TYLER

ChapterOne

To Tyler Jacobs, the hot arid southeastern Arizona landscape still seemed about as welcoming as
Mars,evenaftersixweeksofworkingontheDoubleRduderanchnearTombstone.

He was restless and vaguely depressed. He'd taken a day off to fly to Jacobsville for his sister,
Shelby's,weddingtoJustinBallenger,amanshe'drefusedtomarryyearsago.Tylerwasstillpuzzled
bythecourtship.Theyhadn'tlookedthepictureofahappycouple,andheknewthatJustinhadbeen
bittertowardShelbyforbreakingtheirearlierengagement.

But it wasn't any of his business; he had to keep that in mind. And better to see Shelby married to
Justin,whowasold-fashionedenoughtokeephismarriagevows,thantoseehermixedupwiththe
localplayboyattorneysheworkedfor.Maybethingswouldworkoutforthem.IfthewayShelbyhad
lookedatJustinwasanyindication,theyhadtoworkout.Shewasobviouslystilldeeplyinlovewith
him.

Abby and Calhoun had been at the wedding, too, and Tyler was relieved to find that his brief
infatuationwithAbbywasover.He'dbeenreadytosettledownandwasunconsciouslylookingforthe
rightkindofwoman.Abbyhadfitthebillineveryrespect,buthewasn'tnursingabrokenheart.His
eyesnarrowedinthought.Hewonderedifhewascapableoflovingawoman.Sometimeshefeltthat
he was impervious to anything more than surface interest. Of course, there was always the woman
who could hit a man hard before he knew it. A woman like Nell Regan, with her unexpected
vulnerabilitiesandcompassion...

Even as the unwelcome thought touched his mind, his pale green eyes narrowed on a rider
approachingfromthedirectionoftheranchhouse.

Hesighed,glaringthroughtheendlesscreosotebushes.Theydominatedthelandscapeallthewayto
the Dragoon Mountains, one of Cochise's old strongholds back in the mid-1800s. The "monsoon
season"hadalmostpassed.

Todayitwasonthevergeofahundreddegrees,anddamnwhattheysaidaboutthedryheatnotbeing
hot. Sweat was pouring down his dark olive complexion from the sweatband of his gray Stetson,
soakinghisWestern-cutchambrayshirt.Hetookhishatfromhisjet-blackhairanddrewhisforearm
overthewetnesswhilehegothisbearings.Outhereonestretchofvalleylookedmuchlikeanyother,
andthemountainrangeswentonforever.Ifelbowroomwaswhatamanwanted,hecouldsuregetit
inArizona.

He'd been out in the brush trying to round up some stray Hereford calves, while his worn leather
chapsweretreatedtothedoublejeopardyofchollaandpricklypearcactuswherethecreosotewasn't
so thick. Nothing grew around creosote. Having smelled the green bush, especially in the rain, he
couldunderstandwhy.

Beforetheridergotmuchcloser,TylerrealizedthatitwasNell.Andsomethingwaswrong,because
she usually kept the length of the ranch between them. Their relationship had become strained

unexpectedly, and that saddened him. It had seemed as though he and Nell would be friends at their
first meeting, when she'd picked him up at the Tucson airport. But all too soon something had sent
Nellrunningfromhim.

Perhaps that was for the best. He was earning a living, but not much more, and all his wealth was
gone. He had nothing to offer a woman like Nell. All the same, he felt guilty if he'd hurt her, even
inadvertently. She didn't talk about the past, and neither did anyone else. But Tyler knew that
something had happened to make her wary and distrustful of men. She deliberately downplayed the
few attractions she had, as if she was determined not to do anything that would catch a man's eye.
Tyler had gotten close to her at first, because he'd thought of her as a cute little kid. She'd been so
anxioustomakehimcomfortable,sneakinghimfeatherpillowsandallkindsoflittlethingsfromthe
housetomakehimfeelathome.He'dflirtedwithhergently,teasedher,delightedinhershycompany.

And then, like lightning, the housekeeper had made him see that the child he was playing with was
reallyatwenty-four-year-oldwomanwhowasmisinterpretinghisteasing.Fromthatnighton,heand
Nell had somehow become strangers. She avoided him, except at the obligatory square dance with
gueststwiceamonth.

Nell did seem to find him useful in one respect. She still hid behind him at those every-other-
Saturday-night barn dances. The way she clung to him was the only crumb left of their easy first
acquaintance.Butitwasvaguelyinsulting,too.Shedidn'tconsiderhimathreatinanysexualway,or
she'dhaverunscreamingfromhispresence.

He'd made some hard remarks about Nell to his sister, Shelby, but he hadn't really meant them. He
hadn'twantedanyonetorealizehowNellwasgettingtohim.

Hesighed,watchingherapproach.Well,shewasn'tdressedtofanaman'sardor,inthosebaggyjeans
and blouse and slouch hat, and that was a good thing. He found her shyness and his odd sense of
empathy for her disturbing enough without the added complication of an exquisite figure. He
frowned,wonderingwhatshelookedlikeunderthatbaggycamouflage.Asifhe'deverfindout,he
thought,laughingbitterly.He'dalreadyscaredheroff.

Hewasn'taconceitedman,buthewasusedtowomen.Hismoneyhadalwaysattractedthebeautiful
ones,andwhateverhewanted,hegot.Andso,beingsnubbedbythestonegirlstunghispride.

"Haveyoufoundthosestraysyet?"Nellaskedwithfaintnervousnessasshereinedinbesidehim.

"I've only gone through five thousand miles," he murmured with soft antagonism. "Wherever they
are, they're probably enjoying the luxury of enough water to drink. God knows, except in the
monsoonseason,they'dneedadiviningrodorsecondsightinthisbarrenwastelandtofindany."

Nellsearchedhishardfacequietly."Youdon'tlikeArizona,doyou?"

"It's foreign." He turned his gaze toward the horizon, where jagged mountains seemed to change
colorasthesunshifted,firstdark,thenmauve,thenorange."Thistakessomegettingusedto,andI've
onlybeenouthereafewweeks."

"Igrewuphere,"sheremarked."Iloveit.Itonlylooksbarren.Ifyouseeitupclose,there'sallkinds
oflife."

"Hornytoads,rattlesnakes,Gilamonsters..."heagreeddryly.

"Red-winged blackbirds, cactus wrens, roadrunners, owls, deer," she corrected. "Not to mention
wildflowers by the score. Even the cacti bloom," she added, and there was a sudden softness in her
darkeyes,awarmthinhervoicethatwasusuallymissing.

Hebenthisheadtolightacigarette."Itlookslikedeserttome.How'syourtrailridecoming?"

"IlefttheguestswithChappy,"shesaidwithasigh."Mr.Howeslookedasifonemorebouncewould
puthimontheground.Ihopehemakesitbacktotheranch."

Tylersmiledslightlyasheglancedatherrigidfigureinthesaddle."Ifhefallsoff,we'llneedacrane
togethimbackon."

Nellgrinnedwithoutmeaningto.Hewouldn'tknowit,buthewasthefirstmaninyearswho'dbeen
able to make her smile. She was a somber, quiet woman most of the time, except when Tyler was
around.Thenshe'dfoundoutwhathereallythoughtofher....

"Tyler,couldyoutakeoverthecampoutforme?"sheaskedunexpectedly."Margueriteandtheboys
arecomingfortheweekend,andIhavetogointoTucsonandgetthem."

"Icanhandleit,ifyou'llpersuadeCrowbaittocook,"heagreed."I'mnotmakingbiscuitsagain.I'll
quitfirst."

"Crowbaitisn'tsobad,"shedefended."He's—"herdarkeyesnarrowedasshesearchedforaword
"—unique."

"Hehasthetemperamentofacougar,thetongueofacobraandthemannersofabullinheat,"Tyler
saidshortly.

Shenodded."Exactly!He'sunique."

He chuckled and took another draw from his cigarette. "Well, boss lady, I'd better get those strays
beforesomebodywithanitchytriggerfingerhasbeefforsupper.Iwon'tbelong."

"TheboyswanttogolookingforApachearrowheadswhilethey'rehere,"sheaddedhesitantly."Itold
themI'daskyou."

"Yournephewsarenicekids,"hesaidunexpectedly."Theyneedafirmerhandthantheyget,though."

"Marguerite isn't the ideal parent for two high-strung boys," Nell said defensively. "And since Ted
died,it'sbeenworse.Mybrothercouldhandlethem."

"Margueriteneedsahusband."HesmiledatthethoughtofMarguerite.Shewaslikethelifehe'dbeen
usedto—

sophisticatedanduncomplicatedandpretty.Helikedherbecauseshebroughtbacksweetmemories.
She was, in fact, all the things Nell wasn't. "But a dish like Margie shouldn't have much trouble
findingone."

Nell knew her sister-in-law was beautiful, but it hurt somewhere deep inside to hear Tyler
acknowledgeMargie'sgoodlooks.Nellwasonlytooawareofherownlimitations,ofherroundface
andbigeyesandhighcheekbones.

Shenodded,though,andforcedasmiletoherunlipstickedmouth.Sheneverworemakeup.Shenever
didanythingtodrawattentiontoher...untilrecently.She'dtriedtoattractTyler,butBella'scomments
hadkilledthenotion.Tyler'ssubsequentbehaviorhadburiedit.

Now Nell knew better than to make eyes at Tyler. Besides, Margie was just his style, she thought
bitterly.AndMargiewasinterested,too.

"I'llgointoTucson,then,ifyou'resureaboutthecampout.Andifyoucan'tfindthosestraysbyfive,
comebackinandwe'llletyourTexasfriendslookfortheminthemorning,''sheadded,referringto
twooftheolderhandswhosharedaTexasbackgroundwithTylerandhadbecomefastfriendsofhis
inthesixweekshe'dbeeninresidence.

"I'll find them," he said carelessly. "All I have to do is look for a puddle of water, and they'll be
standingontheirheadsinit."

"Youalreadyknownottositinanydipsorwashes,"shemurmured."Outhereisevenworsethanin
Texas.Itcanberainingtwentymilesawayandtheskycanbeclear,andbeforeyouknowit,you'rein
afloodplain."

"WehaveflashfloodswhereIcomefrom,"heremindedher."Iknowthedangers."

"Iwasjustremindingyou,"shesaid,andhatedtheconcernthatshe'dunwittinglybetrayed.

Hiseyesnarrowedandhesmiledunpleasantly,stungbyhercondescendingattitude."WhenIneeda
nursemaid,honey,I'lladvertise,"hesaidinapronouncedTexasdrawl.

Nellsteeledherselfnottoreacttowhatwasblatantlyaninsult."Ifyouhaveachancetomorrow,I'd
likeyoutospeaktoMarloweabouthislanguage.Oneoftheguestscomplainedthatshewasgetting
tiredofhearinghimsweareverytimehesaddledahorseforher."

"Whycan'tyoutellhim?"

Sheswallowed."You'retheforeman.Isn'tkeepingthemeninlineyourjob?"

"Ifyousayso,ma'am."Hetippedhishatwithfaintinsolence,andshewheeledhermounttooquickly,
almostunseatingherselfintheprocesswhenshepulledonthebittoohard.Sheurgedthehorseintoa
trot and soothed him, stroking his mane as she apologized. She knew Tyler had seen that betraying
action,andshefeltevenworse.

She was the last person on the ranch who'd ever hurt a horse voluntarily, but Tyler had a talent for
stokinghertemper.

He watched her go, his cigarette smoking, forgotten, in his lean, tanned fingers. Nell was a puzzle.
She wasn't like any woman he'd ever known, and she had quirks that intrigued him. He was sorry
they'd become antagonists. Even when she was pleasant, there was always the reserve, the bitter
holdingback.Sheseemedtobecomerigidwhenshehadtotalktohim.

Hesighed.Hedidn'thavetimefordaydreaming.Hehadtofindsixlittlered-and-white-coatedcalves
beforedark.

Heturnedhishorseandmovedintothethickbrush.

Nell dawdled on her way back to the adobe ranch house. She wasn't anxious to have Marguerite
around,butshehadn'tbeenabletofindanexcusetokeeptheredheadaway.Tyler'sremarkabouther
sister-in-lawstillrankled.

HefoundMargueriteattractive,anditwasn'tbecauseofNellthatMargueritewasfindingreasonsto
spendtimeontheduderanch.ShewantedTyler.She'dmadeitobviouswithherflirting.

Marguerite was beautiful, all right. She was redheaded, green eyed, and blessed with a figure that
lookedgoodinanything.SheandNellgotalongfairlywell,aslongasneitherofthemlookedback
nine years. It had been Marguerite who'd helped put the scars on Nell's young emotions. Nell had
neverbeenabletoforgetwhathadhappened.

Ontheotherhand,itwasn'tuntilTylercamethatNellreallynoticedhowoftenMargueriteusedher.
Shewasimpulsiveandthoughtnothingofinvitingherfriendsouttotheranchforhorsebackridesor
ofleavinghertwoyoungsonsinNell'scare.

ThoseactionshadneverbotheredNellverymuchuntillately.Recently,Nellhadbeenfeelingoddly
restless and stubborn. She didn't like the idea of Marguerite coming for two weekends in the same
month.Sheshouldhavesaidso.Givingintohersister-in-lawhadbecomeahabit,thewayofleast
resistance.Butnotanymore.She'dalreadygivenMargueritesomeunmistakablesignalsthatlittleNell
wasn'tgoingtobewalkedoveranymore.

Margie only came out to see the Texan, Nell was sure of it. She felt a sense of regret for what she
mighthavefeltforTylerifhehadn'tmadehislackofinterestsoapparentButthatwasjustaswell.
MargiehadmadeitobviousthatshelikedTyler,andNellknewshewasnocompetitionfortheolder
woman.Ontheotherhand,shewasprettytiredoflettingMargieuseherforadoormat.Itwastimeto
sayso.

Hersister-in-lawandhernephews,JessandCurt,werealreadypackedandwaitingwhenNellparked
theFordTempoatthestepsoftheirapartment.Theboys,redheadedandgreeneyedliketheirmother,
made a beeline for her. At seven, Jess was the oldest. Curt was five and already a contender for a
talkingmarathon.

"Hi,AuntNell,howabouttakingustohuntlizards?"Curtaskedasheclamberedintothebackseata

jumpaheadofhistallerbrother.

"Nevermindlizards,nerd,"Jessmuttered,"Iwanttolookforarrowheads.Tylersaidhe'dshowme
wheretolook."

"Iremindedhim,"Nellassuredtheolderboy."I'llgolizardhuntingwithCurt."

"Lizardsmakemyskincrawl,"Margueritesaid.Shewasn'tquiteastallasNell,butshewasequally
slender. She was wearing a green-and-white striped dress that looked as expensive as the diamond
studs in her ears and the ruby ring on her right hand. She'd stopped wearing her wedding band
recently—justsinceTylercametotheranch,infact.

"Well,ifIgetalizard,hecanlivewithme,"Curttoldhismotherbelligerently.

Nelllaughed,seeingherbrotherinthesmallboy'sfirmjawandjuttingchin.Itmadeheralittlesad,
butithadbeentwoyearssinceTedhaddied,andtheworstofthegriefhadwornoff."Canhe,now?"

"Notinmyhouse,"Margueritesaidfirmly.Afterherhusbandhaddied,Margiehadtakenhershareof
theranchincashandmovedtothecity.Margiehadneverreallylikedranchlife.

"ThenhecanlivewithAuntNell,sothere."

"Stop talking back, you little terror." Marguerite yawned. "I do hope all the air conditioners are
workingthistime,Nell.Ihatetheheat.Andyou'dbetterhaveBellastockuponPer-rier—there'sno
wayI'mdrinkingwateroutofthatwell."

Nell got in under the wheel without any comment. Marguerite always sounded like a conquering
army.ItwasannoyingandsometimesfranklyembarrassingtohaveMargieorderingheraroundand
takingthingsforgranted.

Nellhadtakenitforalongtime,outofloyaltytoherlatebrother,andbecausetheboyswouldsuffer
ifshedidn't.

But it was hard going, and until just recently she'd taken a lot from Marguerite. It was only when
Marguerite began making a dead set at Tyler that Nell had started talking back. And now that she'd
gottenthehangofit,sheratherlikednotbeingtalkeddowntoandtoldwhattodo.Shestaredather
sister-in-lawcoldlywhiletheboysarguedinthebackseataboutwhogotthemiddleandwhogota
windowseat.

"Theranchismine,"sheremindedMargueritequietly."UncleTedisinchargeuntilIturntwenty-five,
butafterthat,I'msoleowner.Rememberthetermsofmyfather'swill—mybrothergothalfandIgot
half.UncleTedwasexecutor.Thenwhenmybrotherdied,yougothisshareoftheranchincash.As
executor,UncleTedkeepscontroluntilIcomeofage.Youdon'tgiveorderstome,andyoudon'tget
specialconsiderationjustbecauseyou'reanin-law."

Margueritestared.Itwasn'tlikeNelltofightbacksofiercely."Nell,Ididn'tmeantosoundlikethat,"
shebeganhesitantly.

"Ihaven'tforgottenwhathappenednineyearsago,evenifyou'retryingto,"Nelladdedquietly.

Theolderwomanactuallywentbloodred.Shelookedaway."I'msorry.Iknowyoudon'tbelievethat,
butIreallyam.I'vehadtolivewithit,too.Teddespisedmeforit,youknow.Thingswereneverthe
samebetweenusafterIhadthatparty.Istillmisshim,verymuch,"sheaddedinasoft,conciliatory
tone,withaglanceinNell'sdirection.

"Sureyoudo,"Nellagreedasshestartedthecar."That'swhyyou'redressedtotheteethandfinding
excuses to suffer the heat at the ranch. Because you miss Ted so much, and you want to console
yourselfwithmyhiredhelp."

Margueritegasped,butNellignoredthesound.Shepulledoutintotrafficandstartedtellingtheboys
aboutthenewcalves,whichkepttheolderwomanquietduringthedrivehome.

Asusual,whenBellasawMargueritecominginthefrontdoor,thebuxomhousekeeperwentoutthe
backdooronthepretenseofcarryinganapplepieovertothebunkhouse.Onthewaytheresheran
intoTyler,wholookedtiredanddustyandhalfoutofhumor.

"Whatareyoudoingouthere?"heasked,grinningattheolderwomanwithherblackscowl.

"Hidingout,"Bellasaidgrumpily,pushingbackstrandsofsalt-and-pepperhairwhileherblackeyes
glittered.

"She'sback,"sheaddedicily.

"She?"

"HerMajesty.LadyLeisure."Sheshiftedthepie."JustwhatNellneeds,morepeopletotakecareof.
Thatlazyredheadhasn'tliftedafingersincepoorTeddrownedinadrywash.Andifyouknewwhat
thatflightyex-modelhaddonetoNell..."Sheflushedassherememberedwhoshewastalkingto.She
clearedherthroat."Ibakedthemenapie."

"Youbakedmeapie,"Nellmuttered,glaringatherhousekeeperasshecameoutofthebackdoor.
"Andnowyou'regivingitawaybecausemysister-in-lawishere.Theboyslikepie,too,youknow.
AndMargiewon'tspoilherfigurewithsweets,anyway."

"She'llspoilmyday,"Bellashotback."Wantingthis,wantingthat,makethebed,bringheratowel,
cook her an omelet... She can't be bothered to pick up a shoe or carry a cup of coffee, no, not her.
She'stoogoodtowork."

"Don'tairthedirtylinenouthere,"Nellsaidshortly,glancingatTyler.

Bellaliftedhersmallchin."He'snotblind,"shesaid."Heknowswhatgoesonhere."

"Takemypiebackinthehouse,"Nelltoldher.Bellaglaredather."She'snotgettingabiteofit.""Tell
her."

The older woman nodded curtly. "Don't think I won't." She glanced at Tyler and grinned. "You can
haveaslice,though."

Hetookoffhishatandbowed."I'lleateverycrumbtwice."

Shelaughedgleefullyandwentbackinside.

"Aren'tyoulateforthecampout?"Nellaskedcuriously.

"Wecanceledit,"hereplied."Mr.CurtisfellintoacactusandMrs.Simsgotsickonthechiliwehadat
lunchandhadtogotobed.Therestfiguredthey'dratherwatchtelevision."

Nellsmiledfaintly."Oh,well.Thebestlaidplans...We'lltryitagainontheweekend."

Tyler studied her quietly, his eyes narrowed in thought. "About this afternoon..." he began, holding
Nell'ssurprisedgaze.

Butbeforehecouldsayanotherword,thedoorbehindNellswungopen.

"Why,Tyler,hownicetoseeyouagain,"Margueritesaidlaughingly,pausinginthedoorway.

"Nicetoseeyouagain,Mrs.Regan,"hereplieddryly,andtherewasaworldofknowledgeinthepale
greeneyesthatsweptlazilydownherslenderbody.Margueritecouldn'ttakehiminwiththatstrategic
pose.Heknewtoomuch.Butitwasamusingtowatchhertry.

Nellwantedtothrowherselfdowninthedustandcry,butthatwouldn'thavedoneanygood.Shewent
backinside,givingupwithoutastruggle.

Margueritegaveheracuriousglance,butNelldidn'tevenlookather.IfshewantedTyler,shewas
welcometohim,Nellthoughtmiserably.Afterall,shehadnothingtogivehimherself.

Supperwasaquietaffair,exceptfortheboyssquabblingovereverythingfrommilktobeans.

"Tyleristakingmeridingtomorrow,"Margueritesaid,givingNellanapprehensiveglance."You'll
mindtheboys,won'tyou?"

Nelllookedup.Shefeltrebellious.Restless."Asamatteroffact,Ican't,"shesaidwithafaintsmile.
"Takethemwithyou.Tyler'salreadysaidhewouldn'tmindhelpingthemfindarrowheads."

"Sure!"Jessburstout."I'dlovetogo."

"I'llgo,too,"Curtsaid.

Marguerite looked annoyed. "I don't want you along." "You don't love us," Jess wailed. "You never
did," Curt seconded, and he started to cry. Marguerite threw up her hands. "See what you've done
now!"sheaccusedNell.

"Ihaven'tdoneanythingexceptrefusetobeyourdoormat."

Nellfinishedherpotatoes."Idon'trememberinvitingyouhere,"sherepliedcoolly."Don'texpectme
toentertainyouorbaby-sitforyou."

"Youalwayshavebefore,"Margueriteremindedher.

"Thatwasbefore,"Nellreplied."I'mnotdoingitanymore.You'llhavetotakecareofyourself."

"Who'sbeentalkingtoyou?"Margueriteasked,fascinated.

"Nobodyhas,"Nellreplied."I'mjusttiredofholdinguptheworld.Whydon'tyougetajob?"

Marguerite'sgaspwasaudible,butNellhadgottenupandleftthetablebeforeshehadtimeforany
outbursts.

Tyler took Marguerite and the boys riding the next morning. Marguerite did look good in a riding
habit,Nellhadtoconcede,buttheredheadwasobviouslyoutofsortsathavingtheboysalong.Tyler
hadn'tfussedabouttakingtheboys,either.Helikedchildren.Nellsmiled.Shelikedthem,too,butit
wasMarguerite'sjobtobetheirmother,notNell's.

Shewanderedouttothekitchenandpickedupabiscuit,havingrefusedbreakfastbecauseshehadn't
wantedtohearMargieraisingcainabouttheboysgoingalongonherromanticride.

"Andwhat'seatingyou,asifIdidn'tknow?"Bellaasked.Nelllaughed."Nothingatall."

"You've got Margie running for cover. Imagine, you talking back to her and refusing to be pushed
around.Areyousickorsomething?"sheadded,herkeenoldeyesprobing.

Nellbitintothebiscuit."Notatall.I'mjusttiredofbeingworkedtodeath,Iguess."

"AndwatchingMargieflirtwithTyler,I'venodoubt."

Nellglaredattheolderwoman."Stopthat.YouknowIdon'tlikehim."

"Youlikehim.Maybeit'smyfaultthatthingsnevergotgoingbetweenyou,"Bellaconfessedgently.
"Iwastryingtospareyoumoreheartache,orI'dneverhavesaidanythingwhenyouputonthatpretty
dress...."

Nellturnedaway.Shedidn'tlikebeingremindedofthatday."Heisn'tmytype,"shesaidgruffly."He's
Margie'stype."

"That'swhatyouthink,"Bellamurmureddryly.Sheputhertoweldownandstoodstaringattheother
woman.

"I'vewantedtotellyouforyearsthatmostmenarenicecritters.Someofthemareevendomesticated.
Allmenaren'tlikeDarrenMcAnders,"sheadded,watchingNell'sfacegopale."Andhewasn'teven
thatbadexceptwhenhewaspushedintogettingdrunk.HelovedMargie."

"AndIlovedhim,"Nellsaidcoldly."Heflirtedwithmeandteasedme,justlikeTylerdidatfirst.And

thenhedid..

.he did that to me, and it wasn't even because he was attracted to me. It was just to make Margie
jealous!"

"Itwasdespicable,"Bellaagreed."Butitwasworseforyoubecauseyoucaredabouthim,andyoufelt
betrayedandused.ItwasagoodthingIhappenedupstairswhenIdid."

"Yes,"Nellsaidtautly.Thememorieshurt.

"But it wasn't as bad as you've always made it out to be, either," Bella said firmly, ignoring the
shocked look she got from Nell. "It wasn't," she added. "If you'd ever gone out with boys or had a
date,you'dunderstandwhathappenedalotbetter.Youhadn'tevenbeenkissed—"

"Stop it," Nell muttered miserably. She stuck her hands in her jeans and shifted. "It doesn't matter,
anyway.I'mplainandcountrifiedandnomanisevergoingtowantme,nomatterwhatIdo.AndI
heardwhatTylersaidthatnight,"sheaddedwithacoldglare."Iheardeveryword.Hesaidhedidn't
wanta'lovesicktomboyhangingontohisboots.'"

Bellasighed."Soyoudidhearhim.Iwasafraidthat'swhyhewasgettingthedeep-freezetreatment
lately."

"Itdoesn'tmatter,youknow,"Nellsaidwithdeliberatecarelessness."It'sjustaswellIfoundoutearly
thatIwasannoyinghim.I'vebeencarefulnottobotherhimsince."

Bella started to say something, but obviously thought better of it. "How long is Her Highness here
for?"

"Justuntiltomorrowafternoon,thankGod."Nellsighed."I'dbettergetcracking.We'regoingriding,
andthenthisafternoonI'vegotabusloadofshopperstotakeintotown.IthoughtI'drunthemoverto
theElConmall.TheymightliketogetsomerealWesterngearatCooper's."

"ThesilversmithsareovernearSanXavier,"shewasreminded."AndtheycouldhavesomePapago
frybreadforrefreshments."

"Tohonoo'odham,"Nellcorrectedautomatically."That'sarealPapagoword,meaningpeopleofthe
desert.Theychangeditbecausetheygottiredofbeingcalled'beanpeople'inZuni."

"Ican'tsaythat,"Bellamuttered.

"Sureyoucan.Tohonoo'odham.Anyway,thefrybreadisagoodideaifwehaveanytimeleftfrom
theshopping."

"Areanyofthehusbandstaggingalong?"Bellaasked.

Nellpursedherhps."DoyouthinkI'dlookthischeerfulifthemenwerecomingwithus?"

"Stupid question," Bella said with a sigh. "I'd better get started on chow, or is Chappy laying on a

barbecue tonight before the square dance? He never asks me, he just goes ahead with whatever he
wantstodo."

"Chappydidsaysomethingaboutabarbecue.Whydon'tyoumakeabowlofpotatosaladandsome
homemaderollsandafewpiestogowithit?"SheputanarmaroundBella'sformidablegirth."That
willsaveyousomework,too,won'tit?Actually,IthinkChappy'skindofsweetonyou."

BellaflushedandglaredatNell."Heain't,neither!Nowgetoutofhereandletmegetbusy."

"Yes,ma'am."Nellgrinnedandcurtsiedbeforeshedartedoutthebackdoor.

Nellwentdowntothestablestocheckonthemountsforthemorningride.ChappyStapleswasalone
there,andafteralltheyears,Nellwasstillalittleinaweofhim.Hewasolderthanmostofthemen,
buthecouldoutridethebestofthem.He'dneversaidathingoutofthewaytoNell,butshecouldn't
helpherremoteness.Itwasthesamewithallthemen,exceptTyler.

"Howisthemarethismorning?"sheaskedthewirymanwiththepaleblueeyes,referringtoahorse
withabadshoe.

"Ihadthefarriercomeoverandtakealookather.Hereplacedtheshoe,butshe'sstillrestlessthis
morning.Iwouldn'ttakeheroutifIwereyou."

She sighed. "That will leave us one mount short," she murmured. "Margie's gone riding with Tyler
andtheboys."

"Ifyoucanhandleitalone,I'llkeepMarlowehereandlethimhelpmeworkthecolt,andoneofthe
guestscanhavehishorse,"Chappysaid."Howaboutit?"

"That sounds great." She sighed, thanking her lucky stars that the foulmouthed Marlowe was being
keptclearofherguests.Ifhekeptitup,he'dhavetogo,andthatwouldleavethemamanshort.Nell
didn'tliketheideaofaddingonnewmen.Ithadtakenherlongenoughtogetusedtotheonesshe
alreadyhadontheplace.

"We'llstartatten,"shetoldChappy."Andwehavetobebackintimeforlunch.I'mtakingtheladies
shoppingaboutone-thirty."

"Noproblem,ma'am."Hetippedhishatandreturnedtowork.

Nellwanderedbacktowardthehouse,deepinthought,almostrunninghead-onintoTylerbecauseshe
didn'tseehimuntilheroundedthecornerofthehouse.

Shegasped,steppingback."Sorry,"shesaid,faltering."Ididn'tseeyou."

Heglareddownather."IwasabouttoheadoffridingwithMargieandtheboyswhenIheardthatI'm
escortingMargietothesquaredancetonight."

"Areyou?"sheasked,allatsea.

He lifted an eyebrow. "That's what Margie tells me. She said it was your idea," he added in an
exaggeratedTexasdrawlthatcouldhaveskinnedacactusatcloserange.

"I guess you wouldn't believe me if I told you I haven't said a word to her about it," she said
resignedly.

"Youthrowheratmeeverytimeshecomesouthere,don'tyou?"heaskedwithamockingsmile.

She lowered her eyes and turned away. "I did once or twice, sure. I thought you might enjoy her
company,"shesaidinasubduedtone."She'slikeyou.Sophisticatedandclassyanduppercrust.Butif
you'drathershewentwithsomeoneelse,I'llseewhatIcando."

Hecaughtherarm,noticingthewayshetensedandfroze.

"Allright.Youdon'thavetomakeafederalcaseoutofit.Ijustdon'tlikehavingmyselfvolunteered
forguestescortservices.IlikeMargie,butIdon'tneedamatchmaker."

"No,youwouldn't,"shesaidmoresadlythansherealized."Willyouletgoofmyarm,please?"

"You can't bear to be touched, can you?" he asked speculatively. "That was one of the first things I
noticedaboutyou.Why?"

Her heart went wild. He couldn't know that it was his touch lancing through her like white-hot
pleasure that made her tremble, not a dislike of being touched by him. And that surprised her. "My
privatelifeisnoneofyourbusiness,"shesaidfirmly.

"No.You'vemadethatveryclearlately,"hereplied.Helethergoasifherarmburnedhisfingers.
"Okay,honey.

Haveityourownway.AsforMargie,I'llworkthingsoutwithher."

Hesoundedvaguelyexasperated,butNellwasfartoonervoustowonderabouthistoneofvoice.A
quickgetawaywasonhermind.Whenshewasalonewithhim,ittookallherwillpowernottothrow
herselfintohisarms,despiteallherinhibitions.

"Okay,"shesaid,andshrugged,asifwhathedidwereofnoconsequencetoher.Shewentaroundhim
andinto the housewithout looking back,unaware of his quietgaze following herevery step of the
way.

ChapterTwo

NelavoidedTylerfortherestoftheday,andshedidn'tgotothesquaredancethatnight.Sheexcused
herself right after the barbecue and went up to her room. She was being a coward, she thought
miserably,butatleastshewouldn'thavetowatchMargieflirtwithTyler.

ButmemoriesofTylerwouldn'tbeputoutofhermind.Herthoughtsdriftedrelentlesslybacktothe
verybeginning,tohisfirstfewdaysattheranch.Fromthemomentshe'dmethimattheairport,he'd
beengentleandkindtoher,puttingheratease,makinghimselfrightathomeinhercompany.

AndnotonlywithNell—he'dwonoverthemenandBellajustasquickly.Nellhadwannedtohimas
sheneverhadtoanyman,withtheexceptionofDarrenMcAnders.ButeventhoughDarrenhadleft
deepscarsonheremotions,NellknewinstinctivelythatTylerwouldn'tharmher.Beforesherealized
whatwashappeningtoher,shewasfollowinghimaroundlikeapuppy.

She grimaced, remembering. She'd alternated between sighing over him and trying to find ways to
makehimmorecomfortable.Shedidn'trealizehowhereagernesstopleasehimmightseemtoother
people...or even to Tyler. She was in awe of him, the wound of McAnders's long-ago rejection
forgotten.

Therewasasquaredancethesecondweekhewasinresidence.Nellhadn'tputonadress,butshedid
makesureherlonghairwascleanandneatlybrushed,andshedidn'twearherslouchhat.Asusual
when there were strangers around, especially male ones, she drew into herself. Tyler made a
convenienthidingplace,andshegotbehindhimandstayedthere.

"Scared?" he'd teased gently, not minding her shy company. She was a little sunflower, a child to
cosset. He hadn't asked her age, but he assumed she hadn't made it out of her teens yet. She didn't
threatenhiminanyway,andhecouldaffordtobekindtoher.

"I don't mix well," she confessed, smiling. "And I don't really trust men very much. Some of the
guests...well, they're older men and their wives aren't interested in them. I guess any young woman,
evenonelikeme,isfairgametothem.Idon'twanttrouble,somostlyIstayawayfromdances."Her
darkeyessoughthis."Youdon'tmindifIstickbackherewithyou?"

"Of course not." He leaned against one of the posts that supported the loft and busied his fingers
braidingthreestrandsofrawhidehe'dfound."Ihaven'tbeentoabarndanceinalongtime.Isthisan
ongoingritualhere?"

"EveryotherSaturdaynight,"sheconfided."Weeveninvitethekids,soeverybodygetstojoinin.The
band—" she indicated the four-man band "—is a local group. We pay them forty dollars for the
evening.Theyaren'tfamous,butwethinkthey'reprettygood."

"Theyare,"heagreedwithasmile.Heglanceddownather,wonderingwhatshe'dthinkofthekindof
partyhewasusedto,wherethewomenworedesignergownsandtherewerefullorchestrasoratleast
stringquartetsandjazzquintetstoprovidethemusic.

Shetwistedastrandofherhairinherfingersnervously,watchingthemarriedcouplesdance.There
wasawistfulexpressioninhereyes.Hefrownedashewatchedher.

"Doyouwanttodance,Nell?"heaskedgently.

Sheblushed."No.I,well,Idon'tdance,"sheconfessed,thrillingtothethoughtofbeinginhisarms.
Butthatmightnotbeagoodthing.Hemightseehowattractedshewastohim.Shefelthelplesswhen
hishandaccidentallybrushedhers.Shewasn'tsureshecouldhandleadoseofhimatclosequarters
withoutgivingawayhergrowinginfatuationforhim.

"Icouldteachyou,"hevolunteered,faintlyamusedatherreticence.

"No,I'dbetternot.Idon'twantto..."Shewasgoingtosaythatshedidn'twanttohavetoexplaintothe
maleguestswhyshewouldn'tdancewithanyonebutTyler.Itwastoohardtomakehimunderstand
thatherfleshcrawledatthethoughtofbeinghandledbystrangehands.Butshecovetedhistouch,and
thatwasnew.

"Okay,tidbit.Noneedtoworrythepoint."Hesmiled."ButIthinkI'mabouttobeabducted,sowhat
willyoudowhileI'maway?"heasked,indicatingaheavysetmiddle-agedwomanwhowasheading
towardhimwithagleefulsmile.

"I'lljusthelpoutattherefreshmenttable,"shesaid,andexcusedherself.Shewatchedhimbeingled
ontothedancefloorandshesighed,wishingshewastheonedancingwiththelong,tallTexan.But
shewasuncertainofherself.Itwasbetterifshedidn'trushthings.Muchbetter.

Afterthatevening,hebecameherportinastorm.Iftherewerebusinessmeetingsorproblemsthat
shehadtodiscusswiththemenormaleguests,shealwaysmadesureTylerwasincluded.Shebegan
tothinkofhimasabufferbetweenherselfandaworldthatfrightenedher.Butevenasshereliedon
him,shecouldn'thelpfeelinganattractionthatwasmakingitimpossibleforhertogoonasshehad.
Shewantedhimtonoticeher,toseeherasawoman.Itwasthefirsttimeinyearsthatshe'dwantedto
showoffherfemininity,tolookthewayawomanshould.

Butasshestaredatherselfinhermirroronemorning,shewantedtocry.Therewasn'tevengoodraw
materialtoworkwith.She'dseenphotosofmoviestarswholookedalmostasbadasshedidwithout
their makeup, but she didn't have the first idea how to make herself look beautiful. Her hair, while
longandlustrous,neededshaping.

Hereyebrowsalmostdisappearedbecausetheyweresosunbleached.Shehadagoodfigure,butshe
wastooshytowearrevealingclothes.Maybeitwasn'tagoodideatogooverboard,anyway,shetold
herself.Ithadtakenyearstogetoverherbadexperienceandthebrutalhonestyofthefirstmanshe'd
sethercapat.

Finally,she'dbraidedherhairintotwolongpigtailsandloopedIndianbeadedholdersaroundthem.
Thatdidn'tlooktoobad,consideringthatherpaternalgrandmotherwasafull-bloodedApache.She
onlywishedherfacelookedasgoodasherhairdid.Well,miraclesdidhappen.Maybesomedayone
wouldhappenforher.AndTylerdidactuallyseemtolikeher.

Shetriedahintoflipstickandputonhernewestjeans—theonlyonesshehadthatreallyfitproperly
—withapulloverknitblouse.Shesmiledatherreflection.Shereallydidn'tlooktoobad,shethought,
exceptforherface.

Maybeshecouldwearagunnysackoverit...

ThenBellacalledhertolunchbeforeshehadtimetoworryanymore.

Shebouncedintothediningroomwithmoreenergythanshe'dhadforweeks.Shefeltreborn,fullof
new,shyconfidence.Shewasblooming.

Therainhadcometothedesert,makingtheguestsuncomfortableandranchingdangerous.Themen
were working overtime keeping cattle and horses out of the dry washes that could kill so suddenly
andefficientlywhentheyfilledwithunexpectedrainwater.Thepastthreedayshadbroughtadeluge,
and two of the guests were giving up and going home. The other eight were going to tough it out.
Nell had smiled at their stubbornness and was determined to make life as pleasant as possible for
them.

The guests were having their meal half an hour later than Nell, Tyler and Bella in the huge oak-
decorateddiningroomwithitsheavychairsandtableandcomfortableloungefurniture.

Tylerhadn'tshownup,butBellawasbustlingaroundputtingplattersoffoodonthetablewhenshe
gotaglimpseofthemistressofthehouseandalmostdroppedthetrayshewascarrying.

"Thatyou,Nell?"sheaskedhesitantly,hergrayheadcockedsideways.

"Who are you expecting?" Nell asked, laughing. "Well, I won't win any beauty contests, but don't I
lookbetter?"

"Too much better," Bella said gently. "Oh, honey, don't do it. Don't set yourself up for such a hard
fall."

Nellstoppedbreathing."What?"sheasked.

"You take him things for the cabin," Bella said. "You sew buttons on his shirts. You make sure he's
warmanddrywhenitrains.You'reforevermakinghimspecialthingsinthekitchen.Andnowthis
transformation. Honey, he's a sophisticated man who was, until just recently, very rich and well
traveled."Shelookedworried."Idon'twanttosmashanydreams,buthe'susedtoadifferentkindof
woman. He's being kind to you, Nell. But that's all it is. Don't mistake kindness for true love. Not
again."

Nell'sfacewentbloodred.Shehadn'trealizedthatshewasdoingthosethings.She'dlikedhimandshe
wantedhimtobehappy.Butitdidn'tlooklikethat—ofcourseitdidn't.Andhernewappearancewas
goingtoputhiminaveryembarrassingsituation.

"Ilikehim,"Nellfaltered."ButI'mnot...notchasinghim."Sheturnedandranupstairs."I'llchange."
"Nell!"

She ignored Bella's remorseful wail and kept going. But she wouldn't come back down for dinner,
despitethepleadingfromtheothersideofthedoor.Shefeltrawandhurt,eventhoughBellahadjust
meanttobekind.Nellwasgoingtohavetowatchherstep.Shecouldn'taffordtoletTylerthinkshe
waschasinghim.Godforbidthatsheshouldinviteheartacheagain.

Downstairs,TylerandBellahadbeensharingaquietmeal.Hestudiedtheoldwomancuriously.

"Somethingbotheringyou?"heaskedpolitely.

"Nell." She sighed. "She won't come down. She fixed her hair and changed clothes, and I..." She
clearedherthroat.

"Isaidsomething."

"Nellcouldusealittleself-confidence,"Tylersaidquietly.

"Thatwasn'tkindofyoutoknockherdownwhenshewasjustgettingstarted."

"I don't want her to get hurt again," Bella moaned. "You just mean to be kind, I know that. But that
childhasneverhadanyaffection,exceptfromme.Shedoesn'tknowwhatitistobelovedandwanted.
HerfatherlivedforTed.

Nell was always an afterthought. And the only other time she was interested in a man, she got hurt
bad."Shesighedagain."SomaybeI'moverprotective.ButIjustdidn'twanttoseeherthrowherselfat
youbecauseyoupayheralittleattention."

"Ineverthoughtshewas,"Tylersaid,smiling."You'rewrong.Nell'sjustbeingfriendly.She'sacute
littlekidwithprettybrowneyesandanicewayabouther.Ilikeherandshelikesme.Butthat'sallitis.
Youdon'thavetoworry."

Bellaeyedhim,wonderingifhecouldbethatblind.Maybehecould."Nellistwenty-four,"shesaid.

Hisblackeyebrowsarched."Ibegyourpardon?"

"Well,howolddidyouthinkshewas?"thewomanasked.

"Nineteen.Eighteen,maybe."Hefrowned."Areyouserious?"

"Never more so," Bella told him. "So please don't make the mistake of putting her in patent leather
shoes and ruffled pinafores. She's a grown woman who's lived alone and been slighted all her life.
She'sjustripetohaveherhearttornoutbytheroots.Pleasedon'tbetheonetodothattoher."

Tylerhardlyheardher.He'dthoughtofNellasacutekid,butmaybehe'dgotteneverythingwrong.
Surely she didn't see him as a potential romantic interest? That was just too farfetched. Why, she
wasn'tevenhistype.Hepreferredamuchmoresophisticated,worldlywoman.

Hepickedathisfood."Ididn'trealize,"hebegan,"thatshemightbethinkingofmeinthoseterms.I'll
make sure I don't do anything to encourage her." He smiled at Bella. "I sure as hell don't want a

lovesick tomboy grabbing me by the boots every time I walk by. I don't like being chased, even by
attractive women. And Nell is a sweet child, but even a blind man couldn't accuse her of being
beautiful."

"Havesomemorebeef,"Bellasaidafteraminute,gratefulthatNellwasstillupinherroomandnot
likelytohearwhathe'dsaid.

Ofcourse,asfatewouldhaveit,Nellhadstartedbackdownthehallandwasstandingjustoutsidethe
door. She'd heard every word, and her face was a pasty white. She just barely made it back to her
roombeforethetearsthatshe'dpent-upescaped.

Maybeithadbeenforthebestthatshe'dfoundoutearlywhatTylerreallythoughtofher.She'dgonea
littlecrazybecauseoftheattentionhe'dpaidher,butnowthatsheknewwhathereallyfeltabouther,
she'd keep those stupid impulses under better control. Like Bella said, she'd mistaken kindness for
interest.Andsheshouldhaveknownbetter.ForGod'ssake,hadn'tshelearnedherlessonalready?She
hadnothingthatwouldattractaman.

Soshe'ddriedhereyesandputbackonhercomfortableclothes,andlatershe'dgonedowntosupper
as if nothing at all had happened. Neither Bella nor Tyler realized what she'd overheard, and she
hadn'ttoldthem.

ButafterlearninghowTylerfelt,Nell'sattitudetowardhimchanged.Shewaspoliteandhelpful,but
thelightthathadbeeninhereyeswhenshelookedathimhadgoneout.Sheneverlookeddirectlyat
himandsheneversoughthimout.Thelittleattentionsvanished,asdidhershyadoration.Shetreated
him like any other ranch hand, and what she really felt, only she knew. She never talked about him
again,eventoBella.

Buttonight,inthesilenceofherroom,shestillachedforwhatmighthavebeen.Itseemedverylikely
thatshewasn'tcutoutforacloserelationshipwithaman,muchlesswithTylerJacobs.Butthatdidn't
stopherfrombeinghurtbywhathadhappened.Ithadbeenthefirsttimeinyearsthatshe'dmadean
efforttolooklikeawoman.Itwouldbethelast,too,shevowed.Sherolledoverandclosedhereyes.
Minuteslater,shewasasleep.

Acoupleofweekslater,thesunwasout,thankGod,becausetherecentrainshadbeencatastrophic.
Bookings had been canceled and the ranch's finances had suffered. But now they had all eighteen
roomsfilled,mostofthemdoubleoccupancy.Theranchcateredtofamilieswithchildren,andfamily
funwasemphasized,withhayridesandtrailridesandbarbecuesandsquaredancing.Theydidalotof
repeat business. Mr. Howes and his wife had been regulars for ten years, and although Mr. Howes
spentagreatdealofhistimefallingoffhishorse,itneverseemedtodeterhimfromtryingtokeep
his girth in the saddle. And despite the fact that Mrs. Sims had been infuriating her ulcer with
Crowbait'shomemadefirehousechiliforthepastfiveyears,shekepttryingtoeatit.Shewasawidow
whotaughtschoolbackEastduringtheyearandvacationedforaweekattherancheverysummer.

Mostoftheregularswerelikefamilynow,andeventhehusbandsdidn'tbotherNellbecausesheknew
them. But there was always the exception, like the very greasy-looking Mr. Cova who had a plain,
loving wife whose affection he seemed determined to abuse. He was always watching Nell, and she

lookedforwardtothedaywhentheyleft.

"YoucouldhaveTylerspeaktoMr.Cova,ifthingsgettoorough,"Bellamentionedasshewassetting
thebuffettableforlunch.

"No,thanks,"Nellsaidquietly."Icantakecareofmyself."

She turned, almost colliding with Tyler's tall form as he appeared quietly in the doorway. She
mumbled an apology and dashed past him without a word. He watched her irritably for a minute
beforeheswunghimselfintoastraddlingpositionoveroneofthekitchenchairsandtossedhishat
ontothetable.Hislean,darkhandslitacigarettewhilehenursedawarmregretforthefriendliness
he'doncesharedwithNell.Hefeltasifhe'dhurthersomehow.Herquietsensitivitydisturbedhim.
Shetouchedachordinhimthatnootherwomanhadeverreached.

"You'rebroodingagain,"Bellamurmureddryly.

Hesmiledfaintly."It'sjustthatNell'schanged,"hesaidquietly,liftingthecigarettetohischiseledlips.
"Ithoughtweweregoingtobethebestoffriends.Butnow,whenIcomeintoaroom,shecan'tleave
quickenough.ShesendsmemessagesthroughChappy.IfIneedtoseethebooks,shehassomebody
bringthemtome."Heshrugged."Ifeellikeadamnedleper."

"She'sjustnervousaroundmen,"Bellasoothed."Shealwayshasbeen—askChappy."

Tyler's green eyes shifted and met hers. "It wasn't like this at first. I couldn't turn around without
bumpingintoher.

Doyouknowwhythingschanged?"

Bellashrugged."IfIdid,"shesaid,choosingherwordscarefully,"shewouldn'tthankmeforsaying
anything.

Althoughshesureisquietthesedays."

"Amen.Well,maybeit'sjustaswell,"Tylermurmuredabsently.Hetookadrawfromhiscigarette.
"What'sforlunch?"

"Open-faced roast beef sandwiches, homemade French fries, salad, homemade banana pudding and
icedteaandcoffee."

"Soundsdelicious.Bytheway,I'veaddedtwonewmenonthepayrolltohelpdosomeworkonthe
equipment and renovate the stable and the barn. That's going to have to be done before we finish
haying,asI'msureyouknow."

Bellawhistledthroughherteeth."Nellisn'tgoingtolikethat.Shehateshavingtodealwithnewmen."

Hescowledather."Whathappenedtoher?"

"Ican'ttellyouthat.She'llhaveto."

"I'veasked,butallIgotwastherunaround."

"She'sasecretiveperson.Nelldoesn'ttalkaboutherself,andIwon't."Shesmiledtosoftenthewords.
"Trustingsomeonedoesn'tcomeeasytothatchild."

"Trustisdifficultformostofus."Hetiltedhishatoverhiseyes."Seeyou."

The barn, like every other building on the place, leaked in heavy rain, but when it was sunny like
today, it was cozy and plenty warm enough. Nell was kneeling beside a small Hereford calf in a
ricketystallfilledwithgreen-goldhay,strokingitshead.

Tylerstoodinthehay-filledaislewatchingherforalongmoment,hiseyesnarrowedinthought.She
lookedlikeOrphanAnnie,andmaybeshefeltthatway.Heknewwhatitwasliketolivewithoutlove,
tobealoneandalienated.Heunderstoodher,butshewouldn'tlethimcloseenoughtotellherso.He'd
madeamistakewithNell.

Hedidn'tevenknowwhathe'ddonetomakeherbackoffandtreathimwithsuchcoolindifference.

Hemissedthewaythingshadbeenattheirfirstmeeting.Hershyadorationhadtouchedhim,warmed
him.

BecauseofNell,hefeltakindofemptinessthathedidn'tevenunderstand.

Hemovedcloser,watchingthewayshereactedtohisapproach,thewayherdarkeyesfell,herquick
movementsasshegottoherfeetandmovedoutintotheaisle.Asif,hethoughtirritably,shecouldn't
bearbeinginanenclosedspacewithhim.

"IthoughtI'dbettertellyouthatI'vehiredtwomen,temporarily,tohelpwithsomerepairs,"hesaid.
"Don'tpanic,"headdedwhenhesawtheflashoffearinhereyes."They'renotaxmurderers,andthey
won'ttrytorapeyou."

Sheblushedfuriouslyandtearsburnedhereyes.Shedidn'tsayaword.Sheturnedandstormedoutof
thebarn,hurtinginwaysshecouldn'thavetoldhimabout,oldmemoriesblazinguplikebonfiresin
thebackofhermind.

"Damnit—!"heburstoutangrily.Hewasonestepbehindher.Evenasshereachedthebamdoor,he
caughtherarmfirmlytostopher.Thereactionhegotshockedhim.

Shecriedout,twistingsharplyawayfromhim,hereyeswideanddarkandfearful.

Herealizedbelatedlythatwhathadfrightenedherwastheangerinhisface,thephysicalexpressionof
itinhisfirmholdonher."Idon'thitwomen,"hesaidquietly,movingbackastep."AndIdidn'tmean
toupsetyou.Ishouldn'thavemadethatcrackaboutthenewmen.Nell..."

Sheswallowed,stuffingherhandsintoherjeanswhileshefoughtforcomposure.Shehatedletting
him see the fear his violence had incited. She glanced away from him and her thick black lashes

blockedhisviewoftheemotioninherdarkeyes.

Hemovedcloser,loomingoverher.Hisleanhandsslidintothethickcoolnessofherhairatherears
andtiltedherfaceuptohis.

"Stoprunning,"hesaidcurtly."You'vedoneitforweeks,andIcan'ttakemuchmore.Ican'tgetnear
you."

"Idon'twantyounearme,"shesaid,chokingonthewords."Letgo."

Herwordsstunghispride,buthedidn'tlethersee."Tellmewhy,then,"hepersisted.Hisgazewas
level,unblinking."Comeon."

"IheardwhatyousaidtoBellathatnight,"shesaid,avertinghereyes."YouthoughtIwasjustakid,
andwhenshetoldyouhowoldIreallywas,you...yousaidyoudidn'twantatomboyhangingfrom
yourboots,"shewhisperedhuskily.

Hesawthetearsbeforehefeltthemslidingontothebacksofhishands."Sothatwasit."Hegrimaced.
Hehadn'trealizedthatNellmighthaveheardhim.Hiswordsmusthavecuthertothequick."Nell,I
nevermeantforyoutohearme,"hesaidgently.

"Itwasagoodthing,"shesaid,liftingherchinproudlyasshefoughtdownembarrassment."Ididn't
realize how...how silly I was behaving. I won't embarrass you anymore, I promise. I liked you, that
was all. I wanted you to be happy here." She laughed huskily. "I know I'm not the kind of girl who
wouldappealtoamanlikeyou,andIwasn'tthrowingmyselfatyou."Hereyesclosedonawaveof
pain."Now,please,willyouletmego?"

"Oh,Nell,"hegroaned.Hepulledherclose,wrappingherupinhisarms,hisdarkheadbenttoher
honey-brownoneundertheslouchhat.Herockedher,feelingthepaininherasifithurthim,too.His
eyesclosedasheswungherinhisarms,theclosecontacteasingthetears,easingthepain.Shewept
silentlyatthesweetnessofit,evenwhilesheknewthatshecouldn'texpectanymorethanthis.Afew
secondsofpitymingledwithguilt.Coldcomfortforalonelylife.

Sheletherselfrestagainsthimforoneexquisitemoment,lovingthewirystrengthofhistallbody,
theleatherandtobaccosmellsthatclungtohissoftcottonshirt,thesoundofhisheartbeatunderher
ear.Thiswouldbesomethingtodreamaboutwhenheleft.Butnow,shehadtobestrong.

She pulled away from him and he let her go. She knew that there was no hope for her in his life.
Margiewasmorelikehim—shewassophisticatedandgood-lookingandmature.They'dhititofflike
ahouseonfire,andNellhadtokeepthatinmindandnotletherheartgetaddictedtoTyler.Because
Margiewantedhim,Nellwassureofit.AndMargiealwaysgotwhatshewanted.

Shedrewinashakybreath."Thanksforthecomfort,"shesaid.Sheevenforcedasmile."Youdon't
havetoworryaboutme.Iwon'tmakethingshardforyou."Shelookedup,herbrowneyesverysoft
anddark,shimmeringwithahurtthatshewastryingsohardtokeepfromhim.

Tyler felt something stir in him that knocked him in the knees. She had the most beautiful, sensual

eyeshe'deverseen.Theymadehimhungry,butforthingsthathadnophysicalexpression.Shemade
himfeelasifhe'dbeenoutinthecoldallhislife,andtherewasawarmfirewaitingforhim.

Nellfeltthathungerinhim,butshewasafraidofit.Hiseyeshadbecomeaglitteringgreen,andthey
were so intent that she flushed and dropped her gaze to his chest. He made her weak all over. If he
lookedatherlikethatveryoften,she'dhavetogooffintothedesertforever.Shefeltasifhewere
takingpossessionofherwithoutaphysicalmove.

Shesteppedback,nervous,unsureofherself."I'dbettergoinside."

"About those new men—they're only temporary. Just until we get through roundup." His voice
soundedoddlystrained.Helitacigarette,surprisedtofindthathisfingerswereunsteady."They'llbe
hereinafewweeks."

Shemanagedashysmile."Well,I'lltrynottotreatthemlikeaxmurderers,"shepromisednervously.
"I'msorryaboutthesquaredance.AboutleavingyoutodealwithMargie."Sheliftedhershoulders
jerkily.

"Idon'tmind.Butdon'tmakeahabitofit,okay?"heasked,smilingtosoftenthewords.Hereached
outandtuggedalockofherlong,unrulyhair."I'mfeelingalittlerawrightnow,Nell.I'velostmy
home,myjob...

everythingthatusedtomatter.I'mstilltryingtofindmyfeet.There'snoplaceinmylifeforawoman
justyet."

"I'm sorry about what you lost, Tyler," she said with genuine sincerity, gazing up at his hard, dark
face. "But you'll get it all back one day. You're that kind of person. I can't see you giving up and
settlingforweeklywages."

Hesmiledslowly,surprisedatherperception."Can'tyou?You'renoquitteryourself,littleNell."She
blushed."I'mnotlittle."

He moved a step closer with a new kind of slowness, a sensual kind of movement that made Nell's
heartstopandthenskipwildly.Shecouldbarelybreathe,themanlycologneheworedriftingintoher
nostrils,seducingher.

"You'renotverybig,either,"hemused.Hetouchedtheveryvisiblepulseinhersoftneck,tracingit
withalong,teasingfingerthatmadeitjump."Nervous,honey?"hebreathed.

Shecouldhardlyfindenoughbreathtoanswerhim."I...Ihavetogoinside."

Hisheadbentsothathisgreeneyeswerelookingstraightintoherdarkoneswhilethatmaddening
fingertracedahotpathdownherthroatanduptoherjaw."Doyou?"heaskedinahuskywhisper,and
hisbreathtouchedherpartedlipslikeakiss.

"Tyler..."Odd,howdifferenthervoicesounded.Strained.Almostfrantic.

Hiseyesfelltohermouth,andhewanteditsuddenlyandfiercely.Hischestroseandfellquickly,his
eyesglittereddownather.Healmostbentthatscantinchthatwouldhavebroughthersoft,fullmouth
under his. But she was trembling, and he couldn't be sure that it wasn't from fear. It was too soon.
Muchtoosoon.

Heforcedhimselftodrawback,buthishandgrippedhershouldertightlybeforehelethergo."See
youlater,"hesaidwithaslowsmile.

Sheclearedherthroat.Foronewildsecond,she'dthoughthemeanttokissher,butthatwasabsurd.
"Sure,"shesaidhuskily."Seeyou."

She turned and went into the house on wobbly legs. She was going to have to get her imagination
undercontrol.

Tylerwasonlyteasing,justashehadinthebeginning.Atleasthestilllikedher.Ifshecouldcontrol
her foolish heart, they might yet become friends. She could hardly hope for anything more, with
Margiearound.

ChapterThree

Acoupleofweekendslater,Margieandtheboyswerebackattheranch.CurtandJesswereupatthe
crackofdawnSunday,andNellnoticedwithfainthumorthattheyfollowedTylerwhereverhewent.
ThatgaveMargieagoodexcusetotagalong,too,butthewomanseemedpreoccupied.She'dtriedto
getaconversationgoingwithNellearlier,althoughNellhadn'tbeenforthcoming.Itwashardgoing,
listeningtoMargietrytoorderherlifeforher.Margieapparentlyhadn'tnoticedthathersister-in-law
was a capable adult. She spent most of her time at the ranch trying to change Nell into the kind of
personshewantedhertobe.OrsoitseemedtoNell.

"Idowishyou'dletmefixyourfaceandhelpyoubuysomenewclothes,"Margiegrumbledatthe
breakfasttable.

SheglaredatNell'susualattire."Andyoumightaswellwearagunnysackasthatoldoutfit.You'dget
justasmuchnoticefromthemen,anyway."

"Idon'twantthementonoticeme,"Nellrepliedtersely.

"Well,youshould,"shesaidstubbornly."Thatincidentwasalongtimeago,Nell,"sheaddedwitha
fixedstare,

"and not really as traumatic as you've made it out to be. And don't argue," she added when Nell
bristled."Youwerejustachild,ataveryimpressionableage,andyou'dhadacrushonDarren.I'm
not saying that you invited it, because we both know you didn't. But it's time you faced what a
relationshipreallyisbetweenamanandawoman.Youcan'tbealittlegirlforever."

"I'mnotalittlegirl,"Nellsaidthroughherteeth.Sheknewhercheekswerescarlet."AndIknowwhat
relationshipsare.Idon'thappentowantone."

"Youshould.You'regoingtowindupanoldmaid,andit'sapitifulwaste."Margiefoldedherarms
overthelowbodiceofherwhitepeasantdresswithitsgracefulflouncesandruffles."Look,honey,"
shebegan,hervoicesoftening,"Iknowitwasmostlymyfault.I'msorry.Butyoucan'tletitruinyour
wholelife.You'venevertalkedtomeortoBella.Iwishyouhad,becausewecouldhavehelpedyou."

"Idon'tneedhelp,"Nellsaidicily.

"Yes,youdo,"Margiepersisted."You'vegottostophidingfromlife—"

"Thereyouare,"Tylersaid,interruptingMargie'stirade."Youroffspringhavecorneredabullsnake
outintheyard.

Curtsaysyouwon'tmindifhekeepsitforapet."

Margielookedup,horrified.

Tylerchuckledattheexpressiononherface."Okay.I'llmakehimturnitloose."HeglancedatNell,

noticingthewaysheavertedhereyesandtoyednervouslywithhercoffeecup."Someoftheguests
aregoingtoservices.IthoughtI'ddrivethem.I'mpartialtoagoodsermon."

"Okay.Thanks,"Nellsaid,ignoringMargie'sobvioussurprise.

"DidyouthinkIwasthewalkingimageofsin?"Tyleraskedtheprettierwoman."Sorrytoputastick
inyourspokes,butI'mstilljustacountryboyfromTexas,despitethelifestyleIusedtoboast."

"My,my."Margieshookherheadamusedly."Themindboggles."ShedartedaglanceatNell,sitting
likearock.

"YououghttotakeNellalong.Sheandherhairshirtwouldprobablyenjoyit."

"Idon'twearahairshirt,andIcandrivemyselftochurchlater."Nellgotupandlefttheroom,her
stiffbacksayingmorethanwords.

Shedidgotochurch,tothelatemorningservice,inaplaingraydressthatdidnothingforher,with
nomakeuponandherhoney-brownhairinaneatbun.Shelookedasshelived—plainly.Bellahad
drivenhertotownandwasgoingtopickherupwhentheservicewasover.Itwouldhavebeenthelast
straw to go earlier with Tyler's group, especially after Margie's infuriating invitation at Tyler's
expense.

SothelastpersonsheexpectedtofindwaitingforherwasTyler,inaneatgraysuit,loungingagainst
theranchstationwagonatthefrontofthechurchwhenserviceswereover.

"Where'sBella?"Nellaskedbluntly.

Tylerraisedadarkeyebrow."Now,now,"hechidedgently."It'sSunday.AndI'dhatetoletyouwalk
backtotheranch."

"Bellawassupposedtopickmeup,"shesaid,refusingtomove.

"NosenseinlettinghercomeallthiswaywhenIhadtocomebacktotownanyway,wasthere?"he
askedreasonably.

Sheeyedhimwarily."WhydidyouhavetomaketwotripstotownonSunday?"

"Topickyouup,ofcourse.Getin."

It wasn't as if she had a choice. He escorted her to the passenger side and put her in like so much
laundry,closingthedoorgentlybehindher.

"You'rekillingmyego,"heremarkedashepulledoutontotheroad.

Hernervoushandstwistedhersoftgrayleatherpurse."Youdon'thaveanego,"shereplied,glancing
outattheexpanseofopencountryandjaggedmountains.

"Thankyou,"hereplied,smilingfaintly."That'sthefirstnicethingyou'vesaidtomeinweeks."

She let out a quiet breath and stared at the purse in her hands. "I don't mean to be like this," she
confessed."It'sjust—"hershouldersliftedandfell"—Idon'twantyoutothinkthatI'mrunningafter
you."Shegrimaced."Afterall,IguessIwasprettyobnoxiousthosefirstdaysyouwerehere."

Hepulledthestationwagonontoapasturetrailthatledbeyondalockedgate,andcutofftheengine.
Hisgreeneyeslancedoverherwhilehelitacigarettewithslow,steadyhands.

"Okay,let'sputourcardsonthetable,"hesaidquietly."I'mflatbusted.Iworkforyourunclebecause
whatIhaveleftinthebankwouldn'tsupportmeforaweek,andIcan'tsavealot.I'vegotdebtsthat
I'mtryingtopayoff.Thatmakesmeabadprospectforawoman.I'mnotlookingforinvolvement...."

She groaned, torn by embarrassment, and fumbled her way out of the car, scarlet with humiliated
pride.

Hewasonestepbehind,andbeforeshecouldgetawayhewasinfrontofher,thethreatofhistall,fit
bodyholdingherbackagainstthestationwagon.

"Please,youdon'thavetoexplainanythingtome,"shesaidbrokenly."I'msorry,Inevermeantto—"

"Nell."

Thesoundofhernameinthatdeep,slowdrawlbroughtherhurteyesuptohis.Throughamistof
gatheringtearsshesawhisfaceharden,thenhiseyesbegintoglitteragain,astheyhadoncebefore
whenhe'dcomeclosetoher.

"You'realltoovulnerable,"hesaid,andtherewassomethingsolemnandveryadultinhislook."I'm
tryingtotellyouthatIneverthoughtyouwerechasingme.Youaren'tthetype."

She could have laughed at that statement. He didn't know that years ago she'd run shamelessly after
DarrenMcAndersandalmostbeggedforhislove.Butshedidn'tspeak.Hereyesfelltothequickrise
andfallofhisbroadchestunderthewell-fittingsuit,andshewonderedwhyheseemedsobreathless.
Herownbreathingwasmuchtooquick,becausehewascloseenoughthatshecouldfeelhiswarmth,
smelltheexpensivecolognethatclungtohim.

"I'mnervousaroundmen,"shesaidwithoutlookingup."Youwerethefirstonewhoeverpaidmeany
realattention.IguessIwassoflatteredthatIwentoverboard,tryingtomakeyouhappyhere."She
smiled faintly, glancing up and then down again. "But I never really thought it was anything except
friendshiponyourpart,youknow.I'mnotatalllikeMargie."

"Whatdoyoumeanbythatcrack?"heaskedsharply.

Sheshiveredathistone."She'slikethepeopleinyourworld,that'sall.She'spoisedandsophisticated
andbeautiful..."

"There are many different kinds of beauty, Nell," he said, his voice softer than she'd ever heard it.
Withsurprisedpleasureshefeltthetouchofhisleanfingersonherchinasheliftedherfaceuptohis
eyes."Itgoesalotdeeperthanmakeup."

Herlipspartedandshefoundthatshecouldn'tquitedraghereyesawayfromhis.Hewaswatching
herinawaythatmadeherkneesweak.

"We'dbettergo...hadn'twe?"sheaskedinahuskywhisper.

Thetimbreofhersoftvoicesentripplesdownhisspine.Hesearchedherdarkeyesslowly,finding
secretsthere,unvoicedlongings.Hecouldalmostfeelthelonelinessinher,thehiddenneed.

Andallatonce,hefeltaneedsparkwithinhimtoerasethatpainfromhersofteyes.

Hedroppedhiscigaretteabsentlytothegroundandputitoutwithasharpmovementofhisboot.His
leanhandsslidagainstherhighcheekbonesandpastherears.

''Tyler...!"shegasped.

"Shh."Heeasedherbackuntilshewasrestingagainstthestationwagon,withhischesttouchingher
tautbreasts,andallthetimehiseyessearchedhers,lockedwiththem,bindinghertohim.

Hernervoushands,purseandall,pressedagainsthim,butnotwithanyrealprotest,andheknewit.
Thisclose,shecouldn'thideherhungerfromhim.

"But..."shebegan.

"Nell." He whispered her name just as his Hps brushed against hers. It wasn't a kiss at all. It was a
breathofshiverysensationagainsthermouth,atentativetouchthatmadeherstandverystill,because
shewasafraidthathemightstopifshemoved.

Hisfingerstoyedathernapeastheyremovedthehairpinsandloosenedherhair,andallthewhilehis
mouthwasteasinghers,keepingherinthralltohim.Heclosedoneofherhandsaroundherhairpins
andranhisfingersslowlythroughthemassofhoney-streakedhairhe'dloosened,enjoyingitssilky
coolness.

"Openyourmouthalittle,"hewhisperedashisteethclosedgentlyonherlowerlip.

Sheblushed,butsheobeyedhimwithoutpause.

His own mouth parted, and she watched it fit itself exactly to the contours of her lips. Her eyes
glanced off his fiery ones, and then the sensation began to penetrate her shocked nerves, and she
gaspedashereyesclosedinachingpleasure.

Hemurmuredsomethingdeepandrough,andthenshefeltthelengthofhishardbodyeasingdown
againstherswhilebirdscalledinthemeadowandanairplaneflewoverheadandthesunbeatdownon
herhead.Shemoanedinsweetoblivion.

Hefelthertremble,heardthefirstcryfromherlips.Hismouthliftedjustenoughforhimtoseeher
face,andhewasstartledbythepleasurehefoundthere.Hereyesopened,blackpoolsofvelvet.His
handsslidgentlydownherbacktoherwaist,andherealizedthatbreathinghadbecomeanOlympic

event.

"My God," he whispered, but with reverence, because not once in his life had he felt this
overwhelmingtendernessforawoman.

"You...youshouldn'tholdme...likethis,"shewhisperedback,hervoiceshatteringwithmingledfear
andneed.

"Whynot?"Hebrushedhisnoseagainstherswhilehespokeandmanagedafaintsmileforher.

Shecolored."Youknowwhynot."

"No,Idon't."Hismouthcoveredhersslowly,andhefeltheryield,felthersubmissionlikeadrugas
hedrownedinthesoftnessofherbodyandthesweetnessofhermouth.Herelaxed,givingintohis
ownneed.Hishipsslowlypressedagainsthers,lettingherfeelwhatsheprobablyalreadyknew...that
hewasfeverishlyarousedbyher.

Shestiffenedandgasped,andwithoutwarninghefeltherardorturntofearasshepushedathischest
inflamingembarrassment.

He drew away gently, releasing her from the soft crush of his body. His eyes searched her scarlet
face,notingthewayshekeptherowneyeshidden.

"Youhaven'tdonethisbefore,"hesaidwithsuddenconviction.

"Not...not voluntarily, no," she replied with forced lightness. She gnawed on her lip. "I'm sorry.
It's...it'salittlescary."Andsheblushedagain,evenmore.

Helaughedsoftly,delighted.Hismouthpressedgentlyagainstherforehead.Henuzzledherfacewith
his."Isupposeitwouldbe,toaquietlittlevirginwhodoesn'tchasemen."

"Pleasedon'tmakefunofme,"shewhispered.

"Wasthathowitsounded?"Heliftedhishead,touchinghermouthwithaslow,tenderforefingerashe
watchedher."Ididn'tmeanitto.I'mnotusedtoinnocents,Nell.TheworldIcamefromdidn'taccept
themveryreadily."

"Oh.Isee."

"No,youdon't,honey.Andthat'sagoodthing.Itisn'tmyworldanylonger.I'mnotsureIevenmiss
it."Hetoyedwithalong,silkystrandofherhair."You'retrembling,"hewhispered.

"I'm...thisis...it'snew."

"It'snewforme,too,althoughIimagineyoudon'tbelieveit."Hebrushedthehairbackfromherface,
and his green eyes searched her dark ones. "How long is it since a man kissed you...really kissed
you?"

"Idon'tthinkanyoneeverdid,andmeantit,"sheconfessed.

"Why?"

"Idon'tattractmen,"shefaltered.

"Really?"Hesmiledbutwithoutmirthashecaughtherbythewaistandpulledhertohim.Sheflushed
andtriedtopullaway,butthistimeheheldherfirmly.

"Tyler!"sheprotested,flustered.

"Juststand still," hesaid quietly, buthe let her hipspull away withoutan argument. "You're twenty-
fouryearsoldanddamnedignorantaboutmen.It'stimeyouhadalittleinstruc-tion.Iwon'thurtyou,
butIcan'tkissyoufromasafedis-tance."

"Youshouldn't,"shepleaded,lookingup."Itisn'tfairto...toplaywithme."

Hisdarkeyesdidn'tblink."IsthatwhatI'mdoing,Nell?"heaskedsoftly."AmIplaying?"

"Whatelsecouldyoubedoing?"

"What else, indeed," he breathed as his head bent. He pulled her up to meet the hard descent of his
mouth,andhekissedherwithpassionandalittleanger,becauseshewasarousinghiminwaysshe
couldn'thavedreamed.Hecouldn'tstopwhatwashappening,andthatirritatedhimevenmore,Nell
wasthelastwomanintheworldheshouldbekissingthisway.Hehadnorighttogetinvolvedwith
herwhenhehadnothingtooffer.Buthermouthwassweetandgentleunderhis,softlyparting;her
body,afteritsfirstresistance,meltingintohis.Heliftedheragainsthischest,drowninginthelong,
sweet, aching pleasure of the most chaste kiss he'd ever shared with a woman. His body fairly
throbbedagainsther,buthekepthimselfinfullcontrol.Thiswasaninterludethatcouldn'tendina
bedroom;hehadtorememberthat.

He groaned finally and listened to reason. He put her back on her feet, his hands gripping her soft
armshardasheheldherinfrontofhimandstruggledforbothbreathandsanity.

Nellwasdazed.Hereyessearchedhisglitteryones,andshecouldfeelthefinetremorinhishandsas
heheldher.

He was breathing as roughly as she was. He wanted her. She knew it suddenly and without a doubt
Withasenseofshock,sherealizedhowmuchamanhereallywas.

"Ineedtositdown,"shesaidshakily.

"I'mjustthatunsteadymyself,ifyouwantthetruth,"hesaidonaroughsigh.Heopenedthedoorand
letherintothestationwagonbeforeheslidhislonglegsinsideandgotinunderthewheel.

Helitacigaretteandsatquietly,notspeaking,whileNellfumbledherhairpinsintoherpurseanddug
out a small brush to run through her long, disheveled hair. She would have liked to check her

appearanceinamirror,butthatwouldlooksuspicious.Shedidn'twanthimtoknowhowdesperately
sweetthatinterludehadbeenforher.

Sheputthebrushbackintoherpurseandcloseditandstareddownintoherlap.Nowthatitwasall
over, she wondered how he felt. Would he think she was that starved for affection that she'd have
reacted the same way to any man? She glanced at him nervously, but he seemed oblivious to her
presence.Hewasstaringoutthewindshield,apparentlydeepinthought.

In fact, he was trying to breathe normally. It was unusual for him to feel so shaken by such an
innocent kiss. He couldn't remember the last time a woman had thrown him off balance. But Nell
seemedtodoiteffortlessly,andthatbotheredhim.Lossofcontrolwasthelastthinghecouldafford
withavirgin.Hehadtoputonthebrakes,andfast.Thequestionwas,howwashegoingtodothat
withoutmakingNellthinkthathewaslittlemorethanaplayboyhavingfun?

He turned his head and found her watching the landscape without any particular expression on her
softface.

"We'll be late for lunch," Nell remarked without looking at him. She couldn't. She was too
embarrassedbyherreactiontohiskiss.

Hesearchedfortherightwordstoexplainwhathadhappened,butNellwasfartoounsophisticated
forthatkindofdiscussion.Sheseemedremarkablynaiveinanumberofways.Heimaginedherown
abandonhadbeenasembarrassingtoherashislackofcontrolhadbeendisturbingtohim.

Bettertoletthingslie,hesupposed,forthetimebeing.Hestartedthestationwagonwithoutanother
wordandheadedfortheranch.

Margiegottheboysreadytogoearlyintheafternoon,andTylervolunteeredtotakethembackto
Tucson.ThatseemedtothrillMargie,anditwasarelieftoNell,who'ddreadedbeingalonewithher
sister-in-law.Margiehadawayofdragginginformationoutofher,andNelldidn'twanttosharewhat
hadhappenedwithTyler.Itwasasecret.Asweet,veryprivatesecret,whichshewasgoingtoliveon
foralongtime.

"You'renotbroodingagain,areyou?"Bellaaskedthateveningastheywashedsupperdishes.

Nellshookherhead."No.I'mjustgratefulforalittlepeace.Margiewasonhersoapboxagainabout
gussying me up." She sighed. "I don't think I'd like being a fashion plate, even if I had the raw
material.IlikemethewayIam."

"Frumpy,"Bellaagreed.

Sheglaredatthehousekeeper.Nell'ssoapyhandsliftedoutofthewater."Lookwho'stalkingabout
frumpy!"

Bellaglaredback."Iain'tfrumpy."Sheshiftedherstanceandshookbackherwildsilvery-blackhair.
"I'munique."

Nellcouldn'targuewiththat."Okay,Igiveup.I'mfrumpy."

"Youcoulddowithalittleimprovement.MaybeMargieisn'ttheterrorwethinksheis.Youknow,she
doescareaboutyou,inherway.She'sonlytryingtohelp."

"She'stryingtohelpherselfintoarelationshipwithTyler,"Nellcorrected.

"She'slonely,"Bellasaid.HerknowingeyessoughtNell'ssuddenlyvulnerableface."Aren'tyou?"

Nell stared at the soapsuds. "I think most people are," she said slowly. "And I guess Tyler could do
worse.AtleastMargiemakeshimsmile."

"Youcould,ifyou'dgetthatchipoffyourshoulder."

"Igothurt,"Nellmuttered.

"That'snoreasontoburyyourself.You'rejusttwenty-four.You'vegotalotofyearslefttobealoneif
youdon'tturnaroundprettysoon.Youdon'tgainanythingifyou'reafraidtotakeachance.Thatisn't
anywayforayoungwomantolive."

Nell'smindhadalreadygonebacktothemorning,toTyler'swarmmouthsohungryagainstherown,
tothefeelofhislean,strongbodyagainsthers.Shecoloredatthesweetmemory,andatthatmoment,
sheknewshewasgoingtodieifshecouldneverhaveitagain.

ButTylerdidn'twanther.He'dsaidthathedidn'thaveroominhislifeforawoman—morethanonce.
Shehadtokeepherhead.Shecouldn'trunafterhim.Notwhenshewascertaintoberejected.

"Bella, maybe I'm meant to be an old maid," she murmured thoughtfully. "Some women are, you
know.Itjustworksoutthatway.It'sthebeautifulwomenwhomarry—"

"I ain't beautiful and I married," Bella reminded her with an arrogant sniff. "Besides, looks fade.
Characterlasts.

Andyougotplentyofthat,child."

Nellsmiled."You'reanicelady."

"I'mgladyoulikeme.Ilikeme,too,justoccasionally.Nowwashoffthatspot,Nell,sowedon'tget
foodpoisoning.

Whenyouhaveyourownhouseandkitchen,you'llhavetodoallthiswithoutmetoremindyou."

Nellhadtostifleagiggle.Bellacouldbeimposing,butshewasanangel.

Tylerthrewhimselfintohisworkforthenextcoupleofdays,andNellhardlysawhim.Hecameto
meals, but he was looking more and more haggard, and he was coughing. Since the Sunday he'd
pickedherupatchurch,they'dhardlyspoken.He'dbeenpolitebutremote,andNellbegantothinkhe
wasavoidingher.Sheunderstoodthereasonforit—hedidn'twanttogetinvolved.Hewasprobably

afraidshe'dreadtoomuchintothosewarmkisses.

Well,shetoldherself,therewasnoneedforhimtoworry.Shewasn'tgoingtothrowherselfathim.
Shejustwishedshecouldtellhimso,again.Butitwastooembarrassingtocontemplate.

Allthesame,shecouldn'tstopbeingconcernedabouthim.Hedidlookbad.Inevitably,therecamea
daylaterintheweekwhenhedidn'tshowupforsupper.

Bellawentdowntotheforeman'scabintofindoutwhy.She'daskedNelltogo,butNellhadrefused
instantly.

AnotherconfrontationwithTylerwasthelastthingsheneedednow.

Bellacamebackahalfhourlaterlookingthoughtful."Hedon'tlooktoogood,"sheremarked."He's
paleandhesayshe'snothungry.Ihopehe'snotcomingdownwiththatvirusthatwentthroughthe
bunkhouselastweek."

"Isheallright?"Nellaskedtooquickly.

"Hesaysanight'ssleepwilldohimgood.We'llsee."

Nellwatchedherambleofftothekitchenandhadtoforceherselfnottogorushingdowntothecabin
toseeTyler.Hewastheepitomeofgoodhealth.Sheknewbecausehe'dtoldthemthathewasnever
sick.Buttherewasalwaysafirsttime,andhe'dworkedlikeahorsesincehisarrival.

SometimesitseemedthathewasworkingoffmorethanthelossofhisranchbackinTexas.Perhaps
there'd been a girl he'd wanted who hadn't wanted him when he lost everything. That put a new
perspective on things and Nell started worrying even more. She hadn't thought of him having a
girlfriend. But he was a handsome man, and he was experienced. Very experienced, even to her
innocent mind. There had to have been women in his past. He might even have been engaged. She
groaned. She didn't like to consider the possibility that he might have kissed her because he was
missingsomewomanhe'dleftbehindinTexas.Butitmightbetrue.Oh,ifonlytherewassomeway
tofindout!

ShepacedthelivingroomflooruntilBellacomplainedthatshewaswearingouttherug.Shewentup
tobed,whereshecouldpaceuninterrupted.

Butthemoreshepaced,themoreconfusedthingsgot.Intheend,sheundressed,putonhersoftlong
gown and climbed into bed. Minutes later she was blessedly asleep, beyond the reach of all her
problems.

Thenextmorning,Nell'sfirstthoughtwasofTyler.Shedressedinjeansandayellowknittop,looped
herlonghairintoaponytail,andrandownstairswithherbootsbarelyon.

"HaveyoubeentoseeTyler?"sheaskedBella.

Theolderwomanscowledatherfromapanofbiscuitsshewasjustmakingup."IwillassoonasI

getthesebiscuitsintheoven...."

"I'llgo."

Bella didn't say a word. But she grinned to herself as Nell went tearing out the back door. The
foreman'scabinwasnice.Itwasbigenoughforasmallfamily,butnothingfancy.Nellknockedon
thedoor.Nobodyanswered.Sheknockedagain.Stillnothing.

Shepaused,wonderingwhattodo.Buttherewasreallynochoice.Ifhedidn'tanswer,hewaseither
asleep,whichwasunlikely,orgone,whichwasequallyunlikely,ortoosicktogetup.

She opened the door, glad to find it unlocked, and peeked in. It was in good order for a bachelor's
establishment.

The Indian rugs on the floor were straight, and there were no clothes thrown over the old leather
couchandchair.

Herheartbeatwildlyassheeasedfartherintothelivingroom."Tyler?"shecalled.

Therewasasoftgroanfromthebedroom.Shefollowedit,half-afraidthatshemightfindhimtotally
unclothed.

Shelookedaroundthedoorhesitantly."Tyler?"

He was under the covers, but his hair-matted chest was bare, like his tanned, muscular arms. He
openedhiseyesbriefly."Nell.God,Ifeelrough.CanyougetBella,honey?"

"Whatfor?"sheaskedgently,movingcloser.

"Tocalladoctor,"hesaidwearily."Ihaven'tsleptandmychesthurts.IthinkI'vegotbronchitis."He
coughed.

"Icancalladoctor,"shesaidgently.Shefelthisforehead.Itwasburninghot."Justliethereanddon't
move.I'llbringyousomethingcoldtodrink,andthenI'llgetthedoctor.I'lltakecareofyou."

Hecaughthereyes,searchingthemstrangely.Itfeltodd,thesensationherwordshadsentthroughhis
body.He'dneverhadtobetakencareof,butitoccurredtohimthattherewasnobodyhe'dratherhave
nursinghimthanNell.

"Berightback,"shesaid,hidingherconcernunderafaintsmile.Sherushedout,alltheantagonism
goneintherushofconcernshefeltforhim.Hehadtobeallright,hejusthadto!

ChapterFour

NelgotTyleracoldsoftdrinkfromhissmallrefrigeratorandhelpedhimgetafewswallowsofit
downbeforesherushedbacktothemainhousetophonethedoctor.

BellastoodlisteninginthedoorwaywhileNelldescribedthesymptomstoDr.Morrisonandwastold
tobringTylerintohisclinicassoonasshecouldgethimthere.

She felt insecure when she hung up. "I'll bet he thinks it could be pneumonia," Nell told the older
woman worriedly. 'And I guess it could be. He's coughing something terrible and burning up with
fever."

"I'llgogetChappytohelpyougethimintothestationwagon,"Bellasaid."OrI'llgo..."

"No, that's all right," Nell replied. "Chappy can come with us. We'll have to postpone the daily
shoppingtripwiththeguests,butChappycandrivetheSimsesandtheotherstothemallassoonas
wegetback."

"He'llhatethat."Bellachuckled.

"Iknow,butsomebody'sgottolookafterTyler."

Bellaalmoststrangledherselftryingtokeepquiet.ShecouldhavelookedafterTyler,butitwaspretty
obvious that Nell had already assigned that chore to herself. And Bella wasn't about to interfere.
"That'sright,"shesaid,grinning."I'llgetChappy."

Butastheywentoutthedoortogether,theynoticedimmediatelythatthestationwagonwasmissing.
Sowasthepickuptruck.

"Where'shegone?"BellayelledtoMarlowe,whowasleadingasaddledhorseoutofthestable.

"Chappyhadtorunintotowntopickupthatstomachmedicineforthesickcalves.He'sbeengonea
halfhour,soheshouldbebackanytime."

"Where'sthepickup?"Nellcalled.

Marloweshrugged."Sorry,ma'am,Idon'tknow."

"Great," Nell muttered. She glanced at Bella. "Well, send Chappy down to the cabin the minute he
comesback.Ijusthopehe'snotinclinedtolingeratthevet'soffice."

"I'llphonethevetandmakesure,"Bellareplied."Don'tworry.Tyler'stough."

"Iguessheis."Nellsighed.Sheforcedasmileandquicklywentdownthepathtothecabin.

TylerwassprawledagainstthepillowsasleepwhenNellgotbacktohim.Shesighed,wonderinghow

onearthhewasgoingtodresshimself.

"Tyler?"shecalledgently,touchinghisbareshoulderlightly."Tyler,wakeup."

Hiseyesopenedinstantly,alittleglazedfromsleepandfever."Nell?"hemurmured,shiftingunder
thecovers.

"Dr.Morrisonwantsmetobringyoutohisoffice,"shesaid."Wehavetogetyoudressed."

Helaughedweakly."That'sgoingtobeharderthanyouthink.I'masweakasakitten."Asuddenbout
ofcoughingdoubledhimupandhegrimacedatthepainitcausedhim."Damn!ItfeelslikeI'vegota
brokenrib."

Nell's heart sank. It was almost surely pneumonia. Her mother had died of it, and it held hidden
terrorsforherbecauseofthememory.

"Canyoudressyourself?"sheaskedhesitantly.

Hesighedjerkily."Idon'tthinkso,Nell."

'Chappyisn'there,"shesaidthoughtfully."Butthere'sMarlowe,orBella—"

"No,"hesaidshortly.Heglaredupatherwithfever-brighteyes."Asstrangeasitmayseemtoyou,I
don'tlikethethoughtofhavingmyselfdressedbyyahoosandgrinningoldwomen.Noway.Ifyou
wantmedressed,honey,I'llletyouhelp.Butnobodyelse.NotevenChappy."

That was surprising. She hadn't thought men minded people looking at them. But then, Tyler wasn't
likeothermen.

Shehesitated."Okay.Ifyoucangetthe—"sheclearedherthroat"—thefirstthingson,IguessIcan
helpwiththerest."

"Haven'tyouseenamanwithoutclothes?"heaskedwithfainthumor.

"No.AndIdon'treallywantto,"shesaidnervously.

"Youmaynothaveachoice."Hestartedcoughingagainandhadtocatchhisbreathbeforehecould
speak.

"Underwearandsocksareinthetopdrawerofthedresser,"hesaid."Shirtsandjeansinthecloset."

She paused, but only for a minute. The important thing was to get him to the doctor. She had to
remember that and put his health before her outraged modesty. Since he wouldn't let anybody else
help,shedidn'thaveachoice.

Asquicklyaspossible,shelaidouteverythinghewasgoingtoneed.Butwhenhestartedtryingtosit
up,heheldhischestandlayrightbackdownagain.

"God, that hurts, Nell," he said huskily. "It must have been the dust. We got into a cloud of it a few
daysagobringingbacksomestrayingcattle,andIinhaledabouthalfanacre,Ithink.I'vehadalotof
congestion,butIthoughtitwasjustanallergy.Untilthismorning,anyway."

"Oh,Tyler,"shemoaned.

"Shouldhavewornmybandanna,"hemurmured."That'swhytheold-timersworethem,youknow,to
pullupoverthen-facesinduststormsandsuch."

"Howareyougoingtodress?"shewailed.

Hegaveheraknowinglook."Youmean,howareyougoingtodressme,"hereplied."Ifithelps,it
isn'tsomethingI'dchoosetosaddleyouwith.Idon'tevenlikestrippinginfrontofmen."

Shecolored."Idon'tthinkIcan,"shewhispered.

"Itwon'tbethatbad,Ipromise,"hesaidsoftly."Pullthesheetupovermyhipsandslidemybriefsup
asfarasyoufeelcomfortable.IthinkIcanmanageitfromthere."

Theblush got worseas she pickedthem up. "I'm sorry,"she muttered, fumblingthe briefs over his
feetandankles.

"Oldmaidsaren'tverygoodatthissortofthing."

"Neither are old bachelors." He coughed, groaning. "Come on, Nell, you can do it. Just close your
eyesandpush."

Shelaughedinvoluntarily."Thatmightbetheonlyway."Sheeasedthemup,herhandscoldagainst
thewarm,hardmusclesofhisthighs.Shecouldn'thelpbutfeelhowwellmadehewas,howpowerful.
Shegotthemjustunderthesheetandhernervegaveway.'Isthat...farenough?''sheaskedhuskily.

"I'll manage." He eased his hands under the sheet and tugged and then lay back with a rough sigh.
"Okay.Therestisuptoyou,honey."

Sheslidhissocksonhisfeet.Hehadnicefeet,verywellproportionedifalittlebig,andevennice
ankles. His legs were as tanned as his face and arms, and it almost had to be natural, because he
certainlyhadn'tbeensunbathingthepastfewweeks.

"ThisisthefirsttimeinmyadultlifethatI'veeverbeendressedbyawoman,"heremarkedweaklyas
sheeasedhisundershirtoverhisheadandpulleditdownoverhisbroad,hair-mattedchest.

"They tell me there's a first time for everything," she returned, but her eyes were on the rippling
musclesofhischest.Shecouldfeelthewarmthofhisskin,feelthethickabrasive-nessofthehairthat
coveredthebroadexpanseuntilitwedgeddowntohisundershorts.Whenshereachedunderhisarms
topulltheundershirtdownoverhisback,herfacewasalmostpressedtohisskin,andshehadtogrit
herteethnottokisshimthere.Themostunwantedsensationswerewashingoverherbodylikefire.
Thiswasn'tthetimeortheplace,shehadtoremindherself.Hewasasickman,andshehadtogethim

toadoctor.Besidesallthat,itwassuicidaltofeelthatwayaboutamanwho'dalreadywarnedheroff.

"Youlooklikeboiledlobster,"heremarked."Itwasn'tasbadasyouthought,wasit?"

"No,notreally,"sheagreedwithathinsmile.Shehelpedhimintohischambrayshirtandsnappedthe
cuffsandthenthesnapsdownthefrontofit."It'sjustnew."

"Didn'tyoueverhavetodressyourbrother?"hegrinnedweakly.

"No.TedwasmucholderthanIwas,"shesaid."Andhewentawaytoschool,sowedidn'tspendalot
of time together. Dad and Mom worshiped him. He was their world. I guess I was more or less an
accident.Buttheytriednottoletmefeelleftout."

"Myfatherneverwantedkidsatall,"Tylerremarked."Hedidhisdamnedesttobreakmyspirit,and
healmostdidbreakmysister's,Shelby.Butwesurvived.It'sironicthattheranchhadtobesold.He'd
havesacrificedbothofustoholdontoit."

Sheunfoldedhisjeans."You'llhaveyourownranchoneday,"shesaidgently."Andyouwon'tbreak
yourchildren'sspiritstokeepit,either."

"IfIhavechildren,"hereplied."Somemennevermarry.Imaybeoneofthem."

"Yes.Iguessyoumight."Sheeasedhisjeansontohislonglegsandpulledthemupasfarasshewas
able.Theyweretightandthematerialwasthick,andittookmostofherstrengthjusttogetthemto
hisupperthighs.Sheknewthathe'dneverbeabletopullthemtherestoftheway,notwithhischest
hurtingsobadly.

"Ifyoucanliftup,IthinkIcangetthemoveryourhips,"shesaidthroughherteeth,andshedidn't
lookathimassheeasedthesheetawayandtriednottoblushatthesightofhisundershorts.

"Sorry,littleone,"hesaidhuskily."ButIdohurtlikehell."

"Iknow,"shesaidgently."I'mnotachild,afterall,"shesaidforherownbenefit,aswellashis."Here
goes."

Sheclosedhereyesandpulledandtuggeduntilshegotthejeansoverhiships.Butshebalkedatthe
zipper,goinghotallover.

"Fetchmyboots,willyou,honey?"heasked.Hesawherhesitationandunderstoodit."Icanmanage
this."

Shealmostweptwithreliefasshewenttotheclosettogethisdressboots.She'dseenthemtherewhen
she'd found his shirts and jeans. They were Tony Lama boots, exquisite and expensive, black and
gleaminglikewetcoal.

"Thesearegoingtobehardtogetonyou,"shesaidworriedly.

"YoupushandI'llpush,"hesaid."They'renotallthattight.""Okay."

Between them, they worked the boots onto his feet. Then Nell got a comb and fixed his disheveled
hair.Andallthewhilehelaythereagainsthispillow,hisfeverisheyeswatchingher,studyingherina
silencethatwasunnerving.

Theroarofacararrivinginterruptedthetension.''ThatmustbeChappy,"Nellsaid.Shecaughther
breath."Tyler,youwon'ttellhimthatI..."

"Thatyouhelpedmedress?"Hesmiledgently."Iwon'ttellanyone.It'sbetweenyouandme,andno
oneelse,"hesaid,andthesmilefadedintoanexchangedlookthatwasslowandintenselydisturbing.
Nell'sheartranwilduntilshedraggedhereyesawayandgotuptoletChappyin.

Betweenthem,theygotTylerintothebackseatofthestationwagon,wherehecouldliedown,andto
Dr.

Morrison'soffice.

The nurse helped Tyler to the examination room, while Chappy paced and Nell chewed on a
fingernail. It took a long time, and she was expecting Tyler to come out with the nurse, but Dr.
MorrisoncametothedoorwayandmotionedforNelltofollowhim.

Hebeckonedherintohisoffice,butTylerwasnowhereinsight.

"He'llbefine,"hetoldher,perchinghimselfonthecornerofhisdesk,"buthe'sgotacutebronchitis."

"Iwassoafraidthatitwaspneumonia,"Nellsaid,slumpingintoachairwithrelief."Thatpaininhis
chest—"

"Thatpaininhischestisfromapulledmuscle,becausehe'scoughedsomuch,"hesaidwithatolerant
smile.Hefoldedhisarmsacrosshischest."Iwanthiminbeduntilthefevergoes.Hecangetupthen,
buthecan'tworkforafullweek.AndthenIwanttoseehimagain.I'vewrittenhimtwoprescriptions.
One'sanantibiotic,theother'sanexpectorantforthecough.Givehimaspirinforfeverandkeephim
inbed.Ifhegetsworse,callme."

"Didyoutellhimallthis?"sheasked.

"Sure.Hesaidlikehellhe'dlayaroundforaweek.That'swhyIwantedtotalktoyou."

Shesmiled."Thanks.He'sworkingwondersoutattheranch.I'dhatetoburyhimonit."

"He seems pretty capable to me," he agreed. "Mind that he doesn't sneak out and start back to work
beforeyourealizeit."

"I'lltiehiminhisbed,"shepromised.

"Bombard him with fluids while you're at it," the doctor added as he got up and opened the door.
"He'llbeasdocileasakittenuntilthatantibiotictakeshold,thenlookout."

"I'llpostguardsathisdoor,"shesaidwithagrin.Shefeltlighterthanair.Tylerwasgoingtobeall
right.Thereliefwasdelicious.''Thankyou!''

"Mypleasure.He'sallyours."

Shesmiledasshewentout.Ifonlythatweretrue.

ShecalledChappytohelphergetTylerouttothestationwagon,butonlyaftershe'dwhisperedtothe
receptionisttosendthebillouttotheranch.ShehadafeelingthatTylerwouldn'tappreciatehaving
herpayhismedicalbill,butthatwassomethingtheycouldargueaboutwhenhewasbackonhisfeet.

Allthewayhome,shewonderedhowshewasgoingtomanagegettinghimundressedagain.Buthe
solvedthatproblemhimself.Whentheygotintothecabin,hesighedandmurmured,"Don'tworry,
Nell.IthinkIcanmanagegettingoutofthisrigbymyself."

"I'll go up to the house and get Bella to make some chicken soup for you," Nell said quickly, and
dartedoutthedoor.Itwaseasierthanshe'dimagined.

ShesentChappybacktotowntogettheprescriptionsfilled,becauseithadseemedmoresensibleto
bring Tyler home first. She gathered the few things she might need and told Bella where she was
going.

"He'snotmuchofathreatinhispresentcondition,Iguess,"Bellasaid,andnodded,ignoringNell's
outragedglare.

"Youcansleeponhissofa.Butifyouneedme,I'mhere.Icansitwithhimwhileyousleepifhegets
worseinthenight."

"You'readoll,"Nellsaid.

"IhaveasecretFlorenceNightingalestreak,"shecorrected."Wantedtobeanurse,once,butIfaintat
thesightofblood."

"They say some doctors do the first time they see an operation," Nell replied. "But I'm glad you
wantedtocook,instead.You'rekindofspecialtome."

Bella beamed, unaccustomed to the praise. "I'll have that carved on my tombstone one day.
Meanwhile,youfillTylerfullofthatjuiceIgaveyouanddon'tlethimropecattleoutthewindow."

"Iwon't.Thanks,Bella."

Theolderwomanshrugged."I'llbringthechickensoupwhenit'smade.I'llputsomeinathermosfor
you."

"It'llbewelcomebythen.Andsomecoffee,too,please.Idon'tknowifTylerhasacoffeepot,butI
kindofdoubtit."

"Hecarries his aroundin a thermos,"Bella said surprisingly. "Ifill one upfor him every morning

andeveryafternoon."

"Okay.I'llgetgoingbeforeheescapes.Seeyoulater."

She found Tyler asleep again, apparently back in the altogether under the single sheet that covered
him.Nellwatchedhisfaceforalongmoment,seeingthelineserasedinsleep,themasculinebeauty
ofhismouth.Justthesightofhimwaslikeabanquettohereyes.Shehadtotearherselfaway.While
heslept,shemightaswellmakeherselfusefulbytidyinguphiskitchen.

She put the juice Bella had sent in the small refrigerator, and then she washed the few dishes and
clearedthecounter.Withthatdone,shecheckedtomakesurehewasstillasleepbeforeshewenttothe
bookcaseinthelivingroomtofindsomethingtoread.

Apparently he was a mystery fan, because he had plenty of books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and
AgathaChristieontheshelves.Thereweresomebiographiesandsomehistorybooksabouttheold
West, and even a book about ancient Rome. She chose a work on the Apache tribe and sat down to
readit,glancingcuriouslyatthephotographatopthebookcase.Itwasofayoungwomanwithlong
dark hair and green eyes and a rather sad expression on her beautiful face. Beside it was a smaller
photo of the same woman in white, standing beside a tall, fierce-looking man in a suit. That, she
decided,hadtobeTyler'ssister,Shelby.NellknewShelbyhadgottenmarriedrecently,becauseTyler
hadgonetoTexasforthewedding.Thatmanwasprobablyhernewhusband.Hewasn'tmuchtolook
at,butperhapshehadsavinggraces,Nelldecided.

Shedidn'tseeanyotherphotos.Thathadtobeagoodsign.Iftherehadbeenaspecialwomaninhis
life,surelyhe'dhaveapictureofher.Ormaybenot.Ifhe'dlosthertosomeoneelse,hemightbetoo
bittertokeepapictureofherinaprominentplace.

Feelinggloomy,shewentbacktothebookandstartedreading.

Bella brought chicken soup, and Chappy brought medicine. Tyler was still asleep, but when the
visitorsleft,Nelltookhismedicine,aglassofjuiceandabowlofsoupintothebedroomonatray.
Themedicinewasimportant,andheneedednourishment.Hehadn'teatenanythingallday.

Shesatdowngentlyonthebedbesidehim,hereyesgoinghelplesslyoverhisbroad,barechestand
hisface.

"Tyler?"shesaidsoftly.Hedidn'tstir.Shereachedoutandhesitatinglylaidoneslenderhandonhis
chest,thrillingtoitshardwarmth.Itwasthefirsttimeshe'dtouchedamanthisway,anddespitethe
circumstances,itwasblatantlypleasurable.

"Tyler,I'vegotyourmedicine,"shesaid.

Hesighedandopenedhiseyesslowly."Ihatemedicine,"hesaidweakly."Howaboutasteak?"

"Dreamon.Rightnow,it'sgoingtobechickensoupandencouragement.Ibroughtyouatray."

"Whattimeisit?"

"Almostdark,"shereplied."Chappytookthegueststotowntoshop,andnowhe'sholdingcourtatthe
suppertable.Icanhearhimtellingtalltalesthroughthekitchenwindow,andeverybody'slaughing."

"Hetellsameanstory,"Tyleragreed.Hebreathedheavilyandtouchedhisside,encounteringNell's
warmhandashisownworkeditswayuphischest."You'recool,"hemurmured.

"Onlybecauseyouhaveafever,"shesaid,thrillingtothetouchofhisfingersonhersoftskin."Here.
Let'sgetsomemedicineintoyou,andthenyoucanhavesoupandjuice.Areyouhungry?"

"Half-starved,"hesaid."ButIdon'thavemuchappetite."Shegavehimtheantibioticwithaswallowof
juice,andthenladledthecoughsyrupintohismouth."Thattastesterrible,"hemuttered.

"Mostmedicinedoes,"sheagreed."Canyoumanagetositupwhileyoueat?"

"Underprotest."Heletherprophimupwithpillowsanddraggedhimselfintoasittingposition.The
sheetlaylooselyoverhiships,butshecaughtaglimpseofunderwear,notbareskin,ashemoved.
"That'sforyourbenefit,"

hesaiddryly,smilingathercolor."Idrewthelineatpajamas,butIwouldn'toutrageyourmodesty
toomuchthisway."

"Thankyou,"shesaidshyly.

"Thankyou,"hereplied."You'restuckwithme,Igather.Didn'tBellarushtoplaynurse?"

"Shedid,butIheadedheroff.Crowbaitwouldhavetodothecookingifshecamedownhere,andthe
wholeoutfitwouldquitonthespot."

"He'snotthatbad,"hesaid."Themilitarywouldlovetogettheirhandsonhim.Imagine,acookwho
canmakealethalweaponofaninnocentbiscuit."

"Shameonyou,"shesaid.

Hesighedandgrimaced."Iguessmybiscuitsaren'tmuchbetter,soIdon'thavealotofroomtotalk.
Nell,I'msorrytocaveinonyoulikethis...."

"Anybodycangetsick,"shesaideasily,andbegantofeedhimthesoupwithoutthinkingabouthow
muchfeelingthatsimpleactbetrayed."It'samazinghowmanypeoplecomeoutherefromtheEast,
thinkingthattheirallergieswillgoawayovernight.Whattheydon'trealizeisthatthedustcanbeas
badaspollen,andthatthesoilitselfharborsplentyofallergens.JustlistentoMr.Davissneezeand
wheezeontrailrides,ifyoudon'tbelieveme."

"Well,it'sthefirsttimeinmylifeI'vehadbronchitis,butI'llbuckit,"hesaidquietly."AndI'llbeback
atworkdayaftertomorrow."

"No,youwon't,"shereplied."Dr.Morrisonsaidyoucouldn'tgetoutofbeduntilthefever'sgone,and
youcan'tworkforaweek."

Heeyedherwarily."Didhetellyouthat?"

"Hesuredid,"shesaidwithamischievousgrin."Sodon'ttrytogetaroundme.Ifyoudo,I'llcallmy
uncle,andthenwherewillyoube?"

"Outofworkandsick,Iguess,"hesaidwearily."Okay.I'llstayput.Underprotest,youunderstand."

"Iunderstand.You'llgetthroughit.Havesomemoresoup."

He might get through it, she thought, but would she? He slept through the night without waking,
althoughshecheckedonhimeveryhourorsountilshewasforcedtocurluponthecouchandsleep.

Thenextdaywasprettymuchthesame.Shefedhimandgavehimhismedicine,andhesleptmostof
thedayandallnightthrough.Butthefollowingdayhefeltmuchbetterandnothingsuitedhim.The
breakfast Bella had sent over was too everything. Too hot, too much, too salty, too filling and too
starchy.Hedidn'twanttostayinbed,hehadtostartplanningforwinter,andhehadtogetthecattle
operationinhand.Thatmeantmoreworkthanever,inbetweengettingthecalvesreadyforthefall
sale.Hedidn'tlikethemedicine,hehatedtheconfinement,andNellwasbeginningtowearonhim,
too,cometothinkofit.

Sheglaredathimfromred-rimmeddarkeyesframedbylongdisheveledhoney-brownhair,inthe
rumpledyellowknitshirtandfadedjeansshe'dsleptin.Shehadn'tevenbotheredtoputonherboots,
havingmetChappyatthedoorforthebreakfasttray.

"If I wear on you, that's just too bad, Mr. Jacobs," she said shortly. "Somebody's got to keep you
pennedup,andeverybodyelseistoobusy.It'sjustthesecondday.Theantibiotic'stakinghold,and
youwanttofighttigers.Great.

Butfightthemwhileyou'reasleep,please.Idon'tlikepeoplecommittingsuicideonmyranch."

"Itisn'tyourranchyet,accordingtoyouruncle,"heremindedhercurtly.

"Itwillbe,"shesaidwithcooldetermination."Nowyoujusthedownandgetwell."

"I don't want to He down. I want to go to work. Hand me my clothes," he said firmly, nodding to
whereChappyhaddrapedthemoverhisstraightchair.

"Oh,no,I'mnotgoingthroughthatagain,"shesaid,reddening."Andyou'renotabletodressyourself
yet—"

"LikehellI'mnotable!"Hepulledhimselfpainfullyintoasittingposition,drewinadeepbreathand
triedtogethisfeetonthefloor.Hegrimacedandgroanedandlaybackdown,turningtheairblueon
thewaydown.

"Damnit,damnthisdisease,anddamnyou,too!"hesworefuriously.

"Thankyou.Whatakindthingtosaytosomeonewho'sgivenupregularmealsandsleepingtowait

onyoufortwodays,"shesaidicily.

"Ididn'taskyouto!"

"Somebody had to!" she shot back. She stuck her hands on her slender hips and glared at him. He
lookedalltoogoodthatway,lyingbackagainstpillowswithcrispwhitecottonpillowcases.Hischest
was still bare, and his black hair hung down over his forehead, straight and thick. He looked
exquisitelymasculine,andthesightofhishalf-clothedbodywasn'tdoingNell'snervesanygood.

"Allright,thankyou,"hesaid."You'reanangelindisguiseandI'llrememberyouinmywill.Now
willyougetoutofhereandletmegobacktowork?"

"Youcan'tworkforaweek—Dr.Morrisonsaidso,"sherepliedforthetenthtimeinasmanyminutes.
"Andhewantstoseeyouagaintomakesureyou'reontheroadtorecovery.Hetoldmenottoletyou
onahorse."

"Idon'ttakeordersfromwomen,"hesaidshortly."Iworkforyouruncle,andIansweronlytohim.
Youdon'tandneverhavetoldmewhattodo."

"Willyoulistentoreason?"shedemanded,passingoverthatbitofinsolence.

"Sure.Ifyou'llgetmemypants."

"Well,Iwon't."

"ThenI'llgetthemmyself,"hesaidshortly.

Shefoldedherarmsacrossherchestwithasmile.Sheknewhehadonhisunderwear,sohewasn't
goingtofrightenheroff."Okay.Goahead,"sheinvited.

Shedidn'trealizehermistakeuntilhegaveherahardglareandabruptlythrewoffthesheet.Herface
wentfrompalepinktoscarletredinsecondsashegingerlyslidhislongpowerfulbarelegsoverthe
bedandstoodup.

Withoutastitchofclothingon.

ChapterFive

Nellwasgratefulthatshedidn'tfaint.Whatshediddowasflushfromtheneckupand,afteronelong,
shockedglance,turnandrunoutoftheroom.

Tylerimmediatelyfeltlikeaheel.Hesatbackdown,hisbadtemperforgotten,andpulledthesheet
overhiships.

"Nell,"hecalledgently.

She didn't answer him. She was staring out the living room window, with her arms folded tightly
acrossheryellowshirt,tryingtodecidewhethertostayorgo.Ifhewasgoingtobethatdifficult,she
didn'tknowhowshewasgoingtocope.Thesightofhimhadsetherbackabit.Duetoherexperience
withDarrenMcAnderswhenshewasyoung,she'dledaprettyshelteredlife.Butshelivedonaranch,
andbecauseofthat,sheknewallaboutthetechnicalitiesofreproduction.Butanudemanwasanew
experience.AndanudeTylerwas...extraordinary.Shewasstillshakingwhensheheardhimcalling
her,moreinsistently.

Withadeepbreath,sheturnedandgrittedherteethandwalkedbacktothedoorway,paleandsubdued.

"I'msorry,"hesaidterselywhenhesawherface."Iwon'tdothatagain."

Sheshiftedalittle."Ifyou'rethatdeterminedtokillyourself,Ican'tstopyou.Butforyourownsake,I
wishyou'ddowhatthedoctorwants."

Hisgreeneyessearchedherfrozenfeatures."I'lldodamnednearanythingtogetthatlookoffyour
face.

Including,"headdedwearilyashelaybackdown,"stayinginthebed."

Helookedtired.Probablyhewas,andshewishedshe'dbeenolderandmoresophisticatedsothatshe
wouldn'thavemadesuchafoolofherself.Hemadeherfeelaboutthirteen.

"CanIgetyouanything?"sheasked.

"Icoulddowithsomemorejuice,"hesaid."Andifyou'lldigmeoutsomefreshunderwear,I'llputit
backonagain."

Shefelthotalloverandtriedtohideherreactiontohimasshegothimaglassofjuiceandthentook
apairofbriefsfromthedresser.Assheputthembesidehim,hecaughtherwristandpulledherdown
ontothebed,holdinghertherefirmlywhilehelookedather.

"Howcanyoubetwenty-fouryearsoldandsodamnedinnocent?"heaskedquietly."Especiallywith
allthepeoplewhopassthroughhereinayear'stime?"

"Idon'tmixwithpeopleverymuch,"shesaid.Hereyesslidhelplesslyoverhisbroad,barechest."I

socializeonlytotheextentthatIhaveto,andsincemostpeoplewhocomeherekeeptothemselves
exceptfororganizedactivities,Idon'thavemanyproblems.IfIhadmyownway,thiswouldbejusta
cattle ranch and I wouldn't take in paying guests. But the dude ranch part is paying for the cattle
operation,soIdon'thavemuchchoice."

"Doyoudate?"

Shekepthereyesdown."No,Idon'thavetime."

"Somanysecretsbetweenus,Nell,"hesaid,caressingherhandlightly."Toomany."

"Youtoldmeyouweren'tinterestedininvolvement.Well,I'mnoteither,"shelied.

"Really?Orisitthatyoudon'tthinkyouattractmen?"

Sherememberedwhenshe'dsaidthatandwhathe'ddoneaboutitonthewayhomefromchurch.Her
lipspartedassherememberedthehungrykissthey'dshared,andshehadtofightnottothrowherself
downagainsthimandbeghimtodoitagain.

"Ican'tattractmen,"sherepliedtersely.

"You're a pretty woman," he said. "You downplay your attractions, but they're there. Why don't you
buyanewdress,haveyourhairdoneandputonsomemakeupforthenextSaturdaysquaredance?"
hemurmured,reachinguptotugonalonglockofherhair."AndI'llteachyoutodance."

Breathinggrewharderbytheminute.Shefeltnervousandinsecure,andtheslowtracingofhislong
fingersonherhandandwristwasbeginningtostirherblood.

"It'snotpractical,"shesaidinanely,becauseshecouldhardlythinkatall.

"Whynot?"

"Because...becauseyou're..."Shebitherlip."You'rejustbored,Tyler,andwhenyou'rebackonyour
feetagain,whenyou'reworkingforyourselfagain...Oh,I'mjustmuddlingit."

"YouthinkI'mplaying."

Shesighed."Yes."

Hetookherhandandpulledittohischest,pressingithardoverthehair-coveredexpansewherehis
heartwasbeatinglikeabassdrum."Nell,amIcallousenoughtoplaywithavirgin?"heaskedsoftly.

Ofcoursehewasn't,butshecouldn'tkeepherthoughtsclear.Theeffecthehadonherwasincredible,
andshewashungryforanaffectionshe'dneverhadfromaman.

"Itdoesn'tmatter,"hesaidhuskily,pullingonherhand."Comehere."

"Tyler,you'resick—"

"Idon'thaveanyfever,andIfeellikeanewman."Heeasedheracrosshimuntilshewasonherback
inthebedwithhisleanbaretorsoaboveher,hisgreeneyesglitteringdownather."I'veneverseena
womanwithlessself-confidencethanyouhave,Nell,"hesaid."There'snothingwrongwiththeway
youlookorthewayyouare."

"Tyler,you'rescaringme,"shewhispered.Herhandswenttohischest,andpartofhertriedtoprotest.
Thiswasbringingbackterriblememoriesofanothermanshe'dloved,orthoughttheloved,andhis
harsh,hurtfultreatmentofher.ButTylerwasn'tMcAnders,andthelookonhisfacewasintoxicating.
Hewantedher.Notasasubstituteforanotherwoman,butforherself.

"No,thatwon'twork,"hesaidgently.Hisleanhandscuppedherchinandheldherfacetilteduptohis.
"I'mnotgoingtoberoughwithyou,notever.Andanythingwedotogetherwillbebecauseyouwant
it."

Thatwasasnewasherproximitytohim,andshebegantorelax.Therewasnothingthreateningabout
him.Heseemedfullyincontrolandlazilyindulgent.

"Yes,that'sit,"hesaidashefeltthetensiondrainingoutofherbody."I'mnotgoingtohurtyou."

As he spoke, his dark head bent. She felt his mouth whispering over her eyelids, closing them,
brushing her nose, her chin, and then settling softly over her mouth. Her breath seemed suspended
whilehefoundjusttherightpressure,therightminglingoftendernessandexpertisetomakeherlips
partforhim.Andwhilehekissedher,hisleanhandsslidunderherblouseattheback,andshethrilled
tothefaintroughnessoftheirtouchonherbareskin.

Hewasaddictive,shethoughtdizzily,enrapturedbythewarmthofhiscaresses.Shedidn'tthinkshe
could have pulled away to save her life. Every touch was more exciting than the one before. His
mouthbecameanecessity.

Withoutitswarmcrushshewassuretodie.

Shyly, she flattened her hands against his chest and let them experience the thickness of hair, the
strong padding of muscle beneath it. His breath caught against her mouth, and her eyes opened,
questioning.

"I'msorry,Ididn'tmeanto..."shebeganquickly.

"It feels good," he said, smiling down into her shocked face. "I can drag that sound out of you the
sameway."

Herbodycoiledinside,likeakittenanticipatingbeingstroked.Shefeltherselftrembleandwondered
at the mental pictures that were flashing sensually through her mind. His hands on her, touching
her...there.Herlipsparted."You...youcan?"shewhispered,whichwasn'twhatshewantedtosayatall,
butshewastooshyandinexperiencedtoputitintowords.

Tyler, with his greater experience, knew immediately that she was going to welcome whatever he
wanted to do. It went to his head, making his thoughts spin with new possibilities. His hands had

alreadytoldhimthatNellhadbeenhidingherlight,physicallyatleast,underabarrel.Heneededthe
intimacywithherashe'dneedednothingelseinhislife,althoughhestilldidn'tquiteunderstandthe
waysheaffectedhissenses.

"Yes,"hebreathed,bendingagaintohermouth."Ican."

As his Hps toyed with hers, his hand went to the fastening of her bra. Subtly, almost without her
knowingit,hereleasedthecatchandslidhisfingersslowly,exploringly,underherarmtothesoft
edgeofherbreast.

Shetrembled,butshedidn'tpullawayorprotest,andhisbloodranhotandfastthroughhisveins.He
wantedtolookather.Hewantedtoseehereyeswhenhetouchedher.

Heliftedhishead.Theglitterofhiseyesunnervedheratfirst,untilshefeltagainthelighttracingof
his fingers against her skin. The sensations piled on each other until she went hot all over with the
needtomakehimputhishandonher,totouchher.Herbodywasmoredemandingthanhermind,
becauseittriedtotwisttowardhim,toforceacontacthewasdeliberatelydenyingher.

"Ty...ler?"shewhisperedbrokenly.

Hisfreehandwasunderhernape.Itmovedcaressinglyinherthickhairwhilehisgazesearchedher
huge,hungryeyes."Shh,"hewhisperedgently.Thehandunderherarmmovedagain,tracing,andshe
arched,shuddering,whileherbigeyespleadedwithhim."It'sallright,"hewhispered."It'sallright,
honey."

Andallthewhile,hisfingersweredrivinghermad.Shefeltasifeverysinglecellinherbodywas
drawnastightasarope,asifthetensionwasgoingtobreakherinhalf.Hernailscontractedonhis
muscularupperarmsanddugin,andwhensherealizedit,shewasshockedatherownaction.

"I'm... sorry," she whispered jerkily, caressing the red crescents she'd made in his skin. "I'm sorry,
I...couldn't...helpit"

"Youhaven'thurtme,"hesaidgently."YouknowthatI'mdoingthisdeliberately.Doyouknowwhy?"

"No,"shewhimpered,jerkingashisfingertipsedgedalittlefartherontoherbreast.

"It's very much like a symphony, little one," he whispered softly, and he managed a smile. "It starts
slowly,softly,andbuildsandbuildsandbuildstoacrescendo.WhenIfinallygiveyouwhatyou're
pleadingfor,Nell,you'regoingtofeelakindofpleasurethatIcan'tevendescribetoyou."

Herteethgroundtogether,becausethetensionwasgrowingunbearable."But...when...?"

"Now." His mouth covered hers and his hand moved, at last, at last, at...last! It covered her breast,
swallowingupthehardtip,givingherthetinyconsummationherbodyhadbeggedfor.

And it was like fireworks. She cried out into his mouth, shuddered, arched with the anguished
fulfillment. Her hand found his through the cloth of her shirt and pressed against it, holding it

prisoner.Shesobbed,andthehandatherneckcontractedashismouthgrewfeverishlyhungry.For
long,fieryseconds,thesoundsoftheirbreathingwereaudibleinthequietroom.

"Itisn'tenough,"hebitoffagainsthermouth.Whileheheldher,hishandbegantounbuttonhershirt.
He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "I won't go farther than this, I promise you," he said
huskily."ButI...need...tolookatyou."

Her eyelids felt heavy. She couldn't work up the effort to protest. What he'd just given her was like
honey,andshewashelplesswithpleasure.Shewantedmore.Shewantedhiseyesonher.

It was extraordinary, she thought, watching him divest her of her shirt and bra. Extraordinary, that
look in his eyes, on his face, as he eased her down against the pillows and sat gazing at her taut,
swollenbreasts.

"Ty,"shewhispered."TherewasamovieIwatchedonce,anditwasjustalittleracy.Buttheman...he
didmorethantouchher.Heputhismouth..."

"Here?"hewhisperedback,brushinghertautbreastwiththebacksofhisfingers,hiseyesintenton
hers.

Shejerkedinvoluntarilywithpleasure."Yes."

"Doyouwantthat,withme?"

Shecolored,butshewasbeyondpretending."Oh,yes...!"

His mouth eased down over the soft flesh, smoothing her skin, sensitizing it. The sensation was
beyond anything she'd ever imagined. She made little whimpers that sent his mind whirling out of
control.Hegroanedagainstherbreastandgatheredherupclose,givingintotheneedtotasteher,to
pleasureher.

She didn't hear the knock the first time it came. But the second time it was louder. She lay still,
listening,andfeltTylerstiffenaboveher.

Hecaughthisbreathslowly,glancingthroughtheopenbedroomdoortowardthelivingroomwith
glazedeyesandamindthatwasstillinlimbo.

"Mr.Jacobs,Ibroughtyourmail.I'llslideitunderthedoor."

ItwasChappy'svoice,andthankGodhewentawayquickly.Nellcoloredfuriouslyassheimagined
whatwouldhavehappenedifChappyhadjustwalkedin.

Tylerlookeddownatherquietly,lettinghisboldgazegofromhereyestoherswollenmouthtothe
alabasterskinofherbreast.

"Areyouallright?"hewhisperedsoftly."Ididn'tfrightenyou?"

"No."Shewaslookingathimasintentlyashewasstudyingher,measuringmemoryandimagination

againstthesweetrealityofwhatthey'ddonetogether."Notatall."

Hetouchedherbreasttenderlyandsmiledather."Itwasgood,"hewhispered.

"Yes."

He eased down on his elbows and slowly drew his chest over her sensitized breasts, watching her
shiverandgaspwiththedelicioussensationofit."Thisisgood,too,"hebreathed,bendingagainto
hermouth."Iwantyou,Nell."

Shetensedashismouthbrushedhers,andhesmiledagainsthertremblinglips.

"I'mnotgoingtodoanythingaboutit,"hereassuredher."Kissme,andthenyou'dbettergetoutof
here."

Sheslidherarmsuparoundhisneckandgavehimhermouthinakissassweetandwildastheones
before. But seconds later he drew away and rolled over, taking her with him. He lay on his back,
shudderingalittlewithaneedhecouldn'tfulfill.

"Youmightaswellgetridofthebaggybritchesandlooseblouses,"hemurmured,holdingherbare
breastsagainsthisbroadchest."I'llneverfallforthecamouflageagain,afterthis."

"AmItoobig?"shewhispered,becauseitmatteredifshewas.

Hebrushedthehairawayfromhermouth."No.You'rejustright.Allofyou."Hebrushedawarmkiss
againstherHpsandloosenedhisarms."You'dbettergetyourthingsbackon.I'mweak,butI'mstill
capable.Idon'twantthistogetoutofhand."

She touched his face, her fingers cold and nervous, tracing its hard contours, fascinated with him.
"Youcan'timaginewhatitwaslikeforme,"shewhispered."I...well,itwasn'twhatIthoughtitwould
be."

Hesmiled."Notevenafteryousawthatracymovie?"hemurmureddryly.

Sheswallowed,rememberingwhenshe'dtoldhimaboutitandwhathadfollowed."Well,no.Seeing
andexperiencingaredifferent."

"Indeedtheyare."Hehelpedhertositupandspentalongminutelookingatherbeforehegathered
upherbraandblouseandproceededtohelpherbackintothem."No,"hesaidwhenshetriedtostop
him."Youdressedme.

Nowit'smyturn."

Soshesatstillandlethimdressher,delightinginhisgentletouch,inhisobviouspleasureinher.

386

TYLER

DIANAPALMER

387

"Youcan'tstayheretonight,"hesaid."Ihopeyourealizewhy."

"Yes.Iknowwhy."

Hebuttonedheruptothethroatandsmoothedbackherlongdisheveledhair."Iwouldlikeverymuch
totakeyourclothesoffandpullyouunderthissheetwithmeandloveyouuptotheceiling,"hesaid
seriously."Icoulddothat,.despiteyourinnocence.ButI'dhatemyselfforabusingyourtrust,andyou
mighthatemeforbackingyouintoacorner.Idon'twantanythingtospoilwhat'sbuildingbetweenus.
Idon'tthinkyouwantthat,either."

Shelinkedherfingersintohisashetoyedwithherhair."No.Idon'twantanythingtospoilit,either,"
shewhispered.

Hedrewherhandtohismouthandkisseditgently."Iwon'tsleep.I'llrememberhowitwaswhilewe
werelovingeachotherinthisbed,andI'llachetohaveyouherewithme."

Shetrembledathisdescriptionofwhatthey'ddone.Ithadfeltlikeloving,evenifheonlymeantthat
inaphysicalsense.Herwarmeyessearchedhis,andherfacewasradiantwithsharedpleasure,with
hope,withnewdreamsthatseemedtobeturningintoreality.

"Ineverdreameditwouldbethisway,"shesaidabsently.

"Howdidyouthinkitwouldbe?"

"Frightening,"sheconfessedwithouttellinghimwhy.McAndershadmadeitintoaterrifyingthing,a
violent act that would have hurt if he'd succeeded. But what she'd experienced with Tyler wasn't
terrifying.Ithadbeenbeautiful.

"Anditwasn't?"hepersistedgently.

"Not frightening, no," she said with a demure smile. "A little scary, but in a nice way. So many
sensations..."

"For me, too, Nell," he said somberly. His eyes held hers. "That was no casual diversion, and don't
youforgetit.I'mnotaplayboy."

"You'renotamonk,either,"shesaid.Shesmiledshakily."Imaybeinnocent,butI'mnotstupid."

Hesighed,smoothingherclosedfingerswithhisthumb."Ifyouwantthetruth,yes,I'vehadwomen.
Butalwayswomenwhocouldn'torwouldn'tconsidermarriageoranythingpermanent.Andneverfor
money.Lovemakingistoobeautifultoreducetoaquickcouplingthatonlysatisfiesacasualhunger."

Shecouldn'tspeak.Shehadn'texpectedhimtosayanythingike that, and it occurred to her that she
didn'treallyknowhimverywell."I'mgladyouthinkofitthatway,"shesaid.

"Don'tyou,honestly?"heasked.

"With you I do," she said after a minute. McAnders's angry handling was fading away like a bad
dream.Nowwhenshethoughtaboutphysicalexpressionsofaffection,shewasalwaysgoingtofeel
Tyler'shandsonherbody.

He touched her lips with a long forefinger. "Go away," he said softly. "I want you terribly, Miss
Regan."

Shesmiledtenderly."I'mverygladofthat.ButI'llgo."

Shegotupfromthebed,hereyespossessiveastheyranoverhistautbody.

"Would you like an anatomy lesson?" he asked with a dry smile. "I could pull this sheet away and
teachyouvolumesaboutmen."

She averted her eyes, her cheeks scarlet. "I'll just bet you could," she muttered, because she
rememberedhowhisbodyhadchangedwhenherscameintocontactwithit."Andstopmakingfunof
mebecauseI'mnotcluedin."

"Ihappentolikeyouthatway,believeitornot,"hemused.Comebackinthemorning.Wecanhave
anotherargument."

"Idon'treallywanttoarguewithyou."

"Thealternativecouldgetusintorealtrouble."

Shelaughedbecausehesoundedsomoroseanddrylyamusedallatonce.Herfacechangedwiththe
sound,brightened,wentsoftandradiant.

"You are lovely when you laugh," he said huskily. "And if you don't get out of here right now, I'm
goingtothrowoffthisdamnedsheetandcomeafteryou."

Sheletoutalowwhistleandheadedforthedoor."Themindboggles,"shemurmuredassheglanced
overhershoulderandsmiledathim."Sleeptight."

"Oh,that'sfunny,"heagreed."Arealscreamer.I'llhavetoremembertoputitinmymemoirs."

"Iwon'tsleep,either,"shesaidsoftly,andlefthimreluctantly.

She went out the door smiling, her heart so light that it could have floated before her. She'd never
been so happy in all her life. The most unexpected things happened sometimes. They'd argued and
she'dbeensurethattherewasnohope,andnowhe'dkissedhersohungrily,handledhersogentlythat
shewasbuildingdaydreamsagain.

Thishadtobetherealthing,shetoldherselfdoggedly.He'dtoldherhewasn'tplaying,soithadtobe
forreal.Ithadtobe!

Andallofasudden,shestartedthinkingaboutthepast,aboutamanwho'dteasedherandkissedher
lazilyonceortwice,amanshe'dthoughtsheloved.Andthatmanhadbetrayedhertrustandtriedto
force her into bed, all because he'd wanted her bright, beautiful sister-in-law. It didn't bear thinking
about.Surely history wasn'tgoing to repeatitself with Tyler. Nellclosed her eyesin faint fear. She
couldn'tbearthethoughtofthat.

IfBellanoticedthatNell'slipswereswollenandherhairwildlydisheveledandherfacefullofanew
radiancemingledwithfear,shekeptittoherself.ButshewaslessabrasivethanusualasNellhelped
withthedishes,andshewassmilingwhentheyoungerwomanwentuptobed.

Nellawokethenextmorningafterasleeplessnighttohearafuriouscommotiongoingondownin
thekitchen.

Shehurriedlydressedinjeansandaneatcheckedshirt,leftherhairdownaroundhershouldersand
went to the kitchen for breakfast. She caught the tail end of a conversation that sounded curious at
best.

Bellawasstillragingatsomeone,"...can'timaginewhatpossessedhim!Ofcoursehedidn'tknow—he
isn'tameankindofman.Butwe'vegottogethimoutofhere!"

"Can'tbedone."ThatwasChappy'svoice,slowandmeasured."OldManRegangavehimthepower
tohireandfire.EvenNellcan'toverridehiminsomethinglikethis.It'sjustadamnedshamethatone
ofyouwomendidn'tthinktotellhim!"

"Well,itain'tthekindofthingyoutalkabouttooutsiders,"Bellagrumbled.

"HewasupandmovingaboutlastIlooked.ShouldIgotalktohim?"

"Holdoffafewminutes.Givemetimetothink."

"Okay.Tellmewhen."

A door slammed. Nell hesitated before she went on into the room. When Bella saw her, she turned
beetred.

"Nell!Iwasn'texpectingyouthisearly,"shesaidwithatoothygrinthatwasasfalseasfool'sgold.

"Iheardyou,"Nellsaid."What'sgoingon?Isitsomethingtodowiththenewmen?They'resupposed
to show up today." She gnawed her lower lip. "I guess we can send them on over to Tyler. He was
muchbetteryesterday.Hecan'twork,buthecanstilldelegate—"

"You'dbettersitdown,"Bellabegan.

"Why? Has he hired Jack the Ripper?" Nell grinned. She felt great. It was a beautiful day, and she
wanted to get this over with so that she could see Tyler. Her whole life had changed overnight.
Everythingwasbeautiful.

"Worse."Bellatookadeepbreath."Oh,there'sjustnouseinpussyfootingaround.He'shiredDarren
McAnders."

Therewasahushlikedeathintheroom.OfallthethingsNellmighthaveexpectedtohear,thatwas
thelast.Shedidsitdown,heavily,withherheartinherthroat.Nightmareswererushinginonher,old
woundswereopening.

"Howcouldhe?"sheaskedhuskily."Howcouldhegivethatmanajobhere?IthoughtDarrenwas
workingonaranchinWyoming."

"Obviouslyhecamehome,anditseemshethoughtnineyearshadhealedoldwounds."

"Notmine,"Nellsaid,herdarkeyesflashing."Notever.Heusedme.Hehurtme,scaredmeoutofmy
mind....

Well,heisn'tgoingtoworkhere.TellChappytofirehim."

"YouknowChappycan'tdothat.Neithercanyou,"Bellasaid."You'llhavetogoandtellTylerwhat
happened."

Shewentwhite.AfterwhatsheandTylerhadsharedthedaybefore,thethoughtoftellinghimabout
what McAnders had done to her was sickening. Not only that, she'd have to tell him all of it. That
McAndershadflirtedwithherandteasedher,justasTylerhaddone.Thathe'dmadealittlelightlove
toher,andshe'dgoneoffthedeependandthrownherselfathim.IthadneverbeenallDarren'sfault
—even in the beginning. Nell hadn't been able to talk to Bella or Margie, to tell them how much at
faultshe'dbeen.Butshe'dlovedDarren,orthoughtshehad,andshe'dassumedfromhisaffectionate
advances that he felt the same way. She'd had the shock of her young life when he'd come into her
room, expecting her cooperation to help get Margie out of his blood, and found her unwilling and
apparentlyscaredtodeath.He'dhadsomeharshthingstosay,andhe'dbeendrinking.

She still didn't know if he'd have gone far enough to force her, because her screams had brought
Bella and Margie running. Surely Darren didn't think Nell was still carrying a torch for him and
wouldwelcomehimback?Hehadtoknowhowshehatedhim.

"TellTylerwhathappened,"Bellasaid."He'llunderstand."

Nellwasn'tatallsurethathewould.ShethoughtofapproachingDarren,butshecouldn'tbeartotalk
to him. Nine years hadn't erased her shame and fear of him, or her embarrassment for her own
behaviorthathadledtosuchatragicconfrontation.

"I'lltry,"Nellpromisedasshewentoutthebackdoor.Shewasn'tgoingtoconfess,sheknewthat.But
maybetherewasanotherway.

SheknockedonTyler'sdoor,shakinginherboots.Hecalledforhertocomein,andshefoundhimin
thekitchen,fryingeggs.

He glanced at her with a strange reserve, as if he'd forgotten the day before or didn't want to

rememberit."Goodmorning,"hesaidquietly.Hiseyesslidoverherandquicklyaway,backtowhat
hewasdoing."Doyouwantsomebreakfast?"

Hiscoolnessrobbedherofcourage.Hedidn'tseemlikethesamemanwho'dkissedherhalftodeath.
Perhaps he was ashamed. Perhaps he regretted every kiss. Or perhaps he was just afraid she might
throwherselfathim.

Shadesofthepastfellominouslyoverherhead.

"I'mnothungry."Shetookadeepbreath."OneofthenewmenyouhiredisDarrenMcAnders.Iwant
youtolethimgo.Rightnow."

Hisblackeyebrowsarched.Hemovedthepanfromtheburnerandshutoffthestovebeforeheturned
slowlytofaceher."Idon'tthinkIheardyouright."

"IsaidIwantyoutofireMcAndersrightnow,"shereturnedstiffly."Iwon'thavehimonthisranch."

"How many available cowboys do you think I can find at roundup time?" he asked shortly. "I'm
alreadyamanshort,evenwithMcAnders,andhecomeshighlyrecommendedbytheWyomingoutfit
hewasworkingfor.He'ssteady,hedoesn'tdrink,andheknowswhattodowitharope.Andyouwant
metofirehimbeforehe'sevenstarted?Youlittlefool,hecouldsueustohellforthatandbringdown
halfthegovernmentonourheads!"

"Youwon'tdoit?"sheaskedcoldly.

"No." He glowered at her. "Not without cause. If you want him fired, tell me why," he said, and his
eyeswereoddlyintent.

She tried. She started to speak. Her sweet memories were turning black in her mind, and she was
alreadymourningforwhatmighthavebeen.Tylerlookedformidable.Healsolookedfightingmad.
She'dgoneaboutitallwrong.Sheshouldhavetriedhoneyinsteadofvinegar,butitwastoolatenow.
He'dseerightthroughthattactic,anyway.

"We'reoldenemies,"shesaidfinally."That'sthebestIcandobywayofanexplanation."

He smiled mockingly and there was a new coldness in his tone. "Now that's interesting," he said.
"BecauseMcAnderstoldmethismorningthatyouwereoldfriends.Veryclosefriends,infact."

ChapterSix

Nelljuststood,staringblanklyatTylerwhileshetriedtodecidewhattosay.Histonewasenoughto
convinceherthathewaswellonthewaytobelievingthatshe'dliedtohim.GodknewwhatDarren
hadsaidaboutthepast,butithadmadeaterribledifferenceinTyler'sattitudetowardher.Shecould
feelthedistrustinhim,anditchilledher.

"You don't have to agonize over an explanation," Tyler said when he saw her hesitation. It was
obviousthatMcAndershadmeantsomethingtoher."Butdon'texpectmetofireamanbecausehe's
oneofyouroldflames,"

headdedmockingly."Thatisn'treasonenough."

Shedidn'tsayanotherword.Hewaslookingatherasifhewaspreparedtodisbelieveanythingshe
said.Hedidn'tknowherwellenoughtoseethatshe'dneverhaveaskedhimtofireamanoutofsome
personal grudge. It went much deeper than that. McAnders was an unpleasant part of her past, a
constant reminder of her own lack of self-control, her vulnerability. Tyler had shown her that
physical desire wasn't the terrible thing she'd remembered. But that was over before it began, all
becauseshecouldn'tbringherselftotellhimthetruth.

"Nothingelsetosay?"heasked.

Sheshookherhead."No,thankyou.I'msorryIdisturbedTOIL"

Tyler scowled as she left. She was subdued now when she'd been fiery-tempered before. What was
McAnders to her? Was she still in love with him and afraid of succumbing? Or was it something
more?Hewishedhe'dmadehertellhim.Now,hehadaterriblefeelingthathemighthaveleftittoo
late.

Nell was keyed up and frightened of her first confrontation with Darren. It came unexpectedly that
sameday,atdusk,whenhewaspassingthebackporchasshewentoutthedoor.

Shelookedupandtherehewas.Herfirstlove.Herfirstcrush.UntilTylerhadcomealong,heronly
crush. Darren McAnders had been in his early twenties nine years ago. Now fee was in his early
thirties,buthehadn'tchanged.

Hehaddarkauburnhair,threadedwithgrayatthetemplesnow,andblueeyes.Hewasalittleheavier
thanhehadbeen.ButitwashisfacethatdrewNell'sattentionthemost.He'dagedtwentyyears.Hehad
lines where he shouldn't have had them, and the easygoing smile she remembered was gone
completely.'Hello,Nell,"hesaidquietly.

She didn't flinch, although she felt like it. He brought back memories of her own stupidity and its
near-disastrousconsequences.Hewaswalkingproofthatherself-controlwasamyth,andshedidn't
likeit.

"Hello,Darren,"shereplied.

"I suppose you've given the word to have me thrown off the place by now," he said surprisingly.
"OnceIknewyoustilllivedhere,IwassureI'dmadeamistakeinhiringonwithouttellingyournew
ramrodthetruth."Hefrownedslightly,pushinghisbatteredhatbackonhishead."Youdon'tmindthat
I'mhere?"

"OfcourseImind,"shesaidcoldly,andherdarkeyesflashed."ImindthatImadeafoolofmyself
overyou,andthatyouusedmebecauseofMargie.Butifyoudon'tmindthememories,thenneither
doI.Keepyourjob.Idon'tcareonewayortheother."

He searched her face for a long moment, and then what he could see of her body in her usual
clothing,andakindofsadnessclaimedhisexpression."Youmightnotbelieveit,butIhadalotof
regretsaboutwhathappened.It'sbeenheavyonmyconsciencealltheseyears."

He looked as if it had, too, and that was the most surprising thing of all to Nell. She didn't speak
becauseshecouldn'tthinkofanythingtosay.

Hetookaslowbreath."HowisMarguerite?"heaskedfinally.

She'dsuspectedthatMarguerite'swidowhoodhadsomeplaceinMcAnders'sdecisiontotakeajobat
theranch.

Evennineyearshadn'tdimmedhispassionforMargie.NellwonderedhowMargiewouldreact.

"She'sdoingverywell,"Nellreplied."SheandhersonsliveinTucson.Theycomeouthereforan
occasionalweekend."

"Iheardaboutyourbrother,"heremarked."I'msorry.IalwayslikedTed.Ihatedbetrayinghistrust
thatway."

"Heneverknewhowyoufeltabouther,"shesaid."Nowifyou'llexcuseme..."

"You'vechanged,"hesaidsuddenly."Iwouldn'thaveknownyouinthatgetup."

Sheflushedwithmingledtemperandembarrassmentassherememberedtheclose-fittingoutfitsshe
usedtoweartotrytocatchhiseye."Iguessnot,"shesaidtightly."Weallchangewithage."

"Not as much as you have." He grimaced. "Oh, Nell," he said softly. "Ted should have shot me for
whatIdidtoyou.

Heshouldhaveshotmedead."

Andheturnedonhisheelandwalkedawaybeforeshecouldreply.Thatwasn'ttheDarrenMcAnders
sheremembered.Hewasnolongerthecocky,arrogantyoungmanwho'dalternatelyteasedandtoyed
withher.Hewasolderandfarmoremature,andtheteasingstreakseemedtohavebeenburied.All
thesame,itwastoosoontostarttrustinghim,andMargiewasgoingtohaveafitwhensheheardthat
hewasbackontheranch.

Bellahad the samefeeling, because aftersupper was cleared awayshe mentioned thatit might be a
goodideaforNelltocallandtellMargieabouttheirnewhand.

"Iwon't,"Nellsaidfirmly."She'llfindoutsoonenough.Sheandtheboysarecomingthisweekend."

Bellasighed."Goingtobefireworks,"shesaid.

"ThenshecancomplaintoTyler.Ididn'thirehim."

"Nell!"

Shejumped.Tyler'sdeepvoicecarriedevenwhenhedidn'traiseit,butitwasclearlyraisednow,and
irritatedashecamedownthehalltowardthekitchen.

"Isthatyou,ordidsomebodystickapininamountainlion?"Nellaskedwithmorecouragethanshe
felt.

He didn't smile. He was bareheaded and grim, and there were several bills held in one lean hand.
"We'vegottotalk,"hesaid.

NellglancedapprehensivelyatBella,buttheolderwomanbegantowhistleasifshehadn'thearda
word. Nell put down the dishcloth and followed Tyler back down the hall to the front room that
servedasanoffice.

Thedeskwascluttered,anditlookedasifTylerhadbeenatthebooksforatleastacoupleofhours.
He'dbeengoingovertheranch'sfinancesforseveralweeksnow,inhissparetime,tryingtomake
senseofNell'shit-or-missbookkeepingsystem.Apparentlyhe'djustfigureditout,andhedidn'tlike
whathesaw.

"These—" he indicated a new set of books "—are the new books. I've boiled everything down to
creditsanddebits.

Fromnowon,everypurchasecomesthroughme.Ifyouwantaneedleandthread,you'llhavetohave
apurchaseorder.This—"heheldupabookofpurchaseorders"-—isabookofthem.It'sgoingtobe
lockedinthedesk,andIhavetheonlykey."

"Why?"sheasked.

Hemotionedherintoachairandperchedhimselfonthecornerofthedesktolightacigarette."The
way things have been run here, any cowboy could go to the hardware store and charge butane or
vaccinationsuppliesorgotothefeedstoreforfeedorsaltandchargeitwithoutanyauthorization."
Hehandedherthebillshe'dbeencarrying."Readacoupleofthose."

Shefrownedcuriously,butshedidasshewastold."Apairofspurs,"shemurmured,readingaloud,
"anewsaddle..."Shelookedup."Ineverauthorizedthose."

"Iknowyoudidn't."Hesmiledfaintly."That'stheproblemwithgivingcarteblanchetothecowboys."

"Whohadthesaddleandspursonhere?"shedemanded.

"Marlowe."

"Yououghttofirehim."

"Ialreadyhave,"hesaid."GoodthingIhiredontwonewmeninsteadofone."Heeyedthetipofhis
cigarette."IsawyoutalkingtoMcAnders.Istherestillaproblem?"

Shedidn'tfeelcomfortablediscussingitwithhim."Therewon'tbeone.DarrenandIwillworkthings
out."

Thatsoundedominoustohim.Asifshehadideasaboutrecapturingthepast.Hescowledather,his
green eyes almost sparking with bad temper. "As long as you keep your dalliance after working
hours,Idon'tcarewhatyoudo."

She felt something inside her dying. He couldn't know how badly he was hurting her with his
indifference.Shesupposedhewouldn'tcareifhedid.Sheloweredhereyestoherjeans."Haveyou
toldthemenaboutthepurchaseorders?"

"Itoldthecrewinthebunkhouseatsupper.I'lltellthemarriedhandsinthemorning.Therearegoing
to have to be other changes, as well." He picked up the ledger and went through it. "For one thing,
we'regoingtohavetocutbackontheactivitiesthatrequirecowboyparticipation.It'sgettingtimefor
roundup,andI'llneedeverymanI'vegot.Thisopenrangemaybefineforabigoutfit,butit'shellon
onethissize.We'llspendthebetterpartofaweekjustgettingthesalercalvesintoholdingpens."

"WecanborrowBobWyler'shelicopter,ifyouwantto,"Nellsaid."Healwayshelpsoutthatway,and
hesuppliesthepilot,too."

"Forwhatkindofpayment?"Tyleraskednarrowly.Nellgrinnedinvoluntarily."ForacaseofBella's
strawberry-rhubarbpreserves,"shesaid.

Hechuckled,too,inspiteofhimself."Okay.That'sadeal.Butcanyoumanagethetrailrideswithout
Chappy?"

ImanagedwellenoughbeforeTeddied,"shesaid."Icandoitagain.Whatelse?"

"Thisistheworstofit.We'respendingafortuneonhavingagolfproonthepayrollforvisitorswho
want to tee off on the Western Terrace greens. That's fine for the big dude ranches, but we're
operatingonashoestringhere.Icanshowyouonpaperthatonlyoneoutofeverytenguestsavails
himselfofthisservice,buttheprocollectshisfeejustthesame."

"ThatwasTed'sidea,"shesaid."I'vejustletitdragon.Youmayhavenoticedthatmostofthepeople
whocomeherearen'treallyveryathletic."Sheblushedandhelaughed.

"Yes, I've noticed." He searched her dark eyes slowly, and little sparks of attraction seemed to leap
betweenthembeforehedrewhisgazedowntohiscigarette."ThenI'lltakecareofthepro.Asforthis

dailyshoppingtripintoTucson,isthatmandatory?"

"We could cut back to every other day," she compromised. "I realize that it's pretty hard on the gas
budget, what with the van being used for transportation. I guess the city tour is hard on the budget,
too."

Henoddedhisdarkhead."Thatwasgoingtobemynextquestion.Canwesubcontractthetoursoutto
anexistingagencyintown?"

"Sure!Iknowaterrificladywho'dlovethebusiness,andherfeesareveryreasonable."

"Okay.Giveheracallandworksomethingout."

"You'vebeenworking,"Nellremarked,noddingtowardalltheledgersandpaperwork.

"It'sbeenalongjob.ButIdidn'twanttomakespecificrecommendationsuntilIhadahandleonhow
theranchwasrun.Youhaven'tdoneabadjob,Nell,"hesaidsurprisingly."Exceptforafewplaces,
you'vebudgetedtothebone.You'veonlycontinuedoldpolicies.Butwe'regoingtochangesomeof
thoseandgetthisplaceoperatingintheblackagain."

"Yousoundencouraging."

"It'sagoodlittleoperation,"hereplied."Itshouldn'tbehardtomakeitapayingone.Anyplaceyou
thinkyoumayneedmorehelp?"

Shethoughtforaminute,tryingnottonoticethewayhisjeansclungtohislong,powerfullegs,or
thefactthatthetopthreebuttonsofhisred-checkedshirtwereunbuttonedoverthattannedexpanseof
hair-coveredchest.Sherememberedalltoowellhowithadfelttotouchhiminpassion.

"I'dliketohavesomeonecomewithmeonthetrailridewhilethatmanfrombackEastishere,"she
confessedwithafaintsmile."Hiswifeisrathercold-eyed,andsheseemstohavesomeinsaneidea
thatI'mchasinghim."

Tyler'seyeswentnarrow."Yes,Isawhowhetriedtocomeontoyouatthesquaredance.Theyleave
Thursday,don'tthey?"Hesawhernod."I'llgoonthenexttwotrailrideswithyou.Chappycankeep
thingsinorderforBellawhilewe'reout."

"Thanks."

"Unlessyou'dratherIletMcAndersgowithyou?"headdedwithamockingsmile.

Shewantedtoprotest,butthatwouldbealittletoorevealing.Sheswallowed."Whateversuitsyou,"
shesaid."Itdoesn'tmattertome."

Which wasn't the answer he wanted. He put out his cigarette with faint violence. "McAnders can go
withyou,then,"hesaid."I'vegotenoughworktodowithoutplayingnursemaid."

Thewordsweremeanttosting,andtheydid.Shegotup,avoidinghiseyesasshewenttothedoor.

"Thanksforallyou'redoing,"shesaidoverhershoulder.

"Mypleasure.Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Shedidn'tseehimaloneafterthat.Therewasalwayssomereasontohaveotherpeoplepresentorto
putoffdiscussionsuntilshecouldarrangeforreinforcements.Butthatdidn'tstopTylerfromcutting
atherverballyateveryopportunity.

What hurt the most was that Darren McAnders didn't mind accompanying her on trail rides, and
seemedeventoenjoyhertaciturncompany.Hebegantosmileagain,asifbeingwithherbrightened
hislife.Shedidn'tunderstandwhy,andsheunderstoodevenlessTyler'snewantagonism.

Butthefirehitthefanontheweekend,whenMargieandtheboysarrivedbytaxi.

Nell had just come back from the trail ride, with Darren McAnders at her side. Marguerite,
immaculateinawhitelinensuit,steppedoutofthecabshe'drecklesslyhiredinTucson,withherlong
reddish-goldhairwaftinginthebreeze,andlookedstraightupintoDarrenMcAnders'sstunnedface.

"Darren!"sheexclaimed,missingherstep.

Shewentdownonherkneesinthedust,andDarrenvaultedoutofthesaddletopickherup,hishands
strongandsureonherupperarms,hiseyesintentonherflushedface.

"Margie,"hesaidsoftly."Youhaven'taged.You'reasbeautifulasever."

"What are you doing here?" Margie gasped. She glanced at Nell, even more shocked to find Nell
apparentlyvoluntarilyinDarren'scompany.

"He'sournewesthand,"Nelltoldher."Tylerhiredhim."

"Doesn't he know?" Margie asked, and then flushed when she saw Darren's rueful smile. "Oh, I'm
sorry.It'sjustthat..."

"Thepastisonlyaproblemifweletitbe,"Nellsaidstubbornly."DarrenandIaregettingalongvery
well.Aren'twe,Darren?"sheasked.

He smiled ruefully. "As well as could be expected. Nell's been very generous. It was this job or
welfare,andIcouldn'thaveblamedherifshe'dthrownmeofftheplace.It'sasmuchasIdeserved."

MargiesearchedhisfaceslowlyandthenglancedupatNell,sittingstillonherhorse."Ittookalotof
courage for you to come back here, Darren," she remarked, even though she was looking at Nell,
waiting,questioning.

"I found out that running away doesn't solve much," he said enigmatically. He glanced past Margie.
"Aretheseyourboys?"Heaskedthequestionsoftly,andhiseyesechoedthatsoftnessashelookedat
them."CurtandJess,aren'tyou?YourAuntNell'ssaidalotaboutyou."

Theypiledoutofthecarlikemaraudingpiratesandstaredathimenthusiastically."Didshe,really?"
Curtasked.

"Didshesaynicestuff?MeandJessarelotsofhelparoundtheranch—Tylersaysso.Wehelphim
findsnakesandlizardsandstuffandkeepthemfromeatingupAuntNell'scattle!"

AuntNell'seyeswidenedwithamusement."DidTylertellyouthat?"

"Well,notreally,"Jessmurmured."Butitsoundsgood,don'tit?"

"Doesn'tit,"Margiecorrectedabsently.Shewasjustbeginningtogetherself-confidencebackafter
theshockofseeingDarren."Boys,we'dbettergetinside."Shepaidthedriver,andNellgotoffher
horsetohelpwiththeluggage,butDarrenwasonestepaheadofher.

"I'll take care of this if you can manage the horses, Nell," he said with a hopeful glance in her
direction.

She knew he'd never gotten over Margie. It didn't surprise her that he was anxious to renew that
acquaintance.

WhatMargiefeltwaslesseasytoperceive.Butitcertainlywasn'tliketheolderwomantoloseher
stepandpitchheadfirstintodesertsand.

"Sure," Nell agreed easily. "I'll take them to the barn. Margie, I'll see you and the boys in a few
minutes."

"That'sfine,"Margiesaidabsently,butshewaslookingatDarrenasifshe'dbeenpoleaxed.

Nell was faintly relieved. With Darren around, maybe Margie wouldn't bat her eyelashes so
luxuriouslyatTyler.

Not that it mattered anymore. Tyler had certainly made it clear that he wasn't interested in Nell. He
avoidedherliketheveryplague.

Sheledthehorsestothebarn,whereChappytookthereinswithacuriousglanceatherrigidfeatures.

"Youokay?"heasked.

Shesmiled."I'mfine."Sheglancedaround."Where'sCaleb?"

Caleb was the big black gelding that Tyler always rode. Asking for the horse's whereabouts was a
littlelessobviousthaninquiringaboutTyler's.

Chappy saw right through her. "He's out riding the boundary fence we put up around the holding
pens."

Sheblinked."Hehatesridingfence."

"He overheard two of the boys talking about the way McAnders hangs around you since he's been
here,"thewrin-kledcowboysaidwithatwinkleinhispaleblueeyes."Hesetthemtocleaningoutthe
stables, and he went off to ride fence. I don't reckon anybody will mention such things around him
again,oncewordgetsthroughtheoutfit."

ShebitherlowerHp."Whyshouldhecare?"

Chappy started to lead the horses toward the stable, where two sweating, swearing cowboys were
muckingoutthestallsandpitchingfreshhay."Youneedglasses,"hesaiddryly.

Nelldriftedbacktothehouseslowly,hereyeseverywhereonthehorizon,lookingforaglimpseof
Tyler.Thingshadbeenstrainedbetweenthem.That,andMcAnders'spresence,weremakingherlife
miserable. Not that she minded Darren being around. He'd changed so much from the shallow,
carelessmanshe'dknown.Shefeltnoremnantoftheoldcrushshe'dhadonhim,noranysenseof
bitterness.Hewaslikeafriendlystrangerwhomshebegantolike,butnothingmore.

IfonlyshecouldgotoTylerandtellhimthat.Butdespitehisoddbehaviorthisafternoon,hehadn't
said anything that would lead Nell to believe he had any lasting affection for her. In fact, he'd said
more than once that there wasn't any place for a woman in his life right now. And the thought of
throwing herself at another man, after the misery her encounter with Darren had brought her, was
unwelcome.Tylermightbekindaboutit,butsheknewhewouldn'tappreciatehavingher"hangonhis
boots,"ashe'dmentionedtoBella.

Shesighed.Sheknewsolittleaboutmen.IfonlyshecouldtalktoMargie,perhapsshecouldfinda
wayoutofthecornershe'dpaintedherselfinto.

ShewentintothehousetohelpBellagetsupperonthetablebeforetheguestswerecalledontothe
elegantpatiotoeat.ThewoodentableseachhadumbrellasandsatbesideanOlympic-sizeswimming
pool,whichdidalotofbusinessduringtheday.Allmealsweretakenhere,withBellaandNellsetting
abuffettablefromwhichguestscouldchoosetheirportions.Allaroundwerepaloverdetrees,along
with every conceivable form of cactus known to the desert Southwest. It was amusing to watch the
guestsfrombackEastaskabouttheflowergardenmentionedinthebrochureandthenseeitforreal.
Thenativeplantsweresurroundedbyrockborders,andtheirarrangementwasbothmysteriousand
compelling. In bloom, the cacti were beautiful, like the feathery palo verde with its fragrant yellow
blossoms.

"Youaren'teating?"NellaskedwhenMargiesatdownagooddistanceawayfromtheguestswhile,as
aspecialtreat,theboyshadtheirmealinthebunkhousewiththecowboys.

Margieshookherhead.She'dchangedintodesignerjeansandaredtanktop,andshelookedelegant
andmoody.

"I'mnothungry.Howlonghashebeenhere?"

"Afewdays,"Nellsaid."Tylerhiredhim."

"Andyoulethimstay?"

"Not voluntarily," Nell said after a minute. "I tried to bulldoze Tyler into letting him go, but he
wouldn't.Hewantedtoknowwhy."Sheloweredhereyes."Icouldn'ttellhim."

"Yes.Iunderstand."Shesatupsuddenly,leaningherforearmsonthetable."Nell,itisn'tterriblybad,
isit?Havinghimaround?"

The intensity of the question was interesting. Nell smiled faintly. "No, it isn't terribly bad," she said
gently.Shestudiedthepale,beautifulfeatures."Youstillcareabouthim,don'tyou?"

Margiestiffened.Sheactuallyflustered."I...well,no,ofcoursenot.Ididn'treallycareabouthim!"

"Tedhasbeendeadforalongtime,"Nellsaidquietly."AndI'msurehenevermeantforyoutolive
without love forever. If you're asking me how I feel about Darren, he's very much like a nice
stranger."Shesmiledgently."IguessyouandBellawererightaboutwhathappened.Iblewitallout
ofproportionbecauseIdidn'thaveanyexperiencetomeasureitagainst.Ididn'texactlyinvitewhat
happened,butI'dledhimtobelievethatIwantedhimwithoutrealizingit."

"It was my fault, too," Margie admitted. "But I never meant you to be hurt." She looked at the table
instead of at Nell. "I cared about him. Not in the way I loved Ted, but in a different way. But I was
married,anddespitethewayIteasedhim,Ineverwouldhavehadanaffairwithhim.""Iknowthat,"
Nellsaid.

Margiesmiledathersadly."I'vespentalotofyearstryingtomakeyouoverinmyimage,haven'tI?
Being bossy, taking you for granted. But I meant it in the nicest way. I wanted to help. I just didn't
knowhow."

"I don't need help," Nell told her dryly. "And I'm not going to try to recapture the past with Darren
McAnders."

"AndTyler?"Margiefished."Wheredoeshefitin?"

That question threw her again. Was Margie infatuated with Tyler? Was her interest in Darren only
pretended so that she could find out how Nell felt about Tyler? Nell started drawing into herself
again,defensively."Tylerismyforeman,nothingmore.Hedoesn'tgiveahangaboutmeinanyway,"
Nellsaidtautly.Shegotupfromthetable.

"I'mnothungry,Margie.IthinkI'llgowatchTV."

"Okay.I'vegottogogettheboys."

"They're already on the way," Nell remarked with a bitter smile, and gestured to where Tyler was
coming with both boys by the hand. They were laughing and so was he. Margie was gazing at the
group with such naked hunger that Nell turned away. "See you later," she said, but Margie wasn't
reallylistening.HerwholeattentionwasfocusedonTyler.Actually,itwasfocusedonDarren,who
wasrightbehindTyler,butNelldidn'tseethesecondman.ShewassurenowthatMargiewasusing
DarrenasanexcusetomaskherfeelingsforTyler.

Nellwentinsideandthrewherselfintohousecleaninguntilshewasnearlyexhausted,gettingrooms
readyfortheboysandMargie.Whenshecamebackdownstairs,shewassurprisedtofindTylerin
thelivingroom,alreadywatchingthenews.

Helookedtired.Deadtired.He'dshoweredandchanged,buthehadanobliviouskindofexpression
onhisfacethatbrightenedalittlewhenhesawNellcomeintotheroom.

"CanIgetyoualemonade?"heasked,hoistinghis.

"Notabrandy?"shemused.

"Idon'tdrink.Ineverhave."

Shesatdowninthearmchairacrossfromhim,feelingherway."Why?"

Heshrugged."Idon'tknow.Idon'tlikeeitherthetasteortheeffect,Iguess."Hisgreeneyeswentover
herlikehands,andsheflushed,becausememorieswereglitteringthere.Itwasshockingtoremember
exactlyhowintimatehe'dbeenwithher,forallthedistancethathadbeenbetweenthemsincethen.

"Idon'tdrink,either,"shesaidabsently."I'mfrightfullyold-fashioned."

"Yes,Iknow,"hesaidsoftly,andthememorieswerethereagain,warmandoverwhelming.Hiseyes
caughthersandheldthemrelentlessly."HowdoyoufeelaboutMcAnders?"

Shesatupstraight.Shehadtohideherrealfeelingsfromhim,soshesaid,"I'mnotsure."

"Aren'tyou?Youseemtospendenoughtimewithhimlately,"heaccusedquietly.

"YouspendplentyaroundMargie,"sheshotback.

Hesmiledmockingly."Yes,Ido,don'tI?Butyoudon'tseemtospendmuchtimeconsideringwhy."

"It'sobviouslybecausesheattractsyou,"shesaidhaughtily."I'mnotblind."

"Oh,butyouare,"hesaidquietly."Moreblindthanyouknow."

"IcanspendtimewithanyoneIplease,"shecontinuedcoldly.

"HaveyoubeenintimatewithMcAnders?"heaskedsuddenly.

She gasped. Her face went bloodred as she remembered what had happened that night, what Darren
hadtriedtodotoher.

Tyler saw the expression, but he took it for guilt, and something inside him exploded. No wonder
NellhadeyesforMcAnders.He'dbeenherfirstlove,andnowhewasbackandhewantedher,and
she'dlethimtouchherinallthewaysTylerhad.Maybeevenmore.Hiseyesglitteredatherfuriously.

"Howcouldyoudothat?"heaskedbitterly.Sheblinked."Dowhat?"

Hethrewuphishandsandpacedangrily."Andallthetime

Ithought—"Hestoppedshort,turning."Well,ifit'sMcAndersyouwant,considerhimyours.I'llrun
the business end of the ranch and take care of the livestock. But don't make the mistake of running
aftermeifMcAndersdumpsyou,"headdedvenomously."Idon'twantanotherman'scastoff."

Nellgaspedwithoutrage."Youlily-whitepurist!"shethrewathim."Howmanywomenhaveyoucast
off,ifwe'regoingtogetpersonal?"

"That'snoneofyourbusiness,"hesaidshortly.

"Well,Darrenisnoneofyours."Sheclenchedherhands,hatinghisarrogance.

Hewantedtothrowthings.Hehadn'trealizeduntilthenjusthowdeeplyNellwasunderhisskin.He
had to face the possibility that a man from her past was about to carry her off, and he didn't know
whattodotostopit.She'dgotthewrongendofthestickaboutMargie.HelikedMargie,yethesaw
right through her antics. But Nell was so insecure that she couldn't see the forest for the trees.
Considering that insecurity it was a miracle that she could even contemplate a relationship with
DarrenMcAnders.Butshemightlovehim....

He sighed heavily. "Fair enough," he said finally and with a long, quiet stare. "Do what you please,
Nell.Iwon'tinterfere.Asyousay,yourlifeisyourown."

Heturnedtogoandshefeltsickalloveratthewaythingswereworkingout.Shedidn'tcareabout
Darren.Shewantedtocallhimbackandtellhimthetruth,butsomethingstoppedher.Shecouldn'ttell
him, she couldn't face his contempt when he knew that she'd invited Darren's advances, that she'd
chasedhimallthoseyearsagoandbroughtitonherself.Soshelethimgo,watchingwithsadeyesas
helefttheroomonlytorunintoMargieinthehall.

NellheardhimlaughingandcaughtaglimpseofMargie'sraptexpression.Shecouldn'tbearit.She
wasgoingtolosehimtoMargie,andshecouldn'tbearit.Shewentbackintothelivingroom,forcing
herselfnottocry.

She'dletTylerthinkshe'dbeendeliberatelyintimatewithDarren,andthatwasalie.Shesatdownon
thesofa,rememberingwhathadhappenedallthoseyearsago.She'dbeenmistakenaboutMcAnders's
feelings back then, and she'd become obsessed with him after he'd paid her a little attention. She
recalledhowshe'dteasedhimuntilonenightshewentalittletoofar.Margiehadgivenapartyand
thateveningNellhadflirtedwithMcAnders,who'dbeenrejectedbyMargieandhadhadtoomuchto
drink. McAnders had come to Nell's room and found her asleep in her scanty gown, and since she
hadn't locked her door, he'd thought she was waiting for him. He'd climbed into bed with her and,
despiteherprotests,he'dbeenabouttoseduceherwhenBellahadcometoherrescue.

But that had been years ago, long before she knew Tyler. He hadn't been talking about the past,
though.He'daskedherifshe'dbeenintimatewithDarren,andhewastalkingaboutthepresent.

The impact of the realization hit her between the eyes like a hammer. Now she'd done it! She'd
inadvertantlylethimthinkthatwhatshe'dsharedwithhimshe'dalsosharedwithDarren.She'dstung

his pride by letting him think that she could go straight from his arms into Darren's and without a
twingeofconscience.

Shegotup,shakingwithreaction,andwonderedifshecouldgoafterhim,explain.

Butbeforeshegottothedoor,CurtandJesscamecareeringdownthehall,andshelookedpastthem
towhereTylerwasholdingMargie'sarm,escortingherlaughinglyoutthefrontdoor.

Itwastoolatenowtosmooththingsover,sheknew.She'dleftitjustafewsecondstoolong.She'd
losthim.

ChapterSeven

"HiAuntNell,"theychorused."CanwewatchthatnewsciencefictionmovieontheVCR?"

"Sure.Goahead,"shesaidwithforcedtolerance,butherheartwasbreaking."Where'dyourmother
go?"

"Uncle Tyler's taking her into town," Curt volunteered disinterestedly as he searched for the right
videocassette."IsurelikeUncleTyler."

"Yeah,metoo,"Jessagreed.

Soitwas"uncle"already,Nellthought,groaninginwardly.Shemadesomebriefexcuseandleftthe
roombeforetheboyscouldseethetearsforminginhereyes.

AfterthatdayNellstartedavoidinghimagain.Notthatitwasnecessary.Tylercutherdeadeverytime
he saw her, his eyes hard and accusing, as if she'd betrayed him somehow. Nell began to wilt
emotionally.

Margie and the boys left, but she and Tyler had seemed to spend a lot of time together during that
visit,andMargiehadbeenverynervousandstandoffisharoundDarren.SoanyhopeNellhadthather
sister-in-lawmightbeinterestedinheroldflamewaswashedawayalmostimmediately.ItwasTyler
Margiewanted,andNelldidn'thaveachanceanymore.Notwith

Tylernearlyhatingherforwhathethoughtshe'ddone.Asifshecouldhavebornethetouchofany
man'shandsbuthis;itseemedimpossiblethathedidn'tknowthat.

AfterMargie left, amorose Darren McAndersbegan to seek Nellout to talkabout the way Margie
had avoided him. He was hurt, just as she was, and their common pain brought them together as
friends.Sheevenfoundanoddkindofcomfortinhispresence.

Itwasanoddturnofeventsallaround,shethoughtasshewalkedwithDarrentothecorralfenceto
seetwonewmaresTylerhadbought.Darrenwasturningouttobeafriend.

"You'relookingmoodylately,"DarrenremarkedastheywatchedChappyworkoneoftheunbroken
maresonalungingrein.Heglancedatherandsmiledmischievously."Andthebossisexplosive.The
men are betting on how long it's going to be before he throws a punch at somebody just to let the
pressureoff."

Sheflushed."It'scomplicated,"shesaid.

Heproppedabootonthelowestrailofthecorralfence."It'sprettyfunnyformetobeofferingyoua
shouldertocryon,whenIwasyourworstenemyatonetime.ButtimeshavechangedandsohaveI.
Andifyouneedsomebodytolisten,hereIam,honey."

She looked up at him tearfully. He was different, all right. A new man altogether. She managed a

smile.

Hesmiledbackandpulledheragainsthimtogiveherafriendly,totallyplatonichug.

ButTylerhappenedtobelookingoutthewindowinthebunkhouseandhesawthem.Andwhatwasa
platonichugdidn'tlookthatwaytoamanalreadytryingtocopewithemotionshewasfeelingforthe
first time in his life, and eaten up with unfamiliar jealousy, to boot. Tyler let out a string of range
language,turnedandstormedofftowherehe'dtiedhishorse.Heswungupintothesaddleandrode
awaywithouttheslightestideaofwhereinhellhewasgoing.

ThesquaredancewasthefollowingSaturdaynight,andmostofthepresentguestswereleavingon
Sunday to make room for anew group of people. A one-week stay was about standard for most of
them.Bythattimetheyweresoreenoughandrestedenoughtogohomeandcopewiththeirroutines.
MargieandtheboysshowedupSaturdayafternoon,andtheolderwomanthrustahugeboxatNell,
withamischievoussmile.

"Foryou,"shesaidwithdancingeyes."Openit."

Nelleyedhercuriously,butsheputtheboxonthediningroomtableandopenedit,awareofBella's
frankinterestasshedid.

It was a square-dancing outfit. A red-checked full skirt with oceans of petticoats and a pretty white
Mexican peasant blouse in cotton, both of which had probably cost the earth. Nell just stared at it
withoutspeaking.Itwastheprettiestsetshe'deverseen.

"Forme?"sheaskedMargieblankly.

"Foryou,"camethesmilingreply."Anddon'tputyourhairupinaponytail,willyou?"

"But,Margie,Ican'tdance,"shebegan.

"Wearthatandsomeonewillbesuretoteachyou,"Margiepromised.

So Nell wore the new outfit and brushed her long honey-colored hair until it shone thick and
gleamingaroundhershoulders.Margietaughtherhowtoputonathincoatofmakeup,andtheywere
bothsurprisedattheresults.

Nell didn't look like Nell anymore. She wasn't beautiful, but she was certainly attractive enough to
makeamannoticeher.

Margie was wearing a similar outfit, the difference being that Margie could do anything from a
squaredancetoasamba.Nellwastooawarethatsheherselfhadatleasttwoleftfeet.

OnceshetriedtoaskMargieaboutTyler,butshelosthernerve.Margiewassobeautiful,andshehad
a way of making every man she met want her. If Tyler fell victim to her charm, who could blame
him?

Nellcouldn'thelpbutwonder,though,whyMargiehadboughtheradress.Didshepossiblysensethat
Nell cared about Tyler, and was trying to help her get over him by attracting Darren? But surely
Margiedidn'tthinkshewasinterestedthatwayinDarren,becauseshe'dalreadydeniedit.

Downstairs,BellamadeabigfussoverNell'snewimage,andNellhadafeelingitwastomakeupfor
thelasttimeshe'ddressedupandBellahadbeenworriedaboutTylergettingthewrongidea.Butthis
timepraisewascertainlyforthcoming.

The band could be heard tuning up in the barn, which had been cleared out for the dance. Bella
grinned.

"Well, at least Tyler hasn't complained about that forty dollars we have to pay the band twice a
month,"shesaiddryly.

"Give him time." Nell sighed. "Lately he complains about most everything. I hear he even made
Chappytakebackaropeheboughtwithoutpermission."

"Incaseyouhaven'theard,"BellatoldMargie,"Tylerisinasnitlately.Hewalksaroundgloweringat
peopleandtalkingtohimself."

MargieliftedaneyebrowatNell,whoflushedangrily.

"Idon'thaveanythingtodowithit,"Nellsaidshortly."Maybehe'smissingyourcompany."

Margie exchanged glances with Bella and smiled mischievously. "Well, that's possible, of course."
She eyed Nell's averted face. "Shall we go find out? Bella, you're sure you can manage the boys?
They'reintheirpajamas,waitingforthatstoryyoupromisedtoreadthem."

"Sure,meandtheboyswilldofine."Bellapickedupabookandstartedtowardthestaircase."Don't
youworryaboutus."

"Whatareyougoingtoreadthem?"Margieasked.

Bellaturnedandgrinnedwickedly."AllaboutthepirateraidsintheCaribbean,ingorydetail."

Nellgasped,butMargielaughed."Goodforyou."

"Won'ttheyhavenightmares?"Nellasked.

Margieshookherhead."Theylovethatsortofthing.I'mtoldthatmostboysdo—it'snormal.Their
youngworldsaremadeupofmonstersandbattles."

"Isn'teverybody's?"Bellachuckled."Havefun."

Nelldidn'thaveawrap,anditwasachillynight,butshetriednottonoticethegoosebumpsasshe
and Margie walked down to the barn. Things were already in full swing, and Nell noticed that
Margie's eyes were restless, as if she were looking for someone. She sighed, thinking that Margie
wasapparentlygoingtosingleoutTylerfortheevening.NellhadoncebeencertainthatDarrenwas

therecipientofMargie'saffections,butshemusthavebeenwrong.

The guests were already dancing, with Chappy calling the square dance with gleeful abandon and
clappinghishandsashestoodatthemicrophoneinfrontoftheband.Tylerwasstandingtooneside,
near the refreshment table, braiding three strands of rawhide carelessly while he glared at the
dancing.Hehadonjeansandablue-plaidWesternshirt,andwithhisblackhairneatlycombedandhis
facefreshlyshaven,hemadeNell'sheartrace.Hewasthehandsomestmanshe'deverseen.

"Thereyouare!"Margiegrinned,takingpossessionofhisarm."Howareyou?"

"Fine." Tyler looked past her at Nell, glared even more at Nell, then turned his attention back to
Margie."Youlooklikeadream,honey,"hesaidinatonethatwouldhaveattractedbees.

"Thankyou,"Margiepurred.SheglancedatNell."Doesn'tNelllooknice?"sheadded.

NellcoloredandTylerdidn'tsayaword.HecaughtMargie'shandinhis."Let'sgetinthecircle,"he
toldher,anddraggedheroffwithoutnoticingthesurpriseinherface.

Nell moved back out of the circle of dancers and sat down in one of the chairs, feeling alone and
rejectedanduncomfortable.ItwastherethatDarrenfoundher.Hewaswearingablackshirtandred
bandannawithhisjeans,andhelookedalmostashandsomeasTylerbutinatotallydifferentway.

"Hi,pal,"hesaid,smilingatNell."Hidingout?"

Sheshrugged."Idon'tdance,"shesaidwitharuefulgrin."Ineverlearned."

Hecockedaneyebrow."Notimelikethepresent,"heremarked.Thebandhadjustchangedtoaslow,
dreamytune,andheheldouthishand.

Butsheshookherhead."I'mnotreallyinthemood."

Heturnedtolookatthethrongofdancers,andhisfacehardenedwhenhesawMargiedancingwith
Tyler.HemovedbesideNelltoleanagainstoneofthepostswithfoldedarms,glaringatwhathesaw.

"Hedoesn'twastemuchtime,doeshe?"heaskedunderhisbreath.

"They come from the same kind of world," Nell said quietly. "They've spent a lot of time together
sincehecamehere,andtheboyslovehim."

"The boys don't exactly treat me like a plague victim," Darren said coldly. "Well, faint heart never
wonfairlady,Nell."

Shesmiledupathim."Inthatcase,goodluck."

Hesmiledback."Don'tlethimseeyoulookinglikethat,"headvised."You'llblowyourcover."

Shesatupstraighter."Godforbid."

He winked at her and moved into the dancers to tap Tyler curtly on the shoulder, nod and sweep
Margieintohisarms.

Tyler moved off the floor. He gave Nell a cursory glance before he picked up the rawhide strands
he'dleftonthecorneroftherefreshmenttableandbegantobraidthemagain.

"Lostyourescort,Igather,"hesaidcoollywithoutlookingdownather.

"What'sthematter?Isthecompetitiontoomuchforyou?"sheshotbackwithuncharacteristicvenom.

Heblinkedattheunfamiliarheatinhertone.Hisgreeneyesglancedoverhercomposedfeatures."I
thoughtthatwasyourbigproblem,honey,"hesaid."Althoughyou'redressedforittonight."

"Thisoldrag?"shesaidwithavacantsmile."Untiljustrecently,itwasthekitchentablecloth."

Hedidn'tsmile.HiseyeswenttoMargieandDarren,dancinglikeshadows,oblivioustotheworld.

"It'sanicecrowd,"Nellremarkedwhenthesilencebetweenthemlengthened.

"Soitis."Hefinishedthebraidandtieditoff.

"Howareroundupplanscoming?"

"Fine."

Shetookadeepbreath."Mygoodness,you'lltalkmyearoff."

"WillI?"

"Youmightoffertoteachmetodance,"shesaidshylyandnotwithoutreservations.Insideshewas
shakingasshetossedoffthelightremark."Yousaidoncethatyou'dlikeitifIworeadress,andyou'd
showmehow."

Hisgreeneyesmetherslikebullets."Mostmengetpoeticwhenthey'vebeenwithoutawomanfora
fewmonths,"hesaidwithbluntinsolence,"Butyoutakethingstoheart,don'tyou,Nell?"

Shefeltthecolorrunuphernecklikefire."I...Ididn'tmean..."

"Sorry,honey,butmytastedoesn'truntotomboys,"hesaidmockingly."Youmightaswellstickwith
yourcurrentfavorite,ifyoucanholdontohim.Heseemstohaveawanderingeye."

Shestoodup."Thatwasunfair."

"Wasit?"Hiseyesnarrowed."Asforyouroffer,Idon'twanttodancewithyou,noworever.Andyou
mightaswellthrowthat—"heindicatedherdress"—inthetrashifyouboughtittocatchmyeye.I'm
notinterestedinyou."

She felt the world caving in around her. She looked up at him like a small, wounded animal, tears

glisteninginhereyes.

She couldn't even fight back for the pain his careless words had caused. She'd had such hopes. But
then, he'd made no secret of his interest in Margie. She'd been crazy to pit her charms against her
sister-in-law's!

"I'msorry!"shewhispered,buthervoicebroke.Withoutanotherword,sheturnedandranoutofthe
barn,herskirtsflyingagainstherlegsasshedartedontotheporch,intothehouseandupthestairs.
Shedidn'tstopuntilshewaslockedinherroom,andthetearscamelikerain.

Tylerhadwatchedhergowithanguish.Hehadn'texpectedthatreaction,especiallysinceshe'dbeen
sittingwithMcAnders.Well,maybeitwasthesightofMargiedancingwithherlostlovethathadset
heroffthatway,andnotwhathe'dsaidtoheratall.Hehadtoholdontothatthought.Ifhestarted
believingthatwhathe'dsaidtoNellhadputthosetearsinhereyes,hewasn'tsurehecouldstandit.

Nellhadcriedherselftosleep.Shewokeupdry-eyedandmiserable,wonderinghowshewasgoing
tobearitifshehadtoseeTyleragain.Margiehadcomebyherroomlastnightasifshewantedto
talk,butNellhadfeignedsleep.

Shedidn'tknowwhatMargiehadtosay,butitwasprobablyalotofsighingmemoriesofTylerand
thedance,andNelldidn'twanttohavetolistentoher.

Shewasonlysorrythatshe'dshownTylerhowhe'dhurther.Shenevershouldhavelostcontrolthat
way.Sheshouldhavethrownherselfintothespiritofthedance,laughedanddancedwithDarrenand
given Tyler the cold shoulder. But she wasn't the kind of woman who could carry off that kind of
charade.Sheworeherpoorheartonhersleeve,andTylerhadcrushedit.

ShewassurprisedtofindTylerinthediningroomwhenshewentdownstairstobreakfast,especially
afterthewaythey'dpartedthenightbefore.

"Iwanttotalktoyou,"hebeganslowly.

"Ican'timagineaboutwhat,"shereplied.Shedidlookupthen,andherdarkeyeswerealmostblack
withcoldrage.

"Aboutlastnight,"hesaidshortly."Ididn'tmeanwhatIsaidaboutyouroutfit.Youlookedlovely."

"Thankyou,"shesaid,butwithoutwarmth."Lastnightthatwouldhavemeantalot."

"IgottiredofwatchingyouwithMcAnders,"headmittedshortly.

Shewasn'tsureshe'dheardhimright."Watchingmewithhim?"sheprobed.

"Watchingyouthrowyourselfathim,"hesaidwithamockingsmile."That'swhatitwas,wasn'tit?
Dressingupinthatfancyrig,puttingonmakeup.Ihopeheappreciatedallyourefforts."

She took a deep breath and felt her entire body bristling as she glared at him with her dark eyes

flashing."Tobeperfectlyhonest,Ihadn'taimedmycharmsatDarrenspecifically.Butthanksforthe
idea. Maybe I will 'throw myself at Darren again! At least he told me I looked nice and offered to
teachmetodance!"

"Hefeltsorryforyou!"Tylerburstoutwithoutchoosinghiswords.

"Doesn'teverybody?"sheshouted."IknowI'mnotpretty!I'mjustastupidlittletomboywhocan'ttell
the right man from a hole in the south forty! And I'm glad he felt sorry for me—at least he didn't
makefunofme!"

"NeitherdidI!"

"Whatwouldyoucallit?"

Bellacameamblingintotheroom,hereyeslikesaucers,butneitherofthemnoticedher.

"Igotthewrongendofthestick!"hetriedtoexplain.

"Well,whydon'tyougetholdoftherightend?"sheinvited."AndI'lltellyouexactlywhereyoucan
putitandhowfar!"

"Nell!"Bellaburstout,shocked.

"Ifthat'showyoufeel,we'lldropthewholesubject,"Tylersaidthroughhisteeth.Oneleanhandwas
almostcrushingthebrimofhishat,butheseemedtobebeyondnoticingit.

"Good!Whydon'tyougooutandrideahorseorsomething?"

"Youwon'tevenlisten...!"

"Ididlisten!"Nellraged,redfaced."YousaidImightaswellthrowmyclothesinthetrashaswear
themtoimpressyou,thatyouweren'tinterestedandthatItookthingstoheart...!"

"Oh,God!"hegroaned.

"And that it was just abstinence that was responsible for everything!" she concluded fiercely. "Well,
thatworksbothways,cowboy!Andyoucangetoutofmydiningroom.You'recurdlingmyeggs!"

Hisfacewaslikerock,andhiseyesblazeduplikegreenfires."Damnyoureggs!Willyoulisten?"

"I will not, and I'm not eating the damned eggs. Here, you can have them, and welcome!" And she
flungtheplateathim,eggsandall,andstalkedoutoftheroom.

Tylerstoodthere,quitestill,witheggliterallyonhisface,hisshirt,hisjeans.Apieceofegghadeven
landedinhishat.

Bellacockedherheadwarilyasshewaitedfortheexplosion.

Heglaredatherforaminuteanddeliberatelystuckthehatonhishead.

"Wouldyou,uh,likesomebacontogowithyoureggs?"sheasked.

"No,thanks,"hesaidcalmly."Idon'treallyhaveanyplacelefttoputit."

Heturnedandwalkedout,andBellawashardputnottocollapsewithhysteria.Imagine,Nellactually
shoutingatanybody!Thatyoungladywasdefinitelygettingherselftogether,andTylerwasgoingto
beinforsomehardtimesifBelladidn'tmissherguess.

Thecoldwarhadtrulybegun.NellsentmessagestoTylerbyChappyduringroundupandshenever
wentneartheholdingpens.ThemostshedidwastocallBobWyleraboutthehelicopterandmake
arrangements with the transport people to get the calves to the auction bam. Otherwise, she busied
herselfwiththeguests,whowereenjoyingthewarmautumnclimateandespeciallythecookoutsand
traildrivesthatNellledherself.

Herconfidencewasbeginningtogrow,exceptwhereTylerJacobswasconcerned.Shefeltlikeanew
woman. She discarded her old wardrobe and bought a new one. This time, she bought jeans that fit
andtopsthatclung.Shehadherhairtrimmedandshaped.Shebegantowearmakeup.Andshelearned
fromMargiehowtogracefullygetoutofpotentiallydisturbingsituationswithmaleguestswithout
hardfeelings.Shewasbeginningtobloom,likeadelayedspringflowerblossomingbeforewinter.

Margiebeganspendingmoreandmoretimeattheranch,andeverytimeNelllookedout,shesawher
sister-in-law with Tyler. Darren grew moody and frankly angry, and began cutting at Margie every
timehesawher.Shecutback.Itgottothepointthattheywereavoidingeachotherliketheplague,but
Tyler seemed to benefit from that, because Margie spent most all her time with him. He enjoyed it,
too, if the expression on his face and in his eyes was anything to go by. The boys had even started
teasingthemabouttheirpreoccupationwitheachother.Butitwasalovingkindofteasing,because
the boys were crazy about Tyler. Darren had captured at least some of their attention during the
frequentvisits,though,becausetheybegantoseekhimouttoshowthemabouthorsesandcattleand
tellthemstorieshe'dheardfromhisgrandfatherabouttheolddaysintheWest.ThatirritatedMargie,
but she couldn't make them stop following Darren around. And Tyler wouldn't. That, too, was
puzzlingtoNell.

Meanwhile, Tyler was becoming more and more unapproachable. He glared daggers through Nell
whenshewaslooking,andwatchedherhungrilywhenshewasn't.Bellaknew,butshekepthermouth
shut. It wouldn't do to interfere, she reckoned. Things had a way of working out better without
meddlingfrominterestedbystanders.

She'dlearnedherlesson.

Roundup ended and the calves brought a better than expected price at auction, which pleased Uncle
Tednoend.

HepraisedNellforthewaythingsweregoingattheranchandthenaskedwithelaboratecarelessness
whatshethoughtofhisforeman.

Nellmadeanexcusetogetoffthephonewithoutansweringthequestion.Itwastoohardthinkingup
nicewaystotellherunclethatshethoughthisforemanwouldbebestbarbecued.

She'd no sooner hung up than the phone rang again. She picked it up. The voice on the line was a
woman'sandunfamiliar.

"IsthisNellRegan?"shewasaskedhesitantly."Yes."

"I'mShelbyJacobsBallenger,"camethequietreply."IwashopingthatImightbeabletospeaktomy
brother."

Nellsatdown."He'sgoneintotowntopickupsomesupplies,"shesaid,rememberingthefondness
Tyler'svoicehadbetrayedwhenhementionedhisonlyrelative,hissister,Shelby."Buthe'llbeback
withinthehour.CanIhavehimcallyou?"

"Oh,dear."Shelbysighed."JustinandIareleavingforJacobsvilleinjustafewhours.We'rejustin
Tucson on a quick business trip, and I was hoping that we could see him." She laughed self-
consciously."Yousee,he'sbeenworriedaboutme.JustinandIgotofftoarockystart,butthingsare
wonderfulnowandIwantedhimtoseeustogether,sothathe'dbesureIwastellinghimthetruth."

"Whydon'tyoucomedownhere,"Nellofferedimpulsively."We'reonlyaboutthirtyminutesoutof
Tucson.Haveyouacar?"

"Yes,Justinrentedoneforhismeeting.Itwouldbeallright?Youwouldn'tmindhavingtwostrangers
bargeinonyou?"

"You'renotastranger,"Nellsaidwithasmile."Tyler'stalkedaboutyousomuchthatweallfeelasif
weknowyou.

We'dloveforyoutocome.Bellacanmakeacake—"

"Oh,please,don'tgotoanytrouble."

"It's no trouble, really. You just come on down." And she proceeded to give Shelby directions.
AlthoughGodonlyknewwhysheshouldgotosomuchefforttogiveTyleranicesurprisewhenhe'd
beensimplyhorribletoher.Itmusthavebeenatouchtoomuchsun,shedecidedaftershe'dhungup.

"Tyler'ssister,cominghere?"Bellagrinnedfromeartoear."I'llgobakeanicechocolatecake.You
tidyupthelivingroom."

Nellglowered."It'salreadytidy."

"Good.Thenlayatrayandmakesurethesilver'sniceandpolished."

Nellthrewupherhands."Botheration!"

"It was your idea to have them come down," she was reminded. Bella smiled with sickening
superiority."WhatasweetsurpriseforTyler.AndhereIthoughtyouhatedhim.Slingingscrambled

eggsalloverhim,yellingathim..."

"I'lljustseeaboutthatsilver,"Nellmurmured,andgotoutofBella'ssight.

Alittlemorethanhalfanhourlater,arentedlimousinepulledupatthesidewalkandtwopeoplegot
out. Nell recognized Shelby Jacobs Ballenger almost at once, because she looked so much like her
brother. She was lovely, very slender and tall and elegant with her dark hair in a French twist and
wearingagreensilkdress.Shewasnosurprise,butthetallmanwithherwas.Hewasverymasculine,
thatwasapparent,buthewasn'thandsomeatall,andhelookedasifhedidn'tsmilemuch.Nellfelt
immediatelyintimidatedandtriednottoshowitwhenshewenttothedoortogreetthem.

"YouhavetobeNell."Shelbysmiled.Shereachedforwardandhuggedtheyoungerwomanwarmly.
"It'ssonicetomeetyou.I'mShelby,andthisisJustin."Shelookedupatthetallman,herexpression
fulloflove.

He smiled back at her for an instant and then diverted his lancing dark gaze to Nell. "Nice to meet
you."

Nellnodded,tongue-tied,shewasgladthatshe'dputoncleanjeansandaniceblue-checkedblouse
andbrushedherhair.Atleastshedidn'tlookscruffy.

She led them into the living room and Bella came in to be introduced, carrying a coffee tray laden
withthenecessitiesandaplatteroffreshchocolatecake.

"Myfavorite,"Justinmurmured,grinningatBella."Thankyou,butwhataretheygoingtoeat?"he
askedwithaninnocentglanceatthewomen.

Theicewasimmediatelybroken.Nellrelaxedvisiblyandsatdowntopourcoffee.

"WhenTylercomes,waylayhimandsendhimin,butdon'ttellhimwhy,"NellcalledtoBella.

"I'lltellhimyouwanttogivehimsomemoreeggs,"Bellasaidsmuglyandlefttheroom.

Nell'scolorintriguedShelby,whostirredcreamintohercoffeeabsentlyandbegantosmile."Eggs?"
sheprobed.

Nellclearedherthroat."Wehadan,er,slightmisunderstanding."

"Eggs?"Justinasked,lookingdrylyinterested.

Itwasgettingmoreuncomfortablebythesecond."Isortoflostmytemperandthrewmybreakfastat
him,"Nellconfessed.ShelookedatShelbypleadingly."Well,heinsultedmefirst."

"Oh,Icanbelievethat."Shelbynodded,smiling."I'mnotgoingtoputalltheblameonyou."

"How'shefittinginhere?"Justinaskedasheleanedbackagainstthesofawithhiscoffeecupinone
hand.

"He fits in fine with the men," Nell said restlessly. Justin's dark eyes were piercing, and they didn't
seemtomissmuch.

Shelbywaswatchingherjustasclosely,andwithafaintlyamusedsmile."Youknow,"shesaid,"you
don'tseemanythinglikeTyler'sdescriptionofyouatmywedding."

Nellclearedherthroat."AmIbetterorworse?"sheasked.

"Ifyouanswerthat,I'lldisownyou,"cameTyler'sdeepvoicefromthedoorway.

"Ty!"Shelbygotupandranintohisarms,tobeswunghighandkissedwhilehesmiledinawayNell
hadneverseenhimsmile.Itmadeherseewhatshe'dmissed,anditmadehersad.

"Goodtoseeyouagain,"Justinsaid,risingtoshakehandswithTylerbeforehedrewShelbycloseto
hisside.

ThatsimplegesturetoldTylerhowthingswerebetweentherecentlymarriedcouple.Justinlookedat
herwithopenpossessiveness,andShelbystayedasclosetohimasshecouldget.Apparentlythey'd
solvedtheirdifficulties,becausenocouplecouldpretendthekindofexplosiveemotionthatcrackled
betweenthemlikeelectricity.Tylerrelaxed,sureofShelby'sfuture.Thatwasoneloadoffhismind.
He'dbeenworriedaboutthemarriage'srockystart.

"Wethoughtwe'dcallyoubeforeweleftTucson,"Shelbyexplainedwhiletheydrankcoffeeandate
chocolatecake."ButNellinvitedusdowntoseeyoubeforeweflyhometoTexas."

"Niceofher,wasn'tit?"Justinaskedwiththatsmug,lazysmilethatmadeTyler'sneckhairbristle.

"Nice,"Tylersaidshortly.Hedidn'tlookatNell,whowassittinginanarmchairwhilehesharedthe
sofawithShelbyandJustin.

"Don't strain yourself thanking me," Nell said with venomous politeness. "I'd have done the same
thingforanyone."

Tyler's green eyes glittered at her across the coffee table. "I'm sure you would, you tender-hearted
littlething."

HesaiditwithdeepsarcasmandNellstiffened."Iusedtohaveatenderheartallright,"shetoldhim
flatly,"butIworeitoutonmen."

"That'sright,"heinvited,"putalltheblameonus.Mencan'tputafootrightwhereyou'reconcerned,
canthey?"

"Theycaniftheyhaveawomantoleadthem,"Nellsaid,andsmiledicily.

"Let me tell you, I won't live long enough to let a woman lead me anywhere! Furthermore..." He
stopped,clearinghisthroatgrufflywhenhenoticedtheattentionhewasgettingfromthevisitors.He
smiled."HowarethingsbackinJacobsville?"heaskedwithpleasantinterest.

It was to Justin's credit that he didn't fall on the floor laughing when he tried to answer that.
Meanwhile,Shelbysmiledintohercoffeeandexchangedahighlyamusedglancewithherhusband.
Theydidn'tneedaprogramtoseewhatwasgoingon.ItlookedverymuchtoShelbyasifTylerhad
methismatch,andnotaminutetoosoon.

ChapterEight

ShelbyandJustinstayedforanotherhalfhour,givingTylersomeinterestingnewsfrombackhome.
Justin'sbrother,Calhoun,andsister-in-law,Abby,hadflowntoEuropeforabelatedhoneymoon,and
aneighborhadboughtGeronimo,Tyler'sprizestudstallion.

"I'm glad Harrison got him," Tyler murmured, his face faintly bitter because the remark reminded
himofallheandShelbyhadlost."Hewasagoodhorse."

"He'll be well taken care of," Shelby added. "I'll make sure of it." She smiled at her brother. "Don't
broodoverit,willyou?Wecan'tdoanythingaboutthepast."

Justinsawstormcloudscomingandquicklyheadedthemoff."Ihatetocutthisshort,"hesaidwitha
glanceathisthingoldwatch,"butwe'vegottogo,honey."

ShelbyclungtoJustin'shandastheystoodup,releasingitforjustaminutewhileshehuggedTyler
andthenNell.

"Thanks for letting us come, Nell. Ty, try to write once in a while, or at least call and let us know
you'realive."

Hesmiledathissister."I'lldomybest.Takegoodcareofher,Justin."

"Oh, that's the easy part," Justin said, and his expression as he smiled at his wife was loving and
possessiveandverysexy.Justinmightlookformidable,butNellhadafeelinghesharedwithShelby
a side of himself that no one else would ever see. That was what marriage should be, Nell thought.
Notthatshewasevergoingtohaveachanceatit.

ShewalkedtothedoorwithTylertoseeJustinandShelbyoff.Itwasalreadyduskandgettingdarker
bytheminute.Inthedistance,theguesthouseswereallalightandtherewasthesoundofaguitarand
a harmonica playing down at the bunk-house. Nell wrapped her arms around herself, reluctant to
leaveTyler,buttoonervousofhimtostay.

Sheturned,onlytofindhishandslidingdowntograsphers.

"Notyet,"hesaid,andtherewasafamiliardeepnoteinhisvoice.

Sheshouldhavehadmorewillpower,butthingshadbeenstrainedbetweenthemfortoolongalready,
andthetouchofhishandonhersmadeherweak.

"Comeforawalkwithme,Nell,"hesaidquietly,anddrewheralongwithhimdownthepaththatled
tohiscabin.

Evenasshewentalong,sheknewthatsheshouldn'tgo.Hewasleadinguptoaconfrontation.Butthe
nightwasperfumedwithflowers,andthestarswereabovethem,andsilencedrewaroundthemlikea
darkblanket.Hishandinherswaswarmagainstthechillofthedesertnight,andshemovedcloser,

feelingthestrengthofhisbodylikeashieldatherside.Shesensedhissadnessandbitterness,andall
thehostilityfellawayfromher.Heneededsomeonetotalkto;thatwasprobablyallhewanted.She
understood that. She'd never had anyone who she could really talk to, until Darren McAnders had
come back and become her friend. But she'd much rather have talked to Tyler. She couldn't do
anythingtochangehispast,butshecouldcertainlylisten.

He stopped at the corral fence and let go of her hand to light a cigarette while they listened to the
nightsoundsandthesilences.

"Ilikeyoursister,"shesaidsoftly."SodoI.SheandIhavebeencloseallourlives.Allweeverreally
hadwaseachotherwhenweweregrowingup.Afterourmotherdied,ourfatherbecamegreedyand
grasping.Hewashelltolivewithmostofthetime,andhewasn'taboveblackmail."

"HavesheandJustinknowneachotheralongtime?"sheaskedcuriously.

"Years."Hetookadrawofthecigarette,andhissmilewasreflectedbytheorangeglowfromitstip.
"Sixyearsagotheygotengaged,butShelbyendedit.Ineverknewwhy,althoughI'msuremyfather
hadahandinit.Justinwasn'twealthyandDadhadjusttherightrichmanpickedoutforShelby.She
didn'tmarryanyoneasitturnedout.

Thenwhenwelosteverything,Justinwenttoseeherbecauseshehadnoone—I'djustcomeouthere
towork.

And the next thing we knew, they were married. I thought he'd done that for revenge, that he was
going to make her life miserable. She didn't seem very happy on their wedding day." He glanced
downather."ButIthinkthey'veworkedthingsout.Didyounoticethewaytheylookateachother?"

Nellleanedagainstthefenceandkeptherfacedown."Yes.Theyseemtobeveryhappy."

"Andverylucky.Mostpeopledon'tgetasecondchance."

Sheliftedhereyes."Ifthat'sadigatmebecauseI'veavoidedyousincethesquaredance..."

"Iwasjealous,Nell,"hesaidunexpectedly.Hesmiledfaintlyatthestunnedexpressiononherfacethat
wasbarelyvisibleinthedimlightfromthehouse."Jealousashell.I'dseenyouandMcAndersina
clinch,andthenyoudressedupforhim,Ithought,whenyou'dneverdressedupforme.Ijustblewup.
Ididn'treallymeanthethingsIsaidtoyou,butyouwouldn'tlistenwhenItriedtoexplain."

"Jealousofme?"Shelaughedbitterly."That'llbetheday.I'matomboy,I'mplain,I'mshy—"

"And sadly lacking in self-confidence," he finished for her. "Don't you think that a man could want
youforyourself?

Forthethingsyouareinsteadofhowyoulook?"

"Nobodyeverhas,"shesaidshortly."I'mtwenty-fourandI'lldieanoldmaid."

"Notyou,honey,"hesaidsoftly."You'retoopassionatetoliveanddiealone."

Her face went hot. "Don't throw that up to me," she snapped, her eyes flashing. "I was...I was off
balanceandyou'retooexperiencedforme,that'sall."

"Experienced,hell,"hesaidshortly."Therehaven'tevenbeenthatmanywomen,andyouweren'toff
balance—

youwerestarvedforalittlelove."

"Thanksalot!"

"Willyoujustshutupandlisten?"hedemanded."Youneverwouldgivemeachancetosayanything
aboutwhathappened,youjustslungscrambledeggsatmeandstompedoffinafury."

"Iwasentitledtobeangryafterwhatyousaidtome,"sheremindedhimcurdy.

"Oh,hell,maybeyouwere,"heconcededtautly."Butyoucouldhaveletmeexplain."

"The explanation was obvious," she replied. "Darren was poaching on what you considered your
territory."

Hesmiledinspiteofhimself."Youmightsaythat."

"Well,youdon'thavetoworryaboutMargie,"shesaidafteraminute."Imean,it'sobviousthatshe's
crazyaboutyou.Andtheboyslikeyou...."

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"heaskedpleasantly.

"Nobodycouldblameyouforbeingattractedtoher,"shewenton."AndI'msorryifI'vemadethings
difficultforyou—Ididn'tmeanto.You'velostsomuch.Youshouldhavesomebodytocareabout.
Somebodywho'llcareaboutyou."

"Coalsoffire,"hemurmured,watchingherashesmokedhiscigarette."Doyouwantmetobehappy,
Nell?"

"Iwantthatverymuch,"shesaid,hervoicesoftinthedarkness."Ihaven'tmeanttobedifficult.It's
just..."

"Youdon'thaveascrapofself-confidence,that'sjustwhatitis,"hesaidforher."That'sashame,Nell,
becauseyou'vegotalotgoingforyou.IwishIknewwhyyouhadthishangupaboutmen."

"Igothurtonce,"shemuttered.

"Mostpeoplegethurtonce."

"Not like I did." She folded her arms across her breasts. "When I was in my middle teens, I had a
terrible crush on one of the cowboys. I plagued him and followed him around and chased him

mercilessly. To make a long story short, he was in love with a woman he couldn't have, and in a
drunkenstuporhedecidedtotakemeuponmyoffer."Shelaughedbitterly."Untilthen,Ihadnoidea
that romance was anything except smiling at each other and maybe holding hands. It never actually
occurredtomethatpeopleinlovewenttobedtogether.AndwhatmadeitsobadwasthatphysicallyI
didn'tfeelanythingforhim.Iguessthat'swhyIpanickedandscreamed.Bellacameandrescuedme
andthecowboyleftindisgrace."

Tylerhadlistenedintently.Thecigaretteburnedawaybetweenhisfingerswithouthisnoticing."Itwas
McAnders,"

heguessedwithcoldcertainty.

"Yes.HewasinlovewithMarguerite,butIdidn'tknowituntilhetriedtomakelovetome.Irealized
thatnightwhataterriblemistakeI'dmade."Shesmiledhalfheartedly."SothenIknewthatIcouldn't
trust my instincts or my judgment anymore. I stopped wearing sexy clothes and I stopped running
afteranybody."

"Onebadeggdoesn'tmakethewholecartonspoil,"hesaid.

"That's true, but how do you find the bad egg in time?" She shook her head. "I've never had the
inclinationtotryagain."

"UntilIcamealong?"

Sheflushed."Itoldyou,Iwasonlytryingtomakeyoufeelwelcome.Youpaidmealittleattention
anditflatteredme."

"WheredoesMcAndersfitintothisnow?"heasked."Igatherthatyouwerefairlyintimatewithhim
beforeBellacametotherescue,buthowabouttoday?Didyougofrommetohim?"

Sheshiftedrestlessly."No,"shesaidunderherbreath.Hebrightenedalittle."Whynot?"Shehadto
rememberthathewasinterestedinMargie,nother.Hemightfeelalittlesorryforher,buthedidn't
wantherforkeeps.Shestraightened."Hestilldoesn'tappealtomephysically."

Hewonderedifsherealizedwhatshewasgivingawaywiththatremark.Ifshedidn'twantMcAnders
sheprobablydidn'treallylovehim.Buthewasgoingtohavetomakeherseethat,anditwouldn'tbe
easy.

"Iappealedtoyouphysically,once,"hesaidgently,hisvoicedeepanddrugginginthestillnight.He
movedcloser,hisfingerslightlytouchingherface,herloosenedhair.Hiswarmthenvelopedher,his
breathwaslikeafaintbreeze,movingthehairathertemples,makingherheartrace."IfMcAnders
hadn't shown up, I might have appealed to you in other ways. We didn't have enough time to get to
knoweachother."

Sheputherhandsslowly,flatlyagainsthisshirtfront,hesitatingasifshethoughthemightthrowthem
away.Buthecaughtthemgentlyandpressedthemtothesoftcottonofhisshirt.

"Youwouldn'twantto,now,"shesaid,andhervoiceshook."Margie'sherehalfthetime."

"And,ofcourse,youthinkI'mmadlyinlovewithher."

"Aren'tyou?"sheaskedstubbornly.

"I'mnotgoingtotellyouthat,"hesaid.Heliftedherchin."You'regoingtohavetocomeoutofyour
shell, little one, and start looking around you. You can't learn to swim if you keep balking at the
water."

"Idon'tunderstand."

"Verysimply,Nell,ifyouwantme,you'regoingtohavetobelievethatIcanwantyouback.You're
goingtohavetobelieveinyourselfalittleandstarttrustingmenottohurtyou."

"Trustcomeshard,"shesaid,althoughwhathewassayingwasmoretemptingthanherealized.She
didwanthim,terribly,butshewasplayingforkeeps.Washe?

"Itcomeshardtomostpeople."Hesmoothedthehairawayfromherface."Itdependsonwhetheror
notyouthinkit'sworththechance.Lovedoesn'tcomewithamoney-backguarantee.Therecomesa
timewhenyouhavetotrustyourinstinctsandtakeachance."

Sheshiftedrestlessly,buthewouldn'tletgoofherhands."Why?"sheaskedabruptly."Yousaidyou
wantedme,butatthesametimeyousaidyouweren'tinterestedinanyrelationshipswithwomen."

"Isaidalot,didn'tI,honey?"hemurmureddryly.

Shesearchedwhatshecouldseeofhisdarkface."I'mnotthekindofwomanyoucouldcareabout,"
shesaidmiserably.

"Mywholelifehasturnedupsidedown,Nell,"hetoldher."I'mnotthesamemanIusedtobe.Idon't
havewealthorposition,andaboutallthat'sleftismygoodnameandalotofcredit.Thatmakesme
prettyvulnerable,incaseyou'vemissedit."

"Vulnerable,how?"sheasked.

"YoumightthinkIwasinterestedinyoubecauseyou'reawomanofproperty."

"That'll be the day," she murmured dryly. "There's no way I can see you chasing a woman for her
money."

Hisquieteyespiercedthedarkness,lookingforherface."Atleastyouknowmethatwell,"hesaid.
"Butpartofyouisafraidofme."

"YouwantMarguerite,"shemoaned."Whybotherwithme?"

"Margie sends out signals. You could learn to do that, too," he said conversationally. "You could
waylaymeintheofficeandkissmestupid,orbuyanewwardrobetodazzlemewith."

She blushed and her heart jumped into her throat. "Fat chance when you made Chappy take back a
ropehebought,"sheremindedhimtolightenthetensionthatwasgrowingbetweenthem.

Hegrinned."Buyanewdress.Ipromisenottofuss."

"MargieboughtmeanewdressandyoumademefeeldowdywhenIworeit,"shesaid.

"Yes,Iknow."Hesighed."Ikeeptryingtoapologize,butyoudon'thearme."

Herheartwasrunningwild;whilehespokehishandshadgonetoherhipsandpulledthemslowlyto
his.Shetriedtostepback,butheheldherthereverygently.

"No,"hesaidsoftly."Youcan'trunawaythistime.Iwon'tletyou."

"Ihavetogoinside,"shesaid.Panicwasrisinginherattheintimacyofhishold.Itwasbringingback
dangerouslysweetmemories.

"Frightened,Nell?"heaskedquietly.

"Iwon'tbejustanotherconquest!"shegroaned,struggling.

"Stand still, for God's sake." He gasped suddenly, and his powerful body stiffened. "God, Nell, that
hurts!"

Shestoppedinstantly.Hercolorwasrisingwhenshefeltwhathewastalkingaboutandrealizedthat
shewasonlycomplicatingthings.

"Thenyoushouldn'tholdmelikethis,"shewhisperedshakily.

Hetook a steadyingbreath and hishands contracted on herwaist. "We've beena lot closer, though,
haven'twe?"

heaskedatherforehead,brushinghisHpsagainstherskin."We'vebeentogetherwithoutascrapof
fabricbetweenyourbreastsandmychest,andyoupulledmyheaddownandarcheduptomeetmy
mouth."

Sheburiedherembarrassedfaceinhisshirt,shakingwithrememberedpleasure."Ishouldn'thavelet
you,"shewhispered.

"Then Chappy came to the door and broke the spell," he murmured at her cheek. "I didn't want to
answerit.Iwantedtogoonlovingyou.ButIguessitwasagoodthinghecamealong,becausethings
weregettingoutofhand,weren'tthey?Wewantedeachothersomuch,Nell.Idon'treallyknowthat
wecouldhavestoppedintime."

He was right. That didn't make her guilt any easier to bear. "And that would have been a disaster,
wouldn'tit?"sheasked,waitingstifflyforhisanswer.

"I'manold-fashionedman,honey,"hesaidfinally.Hishandssmootheddownherback,holdingher

againsthim."Iwouldn'taskyoutosleepwithme,knowingthatyou'reavirgin.Youaren'tthatkindof
woman."

Shebitherlowerliphard."I'vegotallthesehang-ups..."

"Mostofwhichweremovedthatdayinmybed,"heremindedher."Butyourbiggesthang-up,little
Nell,isyourmentalblockaboutyourattractions.You'retheonlypersonaroundherewhodoesn'tsee
whatadishyouare."

"Me?"sheaskedbreathlessly.

"You." He bent to her mouth and brushed it with his. "You've got a warm heart," he whispered,
bendingagain.Thekisslingeredthistime,justasecondlonger."You'recaring."Hekissedheragain,
and this time he parted her lips briefly before he raised his head. "You're intelligent." His mouth
teased,brushinghersopenbreathbybreath.

"Andyou'rethesexiestwomanI'veevermadeloveto..."

He whispered the words into her trembling lips before he took them, and this time he didn't draw
back.Histonguebegantopenetratehermouthinslow,exquisitethrusts.ThiswasakindofkissNell
hadn'texperiencedbefore,noteventhatdayinTyler'scabin,andshewasafraidofit.

Shetriedtodrawback,buthisleanhandathernapeheldhermouthunderhis.

"Don'tfightit,"hewhisperedcoaxingly."Iwon'thurtyou.Relax,Nell.Letmehaveyourmouth.I'll
treatitjustastenderlyasI'dtreatyourbodyifyougaveyourselftome,littleone,"hebreathed,and
hismouthwhispereddownontohers.

Thewordsinadditiontotheexpertteasingofhistongueshookawayeverylastbitofherreserve.She
melted into the length of him, trembling with the fierce hunger he was arousing in her body. She
moanedhelplesslyandfelthismouthsmileagainsthers.Thenhedeepenedthepressureandtheslow
thrustofhistongueintothesweet,softdarknessofhermouth.

ButwhataboutMargie?shewantedtoask.Howcanyouholdmelikethiswhenyouwanther?She
couldn'thaveaskedhimthattosaveherlife,becausehewasworkingmagiconherbody.Shewanted
him.Tomorrowshecouldhateherselfandhimforleadingheron,fortoyingwithher.Buttonight
shewantednothingexceptthesweetpleasureofhismouthandhishandsandafewmemoriestocarry
throughthelongyearsahead.

She felt his hands at the back of her thighs, pulling her shaking legs closer so that her hips were
grindingintohis,sothatsheknewhowarousedhewas.Shedidn'tprotest.Herhandsfoundtheirway
around him, to his back and down, returning the pressure shyly even as the first shudder of desire
rippedthroughheranddraggedacryfromherlips.

Heliftedhisheadabruptly.Hiseyesglitteredandhewastremblingalittle;hisheartbeatwasrough
againstherbreasts."Comehomewithme.I'llsitwithyouinthatbigleatherarmchairbythefireplace,
andwe'llloveeachotherforafewminutes."

Shewascryingwithreaction."It'ssodangerous,"shepleaded,butitwasnoprotestatall,andhehad
toknowit.

"I'vegotto,Nell,"hewhispered,bendingtolifthersogentlyintohisarms.Heturned,carryingher
therestofthewaytohisporchinthedarkness."I'vegotto,sweetheart."

Herarmswentaroundhisneck,andsheburiedherfaceinhiswarm,pulsatingthroat."Ican't...Ican't
sleepwithyou,"shewhispered.

"I'd never ask that of you," he breathed ardently. He caught her mouth hungrily with his while he
fumbledthedooropenwithonehandandcarriedherintothedarkstillnessofhiscabin.

Hekickedthedoorshutandmovedtothebigarmchair,droppingintoitwithhismouthstillhardand
sureonherlips.

Therewasnomorepretenseleft.Hewashungryandhewasn'ttryingtohideit.Hefoughtthebuttons
ofherblouseoutofhiswayanddeftlyremoveditandthelacycoveringbeneath.Hismouthfound
her warm breasts, and he nuzzled them hungrily, nibbling, kissing, tasting while she shuddered and
archedherbacktohelphim.

"Sosweet,Nell,"hegroanedashislipsmovedonher."Oh,God,youtastelikehoneyinmymouth."

Her hands touched his cool dark hair, savoring its clean thickness while she fed on the aching
sweetnessofhismouth."Oh,please!"shemoanedbrokenlywhenheliftedhisheadtobreathe."Tyler,
please...!"

Heheldherquietlywhilehetoreopenthesnapsofhisownshirtanddraggedherinsideit,pressing
herbreastsagainstthehair-coveredwarmthofhischest,movinghersensuallyfromsidetosideso
thatherbreathingbecameasroughandtorturousashisown.

His mouth ground into hers then, rough with need, his restraint gone, his control broken by the
soundsshewasmakingagainsthislips,bythehelplessmovementofherbodyagainsthim,silkyand
bareandterriblyarousing.

Hisleanhandscaressedhersoft,bareback,holdinghertohimsothathecouldfeelthehardtipsof
herbreastsliketinybrandsonhisskin.

"Nell," he groaned. His mouth slid away from hers and into her throat, pressing hard against the
wildly throbbing artery as he drew her up close and held her, rocked her, until the trembling need
begantodrainoutofher.

"Iacheallover,"shewhisperedwithtearsinhervoice.Sheclungcloser."Tyler,thisisscary!"

"Thisisdesire,"hebreathedatherear,andhisarmscontracted."Thisistherawneedtomate.Don't
beafraidofit.I'mnotgoingtotakeadvantageofsomethingyoucan'thelp.Iwantyoujustasmuchas
youwantme."

Sheshudderedhelplessly."Itmustbe...somuchworseforyou,"shewhispered.

"A sweet ache," he confessed huskily, and his mouth brushed her cheek, her throat. "I don't have a
singleregret.

Doyou?"

"Ishouldn'tadmitit."

Hechuckled,delightedwithherheadlongresponsetohim,withherhelplesshunger."Neithershould
I.Butwasn'titgood,Nell?Wasn'titdelicious?"

"Oh,yes."Shesighed,nestlingcloserwithatinysounddeepinherthroat."Iwanttostaywithyouall
night."

"Iwantthat,too,butwecan't."

"Icouldjustsleepwithyou,"shemurmureddrowsily.

"Sure you could. Platonically. And nothing would happen." He turned up her face and kissed her
mouthhard."YouknowaswellasIdothatwe'ddevoureachotherifwegotintoabedtogether.We're
half-crazytobetogetheralready,andI'vebarelytouchedyou."

Shepulledbackalittle."Youcallthatbarelytouching?"sheasked,awed.

"ComparedtowhatI'ddotoyouinbed,yes."

Shehesitated,buthereadthethoughtinhermindandchuckledhelplessly.

"ShallItellyou?"hewhisperedsoftly.

"Youwouldn'tdare."

Buthewould.Andhedid,sensuously,whisperingitintoherearwhilehetouchedher,lightlycaressed
her,broughteverynerveinherbodytosinging,agonizingpleasure.

"Ineverdreamed...!"shegasped,hidingherfaceinhischestwhenhefinished.

"Youneededtoknow,"hesaidgently."You'restillveryinnocent,despitewhathappenedinyourteens.
IwantyoutounderstandthatwhatyouandIwouldsharewouldn'tbepainfulorfrightening.Physical
loveisanexpressionofwhattwopeoplefeelforeachothersostronglythatwordsaren'tenoughto
containit.Itisn'tanythingtodread."

"Certainly not with you it wouldn't be," she said tenderly. She touched his hard face, loving its
strength,itsmasculinebeauty."Tyler...Icouldloveyou,"shewhisperedhesitantly.

"Couldyou,honey?"Hebent,brushinghismouthwithexquisitesoftnessagainstherhps."Ifyouwant
me,Nell,comeafterme."

"Thatisn'tfair,"shebegan.

"It'sfair,"hesaid."Foryourownpeaceofmind,youneedtoregaintheconfidenceyoulostbecause
ofwhathappenedwithMcAnders.Oh,Icouldbackyouintoacornerandforceyouintoadecision,
butthatwouldrobyouofyourrighttochoose.Iwon'tdoitforyou.Youhavetodoit,alone."

Her worried eyes studied his profile. "You said you didn't want a lasting relationship...." she said
again.

Heturnedhisheadandlookeddownatherinthedimnessoftheunlitroom."Makemewantone,"he
challenged.

"Vampme.Buysomesexydressesanddrivemecrazy.Bethewomanyoucanbe.Thewomanyou
shouldhavebeen."

"I'mnotattractive,"shearguedfaintly.

Hishandsweptslowly,lovingly,overherbreasts."You'rebeautiful,Nell,"hesaidhuskily."Firmand
softandsilkytotouch.""Tyler..."

"Comehere,"hegroaned.Hestoodupwithherinhisarmsandletherslidedownhisbody,bentto
kissherhungrilybeforehishandshotoutandfumbledwithalightswitch.

"No!"sheprotested,butitwastoolate.Thesoftlightfloodedthelivingroom,andTylercaughther
handsbeforeshecouldcoverherself.Hegazeddownatherwithanintentmasculineappreciationof
herattributes,whichbroughtawaveofcolorupherneckandintoherface.Hischestroseandfell
heavily,andhisexpressionshowedthathewashavingamonumentalbattlewithhisconsciencetodo
nothingmorethanlook.

"I'llliveonthisforawhile,"hebreathed,liftinghiseyestohers.

Herlipspartedasshestaredbackathim,alltooawareofthetenseswellingofherbreasts,oftheir
hardarousal,whichhecouldseeaswellasfeel.

"Itembarrassesyou,doesn'tit?"heaskedsoftly,searchinghereyes."Icanseehowlovelyyouare,
howarousedI'vemadeyou.It'slikelettingmeseeyoutotallynude,isn'tit?Butyou'veseenmethat
wayalready,Nell.

Remember?"

Sheloweredhereyestohisbarechest."Icouldn'tforgetifItried.Ithoughtyouwereperfect,"she
whisperedshyly.

"Ifeeljustthatwayaboutyou.Ilovethewayyoulookwithoutyourblouse.I'dgiveeverythingIhave
to carry you into my bedroom and love you in my bed. But as things stand, that's a decision I can't
make."Heletgoofherhandsandgazedatheronelasttimebeforeheforcedhimselftoturnhisback
and light a cigarette. "You'd better dress, sweetheart. I want you desperately right now, and I'm not

quiteascontrolledasIthoughtIwas."

She stared at his back for an instant, thinking of pressing herself against him. But she knew what
wouldhappen,anditwouldbeherfault.Shesighedsoftlyandwenttofindherblouseandbra.

Hegotintohisshirtandbuttoneditandsmokedhalfhiscigarettebeforeheturnedaroundagain.His
eyesweredarkwithfrustratedhungerashelookedather."Wecan'tdomuchofthat,"hesaidwitha
tendersmile."Itgetsworseeverytime."

"Yes."Shesmiledback."Oh,Iwantyouso,"shewhisperedhelplessly.

"Iwantyou,too."Heheldouthishand,andsheputhersintoitwithouthesitation."I'dbetterwalkyou
home."

"Alright."

Hewentwithherupthepathinthedarkness.Hedidn'tspeakandneitherdidshe,butsheclungtohis
hand and felt as if they'd become lovers in every sense of the word. There would never be, could
neverbe,anyoneafterhim.

Shefeltthatwithasenseoffaintdespair,becauseshestilldidn'tknowwhereshestoodwithhim.

Hestoppedatthefrontstepsandturnedher.Hisfacewasclearlyvisibleinthelightpouringoutthe
windowfromthefrontroom.

"Nomorepretense,Nell,"hesaidsoftly."Ifyouwantme,showme."

"Butmendon'tlikebeingchased,"shewhispered.

"Tryitandsee,"hechallengedwithnarrowedeyes."You'vegottobelieveinyourselfbeforeother
peoplewill."

"Youwon'tmind?"sheasked."You'resure?"

Hebentandputhismouthwarmlyagainsthersinabriefkiss."Iwon'tmind."

"ButwhataboutMargie?"shegroaned.

"You'll find out about that all by yourself when you start putting your life back in order," he said
simply."It'srightunderyournose,butyoujustcan'tseeit."

"Tellme,"shewhispered.

"No.Youworkitout.Goodnight,Nell."

Impulsivelyshemovedcloserandliftedhermouth."Wouldyou...kissmeagain?"shewhispered.

Hedid,halfliftingheragainsthim,andsothoroughlyandhungrilythatwhenheletherdownagain,

shegasped.

"Ilikethat,"hesaidroughly."Youmighttryitagainfromtimetotime.Sleepwell."

"You,too."Shewatchedhimturnandwalkbackthewaythey'dcome,lightingacigaretteontheway.
His stride was moody and thoughtful, but as she turned to go in, she heard him whistling a light,
cheerfultuneinthedarkness.Shesmiled,becauseitwasapopularlovesong.Sheknewthatshemight
bereadingtoomuchintowhatthey'ddone,butherheartwasonfireforhim.Maybehedidn'treally
carethatmuchaboutMargie.Maybeshecouldwormherwayintohisaffectionifshetried.Butitwas
goingtotakesomehardthinkingbeforesheriskedherheartagain.Sheneededtime.

ChapterNine

Nel worried all night about Margie and Tyler and what she was going to do. Her own insecurities
hauntedher.

Shewentdownstairs,herthoughtsmurkyandstillwithoutconcreteanswers.ShehalfexpectedTyler
tobethereagain,waitingforher,buthewasn't.

BellabustledinwithbreakfastandsatdownbesideNell."Tooearlyforthenewarrivalstobeupand
hungry,soyouandIcanhaveoursinpeace,"shesaid,pouringtwocupsofcoffee."Tyler'shaving
hisinthebunkhouse."

"That'snothingunusual,isit?"Nellsighed."Healwaysseemstobeeatingdowntherelately."

"Idon'tthinkhe'sfeltverywelcomehereinrecentdays,"Bellatoldherbluntly."Pity,becausehesure
isanicefellaandyoucoulddoworse."

"It isn't me he wants," Nell said curtly, glaring at the older woman as she helped herself to a fresh
biscuitandbutteredit."It'sMargie."

Bellasippedhercoffee."Didhetellyouthat?"

"No.Buthedidn'tdenyit,either."

Theolderwomanspoonedscrambledeggsontoherplateandreachedforbacon."Nell,Isteeredyou
wrongwhenTylercamehere.Ishouldhaveencouragedyoutodressupandactlikeayounglady.I
should have realized what kind of man he was. But I didn't, and I've helped complicate things. I'm
sorry."

"Youdidn'tdoanything,"Nellsaid.Shegloweredathereggs."I'mnotthekindofwomanamanlike
Tylerneeds.

I'mjustacountrytomboy.Idon'tevenknowhowtodance."

"Stop running yourself down," Bella said gruffly. "Listen, child, just because Darren McAnders
couldn't see past Margie to you is no reason for you to bury yourself in baggy britches forever.
You'reyoungandpretty,andifyoutried,youcouldbeeverythingTylerneeds.Don'tforget,heisn'ta
rich man anymore. He doesn't need a social butterfly, he needs a woman who can help him build a
newlegacyforhischildren."

"Margiecanwork,"Nellsaidhalfheartedly.

"Oh,sure,likeshedoeswhenshe'shere?"Bellascoffed."Fatchance.Tylerwouldbeoutofhismind
afterthefirstweekandyouknowit.She'dnevercooksupper—she'dbetoobusytryingondressesin
townorgossipingonthetelephone."

"She'sprettyandflamboyant."

"Asensiblemandoesn'twantawalldecoration,hewantsaflesh-and-bloodwoman."

"IguessI'mfleshandblood,"Nellagreed.

"Andahardworker,agoodlittlecook,andacompanionwholistensmorethanshetalks.You'rea
jewel," Bella concluded. "You should think positively. At least you've made a start. You're wearing
clothesthatreallyfit,andyou'veputawaythathorribleslouchyhatandletyourhairdown.Youlook
likeadifferentNell."

"I decided that you and Margie were right about what happened with Darren," she conceded. "I
overreactedbecauseIdidn'tknowwhatamanwaslikewhenhewashungryforawoman.Well,not
then,atleast."

Bella'seyeswidened."Andnowyoudo?"sheaskedwithaslow,wickedsmile.

Nellfelttheflushworkingitswayupherneck.Shereachedblindlyforhercoffeeandturneditover
ontothetableclothandherself.

"Oh,my,whatlittlefumblefingers."Bellachuckled.

"Imeanttodothat,"Nellprotestedasshegottoherfeet,brushingatatinyspotonherblue-checked
Western shirt and her new jeans. She glared at Bella. "I just hate coffee. And I don't fumble!" she
added.

Thensheturnedaroundandtrippedoverthechairandfellflatonherface.

BelladoubledoverlaughingwhileNell,bruisedandfurious,disentangledherselffromthechair.She
wasturningtheairbluewhenshesawapairofbootscomeintoviewpasthernose.

"Shedon'tfumble,"Bellaexplainedtotheboots,andwalkedoffintothekitchen.

Nellscrambledtoherfeet,assistedbyafamiliarleanstronghand.

"Havingtrouble?"Tyleraskedpleasantly.

Shedidfumblethen,nervouswithhimandstilluncertainofherground.Shelookedupintohisdark
face,wonderingatthesecretpleasureitgaveherjusttostareathim.

"Iwaslookingforacontactlens,"Nellsaid,flustered.

"Youdon'twearcontactlenses,"hepointedout.

Sheclearedherthroat"Thatdoesn'tmeanthatIcan'tlookforoneifIwantto."

Hesmiledslowly."Whateverturnsyouon,"hesaiddryly.

Shebrushedbackherunrulyhair."WhatcanIdoforyou?"sheaskedabruptly.

"You can come on the camp out trail ride with me this afternoon," he said. "Chappy's tied up with
thosenewmares,soItoldhimwe'dtakethegreenhornsouttoday."

Shecolored."YouandnotDarren?"

Hepursedhislips."That'sright.Isthataproblem?"headdedquietly.

Shewasstillfeelingherway,buttellingthetruthmightbeagoodstart,shedecided."No,it'snota
problem,"shesaid."Darrenhasbeenagoodfriend.ButI'dratherbewithyou."

He smiled slowly because her face flamed when she said it, and her shyness made her even more
delectabletohim.Shewasaprettywomanwhenshedidn'tdresslikeabaggyorphan.

"I'dratherbewithyou,too,sunshine,"hesaidsoftly.

Herheart soared. Heavenmust be thissweet, she thought dazedly.She smiled athim, her dark eyes
likebrownvelvet.

Bella came through the door and broke the spell. Nell excused herself as the housekeeper giggled
wickedly, and went out into the hall to get her hat. She did her usual chores, feeling as if she were
walking on air, and the day was all too long until it was time to pack the bedrolls and the cooking
utensilsandthefoodthatBellahadprovidedandheadoutforanovernightcampout.TheDoubleR
Ranchwasoneofthefewleftthatdiditforreal,completewithbedrollsandroughaccommodations
andnoluxuries.Onlyafewhardysoulswerewillingtoroughitthewaytheold-timecowboyshad.

Thereweresixpeopleintheparty,threecouples.Fourofthatnumberweregoodridersalready,and
theyweren'tafraidofsnakesorcoyotesorrollingintothecampfireintheirsleep.Itwasabeautiful
day,withtheraggedmountainsringingaroundtheflatgrassyplain,andNellfeltontopoftheworld
assherodealongattheheadofthegroupwithTyleratherside.Shekeptlookingbacktomakesure
shewasn'tlosinganyoftheirsmallparade.

"They'redoingfine,"Tylertoldherashelitacigarettewithsteadyhands."Don'tworrysomuch."

"Twoofthemhaveneverevenseenarealhorsebefore,"sheremindedhim.

"TheCallaways?"Hegrinned,referringtoanewlymarried,middle-agedcouplewhowere,toputit
politely,wellfed."No,butyou'vetaughtthemhowtostayon,atleast,andthey'regettingthehangof
it.Justrelax."

Shetried,butbeingamotherhenhadbecomeahabit,andshehadabadfeelingaboutdoingthiscamp
outwithoutChappyandthechuckwagonthatusuallycamealongwithabiggercrowd.

Andsureenough,thingsdidbegintogowrongsuddenly.Theyrodeforanhourandthenturnedback
towardtheranchhouseandstoppedaboutamileouttomakecampjustbeforedark.

Mrs.Callaway,apleasantcheerfullittleblondlady,camedownoffherhorsetoosuddenlyandcaught
herblouseonthepommel.Thereshehung,twoinchesabovethedesertfloor,whilethehorseshook
hisheadandprancedrestlessly.

TylerleapedforwardtoliftMrs.CallawaywhileNellsoothedthehorseandextricatedtheblouse.

"Areyouallright,Mrs.Callaway?"Nellaskedanxiouslywhenthered-facedlittlewomanhadstopped
shakinginherconcernedhusband'sarms.

"Oh,I'mfine,"shesaidwithagrin."Whatastorytotellthefolksbackhome!"

Nellrelaxed,butMrs.Callaway'sexperiencewasonlythebeginning.HerhusbandwenttohelpTyler
andtheothermengatherbrushtomakeafireandunearthedalong,fat,veryunsocialrattlesnake.

He let out a war whoop, which startled Mrs. Donnegan, who backed into a cactus and let out a war
whoopofherown.BythetimetherattlesnakewasdisposedofbyTyler,andMrs.Donneganhadher
cactusspinesremovedbyNell,everybodywasreadytoeat.Tylerhadaroaringfiregoingandhad
passedoutwienersandbunsandmarshmallowsandsticksfortheguestswhilehebrewedupapotof
blackcoffee.

"Ireallyhatecoffee,"Mrs.Harrisremarked.Shewastheonlysournoteinthebunch,acitywoman
who'dcometothedesertonlybecauseherhusbandhadcoaxedherintoit.Shehatedthedesert,the
cactus,theheat,theisolation—shehatedeverything,infact."I'dratherhaveasoftdrink."

"Noproblem,"herhusbandsaid."We'llridedowntotheranchandgetone."

"Onthathorse?"Mrs.Harriswailed,herblackeyesgoingevenblacker."IhurtinplacesIdidn'teven
knowIhad!"

"Thenyoucandrinkcoffee,can'tyou,sweetheart?"herhusbandcontinued.

She pouted, but she shut up. The Callaways sat close together, sharing condiments for the hot dogs
whiletheymunchedonpotatochipsandcarriedonacasualconversationwiththeotherguestsona

varietyofnewsysubjects.

Nellenjoyedthequietwonderofnightonthedesertassheneverhad,especiallywhenTylerstarted
telling their guests about the surrounding territory and something of its history. She hadn't realized
howmuchheknewaboutsoutheasternArizona,andsomeofitshehadn'tevenknownherself.

He talked about places like Cochise Stronghold, where the famous Apache chief was buried. There
was a marker there, he added, telling that Indian Agent Tom Jeffords, a friend of Cochise, was the
only white man privileged to know the exact spot of the chiefs burial. The Apaches had run their
horses over the ground and dragged it with brush behind them to conceal forever the place where
Cochiserested.

TherewasalsothefamousCopperQueenHotelinBisbee,alandmarkfromoldcopperminingdays
intheLavenderPit,whereguestsdrankFrenchchampagneandwereentertainedbyfamoussingers.

FarthersouthwasDouglas,whereAguaPrietalayjustovertheborderinMexico.PanchoVillahad
raidedthebordertown,andahotelinDouglasborethemarksofhishorseonitsmarblestaircase,
whichcouldstillbeseentoday.

"Youknowalotaboutthispartofthestate,Mr.Jacobs,"Mr.Callawayremarked."Doyoucomefrom
aroundhere?"

"No. I'm from south Texas." He smiled. "Near Victoria. My people founded a little place called
Jacobsville,whereIwasraised."

"IloveTexas,"Mrs.Callawaysaid,sighing."Iguessyouhavecactusandmesquiteandsagebrush...."

"Actually, it's more like magnolias, live oaks and dogwood trees," Tyler mused. "West Texas has
thoseplantsyou'rethinkingabout."

Sheblushed."Sorry."

Helaughedoutloud."Don'tfeelbad,alotofpeopledon'trealizejusthowmanydifferentgeographic
sections there are in Texas. We've got everything from beach to desert to mountain country and
plains.Texashadtheoptionofbecomingfiveseparatestatesifitwantedto.Butnobodyeverdid."

"I can see why," Mrs. Callaway said. "I've heard that you can drive from sunup to sunset and never
leaveTexas."

"That'sverynearlytrue,"heagreed.

"Isupposeyou'llgobackthereoneday?"thesmallwomanasked.

Tyler looked at Nell, his eyes narrow, thoughtful as they caressed hers until she caught her breath.
"Maybe.Maybenot,"headdedsoftly,andsmiledatNell.

She felt lighter than air all over again, invincible. She laughed delightedly. "Anybody want more

marshmallows?"

Theyroastedmarshmallowsuntilnobodycouldstuffanotheroneintohismouth,andthentheylaid
outthebedrollsandsettleddownforthenight,whiletheorangeflamesofthecampfiredriftedlazily
backandforthinthefaintwind.Itwascoldonthedesertatnight.Theguestshadbeentoldthatand
wereprepared.

NellmovedhersleepingbagclosetoTyler's,tohissecretdelight,andwithashyglanceathimashe
restedwithhissaddleforapillow,shesettleddownbesidehim.

"Comfortable?" he asked, his voice deep and soft in the firelit darkness as he turned on his side to
watchher.

"Yes."Shegaveintotheneedtolookathim,tomemorizethelinesandcurvesofhisface,hisbody.
Shefeltakindofpossessivenesstowardhimthatshedidn'treallyunderstand."DoyoumissTexas,
Tyler?"sheaskedhesitantly.

"I got pretty homesick at first," he conceded. "But there's something about this desert that gets into
yourblood.

It'sfullofhistory,butthecitiesareforward-looking,aswell,andthereareplentyofconservationists
aroundwhocareaboutthelandandwaterresources.Yes,ImissTexas.ButIcouldlivehere,Nell,"he
said,smilingather.

Shewantedsobadlytoaskhimifitwasjustbecausehelikedtheland,butshecouldn'tgetthewords
toformproperly.Sheblurtedout,"WithMargie?"

Hiseyebrowslifted."DidIsaywithMargie?"

"No,but..."

He reached out a lean hand and touched her fingers where they lay cold and trembling on her
stomach. His covered them, warmed them and made her tingle from head to toe. "I told you, Nell,
you'regoingtohavetofigureitoutforyourself.Iwon'ttellyouhowIfeelaboutMargie,orhowI
feelaboutyou,forthatmatter."

"Why?"sheaskedmoreplaintivelythansheknew.

"BecauseIwantyoutounderstandalittlemoreabouttrustthanyoudo,honey,"hereplied."There'sa
part of you that draws back and shies away from me. Until you get it worked out, I'm not going to
influenceyouonewayortheother."

Shesighed."IguessmaybeI'llworkitout,then."

"Want to come closer?" he coaxed with a warm smile. "You're pretty safe, considering how we're
surroundedbycuriouseyes."

She yielded to the temptation to be close. Inching her way, she moved her sleeping bag right up
againsthisandturnedonhersidetorestbesidehim,withherheadpillowedononeofhishardarms.

"That's better," he said softly. He eased forward a fraction of an inch and brushed her warm lips
gentlywithhis,savoringtheirfainttrembling,theirhelplessresponse."Youmightkeepsomethingin
mind,"hewhispered.

"Oh?What?"shebreathedagainsthislips,andhereyesopenedstraightintohis.

"You aren't wearing makeup or a fancy dress," he whispered quietly. "And I'm not drawing back
becauseyoudon'tappealtomethewayyouare."

Herfingerstouchedhisface,lovingitsstrength."I'mnotpretty,"shesaid.

"You are to me," he said. "That's all that matters in the long run, if you'd open your eyes and see
what'srightunderyournose."

"Iseeyou,"shesaid,hervoiceachinglytenderassheadoredhimwithhereyes.

"That's what I mean," he replied. He drew her closer. The saddle protected their faces from prying
eyes, and he bent slowly to press his mouth hard against hers. "I want you, Nell," he said into her
partedlipsashebitatthem.

Shewantedhim,too.Herbodywasalreadyonfire,andallhewasdoingwaskissingher.Shenibbled
helplesslyathisteasingmouth,andherhandsmoothedintohisthickhair,tryingtodrawhimdown.

"No," he breathed. "You can't have my mouth that way, not tonight. I can't lose my head with you,
honey.Therearetoomanywitnesses."

"Whatifwewerealone?"shemoanedunderherbreath.Sheslidherarmsaroundhisnecktopress
herbreastsagainsthishardchest.

"Nell...damnit."Heshuddered.Heliftedhistormentedeyestothecampfire.Itwasdyingdownandhe
neededtogetupandputsomefreshwoodonit.Theothercamperswereintheirsleepingbagsand
turned toward the fire in a semicircle, which he and Nell were behind. No one could see them. He
realizedthatnow,andhispowerfulbodytrembledwiththeneedtoeaseNellontoherbackandslide
hislegbetweenbothofhersandshowherhowmuchhewantedher.Hecouldfeelherskinagainst
his,thesilkenwarmthofherbreastshardtippedunderhisbroadchest,thecriesthathecouldtease
outofherthroatwhileheseducedherbodyslowlyandtenderlyandpenetrateditsvirginalpurity....

Hegroaned.Hisfingersonherarmshurt,butshedidn'tmind.Somethingpowerfulandmysterious
wasworkinginhim,andshewastoohungrytobeafraidofit.ThiswasTyler,andshelovedhimwith
allherheart.Shewantedmemories,allthatshecouldget,topresstohermindintheyearsthatwould
follow.

"Whatisit?"sheasked.

He looked down at her. In the dim light he could see her soft eyes, he could feel her quickened
breathing. His hand moved with quiet possession over her blouse and smoothed around her breast
untilhefoundthehardtip.HewatchedherbiteherHpandjerktowardhim,tryingnottocryoutlest
someoneheardher.

"Thisisnotsane,"hewhisperedasthearmunderhernapecontractedwithdesire."Ofallthestupid
placestomakelove...."

"Touchme,"shewhisperedbrokenly.

His breath was audible as the words shattered his control and made him vulnerable. "Oh, Nell, you
can'timaginewhatI'mthinking."Helaughedhuskilyashishandslidtothebuttonsofherblouseand
begantolazilyunfastenthem."Youcan'timaginewhatIwanttodotoyou."

"Yes, I can," she whispered back, "because you told me, remember?'' Her eyes met his searchingly.
"Youtoldmeeverysingledetail."

Hispowerfulbodytrembledashereachedthelastbutton."Yes.AndIdreameditthatnight.Dreamed
thatItookyouundermeandfeltyourbodylikeafieldofflowersabsorbingmesotenderly."Hewas
whispering,butthetoneofhisvoicedruggedher.Hisfingersslidunderthefabricandstoppedwith
delightedsurprisewhenhefoundnothingexceptsoftwarmskin.

Herlipsparted."I'veneverdonethisbefore,"shewhisperedunsteadily."Gonewithout...withoutwhatI
usuallywear,Imean."

He could have jumped over the moon. His fingers delved farther under the soft fabric and found a
hard tip that brought a pleasured gasp from her lips when he touched it. "Lie still, honey," he
whispered,hisvoiceasunsteadyasherownashepeeledawaythecotton."AndforGod'ssake,don't
cryoutwhenIputmymouthonyou...."

She had to bite her lower lip almost until it bled to manage that, because his lips were hungry and
demanding.

Whenhetookherinsidethewarmdarknessofhismouth,shefelttearswellupfromherclosedeyes
becauseitwaslikeatinyfulfillmentinitself.Shewrithedhelplessly,hernailsbitinghim,hermouth
ashungryashis,whilethestarsboileddownaroundtheminwhite-hotflame.

He drew back first, and suddenly fastened her blouse with trembling hands before he rolled away
fromherandgottohisfeet.

She lay there, on fire for him, her eyes watching him as he moved near the camp fire. Her body
trembledwithaneedshe'dneverfeltbefore.Shewantedhim,shewantedhim!

Hisbackwasarrowstraightashebegantobuildupthefire.Hestoodthereforawhile,andbythe
timehecamebacktohisbedroll,herheartwasbeatingnormallyagainandshecouldfeelthetension
easing out of her body. But when he climbed into his sleeping bag, the tension came back all over
again."Tyler,"shewhisperedachingly.

"Itpasses,"hewhisperedback."I'msorry,littleone.Ididn'tmeantotakeyouthatfar.It'simpossible,
inmorewaysthanone."

She felt for his lean hand and curled her fingers into it trustingly. "I know. But it was sweet, all the
same.Iloveitwhenyoutouchmelikethat.I'mnotevenembarrassedtotellyouso."

His fingers contracted. "Then I don't mind telling you that I almost couldn't pull back." His head
turnedandhiseyessearchedhersintheblazingorangereflectionofthefirebeyondthem."OnedayI
won'tbeabletostop.Whatthen?"

Herlipsparted."Idon'tknow."

"You'dbetterstartthinkingaboutit,"hesaidbluntly."Becausethingsaregettingtotallyoutofhand.
Eitherwepartcompanyorrisktheconsequences."

Sheloweredherworriedeyestothesteadyriseandfallofhischest."I...don'twanttoloseyou,"she
said,buryingherpride.

Hebroughtherhandtohismouth."Thatwouldbeharderthanyourealize.Doyoustillwantme,oris
iteasingoff?"

Sheflushed."It'seasingoff,"shewhisperedback.

"AtleastnowyouunderstandwhyIgetshort-temperedfromtimetotime,don'tyou?"hemused.

"Yes."Shenuzzledherfaceagainsthisarm."Whatarewegoingtodo?"

"Whatareyougoingtodo?"hesaid,rephrasingthequestion."Theball'sinyourcourt,honey.Make
yourmove."

"Butwhatdoyouwant?""You."

"Justmybody?"sheaskedsoftly."Allofyou."

Shetookaslowbreath."Forhowlong?"sheaskedbravely."Itoldyou,Nell.Lovedoesn'tcomewith
a money-back guarantee—if you do love me. What you feel might be infatuation, or just your first
sensualexperiencemakingyouvulnerabletome."

Shesearchedhisface,tryingtoseeifhereallybelievedthat."Isthatwhatyouthink?"

"Notreally.Whydon'tyoutellmewhatyoufeel?"

She hesitated, and despite what she did feel, she couldn't lower her pride enough to tell him. She
movedherfingerscloserintohis,feelinghisownpartandaccepttheminawarm,strongclasp.

"Thatreserveisthebiggestpartofourproblem,"hemurmured."Youwon'tgiveinbecauseyoudon't
thinkIwantyou."

"Iknowyouwantme,"shecorrected.

"Butnothowbadly,orinwhatway,"hereturned."You'restilllockedupinthepast,afraidofbeing
hurtagain."

"Iknowyouwouldn'thurtme,"shesaidunexpectedly,andhereyeswereeloquent."Ineverknewthat
amancouldbesogentle."

He brought her fingers to his mouth. "That seems to come naturally with you," he said softly. "I've
neverfeltastenderwithawomanuntilnow."

Shemovedherheadonhisarm."Tyler,isitjustphysicalwithyou?"

"If it was," he replied with a dry smile, "would I give a damn about your old-fashioned ideas on
chastity?WouldIeventrytopullback?"

Shefelthercheeksburn,andthenshelaughedselfconsciously."No.Ofcoursenot."

"Take it from there and think about it. Now we'd better get some sleep. We've already talked and...
otherthings...

formorethananhour."

"Itdidn'tseemthatlong,"shesaidshyly.

"For me, either, Nell." He let their clasped hands relax between them and closed his eyes. "After
tonight,"hemurmureddrowsily,"you'llneverbeabletodenythatwe'veslepttogether."

"No, I won't." She curled a little closer and closed her own eyes. Her last thought before she fell
asleepwasthatshe'dneverfeltmoresecureorhappyinallofherlife.

Shewokeatdawntothedelicioussmellofpercolatingcoffeeandbaconandeggsbeingfried.Tyler
wasalreadyhardatworkonbreakfast,withalittlegood-intentionedhelpfromacoupleoftheguests.
Everyoneatequietly,enjoyingthesilenceofthedesertatdawnandtheincrediblecolorsoftheskyon
thehorizon.

"I'veneverseenanythingsobeautiful,"Mrs.Callawaysaidwithasigh,nestlingclosetoherhusband.

"Alivingartgallery,"Tyleragreed,smilingatNell."Withanewcanvaseveryminuteoftheday.It
certainlyisbeautiful."Likeyou,hiseyesweretellingNell,wooingher.

Shesighed,herheartinhereyes,inhersmile,inherraptattention.Hisgazelockedwithherswhile
hesmokedhiscigarette,andtheexchangelastedlongenoughtomakeherbloodrunwildlythrough
herveinsandherkneesgetweak.

They rode back to the ranch a few minutes later, and Nell helped Tyler get the horses unsaddled,
unbridledandputbackintheirstalls.

"I've never enjoyed anything more," Nell told him honestly, and laughed uninhibitedly. "It was
wonderful."

"I thought so myself," he murmured. He leaned against a closed stall, and his green eyes glittered
overher."Comehere,"hechallengedfromdeepinhisthroat.

Herheartraced.Shedidn'thesitate.Shewentstraighttohimanddeliberatelyletherhipsmeltintohis,
herlegsrestagainstthepowerfulstrengthofhisown.

Sheraisedherfaceforhiskiss,blatantlyinviting,withoutfearorinhibitionsorreservations.

"Now I want an answer," he said solemnly. "I want to know what you feel for me. I want to know
whereIstand.

You'regoingtohavetotrustmeenoughtotellme."

"Thatisn'tquitefair,"sheargued."Ihavetolowermypride,andyouwon'tloweryours."

"I'mnottheonewithallthehang-ups,"heremindedher.

"Anygoodrelationshiphastobebuiltonabsolutetrusttobesuccessful."

"Yes,Iknow.But..."Sheavoidedhisgaze.

Hetiltedherfaceuptohis."Takeachance,Nell."

Shetookadeepbreath,gatheredhercourageandstartedtospeak.Andjustassheopenedhermouth,
afamiliarvoicecalled,"Tyler,darling,thereyouare!TheboysandIarrivedyesterdayevening,and
we'regoingtospendtheweek—isn'tthatnice?"

Nell moved away from Tyler as Margie came laughing into the stable and threw her arms around
him. "Oh, you darling man, how have I managed to live all these years without you? Nell, isn't he
wonderful?I'msohappy!Tyler,haveyoutoldherournews?"sheprompted,herfaceradiant.

"No,hehasn't,"Nellsaid,turningaway."Buthedoesn'tneedto,now.Icanguess.Seeyoulater.Ineed
abathandachangeofclothing."

"Nell,"Tylercalledafterher,butshewasn'tlistening.Shekeptgoingintothehouse,withherdreams
around her ears. Only a blind fool wouldn't know what Margie had hinted at. She and Tyler had
somethinggoing,itwasjustplainobvious.AndhowcouldhehavetouchedNellsohungrilyonlylast
night, knowing that Margie was going to be here, waiting for him? Nell could have thrown things.
Once again she'd been taken in by her own stupid, trusting nature. Well, this was the last straw. She
was going to call Uncle Ted and tell him he could keep the ranch forever—she was going to leave
andfindsomethingelsetodo.AndasfarawayfromArizonaandTylerJacobsasshecouldget!

ChapterTen

"Whatdoyoulooksounhappyfor?"BellaaskedNell."Didn'tyouenjoythecampout?"

"It was all right," Nell said with deliberate carelessness. She didn't want to remember what she and
Tylerhaddonetogether.Margiehadspoiledeverything.WhateverTylerhadbeengoingtosaywould
never be said, and it looked as though Margie had pulled out all the stops and was going after him
headlong.

"Handmethatmixer."Bellanoddedtowardtheapplianceshewasgoingtouseonacakemix."That
Mrs.Normanwasbackinhereagaincomplainingaboutthemenu.She'sanotherMrs.Harris,butat
leastMr.Harrisishere.Mrs.

Norman doesn't like the way I cook. And besides all that, she thinks the entertainment stinks and
there'snothingtodobutridehorses."

Nell'seyesbulged."Didyoutellherthatthisisaduderanch?Peoplecomeheretoridehorses."

"I told her that and plenty more." Bella looked at the younger woman sheepishly. "She's packing to
leave.Shesaysshe'sgoingtotellthewholeworldwhatamiserableoperationwe'vegothere.Oh,and
wedon'tevenhaveatennispro,"sheadded.

"Tylerfiredhim,alongwiththegolfpro,"Nellremindedher."Hesaidtheyweren'tpayingtheirway."
"Youmadatme?"Bellaasked.

Nell put her arms around the older woman. "I love you. If people say cruel things about your
cooking,theydeservetobesentpacking.Ithinkyou'reterrific."

Bellasmiledandhuggedherback."Thatgoesdoubleforme.ButI'llapologizeallthesame,ifyou
wantmeto."

"No.Mrs.Normanmayleave,withmyblessing.Infact,"shesaid,movingtowardthedoor,"I'lleven
refundhermoney."

"Tylerwon'tlikethat,"Bellacalledafterher.

"Tylercaneatwormsanddie,"Nellmuttered.

"Sothat'sit,"Bellasaidtoherself,andgiggledonceNellwasoutofearshot.

Mrs.Normanhadfinishedpacking.Shehadherfull-lengthminkcoatwrappedaroundherthinbody
andherblackeyeswereflashing."Iamleaving,"shetoldNell,whowaswaitingoutsidetheapartment
whentheolderwomancameoutwithhernosehaughtilyintheair."Youmayhavesomeonebringmy
luggageandcallmeacab."

"With pleasure," Nell said, and even smiled. "If you'll stop by the office, I'll gladly refund your

money."

Mrs.Normaneyedhersuspiciously."Why?"

"You don't like it here," Nell said. "There's no reason you should pay to be made miserable. The
cookingisterrible,there'snothingtodo..."

Mrs. Norman actually squirmed and pulled the mink coat closer, despite the fact that it was ninety
degreesoutsideandshewasalreadysweating."Thatwon'tbenecessary,"shesaid."Moneyistheleast
ofmyproblems."Sheavertedhereyes,thensuddenlyblurtedout,"I'mallergictohorsesandthedust
is choking me. All my husband's friends go to dude ranches, and he sent me here because he didn't
wanttotakemetoEuropewithhim."Sheliftedherchinproudly,eventhoughittrembled."It'sjust
that...thatthisroom...issoempty,"shefinished,chokingthewordsout."I'msoalone."

ShebrokedownintotearsandNelldidwhatcamenaturally.

Shetooktheweepingwomaninherarmsandjuststoodholdingherandrockingherandmurmuring
softwordsofreassurance.

"There'snothingwrongwiththefood,"Mrs.Normansaidwithahiccup.Mascararanlikeblacktears
fromherhuge,hurtingeyes."It'sdelicious.Andthepeoplearenice,too,butthey'reallcouples.My
husbandonlymarriedmeasabusinessproposition—hedoesn'tevenlikeme.Henevertriedtomake
ourmarriageanythingelse."

"You might consider that men don't read minds," Nell told her gently, and even as she said it she
smiledinwardlyattheironyoftellingthissophisticatedwomananythingaboutmen,whenherown
lovelifewassoconfusingandunfamiliar."Yourhusbandmightthinkyoudidn'twanttogowithhim."

Mrs.Normanpulledawayself-consciouslyanddriedhereyeswithapurewhitelinenhandkerchief.
Then she smiled a little shakily. "I'm sorry, I never go to pieces like this." She blew her nose.
"Actually,heaskedmeifIwantedtogo,andIlaughedathim.He'snotahandsomeman,butI...Ido
lovehim."SheglancedatNell."CanImakealong-distancecalltoEuropeandhaveitchargedtomy
account?"

"Ofcourseyoucan!"Nellsmiled."Hemightevendecidetocomebackhome."

Mrs.Normansmiledback,suddenlylookingtenyearsyounger."I'lldoitrightnow."Shetookoffthe
minkcoat.

"That'smysecurityblanket,"sheaddedruefully,drapingitoveronearm."Ihatethedamnedthing,it
makesmesneeze,andit'stoohottowearitanywhereexceptduringblizzardsinAlaska.I'lljustmake
thatphonecall."Shewentinsidetheapartment,andbeforesheclosedthedoorsheturnedtolookat
Nell."Thankyou,"shesaidsincerely.

Nell couldn't get over what had just happened. She felt on top of the world; she'd just learned a
valuablelessonabouthumannature,andshemighthavehelpedsaveamarriage.

Itwasn'tagoodtimeforTylertocomearoundthecorneroftheapartmentblock,glaringintospace.

Hestopped,lookingather."Areyoulost?"heasked.

"Notlately."Sheputherhandsinherbackpocketsandstudiedhimquietly."Youlookpeaked."

"DoI?Whydidyougorushingoutofthestable?"hedemanded.

Sheliftedhereyebrows."Threeisstillacrowd,isn'tit?"

"YouthoughtImighthavebeenwaitingbreathlesslyforyoutoleavesothatIcouldseduceMargiein
oneofthestalls?"hesaidwithacoldtonetohisdeepvoice.

Putthatway,itsoundedridiculous."Well,Iguessnot.Butshewaswaitingforyou."

"Shehadsomegoodnews.Youwon'tgettohearit,ofcourse,"hecontinued.Helitacigaretteand
threwheramockingsmile."MargieandIdon'tthinkyoudeservetohearit.Youjumptoconclusions
on the shabbiest evidence, and you won't listen to explanations. You're still running away from
involvement."

"I'vehadsomehardknocksinthepast,"shedefendedherself.

"I know all about that," he said. "I wormed the rest of it out of Margie, and I'm sorry about what
happenedtoyou.

ButIthoughtyouandIwereonthewaytosomethingmoreimportantthanafewstolenkisses—yetI
stillcan'tgetclosetoyou."

Sheflushed,rememberingthetrailride."Iwouldn'texactlysaythat,"shefaltered.

"I'm not talking about physical closeness," he said curtly. "I can't get close to you emotionally. You
backawayfromme.

"Ihavegoodreasonto!"sheshotback.

"Notwithme,youdon't,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepandquietashewatchedher."I'mnotaskingyouto
move in with me, or even to spend the night with me in a nonplatonic way. I want you to trust me,
Nell."

"ButIdotrustyou,"shebegan.

"Notinthewaythatcounts."Hedrewinaslowbreath."Well,I'vehadallIcantake.Iwon'trunafter
you,honey.Ifyouwantanythingmoretohappenbetweenus,you'llhavetomakethefirstmove.I'm
notgoingtotouchyouagain.You'regoingtohavetodecide."

Hemovedawaywithoutanotherword,leavingNelltostandthereandwatchhimleavewithherheart
downaroundherankles.

Mrs.Normanleftinadelightedflurrythatafternoon.Herhusbandhadbeenthrilledtohearfromher,
andhe'ddecidedtocomehomeandmeetherinVermontforasecondhoneymoon.Nellhaddriven
theolderwomantotheairportandhadbeenferventlyhuggedbeforeMrs.Normanranlikeateenage
girltocatchherplane.

Atleastsomeonewashappy,Nellthoughtmiserably.Butitsurewasn'ther.Shestilldidn'tunderstand
whyTylerwastryingtomakeherchasehim.Itdidn'treallymakesense.Hewastheman,andtheman
wassupposedtomakeallthemoves,notthewoman;atleast,notinNell'sold-fashionedworld.

Ofcourse,Tylerwasold-fashioned,too.Thatwasthehardthingtoreconcile.Andwithhisattitude,it
didn'treallymakesensethathe'dbehangingaroundNellwhenhewantedMargie.Andhehadtowant
Margie.Everymandid.

Margie was beautiful and cultured and sophisticated, just the right kind of woman for a man like
Tyler.

During the next few days, Margie kept very much to herself. She smiled at Nell as if nothing were
wrong,butshespentalotoftimewherethemen—especiallyTyler—were,andshekepttheboyswith
her. She seemed to understand that her presence irritated Nell, and she did everything she could to
makeitbearablefortheyoungerwoman,rightdowntosleepinglateandgoingtobedearly.

Nellwasactuallylookingforanexcuseforaconfrontation,becausetherewasalotshewantedtosay
tohersister-in-law.ButMargiemadethatimpossible,andevenTylerinterferedifitlookedasthough
Nellmightfindanopportunity.SothedayswentbywithNellgettingmorefrustratedbytheminute.
Whatshedidn'tknowwasthatDarrenMcAndershadbeenfuriousthatMargiewasspendingtimewith
Tyler,andhadbeguntomakehispresencefeltandheardwhileTylerandNellwereawayonthecamp
outHeandMargiehaditoutthatveryeveningwhilethecampoutwasinfullswing.Theargument
shortlybegantohaveresults.Whennoonewaslooking,McAnderspickedMargieupandcarriedher
offtoaquietspotunderthebigpaloverdetreeneartheapartments.Andtherehekissedheruntilshe
couldn'tstanduporprotest.Thenhebegantotellherhowhefeltandwhathewanted.

Whenhefinished,shewassmiling.Andthenextkisswasinstigatedbyher.Buttheykepttheirsecret,
becauseMargiedidn'twanttospringanythingonNelluntilTylerhadachancetopatchthingsupwith
hislady.Margiewasgettingimpatient,though.TylerandNellseemedtohavereachedanimpasse.

Nellwentonteachingthedailyridinglessonsandavoidedgoingtothedinnertableuntilshewassure
itwastoolateforTylertobethere,ifhe'ddecidedtoeatatthebighouse,thatwas.Hespentmoreand
moretimeinthebunkhouseorhisowncabin.

NightsgotlongerandNell'stempergotshorter.UntilTylerhadcomealong,she'dneverknownthat
sheevenhadatemper,butheseemedtobringoutthebeastinher.

Itwaslikebeinghalfaperson.Shestrainedforglimpsesofhim;shespunbeautifuldaydreamsabout
him.Hereyesfollowedhimeverywhere.Butshekepttoherself,andspoketohimonlywhenheasked
hersomethingdirectly.

Which was all she could do, because he was still spending time with Margie. Actually he was

chaperoningherwithMcAnderssothatBellawouldn'tfigureouttheirsecretandspillthebeanstoo
soon,butNelldidn'tknowthatandshedidn'ttrusthim.

Tyler was brooding, too. He almost gave up. Nell seemed more unapproachable now than she ever
had, and she was retreating by the day. He wondered if he was ever going to be able to reach her
again.

Texasseemedsofaraway.Herememberedhowhe'dtakenAbbyClarkoutonadateandhowsweetit
hadbeentodancewithher.ButitwasnothingcomparedtothefeelofNell'sbodyinhisarms,her
soft,shymouthunderthecrushofhis,welcominghim.Shehadabigheartandhewantedit,butNell
didn'tseemtowanthimback.

ShethoughthewasstuckonMargie,andthatwasareallaugh.Margieremindedhimtoomuchofthe
worldhe'dhadtogiveup,ofallhe'dlost.Hewasgoingtoneedawomanwhowasn'tinterestedin
frillsandfancies,awomanwho'dbewillingtoworkathissideandhelphimstartover.Nellwasjust
right,ineveryway,andhecaredaboutherdeeply.Theproblemwasgettinghertobelieveheloved
her when she had such poor self-image. She couldn't or wouldn't believe that she was infinitely
desirabletohim.Anduntilhecouldbreakheroutofthatself-ordainedmold,hewasnevergoingto
reachher.

HisgreeneyesglitteredashesawherridingbackinfromthetrailridewithDarrenMcAndersather
side.DamnMcAnders.Whycouldn'thestopinterfering?

He watched them dismount. McAnders took Nell's mount by the bridle and led both horses into the
stable,withagrinandacheerfulgreetingtoTyler.

Tylerdidn'tacknowledgeit.HestoodglaringatNellforalongmoment,andthenhestrodetoward
her.

She watched the way he walked, so tall and easy, which was deceptive. He was all muscle, and she
knewthepowerinthatexquisitelymalebody,thesweetnessofbeingheldbyhimwhilehebrought
hereverynervealive.

He had on a beige shirt that emphasized his dark coloring, made his green eyes even greener. He
camecloseandshefeltthetensiongrowbetweenthemalmostinstantly.

"Havingfun?"heasked.

She didn't like his tone. It was insulting. "No, I'm not," she replied tersely. "I hate running a dude
ranch.I'mscaredtodeaththatarattlesnakeisgoingtobitesomebodyorahorseisgoingtorunaway
withagreenhornriderorthatwe'regoingtolosesomebodyoutonthatdesertandfindthemseveral
dayslater.Ihatebudgeting,Idon'tliketheneedtocutouthalfofourrecreationalfacilities,andifI
havetohearonemoreremarkabouthowdesolateanddisgustingmydesertis,I'mgoingtoscream!"

"Ijustaskedifyouwerehavingfun,"hepointedout."Ididn'taskforarundownonworldeconomy."

"Don'tmindme,"shesaidmockingly."Patyourselfontheback."

Hedid,andherfaceflamedwithbadtemper.

"Whydon'tyougobacktoTexas?"shemuttered.

"Oh,Ilikeithere,"hetoldher."Dustandrattlesnakesgrowonaman."

Hereyesnarrowed."Don'tyoustart,"shedared.

Hiseyebrowslifted."Whatanastytemperyou'rein,littleNell.Whydon'tyougoandeatsomething
blandandseeifit'lltakethepepperoffyourtongue?"

"I'mgoingtotellmyunclehowyou'reruiningtheplace,"shethreatened.

"Hewon'tlisten,"hesaidwithalazygrin."He'stoobusydepositingthemoneywe'vebeenmaking
lately."

Shetookasharpbreath."That'sit,goahead,putalltheblameonme!"

"Mindyoudon'tsplitabloodvesselwithallthattemper,honey,"hesaid.

"Don'tcallmehoney!"

"Howaboutvinegar?"

Sheaimedakickathisshin,buthewasfaster.Hecaughtherupinhisarmsandcarriedhertowardthe
corral,wherethehorses'wateringtroughwassittinginnocently.

Throughherkickingandcursing,shenoticedwherehewasheadedandclungtohisneck.

"Youwouldn'tdare,"shesnapped.

Hechuckled."OfcourseIwould."

Herarmstightened."I'lltakeyouwithme."

"Promises, promises," he breathed huskily, and his mouth lowered so that it almost touched hers.
"Willyou,indeed?"

Thethreatofhislipsmadeherheartrace.Shefeltherbreastspressedagainsthischest;shesmelted
theleatherandtobaccoscentofhisbodyminglingwiththecolognehewore.Shefeltthestrengthof
thearmsunderherandakindoffemininedelightinhismalenessgrewwithinher.

"Will I what?" she breathed. Her nails scraped gently against his nape as unfamiliar sensations
trembledthroughher.

"Don'ttease,"hewhispered."IfIstartkissingyounow,we'regoingtohavethebiggestaudiencethis
sideofDenver."

Herlipsparted."I'mnotteasing,"shesaidsoftly.

Hisfacehardened."No?ThentellmehowIfeelaboutMargie."

Shefeltthespellshatter."Idon'tknow,"shemuttered."Anyway,it'snoneofmybusiness."

"Thehellitisn't.Youblindlittlebat!"

Andwithasuddennessthatputherbetweenshockandfear,hismouthwentdownonherssavagelyfor
onelonginstantbeforehetookadvantageofherhelplessreactionandthrewher,bottomfirst,right
intothehorses'

trough.

ChapterEleven

TylerhadstrodeoffinablacktemperbythetimeNelldraggedherself,drippingandswearing,out
ofthehorses'

trough. A couple of the men were watching, and she gave them her best glare as she sloshed off
towardthehouse.

Itdidn'thelpherdignitythattheywerelaughingbehindher.

Shestormedintothehouseandupstairstoshowerandchangeherclothesbeforeanybodygotagood
look at her and guffawed some more. Then she returned downstairs, cooler but still fuming, and
dialedherUncleTed'snumberwithfingersthattrembledinherhaste.Andallthewhileshewantedto
flingTylerandMargiedownamineshaft.

"Hello?"Adeep,masculinevoicecameovertheotherend.

"Hello,yourself.Idon'twanttorunthisranchanymore,"shesaidwithoutpreamble."Idon'tcareifit
meansIloseeverything,Iwon'tstayatthesameplacewiththatforemanofyours!"

Uncle Ted was getting a new lease on life. His man-hating niece was suddenly losing her temper,
something she never did, and over a real live man! He could have jumped for joy. He knew it had
beenagoodideatosendTylerJacobsouttotheDoubleR.

"Now, now," Uncle Ted soothed, "I can't let you throw away your inheritance, Nell. No, you'll just
havetostaythereandworkthingsout,I'mafraid."

"Ican't!"shewailed."Look,I'llsigneverythingovertoyou—"

"No."Hehungup.

Shestaredatthedeadreceiverasifithadsproutedflowers.Talkaboutfinality!Hehadn'tevensaid
goodbye.

Sheslammedthereceiverdownwithabangandglaredatit."Ihateyou!"sheraged."Ithinkyou'rean
overbearing male chauvinist, and just because you're rich doesn't give you the right to try and run
people'slivesforthem!"

Shewasscreamingbynow,andCurtandJess,standingunnoticedinthedoorway,werewatchingher
withsaucer-sizeeyes.Theymotionedtotheirmother,whojoinedtheraptaudience.

"Idon'twanthimhere,"shefumedatthetelephone."Ineverdid!Idon'tunderstandwhyyouwouldn't
givemeachancetostraightenthingsoutbymyselfbeforeyoustuckyourbignoseintomybusiness.
It'smyranch,myfatherleftittomeandTeddy,andhenevermeantforyoutodangleitovermyhead
likeaguillotine!"

"What'saguillotine?"Jesswhisperedtohismother.

"It'sstuffyouputonyourjointswhenyouhaverheumatism,"Curtwhispered.

"Hush!"saidtheirmother.

"Well,youcanjusttellhimtogobacktoTexas,orI'llgothereandlivemyselfandhecanhavethe
ranch!Ihatehim,andIhateyou,andIhateMargie,too!"

"Itmustbetheinsecticidesinthegroundwatertableaffectingyourbrain,"Margiesaid,shakingher
head.

Nellwhirled,aghasttofindthreepairsofeyesstaringather.Shestaredback,speechless.

"AuntyNell,whyareyoutalkingtothetelephone?"Curtwantedtoknow.

"IwastalkingtoyourGreat-UncleTed,"shesaidwithmangleddignity.

"Wouldn'tyoucommunicatebetterbytalkingintothereceiver?"Margiemused.

Nellglaredather."Ihaven'tcongratulatedyouyet.I'llmakesureIsendyouasuitablegiftwhenthe
timecomes."

"How sweet of you, Nell." Margie sighed. "He's sooo handsome, and I can't believe he really loves
me."

"Welovehim,too,"theboyschorused,grinning."Andwecancomeandliveherenow—"

Nellscreamed.Sheactuallyscreamed.Shediditandthenstoodstock-still,astonishedthatthesound
hadreallycomefromherthroat.

"Iloveyou,too."Margieaddedfueltothefire,makingakissingmotionwithherHps."We'llbeone
bighappyfamily."

"Likehellwewill!"Nellburstout,andtearsfellfromhereyes."I'mleaving,rightnow!"

"Leavingforwhere?"Margieasked.

"Idon'tknowandIdon't...care."Shehiccupedfromstuffytears."Oh,Margie,howcouldyou!"

"Boys, go and find a new lizard to scare me with," Margie told her sons. She shooed them out and
closedthedoor.

"Iwanttoleave,"Nellwailed.

"Afteryoulistentome,"Margiesaid."Nowdryupforaminute.HowdoyoufeelaboutTyler?"

Nelltriedtoavoidthequestion,butMargiewouldn'tbudge.Shedrewinashakybreath."L.lovehim,"

shebitoff.

Margiesmiled."Doyou?Alot?"

"Yes."

"But you think that he's the kind of man who plays with one woman at the same time he's courting
somebodyelse?"

Nellblinked.Sheturnedherheadslightly,andhergreat,darkeyesfixedonMargie'sface."Well,no,
actually,heisn't,"sheadmitted."He'skindofold-fashionedaboutthings."

Margienodded."That'sright.You'redoingverywell,darling.Keepgoing."

"Ifhe'dbeengoingtomarryyou,he'dhavetoldmehimself,"Nellventured."Hewouldn'thaveletme
findoutbyaccidentfromsomeoneelse."

"Yes.And?"

Nelldrewinaslow,exquisitebreath."He'dneverplayaroundwithaninnocentwomanunlesshewas
seriousabouther.Unlesshewasplayingforkeeps."

Margiesmiledgently."AndyouweregoingtocussoutUncleTedandrunaway."

Nelldriedhertears."I'vebeensuchafool.Iwasscared,youknow,Margie."

"We'reallscared.Commitmentisn'teasy,evenwhenpeopleloveeachother."ShewentclosetoNell,
smiling."I'mgoingtomarryDarren.Willyoubemymaidofhonor?"

Nell burst out laughing. "Oh, Margie, of course I will!" She hugged the older woman fervently,
laughingandcryingallatonce."I'msosorryforthethingsIsaid.Iwassojealous,andmyheartwas
broken!ButnowIthinkI'mgoingtobeallright,afterall."

"Iknowyouare.Wouldn'tyouliketotakeanice,refreshingwalk?"sheadded."Youmightwalkdown
bytheholdingpens.Thescenerythereisreallysomething."

"Nice,isit?"Nellprobed.

"Dark and handsome, to coin a phrase." Margie grinned. "But it may not last long, so you'd better
hurry."

"I'll do that. But first, can you lend me a dress? Something very feminine and lighter than air and
suitableforawomantochaseamanin?"

Margiewasdelighted."YoubetIcan.Comeon!"

It was a dream of a dress in creamy spring green with a full, flowing skirt and a pretty rounded
necklineandpuffysleeves.Nellfeltlikeayounggirlagain,allheartandnervesasshebrushedher

long,cleanhairandputonmakeupandalittleperfume.

Nell smiled, thinking how sweet it was going to be to make her first move toward Tyler, to flirt
openlywithhim,sureofherselfatlast.

Sheslippedonapairofsoftshoesandtoredownthestaircaseandoutthedoortowardtheholding
pens.Itseemedtotakeforevertogetthere,andshewasbreathlessfromherhastewhenshefinally
reachedthem.

Thepenswereemptynow,withroundupover,butTylerwasleaningbacklazilyagainstthefencewith
acigaretteinhisfingers,hislonglegscrossedandonearmproppedonthesecondfencerail.Hishat
waspulledlowoverhiseyessothatNellcouldn'tquiteseethemthroughtheshadows,buthelooked
approachableenough.

"Hello,"shesaidnervously.

Henodded.Hisgreeneyesglitteredoverherpossessivelybeforeheturnedbacktothehorizonand
tookadrawfromhiscigarette."Loseyourway?"

"Notthistime."Shewentcloserandstoodbesidehimtolookoverthepasture."Doyoumakeahabit
ofthrowingwomenintowatertroughs?Becauseifyoudo,we'regoingtohavearockylifetogether."

He couldn't believe he'd heard that. He turned, his eyes hungry on her face, his pulse racing. She'd
dressed up and fixed her face and hair, and she looked radiant. "No, I don't make a habit of it," he
replied."ButatthetimeI'dhadaboutallIcouldstand.Nell,I'mthinkingofgoingbacktoTexas."

"Runningoutonme?"sheaskedwithpurebravado."I'llcomeafteryou."

Hetouchedhisforeheadunobtrusivelytoseeifhewasdyingoffeverorhavinghallucinations."Ibeg
yourpardon?"

Shegathereduphershakennerve."Isaid,I'llfollowyoubacktoTexas."

Hefinishedthecigaretteandgrounditoutunderhisboot,takingsolongtospeakthatNellfelther
kneesgettingreadytobuckleincaseshe'dgottenitwrongandhedidn'tcare.

"Nodoubts?"heaskedsuddenly,andhiseyesmetherswithafiercelysensualimpact.

Itwashardtogetenoughbreathtoanswerhim,becausehewasevenclosernow,andshehadtofight
nottoputherbodyrightagainsthisandholdonfordearlife."Nodoubts,Ty,"shewhispered.She
lookedupathimandwentforbroke."Iloveyou."

Hiseyesclosedforaninstantandthenopenedonaheavyexhaledbreath."MyGod."Hedrewherinto
hisarmsandheldherthere,rockingherhungrilyfromsidetoside,withhislipsonhercheek,her
ear,herneck,andfinally,crushingintothewarmthofhersoftmouth.

She held on to him with all her strength, loving the furious beating of her heart, the weakness he

engenderedinherbody,thewarmwonderofknowingthathecaredabouther,too.Shesighedunder
hisdevouringmouthanditlifted,fractionally,whilehesearchedhereyeswithallthebarriersgone.

"DidMargietellyouthatitisn'tmeshe'sgoingtomarry?"heaskedquietly.

"Notreally,"shehedged,becauseitwasadangeroustimetogointoallthedetails.

Hefrowned."Shedidn'ttalktoyou?"

"Itwasmoreacaseofhermakingmetalk.AndIworkeditoutbymyself."Shesmiledtenderlyathim.
"IfyouweregoingtomarryMargie,"shebeganquietly,"you'dneverhavetouchedme,notevenout
ofpity."

Hedidn'tmoveforaminute.Thenhebegantostrokeherbarearmsverygentlywithhiswarm,work-
roughenedhands."Ittookyoualongtimetorealizethat,"hesaiddeeply,andhisheartsangbecause
ofthelookinhereyes.

"Yes,"shesaidwithafaintgrin."Ofcourse,Ididn'tworkitoutatfirst.AfterIgotoutofthehorses'
troughanddriedoff,"shesaidwithaglarethatdidn'tfazehim,"IcalledUncleTedandyelledathim
andtoldhimwhathecoulddowiththeranchandthatIwasleavingforever.Hejusthunguponme.I
guessI'llhavetocallhimbackandapologize."

"Iwouldn'tjustyet,"Tyleradvised."He'sprobablylaughingtoohard.IgettheideathatbeforeIcame
along,youneveryelledatanybody."

Shenodded."Therewasneveranyreasonto."Shesighed,lookinghungrilyathisdarkface."Oh,I
wantyou,"shewhispered,lettingdownherpride."Iwanttolivewithyouandhavechildrenwithyou
andgrowoldwithyou."

"AndwhatdoIwant,doyouthink?"heasked,leadingheron.

Itdidn'twork.Shejustsmiled."Youwantme,ofcourse."Heburstoutlaughing,thesoundfullwith
joyanddelight.

Heliftedherupagainsthischesttokissherwithexquisite

tenderness."I'msorryaboutthehorses'trough.I'dwaitedandhoped,andwewerealmostthere,and
then Margie came along after the camp out and set us back several weeks. She didn't mean to. Her
news, of course, was that she and McAnders were engaged. But when you took off, she decided to
keepthesecretawhilelonger."

"I'msorryaboutthat,"shemurmured."Ididn'tthinkIcouldcompetewithher.Ineverdreamedthat
youcouldfeelformewhatIfeltforyou.Itwaslikewishingforthemoon."

"Notanymore,isit?"hemused,andbrushedhismouthsensuallyacrosshers.

"Notanymore,"sheagreedhuskily.

"WhenwereyousurethatIdidn'twantMargie?"

"WhenIrememberedthatyou'dmadethesweetestkindoflovetome,withoutaskingmetogoallthe
waywithyou,"shewhispered,andforthefirsttime,shekissedhim,withshyhunger."Andamanlike
you wouldn't do that unless he had something permanent in mind. Because I'm still a virgin," she
breathedintohismouth."Andyou'reanold-fashionedman.Youevensaidso."

"It took you long enough to remember it," he murmured dryly. He nuzzled her cheek with his,
floating,warmfromthetouchofherbodyagainsthis,theclaspofhersoftarms."Iloveyou,Nell,"
he whispered huskily. "And I do want you for keeps. You and a houseful of children and the best
futurewecanmaketogether."

"Iloveyou,too,"shewhisperedfervenyly.

"Yougrewonme,"hemused,liftinghisheadtosearchhersofteyes."ButlongbeforethattimeIwas
sick and you nursed me, I knew I'd lost my heart. I wasn't able to think about another woman after
that."

"I'mveryglad.Ilovedyoufromthebeginning,althoughIwasafraidto.Yousee,Ithoughtyouwere
justbeingnicetomebecauseyoufeltsorryforme."

"Ilikedyou,"hesaidsimply."Andwhenyoustartedavoidingme,itwaslikeaknifeinmyheart."

"Ididn'tthinkyoucouldcareaboutsomeonelikeme,"shesaidquietly."Thenafteryoubegantotalk
aboutmylowselfimageandmylackofconfidence,Istartedthinkingaboutthings.Iguessnoneofus
is perfect, but that doesn't mean we can't be loved. It doesn't have much to do with beauty and
sophisticationandmoney,doesit?Loveismorethanthat."

"Muchmore."Heframedherfaceandbentslowlytohermouth."I'llcherishyouallmylife.Idon't
havealottogiveyou,butyoucanhavemyheart."

Shesmiledagainsthismouth."I'dratherhavethatthananythingelseinthewholeworld.I'llgiveyou
mineforit."

Hesmiledback."That,"hewhisperedbeforehekissedher,"isadeal."

A long time later, they walked back to the house hand in hand, and Margie and the boys and Bella
stoodontheporch,anxioustofindoutwhathadhappened.

"Well?"Bellademanded,outofpatience."Isitgoingtobeaweddingorafarewellparty?"

"Awedding."NelllaughedandranforwardtohugBellaandMargieandtheboys."Andwe'regoing
tobesohappytogether."

"Asifanybodycouldbelieveotherwise,"Bellasaid,sniffing."Well,I'llgocooksupper.Something
special."Hereyesnarrowedinthought."Andacake...."

"Yousnakeinthegrass,leadingmeonlikethat!"NellaccusedMargie."MakingmesojealousthatI
couldn'tstandit!"

"I knew it would either open your eyes or close them for good." Margie smiled. "You could have
goneonforeverthewayyouwere,untrustingandalone.Ithoughtyouneededachance."

"Well,thankyou,"Nellsaid.SheglancedatTyler'sradiantexpressionandthenbackatMargieasthe
otherwomanstartedtospeak.

"IloveDarrensomuch,Nell.Areyougoingtomindhavingusbothontheplace?Becauseheinsists
thathe'sgoingtosupportme."

"Idon'thaveanyproblematallwiththat,"Nellsaidatonce.

"IcalledUncleTedbackafteryouwentouttomeetTyler,''

Margiesaidwithasecretivesmile."HesaidifyouandTylergotmarried,he'dturnovercontrolof
theranchearly—

asaweddingpresent."

Tylerdidn'tsayanything,andNellwentclosetohim."Look,"shesaid,"itisn'tmuchofaranchright
now.It'slostalotofmoneyandtimesarestillprettybad.Youaregettingnothingbutaheadache,so
don'tlookonitasahand-out."

That took the bitter look off his face. "Then I guess you and I are going to have the challenge of
buildingitupagain,"hesaidfinally,andhishardfeaturesrelaxed.Hehadtostartbacksomewhere,
andhelovedNell.Thetwoofthemtogether,workingtobuildafutureandafamily.Yes,thatsounded
good.Hesmileddownather."Okay,honey.We'llgiveitatry."

"AndDarrenandIcanliveinthecabinwiththeboys,"Margiesuggested."Orwecanbuildahouse
closeby.IthinkI'dratherdothat.Istillhaveanestegg,andsodoesDarren—he'sbeensavingfor
years.We'lldothat.Yourforemanwillhavetohavesomeplacetolive."

TylerglancedamusedlyatNell."IthoughtwemightofferittoChappy.He'sbeenherealongtime,
andhebosseseverybodyaroundanyway.Whatdoyouthink?"

Nelllaughed."Ithinkit'sagreatidea!"

"SodoI,"Margieagreed."Well,shallwegoinsideandcallUncleTedonemoretime?"

NellslidherhandintoTyler's,andtheyfollowedtheothersbackinside.Tylerlookeddownatherjust
beforetheywentthroughtheopendoor.ThelookonhisfacemadeNellcatchherbreath.Theawe
andwonderofloveblazedfromitassurelyastheArizonasunwarmedthedesert.Nell'sownface
reflectedaloveforherlong,tallTexanthatwouldlastforever.

TableofContents

ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven