthemdidn'tit?"Henodded.“Montana
wintersarerough.Iknow.Ilosecattleeveryyear,andoncewelostamaninalinecabin.Hefrozeto
deathsittingup."

Sheshivered."Iremember.ThatwaswhenIwasjustoutofgrammarschool.WhenMeilyandIwent
riding,wewouldn'tgonearthatcabin,thinkingitwashaunted."

Heshookhishead."Well,I'vegotacoupleofoldhandsnowwhofeelthesameway.

Hank'sone."

"Ididn'tthinkHankwasafraidofanything."

Heliftedanamusedeyebrow."Doyouevermissthis,inNewYork?"

Shesearchedhisface,thinkinghowshemissedhimeverywakingmoment.Shelookedaway."Imiss
italot.There'ssomuchhistoryhere.Somuchprivacyandpeace."Sherememberedtheroleshehad
toplay,almosttoolate."But,ofcourse,NewYorkhasitsgoodpointsaswell.There'salwaysanew
play to see. Sometimes I go to the opera or the ballet. And there are nightclubs and little coffee
houses,andmuseums..."

"Noneofwhichyoufindaroundhere,"hesaidharshly."There'snotmuchplaceforsophisticationin

themiddleofacattlespread,isthere?"

Hewaswatchingherwithnarrowed,calculatingeyes,andadarkkindofpainwashedoverhisface
beforeshesawit.Deliberatelyhecrushedoutthecigaretteonthegroundbesidehim.

Sheturned,glancingdownathim.Hewaslyingonhisbackwithhishandsunderhishead,andhis
eyes were closed. His powerful legs were crossed, stretching the denim sensuously over their
muscularcontours.Hereyestookineverydetail,fromheadtobroadchesttoquietface,andshefelt
suddenlyreckless.

Shepickedupalongbladeofgrassandmovedcloseenoughtodrawitlightlyoverhischest.

Hegrabbedit."Courtingtrouble,Abby?"heaskedcurtly.

Therewasawildnessinherthatsprangfromlookingathisimpassiveface.Hewouldn't

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let her close—he spent his life pushing her away. Today would be the last day she'd ever have with
himtoremember,andtodayshewasgoingtomakehimfeelsomething.Evenifitwasonlyrage.

"Oh,Ijustliveforit,Cade,"shemurmured,edgingcloser.Shebentoverhimbeforehecouldstop
her,andpressedherlipsdownonhisbroad,warmchest.

"God!" he burst out, catching the back of her head. But his hands hesitated, as if he couldn't decide
whethertopushorpull.

Hernostrilstickledwherethethick,curlinghairbrushedthemandshesmelledthefainttracesofsoap
and cologne that clung to him. His chest rose and fell with ragged irregularity and she felt the
powerfulmusclesstiffenasshedrewhermouthacrossthem,actingonpureinstinctalone.

"Yousweetlittlefool,"herasped."Oh,God,I'monlyhuman,andIwantyouuntilIcanhardlystand
upstraight..!"

He jerked her alongside him and bent over her with hands that trembled as his mouth homed in on
hers.

Hungry as she'd never imagined she could be, she turned in his big arms and pressed close, half
shockedtofindhisbodyblatantlyarousedasittouchedhers.Foraninstantshetriedtodrawaway,
butonelean,steelyhandslidquicklytothebaseofherspineandgatheredherhipsbackagainsthis.

"Youwantedit,"hegroundoutagainsthermouth."Don'tstartfightingmenow."

Herhandsweretangledinthehairoverhischest,butshewasstillrationalenoughtorealizejusthow
involvedhealreadywas."Cade,Ionlywanted—"shebegan,onlytohavethewordscrushedunderhis
devouringmouth.

"This is what I've been trying to tell you all along," he whispered shakily, moving his lips to her
throat."Iwantyou,Abby.I'ddietohaveyou!Andyoucanfeelhowmuchnow,can'tyou?Thisishow
itisbetweenlovers;thisiswhathappenstoamanwhenhe'spushedbeyondhislimits."

Evenashespoke,hishandswereslidingunderherblouse,findingbareskinatherbackandaclasp
thatsnappedapartwithdevastatingease.

"Ihaven'tbeenwithawomanforsodamnedlong,I'dforgottenhowsoft.."hemurmured,slidinghis
fingersunderherbreaststocuptheirtenderweight.Histhumbsfoundsuddenlyhardpeaks,making
hershudderwithnewpleasure.

Abby'slegsmovedrestlesslyasCade'seasedbetweenthem.Heturned,andshefeltthegroundunder
herandthefullweightofhisbigbodyoverher.Shemoanedattheintimacy,unfamiliarandarousing.

Hersharpnailsdugintohisbackandrakeddowntohiswaist,feelingthewarmthandmoist-nessof
hisfleshashishandstouchedherinwaysthatshouldhaveshockedher.Hismouthwashungrierthan
she would ever have believed possible. She opened her own mouth helplessly, eagerly, tasting him,
experiencinghim.

Shefelthishandsonthebuttonsofherblouse,andsecondslaterhischestcrushedthesoftnessofher
breastsinajoiningthatmadehercryoutagain.

Heliftedhisheadandhiseyesglitteredfright-eningly.Hewastremblingalloverwithdesire,andhis
facewashardwithit.

"Isthiswhatyouwantedtoknow?"hedemandedunsteadily."Ifyoucoulddrivemeoutofmymind
withwanting?Toseehowitwouldbeifyoupushedtoohard?Iwantyou,allright.Iwantedyouwhen
youwereeighteen,I'dhavekilledforyou.ButwhenI'dmadeupmymindtoaskyoutostaywithme,
yougotonthatdamnedbusandyouneverlookedatme!"

Hereyeswidenedwithshock."What?"

Hesearchedherfacewitheyesthatbarelysaw."Everyvacation,allIheardaboutwashowgreatNew
Yorkwas,howwellyouweredoinginyourdamnedcareer.UntilfinallyImadesureIwasoutofthe
housewhenyoucametovisit,becauseithurtsomuchtohearhowhappyyouwereawayfromme."

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"But,Iwasn't.."shebegan.

Hewasn'tlistening.Hishandsslidunderherhipsandforcedherupagainsthis."Feelit,damnyou,"
hewhisperedharshly."You'vedonethistomesinceyouwerefifteen.Butit'ssomethingIhate,Abby,
and I hate you, too, for doing it to me, for teasing me. Because I know you don't give a damn for
anything except your career and your city men. And nothing you say is going to convince me
otherwise!"

She swallowed nervously, her mouth trembling as she realized how set his mind really was. He'd
cared,andshehadn'tknown.EvenwhenMellytoldher,shehadrefusedtobelieve.

Whathadshedone?

"Cade,"shewhispered,reachingahanduptohisface.

“What do you want, baby, to see how I make love? To get a taste of what you missed when you
steppedontothatbusfouryearsago?"Hejerkedhercloserandbenthishead."Idon'tmindshowing
you. It will be something to tell your sophisticated friends about when you get back to your own
world!"Hekissedheragain,hurtingher,asifitdidn'tmatteranymorewhetherhehurther.

Shecouldhardlybelievewhatshe'djustheard.He'dcared,he'dreallycaredenoughtoaskhernotto
leavePaintedRidge.Andbecauseshe'dputonabravefrontandgoneawaylaughing,he'dbelievedit
wasbecauseshewasgladtobeleavinghim.Ofallthehorribleironies..

Shewentlimpinhisarms,tearswashingherfacewhilehetreatedherlikesomethinghe'dboughtfor
thenight,hishandsinsulting,hismouthprobingmercilesslyintohers.Itdidn'tmatterthatsheloved
himmorethanlife,becauseifshetoldhimnow,hewouldn'tbelieveher.

He'djustsaidso,andhethoughtshewasonlyteasing,playinggameswithhimuntilshewenthome.
Home.IfonlyheknewthatPaintedRidgewouldalwaysbehome—becauseitwaswherehewas.

Shefeltcoldtothebone,asthoughtherewerenotatraceofwarmthanywhereinsidehertrembling
body.Shefelttherestlessmotionofhisbodyagainsthers,andwonderedthroughafogofmiseryif
hereallymeanttotakehercompletely.

Butsecondslater,heliftedhisheadasifhe'djusttastedthetears,andlookeddownather.Hisface
washaunted-looking,hiseyesblazingwithfrustratedpassion.Hispowerfulbodyshuddered.

"Andthisisasfarasitgoes,honey,"hesaidwithacold,mockingsmile."Youwouldn'twanttorisk
goingbacktoNewYorkwithmychildgrowinginsideyou,wouldyou,Abby?Thatwouldbetaking
thegametoofar."

Herfacefelttightwithhurt.Shecouldfeelherbodytremblingunderthehardpressureofhis,buthe'd
neverknowitwaswithhelplessdesire,notfear.Despiteeverything—evenhisharshtreatment—she
stillwantedhim,wouldalwayswanthim.Nordidthethoughtofachildbringanyterrortoher.Itwas
theverydoorofheaven.

Hetookadeepbreathandrolledawayfromher,lyingwithhiseyesclosedandhisbarechestlifting
andfallingunevenlywhileshefumbledwithcatchesandbuttons.

She got jerkily to her feet and smoothed down her wild blond hair, trying to find the hairpins his
insistent fingers had removed. She leaned against one of the sturdy trees by the riverbank until she
couldgetherbreathbackandstopcrying.Finally,shedraggedthehemofherblouseoverherred
eyestoremovethehot,saltytearsfromhercheeks.

Sheheardasoundbehindher,overthenoiseoftheriverwashinglazilybetweenthebanks,andshe
knewCadewasstandingbehindher.Butshedidn'tturn.

"Areyouallright?"heaskedafteraminute,andthewordssoundedtornfromhim.

Shelookedoverhershoulderathim,andherravagedfacecausedsomethingviolenttoflashinhis
eyes.

"Don'tlooksoworried,Cade,"shesaidwithenormousdignity."Youmadeyourpoint.I'mthrough
throwingmyselfatyou.You'vecuredmeforgoodthistime."Shemanagedasoftlittle

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laugh,althoughherswollenlipstrembledandspoiledtheeffect.

Herammedhishandsinhispocketsandstaredatherstiffback."I'llkeepoutofyourwayuntilMelly
gets back from the honeymoon," he said curtly. "I'll expect the same courtesy from you. What
happened..almosthappenedhereisn'tgoingtobeallowedtohappenagain."

Shebitherlowerliptokeepfromcrying."Cade..whatyousaid..wereyoureallygoingtoaskmeto
stay,whenIwaseighteen?"sheaskedinaghostofawhisper.

Helaughedbitterly."Sure,"hesaid."IwasgoingtoofferyouthejobIfinallygaveMelly."

Helookedawaysothatshewouldn'tseethelieinhisdarkeyes,orthedeeppainthataccompaniedit.

She straightened, a surge of disappointment and hurt raging through her body. She had hoped that
he'dwantedtomarryher.

"Canwegobacknow?"sheaskedinasubduedtone.

"Mightaswell.I’vegotcattletowork."

"And I've got a wedding dress to finish." The sound of her words made her want to scream with
anguish.Therewouldneverbeaweddingforher.Shewalkedquietlytothetruckwithoutlookingat
himandgotin.

Heloadedthebasketandtheclothinthebackofthetruckwithquick,furiousmotionsandpausedto
shrugintohisshirtandslamhisranchhatonhisheadbeforehegotinbesideher.Shefelthiseyeson
her,butshewasstaringoutatthelandscape.

"Abby,"hesaidquietly,"it'sbetterthisway.You'llhatemeforawhile,butyou'llgetoverit."

"Idon'thateyou,"shesaidinawhisper."Youdon'twantcommitmentanymorethanIdo,Cade,so
there'snothingtoregret."

His hands gripped the steering wheel until his fingers went white. "Don't make it any harder than it

alreadyis,"hesaidunderhisbreath."Let'sforgettodayeverhappened,Abby."

"Thatsuitsme,"shesaid.Shestaredoutthewindowashestartedthetruckandgunneditbackontothe
road.Shewasn'tgoingtocry,shewasn't.She'dthrownherprideathisfeetoncetoooftenalready.He
couldn't wait to be rid of her, and she was just as anxious to get away from him. The torment of
loving him was too much. As far as he was concerned, she was just a city girl amusing herself by
playinguptohim,andnothingwasgoingtoconvincehimotherwise.Whatahorribleopinionhehad
ofher.Onlyamanwhothoughtherutterlycontemptiblecouldhavetreatedherashehad.

Shedrewinashakybreath.Ithadbeensobeautifulatfirst,feelingthehungerraginginhim,knowing
thathewantedherthatmuch.Untilhetoldherwhathereallythought,andsherealizedthatitwasonly
physicaldesirewithhimafterall.Whyhadn'tsherememberedwhathe'dsaidthenightbeforeabout
sexbeingalousyfoundationforarelationship?Well,sherememberednow,andshewouldn'tforget
again. She'd harden her heart and grit her teeth and pray that the three weeks left would go by in a
rush.Cadewouldnevergetcloseenoughtohurtheragain.Shewasgoingtomakesureofthat.

Chapter10

Melly's wedding day was a flurry of last-minute preparation, with caterers all over the house and
wedding guests arriving in droves even as Abby was helping her sister get into the wedding gown
she'ddesigned.

"It's just heaven." Melly sighed, looking at herself in the mirror. The dress had a keyhole neckline,
anditwaslavishlytrimmedwithappliquedVenicelace.Theveilofillusionnetthatwentwithitfell
fromaJulietcapdowntodrapeoveraneleganttrain.Thesleeveswerepurelace,theskirtafantasy
ofsatinandchiffonandmorelace,andtheEmpirewaistlinefeatureda

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rowofthemostintricatetinyrosesincontrastingoysterwhite.WithMelly'sblondhairandfairskin,
itwassheermagic.

"Ican'tbelieveIactuallyfinisheditontime,"Abbymurmuredasshemadealasttuckinthehem.

"I can't believe you actually designed it," her sister replied. "Abby, it's the most gorgeous thing!
Jessicawilljustdie."

"Ihopenot,"cametheamusedreply.Abbysighed,thinkingaboutwhatmighthavebeen.

She'dhavetorefusethatattractiveoffernow.ItwouldonlyhaveworkedifshehadstayedinMontana.
And, of course, that was impossible. Cade had done everything but move away to keep the distance
betweenthem.Hewasn'teverathomenow,findingexcuseafterexcusetobeupwiththedawnandout
until bedtime. Sometimes he even camped out with the men in the line cabins, shocking Calla, who
gaveuponkeepinghissupperforhimandstartedsendinghismealsupwithJebandtheboys.

"Melly,behappy,"shesaidsuddenly,breakingoutofherreveriaMellyturned,hereyessparklingand
fullofloveandexcitement,herhandstremblingwithanticipation."HowcouldIhelpbutbe,whenI'm
marryingJerry?"sheasked.Herjoyfadedslightlythough,whenshelookedatAbby."Darling,what's
gonewrongbetweenyouandCade?"

"Nothingthathasn'talwaysbeenwrong,"sherepliedwithacoolsmile."Don'tyouworryaboutmeon
yourweddingday!Let'sgetyoumarried,okay?"

"Areyousureyoucancopewiththecomputerandalltheextrawork?"

"Icancope,"Abbysaidquietly.Impulsively,shehuggedMelly."Iwantyearsandyearsofhappiness
foryou.Ionlywishourparentscouldbehere,toseewhatabeautifulbrideyoumake!"

"Maybe they're watching," came the soft reply. "Did you see the flowers, Abby? Wasn't it grand of
Cadetoletushavetheweddinghere?Allthoseguests.."

". .will probably have the opportunity to take a look at the bulls he's selling while they're on the
place,"Abbyfinishedwithabittersmile.

"Shameonyou,"Mellysaidgently."YouknowhowgenerousCadeis."

Abbyflushedandturnedaway."Weseehimindifferentways,though.Iwonderifhe'llshowupfor
theceremony?"

"He'sbestman—he'llhaveto."Mellylaughed."Thinkyoucanwalkdowntheaisleonhisarmwithout
trippinghim?"

"I'llfightthetemptation,justforyou.You'lllistenforthemusic?"

"I'lllisten.Seeyoudownstairs."

Abbysmiled."Seeyoudownstairs."

Shewalkedoutintothehall,checkingherownlong,V-neckedlavendergownforspotsorwrinkles.It
wassleeveless,andherhairwaspinnedelegantlyatopherhead.Shecarriedabouquetofcymbidium
orchids, and she was shaking with nerves. This would be her first wedding, and while she was
honoredtobehersister'smaidofhonor,shewouldratherhavebeenanobserver.Thehardestthing
ofallwasgoingtobestandingbesideCadeatthataltar.

ShewentdownthestairsandstoppeddeadwhenshecaughtsightofaredheadedAmazonstandingin
the doorway. Ignoring the ranch wives, some of whom she knew, she made a beeline for the
newcomer, knowing instinctively who she was. Cade, watching from the cleared-out living room
wheretheceremonywouldtakeplace,scowleddarklywhenhesawherbypassthecountrywomento
rushtotheelegantlydressednewcomer.

"You'vegottobeJessicaDane,"Abbysaidimmediately.

The towering redhead grinned. "How'd you guess? It was my beaming smile, right?" She laughed,
towering over Abby in her three-inch heels. Barefoot, Jessica would have been almost six feet tall.
With her red hair and pale skin and big black eyes, she would have drawn eyes anywhere, even
withouttheminkstoleandvividgreensilkdressshewaswearingwithmatchingshoesandbag.

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"YoumustbeAbby,then,"Jessicasaid,extendingherhandinafirm,warmhandshake.

"Comeonouttomycarforaminute,andletmeshowyouwhatIbrought!Havewegottime?"

"A few minutes, anyway." Abby laughed. She went out with Jessica without a backward glance,
unawareofthedarkscowlingfacewatchingher.

"Thesewerejustsomeofmylines,"JessicasaidwhentheywereseatedintheLincolnContinental's

comfortableinterior,andAbbythumbedthroughseveralcatalogs,admiringthefashions.

"They'reverygood,"shesaidfinally.

"Theycouldbebetter,ifIhadahousedesigner,"Jessicasaid."I'mpreparedtoofferyouapercentage
ofmygross,Abby.Ithinkyoucouldmakeusbothrich.Richer,"shecorrected,laughing."You'vegot
someuniquedesigns,ifMelly'swardrobeisanythingtogoby.I'dlovetohaveyoudoafewsketches,
atleast,andsendthemtome."

DespiteherhastetogetbacktoNewYork,Abbywaswillingtodothat.Infact,sheandJessicagotso
caught up in a discussion of the particulars, they almost missed the opening chords of the organ. It
wasn'tuntilCadeshoutedfromthefrontporchthatAbbyclamberedoutofJessica'scarandrushedup
thesteps,withtheAmazonatherheels.

"Ifyoucansparethetime,everyoneelseisreadytostart,"Cadesaidunderhisbreathasshepassed
him.

"And the sooner this is over, the sooner she'll be back from her honeymoon, which means I can
leave,"sheshotback,glaringupathim.

"Lady,itwon'tbequickenoughtosuitme,"hereturnedhotly.

Shebrushedpasthim,oblivioustoJessica'spuzzledstare,andwentrighttothedoorwayoftheliving
room,arrivingjustasthepreludefinished.

CadejoinedJerryatthealtar,thetwoofthemsuchacontrastintheirsuits—Cadedarkandelegant,
Jerry blond and obviously uncomfortable. Then the wedding march sounded and Abby gripped her
orchids, shooting a glance at the staircase to find Melly waiting there. As she walked between the
folding chairs, she discovered that down the aisle Cade was watching every step she made, an
expressioninhiseyesthatshecouldn'tbegintounderstand.

For one wild instant, Abby pretended that this was her own wedding, that she was giving herself to
Cadeforalltime.Itwassodeliciousafantasythatshestaredathimthewholelengthoftheaisle.He-
staredbackather,hisfacemomentarilysoftening,hiseyesblackandglitteringasshewenttostandat
herplacebesidethefloweredarchofthealtar.Hiseyesheldhersforalong,blazingmoment,andher
lipspartedonarushofbreathasshefelttheforceofthelookallthewaytohertoes.

Then the organ sounded again, and the spell was broken as Melly came down the aisle in the
gorgeousgown,carryingorchidsandwildflowersinauniquebouquet.

MellywalkedtothealtarandstoodnervouslybesideJerry.Theminister,adelightfulmanwiththick
glasses and a contagiously happy expression, read the marriage service. Jerry and Melly each read
the special wording that they'd prepared for themselves, and they lit one candle together from two
separatecandlestosignifythejoiningoftwopeopleintoone.Thefinalwordswereread.Jerrykissed
thebrideforsolongthatsomemembersoftheweddingpartybegantogiggle.Andallatonceitwas
overandtheywererunningdowntheaisletogether.

AbbykeptoutofCade'swayatthereception,sittingasidewithJessicawhiletheydiscussedmodeling
andclothesandthefutureofJessica'sboutique.

Then,alltoosoon,Mellywasdressedinherstreetclothesandthehappycouplerushedoutthedoor
tostartontheirhoneymoon.Abbykissedthembothandwishedthemwell,andstoodbywhileMelly
stoppedatthecartotossherweddingbouquet.Calla,dressedingrayandlookingunusuallysedate,
caughtitandblushedaflamingred—especiallywhenthinoldJeb,suitedupinarareconcessionto
civilization,lookedatherandgrinned.

Abbywasgratefulthatshehadn'tcaughtitThatwouldhavebeenthefinalthrustoftheknife,tofeel
Cade'ssharpeyesonher,seeingtheachinghungershecouldn'thavehidden

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fromhim.

Hours passed before the guests drifted away, and Abby saw Jessica off with a promise to put some
sketchesinthemailatherearliestopportunity.ShelikedJessicaverymuch.Andperhapstherewasa
wayforhertoacceptthejob.IfshemovedtoWyoming,she'dbefarenoughawaythatshewouldn't
everhavetoseeCadeagain.

Abbychangedintoacottondresswithgoldpatterningthatcomplementedherpinned-upblondhair
andsatdownatthesuppertableexpectingtoeatalone.ItwasasurprisewhenCadewalkedintothe
diningroom,wearingawhiteshirtandblueblazerwithdarkslacks.Helookedimpossiblyhandsome,
andaselegantasanythingNewYorkmightproduce.

"Ain'twepretty,though?"Callamurmured,eyeinghimasshebegantoservethefood.

"Weshoreis,"hereturned,pursinghislipsathergraydress,whichshehadn'tchanged."Inoticedthe
wayJebwaslookingatyou."Hiseyesnarrowed."Didyoubakemeanothercherrycakeandgiveitto
himagain?"

Theolderwomanflushedandscowledallatonce."Youhush,orI'llburnyoursupper.YouknowI
gavehimthecakeonaccountofhebailedmeoutwhenIburnedthesupperIwascookingforthose
ranchersyouinvitedhere!Andwhatareyoudoingbackherewithroundupinfullswing?Ithought
you'dbeheadingforthehillsthe"minutethewordswerespoke."

"Ilivehere,"heremindedher.

"Couldhavefooledme,"shemuttered,waddlingoutoftheroom.

Abby fixed her coffee and kept her eyes on her plate. She was still smarting from the ugly remark
Cadehadmadeearlier.

"Sincewe'renotspeaking,shallIaskCallatoaskyoutopassmethesalt?"Cadeaskedcoolly.

Shehandeditover,settingitdownbeforehecouldtakeitfromher.

"WhowastheredheadedAmazonyoucouldn'tpartcompanywith?"heasked.

Shedidn'tlikethebiteinhistone,butitwasnoneofhisbusinesswhoJessicawas.

"Anothermodel,"shelied,staringathim.

Hisfacehardened."Asuccessfulone,judgingbythatminkandtheLincoln,"heremarked.

Hesmiledbitterly."Orisshebeingkeptbysomeman?"

Abbyslammedhernapkindownbyherplateandgotup."Eatbyyourself.Ican'tstandanymoreof
yourself-righteousness!"

"You can't stand ordinary people, either, can you?" he challenged. "You walked right past Essie
Johnson, and you grew up with her. She wasn't good enough for your exalted company, no doubt,
beingasimplerancher'swifeandall."

Thatcuttothequick.Howcouldhethinkhersoheartlesswheninfactshe'dgoneoutofherwayto
findEssieatthereceptionandhadapologizedforwhatmighthaveappearedtobeasnub?

"Thinkwhatyoulike—youwillanyway,"shesaidandwalkedoutoftheroom.

During the week that followed, Cade made himself scarce. Abby spent her lonely days answering
correspondence, putting records into the computer, ordering supplies and answering the phone. If
she'd had any hopes that Cade might decide to ask her to stay, they were destroyed by his very
indifference.Hedidn'tseemtocarewhethershespoketohimornot,andwhilehewascourteous,he
wasn'tthefriendly,teasingmanofhappiertimes.

The Thursday night before Melly and Jerry were due back on Friday, Abby wandered out by the
swimmingpool,lostinmemory.

Hereyesnarrowedonthebareconcrete—itwasstilltooearlyintheyeartofillthepool,soitwas
empty.Itseemedahundredyearsagothatshe'ddefiantlystrippedoffherclothesandgoneswimming
init,alifetimesinceCadehadfoundherherehalf-nude.She'dbeenhopefulthen.She'dhaddreamsof
sharingmorethanabedwithhim.Buthe'dgentlypushedheraway.Andhehadn'tlethercomeclose
again,exceptbrieflyandphysically.

"Remembering,Abby?"Cadeaskedquietly,comingupbehindherfromthehouse.

Hewaswearingslacksandaburgundyknitshirtthatmadehimlookdarkerandmore

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formidablethanever.Hishairwasdamp,asifhe'dshowered,andhemadeAbby'sheartrace.

Sheglancedawayfromhisprobinggaze."Iwasjustgettingsomeair,Cade,"shemurmured.

"Thekidscomehometomorrow,"heremarkedcarelessly,althoughthelookinhiseyeswasanything
butcareless."Isupposeyou'llbeleavingshortly?"

Thathurt.It wasasthough hecouldn'twait toberid ofher, andshefelt thehotthreat oftears.She
shrugged."Ihavecommitments.ItoldyouthatwhenIfirstgothere."

Henodded.Heheldasmokingcigaretteinhishand,buthegaveitahardglareandtossedittothe
groundandcrusheditunderhisboot.

"Yousmoketoomuch,"sheobserved.

Helaughedshortly."Iknow.Ihatethedamnedthings,butit'sahabitoflongstanding."

Likepushingmeaway,shethought,butdidn'tspeak.Hereyesscannedthestarryskyandshewrapped
herarmstightaroundthelittlebluedressshewaswearing.

"Cold,honey?"heaskedgently.

Sheshookherhead."Notvery.CallaandJebhavegonetoamovie,"shesaidfornoreason.

"Andthatmeansthatwe'realoneinthehouse,doesn'tit?"hesaid.Hiseyesnarrowed.

"Whatdoyouwantmetodoaboutit,Abby,carryyouupthosestairstomybedroom,thewayIdid
once before?" He laughed bitterly. "Sorry, honey, I stopped giving lessons that day by the river.
MaybeyoucanfindsomebodyinNewYorktotakeoverwhereIleftoff."

Itwaslikebeingcuttopieces."MaybeIcan,"shesaidinatautvoice.Sheturned."It'slate.

I'dbettergoin."

He caught her arm hesitantly, and that puzzled her. He didn't pull her closer, but held her just at his
side."WereyouhopingImightcomeouthere?"

She had been, but she would have died rather than admit it now. "I told you before, I'm through
throwingmyselfatyourfeet,Cade,"sherepliedcalmly."Don'tworry,you'reperfectlysafe.Youcan
alwayslockyourbedroomdoor,can'tyou?"

"Stopthat.It'snothingtojokeabout.""Iwasn'tjoking."Shetuggedherarmfree."Goodnight,Cade."
"Talk to me, damn it!" he burst out. "About what?" she shot back. "About my bad manners, my
sickening career or my loose morals, all of which you seem to think I enjoy!" He stiffened. "I've
neveraccusedyouofhavingloosemorals."

"ExceptwhenIcomeanywherenearyou,"shesaidwithabitterlaugh.

"Youwon'ttrytoseemysideofit,"hegroundout."You'rejustplayinggames,butI'mnot.

I'mtoooldforit,"

"Excuseme,grandpa,I'lltrynottounsettleyou...Cade!"

Hejerkedheragainsthimandhishandshurtwheretheygrippedherarms."Iwantyou,"

hesaidunderhisbreath."Don'ttemptme.I'mverynearlyattheendofmypatienceasitis.Iwantyou
awayfromPaintedRidgebeforeIdosomethingIdon'twanttodo."

Herlipstrembled."YouthinkI'dletyou?"shewhispered.

Hiseyesmethers."Iknowyouwould,andsodoyou.Wegoofflikedynamitewhenwestarttouching
each other." His hands dropped. "But it isn't enough. I want more than a feverish night of physical
satisfaction. You'd give me that, and I'd give it back. But it's nothing I couldn't have from any of a
dozenwomen,"headdedcoldly."Andit'snotgoingtohappen—ifyougetoutofhereintime."

Itwasawarningthatshewaswillingtoheed.AnightwithCadewouldmakeitimpossibleforherto
livewithouthim,andshewaswiseenoughtorealizeit.Shedroppedhereyes.

"I'llarrangetogoSaturdaymorning,"shesaid.

Hisfacehardenedathersubduedtone,butheonlynodded."It'sforthebest.Youcametomehurt,and
IhopeI'vehelpedyoutoheal.Butyourworldisn'tmine.Thelongeryoustay,theharderitgets..."

Hedidn'tfinishit.Insteadhelitanothercigarette."You'dbettergoin.Itisgettingcoldouthere."

"Arctic,"shemused,glancingupathim.Shegatheredherpoiseandherprideandsmiled

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grimlyasshebrushedpasthimandwentbackinside.Shemovedquickly,gratefulthathecouldn'tsee
thetearsthatsliddownhercheeksasshewentupthestairs.Theymadeheroblivioustothedarkeyes
thatfollowedheralmostworshipfullyuntilshewasoutofsight.

Melly and Jerry came home looking tanned and rested from their Florida vacation and blissfully
happywitheachother.Abbycouldhardlybeartheirhappiness,sinceitremindedhersographically
thatshe'dlosteverychanceofhavinganyofherownwithCade.

"How'severythinggoinghere?"Mellyaskedwhentheywerealone,Jerryhavingriddenupintothe
hillstohelpwithroundup.

"Just fine," Abby lied, "but I've had a call from my agency and there's a possibility of a long-term
contractforabottlingcompany.I'mterriblyexcitedaboutit."

Melly'sfacefell."You'regoingbacktoNewYork?ButIthought..?"

"Nowthatyou'rehome,Icanleaveitallinyourcapablehands,”Abbysaidwithaforcedsmile."I've

missedNewYork,anditwillbegreattogetbacktowork."

"Buttheattack,thereasonyoucamehere.."

"Cadehelpedmeoverit,"Abbysaidquietly."I'llalwaysbegratefultohimforthat.Buthewantsno
partofme—he'smadethatquiteclear.I'mgoingtodohimafavorandgoaway."

"Helovesyou,youstupididiot!"Mellyburstout.

Abbyflinchedandtearswelledupinhereyes."No!"shesaidhuskily."Ifhefeelsanything,it'sanger
becauseIpreferredmodelingtoranchlife."

"Haveyoutalkedtohim,atleast?"

"Sure,"Abbyagreed,notaddingthatthey'darguedeverysecondtheyweretogether.

"We've both agreed that I have no place in his life, or he in mine." She turned around and walked
toward the stairs. "I'm going to pack. Want to help me? I've made reservations on a plane in the
morning."

"Oh,Abby,don'tdoit!"Mellypleaded.

But all her pleading and all her reasoning didn't sway her stubborn sister. The next morning Cade
drovethetwowomenouttotheairport.

Ithadbeenashocktofindhimatthewheelofthebigsedanwhenitpulledupatthefrontdoor.He
waswearingthesamenavyblazeranddarkslackshe'dworntheothernightatsupper,buthehada
striped blue tie over his white silk shirt. The only Western thing about him was his dressy cream
Stetsonandleatherboots.

Herflightwasbeingcalledastheywalkedintotheterminal,andAbbyhuggedMellyquickly,suitcase
inhand,beforesheboardedtheplane.Tearswelledupinhereyes.

"Writetome,"shepleaded.

"Iwill,"Mellypromised.Hereyesnarrowed."Iwishyouwouldn'tgo."

"Ihaveto.Ihavecommitments."Shetoldtheliewithpanacheandafaintsmile.

Cadedidn'tsayaword.Hestoodlookingdownatherwitheyessodarktheyseemedblack,asmoking
cigaretteinonehand,hisfacelikeflint.

Abbyforcedherselftolookupathim.Shewaswearingshoeswithonlytinyheels,andhewastaller
thanever.Bigger.Themostimpossiblyhandsomemanshe'deverknown,andherheartachedjustat
thesightofhim.

"Bye,Cade,"shesaidquietly."Thanksforlettingmestaysolong."

Heonlynodded.Hischestroseandfellheavily,quickly,andhislipsweresetinathinline.

"Well..I'dbettergo,"Abbysaidinahigh-pitchedtone.

Cadethrewthecigaretteintooneofthesand-filledashtraysandabruptlyreachedforAbby,crushing
heragainstthelengthofhisbody.Thesuitcasefellandshestruggledhelplesslyforamoment,until
hesubduedherwithnothingmorethanhisfirmhold.

Shestaredintohisfierceeyesandstoppedfighting,andtheylookedateachotherinatense,painful
exchange that made Abby's knees feel as though they would fold under her. Her lips parted on a
sobbingbreath,andhebenthishead.

Itwaslikenokissthey'devershared.Hismoutheaseddownoverherssosoftlyshehardlyfeltit,and
thenitmovedharderanddeeperandslowerandrougheruntilshemoaned

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and reached up, clinging to his neck. He lifted her against him, still increasing the pressure of his
arms,hismouth,untilshefeltasiftheywereburningintoeachother,fusingabondnothingwould
eversever.Shewantedhim.Shewantedhim!Hermouth,herbody,herachingmoantoldhimso,and
shecouldfeelthetremorofhisownbodyasthekisswentonandon.

Finally,slowly,heeasedherbackdownontothefloorandbreathbybreathtookhismouthaway.His
armsslackenedandwithdrew,althoughhissteelyhandsheldheruntilshewassteadyagain.

Hiseyessearchedhers."Goodbye,Abby,"hesaidinavoicelikesteel.

"Goodbye,Cade,"shewhisperedbrokenly.

Hebrushedhisfingersagainsthercheek,unsteadyfingersthattouchedherasifshe'dalreadybecome
abeautifulillusion."MyGod,howIcouldhavelovedyou!"hebreathed.Andthen,beforeshecould
believeherownears,heturnedandstrodequietlyaway,withoutoncelookingback.

Abbystaredafterhim,uncomprehending."Did..didIjusthearwhatIthoughtIheard?"

shemurmured.

"What,honey?"Mellyaskedgently,comingbackwithinearshot."Iwasbeingdiscreet.

Gosh,whatakissthatwas!Andyou'releaving?"

Abby sighed bitterly. Surely she'd dreamed it, or misunderstood. .or had she? She took a steadying
breath."Ihavetogo.I'llmissmyflight.Melly,takecareofhim?"

"You could have done that yourself, if you'd told him the truth," Melly said softly. "It's still not too
late.Youcouldcatchhim."

"Hewouldn'tlisten,"shesaidwearily."YouknowhowCadeiswhenhemakesuphismind,andI've
gonemadandstartedhearingthingsagain.Backtothesaltmines,Melly.I'mfinenow,I'mjustfine.
Takecare.Iloveyou."

"Iloveyou,too."Shesearchedhersister'seyes."Hecouldn'thavekissedyouthatwaywithoutcaring
onehellofalot.Thinkaboutthat.Hurrynow!"

Abbywavedandranfortheplane.AndallthewaybacktoNewYorkshethoughtandthoughtabout
that long, hard kiss and what she imagined Cade had said until she all but went crazy. Finally, in
desperation, she tucked the memory in the back of her mind and closed her eyes. It was over now;
he'dsentheraway.Lookingbackwasnogoodatall.She'dhadtimetorecuperateandgetherselfback
together.NowshehadtoputMontanaandCadebehindherandstartover.Shecoulddoit.Afterall,
hercareerwasallshehadleft.

Chapter11

It took several days for Abby to adjust to city life again after the wide-open country of Montana.
Accustomed to staying up late at the ranch, she now had to go to bed early, watch her diet, be
concernedwithshadowsandlinesofweariness,addtoherwardrobeandpackherhugehandbagwith
thedozensofitemsshemightneedforanassignment.Andeverynightshesoakedherachingfeetand
smotheredherselfincoldcreamandlongedforCadeMcLarenwitheverycellinherbody.

She did Jessica's sketches in the weeks that followed and mailed them to Wyoming. Jessica phoned
hershortlyafterwardsandinvitedherouttoseetheboutique,butAbbyhadtoputheroff.Shewas
working feverishly, and the lie she'd told Melly about the bottling company commercials had been
amazinglyprophetic.Shewasofferedatelevisioncommercialforasoftdrinkcompany,whichshe
immediatelyaccepted.Hercareerwasskyrocketing.Anditwasasemptyasherlife.

Shedidn'tevenbotherdatingothermen.Whatwastheuse,whenallshecoulddowascomparethem
to Cade. So she worked and grieved for him, and before very long the toll of loneliness began to
showonher.

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Alltheyearsbefore,she'dhadthatsweetmemoryofhimtosustainher,andthehopethatsomeday
thingsmightchange.Butnowtherewasnohopeleft.Therewasnothingtoclingto,onlyafuturethat
wasemptyandlonely.EvenifsheacceptedJessica'sofferandwenttoliveinWyoming,shemightbe
nearCadebutshe'dstillbealone.Shedidn'tknowhowshewasgoingtobearit.

Late on Friday night, she was halfheartedly watching television when the phone rang. She couldn't
imaginewhoitcouldbeatthathour,andshewasfrowningwhenshepickedupthereceiver.

"Hello?"shemurmured.

"Hello,honey,"cameadeep,painfullyfamiliarvoice.Shesatdown,paling.Ithadbeenalmostfour
monthssinceshe'dlastheardthatparticularvoice,butshewouldhaveknownitonherdeathbed.

"Cade?"shewhisperedshakily.

"Yes."Therewasapause."Howareyou,Abby?"

She drew in a slow breath. Don't panic, she told herself, don't give yourself away. "I'm just fine,
Cade,"shesaidbrightly.

"NodateonaFridaynight?"hemurmured.

Shedrewhergoldcaftancloseraroundher,asifhecouldseeherallthewayfromMontana."Iwas
tired,"shereplied."Iseverythingallright?Melly..?"

"Melly'sfine.SheandJerryaredownatYellowstonefortheweekend."

"Oh."Shegrippedthereceivertightly."Thennothing'swrong?"

"Everything'swrong,"hesaidafteraminute."Hank'squitting."

"Hank!"Shesatstraightup."Why?"

Helaughedmirthlessly."HesaysI'mtoodamnedmeantostayaround."

"Areyou?"sheaskedsoftly.Therewassomethingstrangeabouthisvoice,different.

"Cade,areyouallright?"sheasked,andtheconcernseepedthrough.

"I'm...fine."Helaughedagain."I'llbefinerwhenIgetthroughthisbottle."

"You'redrinking!"Itwastheonlythingthatcouldexplainthewayhesounded.

"Areyoushocked?I'mhuman,Abby,althoughyousureashellneverthoughtIwas,didyou?"There
wasathudandamuffledcurse."Damn,whydoesfurniturehavetosproutlegswhenyoutrytogo
aroundit?"

Shewrappedthetelephonecordaroundherfingers."Cade,issomeonetherewithyou?

Calla?"

"Calla's gone to a movie with Jeb. Any day now I expect to be asked to the wedding." He sighed.
"Abby,beforelongyouandIaregoingtobetheonlytwosinglepeopleonearth."

"Whyareyoudrinking?"sheasked,worried."Youhaven'tgottenhurt,haveyou?"

"You'reahellofapersontoaskmethat,"hegrowled."Youcuttheheartoutofmewhenyougoton
thatdamnedplane.Justthewayyoucutitoutwhenyougotonthebusfouryearsago.Oh,God,Abby,
Imissyou!"hegroundout,hisvoicethrobbingwithemotion."Imissyou!"

Tearsburstfromhereyesandrolleddownhercheeks."Imissyou,too,"shewhispered.

Hereyesclosedandshebitherlip."Everyhourofeveryday."

Therewasalong,deepsighfromtheotherendoftheline."Weshouldhavemadelovethatdaybythe
river," he said achingly. "Maybe we would have gotten each other out of our systems. I've got a
pictureofyoubymybed,Abby.Isithereandlookatitandacheallover."

Herfingersclencheduntilthebloodwentoutofthem.Shehadoneofhim,too,thatshe'dcarriedto
NewYorkwithherfouryearsbefore.Itwaswrinkledfrombeinghuggedagainstherheart.

"You'retheonewhotoldmesexwasabadfoundationtobuildon,"sheremindedhimwearily.

"Itwasn'tjustsex,"hesaid."It'sneverbeenthat.Fouryearsago,Icouldn'triskgettingyoupregnant,
don'tyousee?Icouldn'ttakethechoiceawayfromyou.TohellwithhowIfelt,Icouldn'tforceyouto
stayhere,Abby."

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Herbreathcaughtinherthroat.Shecaughtthereceiverwithbothhandsandsatasstillasapoker.Did
heevenrealizewhathewasadmitting?

"You..youthoughtthatgiventhechoicebetweenyouandmodeling..."

"You showed me which was more important, didn't you, honey?" he asked with a bitter laugh. He
sighedheavily."Yougotonthatbus,laughinglikeafreedprisoner,andyouneverevenlookedatme.
I told your father I'd marry you, if you'd have me, and we fought it out half the night. He said you
weretooyoungandyouwantedachancetogetawayfromtheranch,tobesomebody.Iarguedwith
him then, but when it came down to it, I couldn't make you stay with me." His voice was faintly
slurred,but just asbeautiful as ever,and Abby was hurtingin ways she'dnever dreamed she could.
"You see, I'd already realized how vulnerable you were with me. And I was just as vulnerable with
you.Ihadtobecarefulnottocometooclose,Abby,becausewecouldhavegotteninoverourheads.
Ifiguredyou'dgotoNewYorkandgettiredofthecityandcomebacktome.Butyoudidn't."

Therewasaworldofemotioninthosewords.Bitterness.Hopelessness.Hurt.

"Youneveraskedmetostay,"shewhispered."Yousaidyoudidn'twantacommitmenttoanywoman,
a..aleashonyourfreedom."

He laughed. "I haven't been free since you were fifteen years old. I've never wanted anyone else. I
neverwill."

"Youletmego!"sheburstout,suddenlyhatinghim."Damnyou,youletmego!Iwasonlyeighteen,
buttherewasnothingNewYorkhadtoofferthatcouldhavetornmeawayfromyouifyou'djusttold
metostay!Onelousyword,justoneword—stay.Andyouletmego,Cade!"

Therewasashockedpauseontheotherendoftheline,asilencelikedarknessinagraveyard.

But she didn't notice. The words were tumbling out of her, while tears burned down her cheeks. "I
lovedtheglamour,yousaid,Icouldn'tlivewithoutthecity!AndallI'vedoneforfouryearsisstareat
thispictureofyouandcrymyeyesout!Youputmeonabusfouryearsago,andyouputmeona
planefourmonthsago..damnyou,whatdoyoucare?Youpushmeaway,youaccusemeofteasing
you,you..Cade?Cade!"

But the line was dead. She slammed the receiver down and burst into tears. If he called back, she
wasn'tevengoingtoanswer.Lethimsitanddrowninhiswhiskey.Shedidn'tcare!

Sheturnedoffthelightsandwenttobedinafitoffurioustemper.

Severalhourslater,shesatstraightupinbedasthedoorbellrangandrangandrang.

Maybeshewasdreamingit.Ithadtakenherforevertogettosleep,andshewasstilldrowsy.

Shelaidherheadbackonthepillow,butthereitcameagain,evenmoreinsistently.

Frowning sleepily, she padded to the front door of her apartment with her gold caftan swirling
aroundher.

"Whoisit?"shegrumbled.

"Whothehelldoyouthink?Openthedoor,ordoIhavetobreakitdown?"

"Cade?" Her heart jumped wildly and she fumbled the catch and the safety latch off and opened the
door.Anditwasnodream.

Hecameintotheapartmentwithascowlasblackasthunderonhisdarkface,lookingsleepyandtired
and worn out. He was wearing jeans and a half-open denim shirt, and old boots and the battered
brown ranch hat he wore to work cattle. His boots were dusty, his face needed a shave and he was
altogetherthemostbeautifulsightAbbyhadseeninherlife.

"Cade!"shebreathed,blinkingupathimoutofsleepyeyes,hertangledhairgloriousinitsdisarray,
thecaftanclinginglovinglyandquiterevealinglytoeverylineofherbody.

"I'vehadhalfabottleofwhiskey,"hesaid,toweringoverherwiththelockeddoorbehindhim."And
I'm not quite sober yet, despite the three cups of black coffee I had on the plane. But you said
something to me that I'm sure I really heard and didn't dream, and I flew up here to let you say it
again.Justtomakesure."

Shestaredathimunblinkingly,lovingeveryunshavenplaneofhisface.

"Youhungupthephoneandgotonaplaneinthemiddleofthenight..?"shebegan

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nervously.

His eyes roamed down her body and one dark eyebrow arched curiously. "You've lost weight,
Abigail,"hemurmured,studyingher."Alotofit,andyoulooklikepurehell."

"Haveyouseenyourselfinamirror?"shecountered,noticingnewlines,newshadowsunderhisdark
eyes.

Heshookhishead."Couldn'tstandthesightofmyself,"headmitted."Comeon,Abby,let'shearit."

Sheswallowed."ItwaseasierwhenyouwerestillinMontana,"shebegannervously.

"Iguessitwas."Hetookoffhishatandtosseditontoachair.Hisbighandsframedherfaceandhe
lookeddownatitlikeastarvingman."SupposeItakeyoutobed,Abby?"heaskedsoftly."Andafter
we'vemadeloveforthreeorfourhours,I'llaskyouagain."

Chapter12

She could barely breathe when she saw what was in his eyes. It was hardly possible that she was
dreaming,butitwassomuchlikeadreamcometruethatshefeltfaint.

"Lookatme,Abby,"hewhispered.

She raised her eyes and his gaze fell to the transparent material over her firm, high breasts. He
reachedoutanddrewhisknucklesdownfromhercollarboneoveroneperfectbreast,andhesmiled
atherbody'shelplessreactiontohistouch,atthehungerhecouldseeandfeel.

"Same damned thing happens to me every time I think about you," he murmured with a soft, deep
laugh."Fourmonths,Abby.Fourlongmonths,andI'vewalkedaroundachingeveryminuteofevery
day,wantingyouuntilIwaslikeawoundedbearwitheveryonearoundme.

TonightI'dhadallIcouldtake,Icouldn'tevengetproperlydrunk..damnyou,comehere!"

He lifted her in his hard arms, taking her mouth with a hungry, aching thoroughness, ignoring her
sweetmoanofpleasureandherclingingarmsashewalkedbackintoherbedroomandslammedthe
doorbehindthem.

"I'mgoingtomakelovetoyouallnightlong,"hesaidashecarriedherstraighttowardthebed."In
themorning,you'llbedamnedluckyifyoucanwalkatall.Thenwe'lltalk."

"Cade,Icouldgetpregnant!"shesaidinahigh-pitchedtone,afraidthatitwasonlytheliquortalking.

"Yes,youcould,"hesaidquietly,staringintohereyes."Andthatwouldmeantotalcommitment.To
me.Forlife.Sayyesorno.Butifit'sno,I'mgoingstraightbacktoMontana,andI'llnevercomenear
youagain."

Shefeltherbodytremblinginhisstrongembrace,andherheartyieldedtotallyasshesearchedhis
facewithaloving,possessivegaze.

"Idon'tknowifIcansurviveanaffairwithyou,"shesaidsoftly."Butifthat'swhatyouwant,I..Ican
try.Ijustdon'tunderstandwhatwe'ddoaboutachild.."

He breathed slowly, deliberately, and his eyes softened. "Melly said you were blind about me. I
supposesheknewbetterthanIdid,"hemurmured.Helaidhergentlydownonthebedandunbuttoned
his shirt with slow, easy motions, tossing it aside. His hands went to his belt and unfastened it. His
trousersfollowed,whileAbbywatchedhim,shockedtothebone.

"If you think it's rough on you," he muttered, glancing at her as he turned to divest himself of
everythingelse,"rememberwhatItoldyoubefore,Abby.I'veneverundressedinfrontofawoman."

"That'sthelossofwomeneverywhere,"shewhispered,awedasheturnedaroundagain.

"Oh,Cade..!"

Hisfacesoftened,andtheredstainonhischeeksfadedaway.Hesatdownbesideher,coaxingherto
situpsothathecouldremovethecaftan.Andthenhejustlookedandlooked,

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untilshefeltherhearttremblingwildly,herbodyhelplesslyarchingininvitation,movingrestlessly
underthepuresensualityoftheappraisal.

"Beforethisgoesanyfurther,"hesaidquietly,slidingabig,warmhandoverhersmoothbelly,upto
rest maddeningly below one taut breast, "you'd better tell me if you meant what you said on the
phone."

Sheswallowed."Aboutbeinglonelyandlostinthecity?"shewhispered.

Henodded."Areyouhappy?"

"WhenI'mwithyou,"shemanagedthroughtremblinglips."OnlywhenI'mwithyou.Oh,God,you
don'tknow..you'llneverknowhowitwastoleaveyou!"

His fingers trembled and he searched for his voice. "I know how it was to be left, Abby," he said
slowly."I'vebeenwalkingaroundlikehalfamanforfouryears.Anduntiltonight,Ihadnoidea,no
ideaatallwhatyoufelt."

"How could I tell you, when you kept going on about not wanting a commitment, not wanting
marriage?"sheaskedunsteadily."Youpushedmeaway.."

"Ihadto,"hegroundout."Ican'tcontrolwhatIfeelforyou,Inevercould.You'llneverknowhow
closeIcametotakingyouthenightIfoundyoubythepool.WhenIleftyouIwasshakinglikeaboy.
I had to drink myself to sleep—the only other time I've been at the bottle like I have tonight." His
fingersmoveduptoherbreasts,touchingthemlikeamantouchingatreasuretrove."Sobeautiful,"
hewhispered."Youwerethen,youarenow.MyAbby.Myown."

Abby'shandsreachedupandstrokedhischest,ticklingastheypressedintothetangleofdarkhair."I
neverknew,"shewhispered.

"NeitherdidI."Heshudderedasherhandscaressedhim."Don'tdothat,notyet.Igocrazywhenyou
touchmethatway."

"Yousaidweweregoingtomakelove,"sheremindedhimsoftly.

"Weare.Whenyouagreetomarryme,"hesaidquietly."Icouldn'thandleanaffairwithyou,either.If
Itakeyou,youtakemeforlife."

It was important to know the truth, not just guess at it. There had been too much misunderstanding

already."BecauseyouneedsonstoinheritPaintedRidge?"sheaskedinawhisper.

"BecauseIloveyou,AbigailShane,"hecorrectedbreathlessly."BecauseI'velovedyouforsomany
yearsthatlovingyouisawayoflifeforme.Becauseifyoudon'tcomehomewithme,I'llpackmy
bags and move in with you and make love to you until you'll marry me in self-defense, just to get
somerest."

Tearswelledupinherwidebrowneyesastheysearchedhis."Youloveme,Cade?"sheburstout.

"What a mild word for so much feeling," he managed in a voice that shook. His hands framed her
face,andhiseyesworshippedit."Iwanttobewithyouallthetime.Iwanttositandwatchyouwhen
we'retogether.Iwanttostaybyyourbedwhenyou'resickandyouneedme.Iwanttoholdyouinmy
armsinbedatnight,evenwhenwedon'tmakelove.Iwanttogiveyouchildren.Mostofall,Iwantto
livewithyouuntilIdie.Allthegooddaysandbad.

Allthewaytothegrave."

Shewascryinghelplesslyathisadmission,athavingallherwildestdreamscometrue.

Herfingersmoveduptohishardfaceandlovinglytracedeverywarminchofit."Icouldn'tlookat
youwhenIgotonthebusfouryearsago,"shesaidbrokenly,"becauseifIhad,Iwouldhavethrown
myselfatyourfeetandbeggedyoutoletmestay.IstartedlovingyouwhenIwasbarelyfifteen,and
I'velovedyoueverydaysince.Hopelessly,withallmyheart.Oh,God,Cade,itwasneverNewYork
andmodeling.Itwasyou!IloveyouuntilIhurtallover!I'llloveyouallmylife,allthedaysIlive..!"

Hestoppedthefranticwordswithhismouthandeaseddownbesideher.Theykissedslowly,sweetly,
rocking in each other's warm arms, savoring the newness of belonging to each other, of shared
loving.Untilhistonguegentlypenetratedhermouth.Untilherlipsopenedtoitsdeepsearching.Until
theymoved,together,slowly,intoanewandshattering

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kindofintimacywitheachother.

"Teachmehow,Cade,"shewhisperedwithlovesplinteringhervoiceasshefelthishandstouching
herinnewways."Teachmehow..toshowlove..thisway."

Hismouthgentledhers."We'lllearnittogether,honey,"hewhisperedback."Becausethisislikemy
firsttime,too.TellmeifIhurtyou.I'dratherdiethanhurtyounow."

Butevenashespoke,hismouthwasmovingagainstherbody,andsheforgotthatitwasthefirsttime,
she forgot everything but the glory of being kissed and touched so tenderly by the only man she'd
ever loved. She relaxed and moved deliberately, touched deliberately, delighting in his reactions to
herfingers,hermouth.Shewhisperedherlove;herbodyshoutedit.

Sensation piled on sensation, while she turned and arched and whispered wildly into his ear as he

movedagainsthersoslowly,withsuchstaggeringcontrol.Shecouldbarelybelievethatthelevelof
pleasureshewasexperiencingwasbearableasitmountedandmountedandbegantopossessher.

Hereyesopenedonasurgeofmingledneedandfear,andhiswereopen,too,staringbackather.

"Don'tbeafraidofme,"hewhisperedshakenly,urgently."Iloveyou.Trustme."

Itwasallsheneededtopushherovertheedge.Hereyesclosedagain,andshefelthismouthgentling
hers,preparingherforwhatwascoming.

Herhandstangledinhisthick,darkhairashisbodyslowly,tenderly,overwhelmedhers.

Hismouthwasgentle,despitetheneedshecouldfeelinhim,aneedhewasdeliberatelydenyingfor
her sake. The very tenderness of his movements, his slow, soft kisses, made it so beautiful that she
forgotherfearandgaveherselfuptotheincredibleintimacyofbelongingtohim.Iftherewaspain,
shehardlynoticedit,soinvolvedwassheintryingtogetclosertohim,tryingtopleasehimashe
waspleasingher.Shewantednothingmorethanthejoyofgivingeverythingshehadtogive.

He cherished her as she'd never dreamed a man could cherish a woman, every second fueling the
hungerandthesweetnessofsharinglove.Sheclungtohim,lovinghim,lovinghim!

Anditwassoeasy.Soperfect.Sobeautiful.Hereyesburnedwithtearsthatrolledhelplesslydownher
cheeksintotheirjoinedmouths.Amomentlatersheheardhisvoiceinherear,whisperingwordsthat
onlyvaguelyregistered,whisperinghernamelikealitany.

Andfromtendernesscamepassion—suddenly,likeasummerstormbillowingoverthem,liftingand
tossingtheminavortexofurgencythatblazedbrighterthanthelightsaroundthem.

She heard her voice break, and felt his hands controlling her wild movements firmly, guiding,
teaching.Herteethbitintohishardshoulderinanagonyofpleasure,soexquisitethatshecriedout.
Andthentherewasnomoretimeforthegentlebeginnings,onlyforthewild,furiousstretchtoward
fulfillmentthatsentthemcrashingtogetherinfrantictorment,tremblingwildly,whisperingurgently
untiltherewasoneness.Andthenpeace.

Later,shecurledupagainsthim,trembling,whilehelitacigaretteandsmokedit.Shelaughedsoftly,
triumphantly,delightedly.

His arm drew her closer, and he chuckled softly, too. "My God, in all my wildest dreams I never
imaginedfeelinglikethat."

"NeitherdidI,"shereturned."IthoughtI'ddied."

Hischestroseandfellheavily."I'mgoingtohavethatbookframedandhungoverourbedafterwe're
married."

Sheblinked."Book?"

He chuckled wickedly. "There's this book about making love that I bought a few weeks ago," he
murmured.Heliftedhisbrowsatherstunnedexpressionandlaugheduproariously.

"Well, hell, Abby, I told you I spent half my life working with the damned cattle? Where did you
expectmetolearnaboutsex?Youwomen,alwaysexpectingmentoknowalltheanswers

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andhatingusforthewaywegetthem..."

Herfacebrightenedwithwonder."Why,youolddevil,"shesaid."AndIthoughtyouhadastringof
womenamilelong!"

Hekissedhernose."You'remywoman.TheonlyoneIeverwanted.Ihaven'tbeenamonk,butthere
wasneveranyjoyformeinsleepingwithwomenIdidn'tevenlike."

Shestaredupathimcuriously."Youmean,youlearnedeverythingyoujustdidtomeoutofabook?!"

Hiseyebrowsarched."Itwasagoodbook,"hesaiddefensively,"kindofaprimer..well,damnit,I
thought that after I gave you a while to think about me and the ranch, and maybe miss me, I might
comeuphereandtrytochangeyourmind.IwasgoingtowaituntilChristmas..."Heshruggedhis
powerfulshoulders."Thentonight,afterCallawentoutwithJeb,Igotlonelyandstarteddrinking."
Hesighed."FirsttimeI'veputawaythatmuchwhiskeyinyears."Helookeddownatherradiantface.
"Whenyoustartedrantingandravingatme,itwasthesweetestmusicI'deverheard.Ididn'teventake
timetoshave,IjustgotHankoutofbedtodrivemetotheairport."

"Yousaidhewasquitting!"

"When he found out I was on my way to you, he took back his resignation," Cade said, grinning.
"ToldmehehadwonderedifIplannedtostaystupidallmylife."

"Ithinkwewerebothalittledense,"shereplied.Hereyesdevouredhim."Iloveyou,"shewhispered
intensely.

"Iloveyou,"hereplied,bendingtokisshersoftly,slowly,withtenderpromise."Canyoulivewith
meonPaintedRidgeandgiveupallyou'veaccomplished?Ifnot,I'llcompromise,nowthatIknow
youloveme."

"Icouldgiveupbreathingifyou'llmakelovetomeeverynight,"shemurmured,pressingclose."I
hate it here. After the first few months, all the glamour and adventure wore off. I worked like a
zombie all day and dreamed all night about how it would be to sleep in your arms and carry your
childinmybody.."

Hedrewinasharpbreath."Don'tsaythingslikethattome,I'llgocrazy."

"Takemewithyou,"shesaid,brushingherhandoverhischestandsmilingwhenhetrembled."Let's

gotogether."

"In a minute." He put out the cigarette and leaned over her, his eyes solemn. "I can't expect you to
sacrificefouryearsofhardworkjusttoraisechildren.Idon'twantyoutogiveupbeingapersonjust
becauseyou'remywife.Weallneedtofeelfulfillment,asenseofpurpose."

"Oh,mygosh,Ididn'tevertellyouaboutJessicaDane!"sheburstout,andexplaineditall,evenher
behavioratthereception.

He sighed angrily. "Well, I was a damned fool over that, wasn't I?" he ground out. He kissed her
gently."I'msorry,honey."

"It's all right. You didn't know." She touched his mouth. "So you see, I could work for Jessica and
never leave the house except to supervise some seamstresses once in a while. And I've always
preferreddesigningtomodeling,anyway."

"Luckyme,"hesaid.Hegrinned."Ifwehavelittlegirls,youcanmakepartydressesforthem,too."

Shelaughed."Notforthelittleboys,though.Idon'twantmysonsparadingaroundinpetticoats."She
leaned forward and kissed him lazily. "My throat's sore from talking. Teach me some more things
youlearnedinthatbookofyours."

Hechuckled."There'sjustonemorelittlethingtotalkabout.IhadHankpromisetomakeafewphone
callsformeafterdaylight"

"Didyou?"shemurmured,nibblingathislips.

"IhadhiminvitetheministeroverfornextSaturday."

"That'snice,"shewhispered.Herhandssmoothedoverhislong,tannedbody.

"Plusaboutfiftyotherpeople."

-66-

"Um," she murmured. Her hands moved to his hair-roughened chest and she pressed against him.
"That'snice,too."

"Forthewedding."

Shedrewaway."NextSaturday?!"

"Whywait?"heasked,bitingathermouth."Isurewashopingyou'dsayyes,Abby.AllthewayhereI
hadnightmaresabouttryingtolineupabrideandgroomatsuchshortnoticeifyourefusedme..."

"CadeAlexanderMcLaren,whatamIgoingtodowithyou?"sheaskedsharply.

"LiedownhereandI'llshowyou,"hemurmuredwithalaugh,easingherontoherback.

"Thisisthebestchapterofall..."

Abbysmiledasshemethishungrymouth.WhentheygothometoPaintedRidge,shehadsomeheavy
readingtodo.

***TheEnd***

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TableofContents

Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12