LONE STAR HEARTBREAKER

Anne Marie Novark

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PUBIT! EDITION

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Book Four: The Diamondback Ranch Series

Tyler McCade is the youngest McCade brother in Salt Fork, Texas, and the biggest heartbreaker
of them all. Or he was--until a plane crash wrecks his body and sends his crop-dusting company
into a tailspin. Needing time to heal and form a new business plan, he retreats to the Diamondback
Ranch, where he spends too much time alone tormented over the possibility that the accident might
have been his fault.

Caitlyn Ross lives to fly planes. Accepting the job as pilot for Lone Star Wings seems like a dream
come true. But when she packs up everything she owns and finds herself working for the brooding
Tyler McCade, her defenses go on high alert. The sexual tension sizzles, but does she have what it

takes to help him heal? And is she even brave enough to try?

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Lone Star Heartbreaker

Al rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner
whatsoever without the express written permission of the author or publisher except for the use of
brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of
the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living
or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

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Dedication

To Rita.

Thank you for the awesome help.

It's very much appreciated.

****

CHAPTER ONE

Oh, how the mighty had fallen.

Tyler McCade sat alone at one of the tables set up around the large wooden dance floor erected close
to the big house on the Diamondback Ranch. He nursed his bourbon and soda while watching the
guests circle and twirl in time to the music blaring from the vintage jukebox. Everyone was having a
grand old time at his brother Austin's wedding reception.

Everyone but him.

When Austin and Theresa glanced his way, Tyler raised his glass in salute to the newly married
couple and forced a smile. No way did he want to put a damper on the festive occasion. Austin
deserved his happiness. He'd lived for over twelve years raising his daughter Kelsey by himself.

Tyler was glad that his brother had final y found someone to love. Real y, he was. He was glad that
Cameron and Dal as had found happiness, too.

Three McCade brothers down and one to go.

Tyler shook his head. He didn't want to fol ow in his brothers' footsteps anytime soon. They'd al
gotten lucky finding the women they'd married. What were the odds of him getting that lucky? Besides,
he wasn't ready to settle down yet and give up his freedom. There were too many beautiful women out
there looking for a good time, and he was just the one to show it to them.

At least, he used to be the one to show the women a good time. But not anymore. He'd run out of luck
last Christmas when his plane had crashed.

Tyler gripped the highbal glass in his hand. The ice cubes clinked against the sides with the sudden
movement. Hel , his luck hadn't taken a complete nosedive. He was alive, right? He'd survived the
crash, hadn't he? But for the past six months, every hour of every day had passed at an excruciatingly
slow pace and with an extraordinary amount of pain. He'd had four surgeries and months of intensive
physical therapy. He stil had several months more to go.

Rehabilitation was a bitch.

Adjusting his position on the metal folding chair, Tyler tried to ignore the sharp pain shooting up one
thigh. He tossed back the rest of his drink and stared at the empty glass with a frown. He wasn't
drowning his sorrows so much as trying to dul the incessant pain throbbing in his legs. They'd been
crushed when his plane had gone down, the left leg practical y to smithereens. The right leg hadn't
been as bad, but he was damn near a cripple. Hel , he was a cripple. He had to use crutches to get
around, didn't he? At least he was out of the wheelchair he'd been chained to the first couple of
months after the accident.

That had not been fun. Not fun at al .

Tyler leaned across the chair where he'd propped his leg and snagged his crutches. He needed a refil ;
maybe he'd make it a double. He'd been on his feet since early morning. Sure, he'd tried to take it easy
and sit most of the time, except he'd been in the wedding party and duty had cal ed. His body
protested the long hours of walking and standing. The muscles in his cheeks ached from the fake
smiles he'd pasted on his face throughout the interminable day.

The outpouring of sympathy from friends and neighbors over his accident and the pity in their eyes
over his injuries had damned near kil ed him.

Worse were the people who couldn't meet his gaze or avoided him altogether.

He'd be glad when he could cal it a night and return to his apartment at the airfield, where he could
get rid of the tux, and chil and relax--at least as much as he'd been able to relax these past six months.
The darkness of night would hide the crumpled heap of metal stil piled up in the field near the
airstrip; the wreckage of his plane that he hadn't had either the guts or the physical ability to
investigate yet. Not to mention arrange to have it towed away. What an eyesore.

And what a coward he was turning out to be. Pitiful, that's what he was. Downright pitiful.

"Hey, Uncle Tyler."

Tyler tightened his hands on the crutches as he stood in front of the bar waiting for his drink. He
sucked in a deep breath, forced yet another smile and turned to greet his niece. "Hey, Kelsey. How
you doing, kiddo? You sure look pretty in that dress."

His soon-to-be teenaged niece gave an unladylike snort. "Yeah, right. Thanks, but I don't think so.
Dresses are so lame. I wouldn't be wearing one, only Theresa--I mean Mom--said I had to wear it
since I'm a bridesmaid."

Tyler found himself smiling for real at the disgusted tone in Kelsey's voice. His niece was stil very
much a tomboy. "Yeah, I know what you mean.

Same here with the tux."

She frowned and tossed her blonde head. "It's not the same."

"Right. Here, help me back to my table. Talk about lame. That's what I am with these crutches: Lame.
Crippled even." He winked at her and she smiled. He was getting damned good at faking a
cheerfulness he was far from feeling. A talent he'd practiced al his life.

"Good one, Uncle Tyler. But you're much better now, right?" Kelsey carried their drinks and walked
beside him. "You'l be off those crutches before you know it." She set his glass on the table and kissed
his cheek. "See you later. I'm going to go pick out some better music on the jukebox. Talk about lame."

Tyler maneuvered himself into his chair and balanced his crutches against the table. He'd had two
passengers in his plane when it had gone down last December. Kelsey had survived the crash with
nothing worse than a few cuts and bruises. She had a scar on her forehead, but in time it would fade.
Unlike his own scars.

Crashing his plane had been a life-changer for him. He'd been flying his niece and Theresa to
Houston, where his future sister-in-law would spend the holidays with her folks. She'd been hurt
worse than Kelsey in the accident. Thankful y, she'd recovered fairly quickly from the broken ribs and
concussion she'd received.

Sipping his fresh drink, Tyler watched the festivities continue. They'd already eaten dinner and Austin
and Theresa had cut the cake soon after. It wouldn't be long before the bride tossed the bouquet and
the groom the coveted garter. Tyler wanted no part in it; he'd wait to leave so as not to be rude.

Nine o'clock and the night had final y settled in. The strings of twinkling lights glittered around the
dance floor, chasing the darkness away. A ful moon was on the rise and a myriad of stars shone
brightly up above. The early June weather had favored the bridal couple on this special day; a cool
evening breeze rustled the leaves of the mesquite trees in the pastures.

The music on the jukebox stopped abruptly, and Tyler grinned into his glass as he listened to Kelsey
organize the bouquet and garter toss. She was a bossy little thing. A natural-born leader. One of these
days, she'd give some man a run for his money.

"Quick, Ty! Hide me!"

Tyler looked over his shoulder at his sister Tori crouching behind his chair. "Hide you? Again? Who
from this time?"

"Shh! Turn around and don't look at me. You're supposed to be shielding me from view."

Tyler faced forward again and scanned the crowd. Nothing out of the ordinary that he could see.
"Tori, for God's sake. Don't be such a drama queen. You're an adult. Besides, Garza left a good hour
ago. There's no reason to hide now." Talk about giving a man a run for his money.

"I know exactly when Sam left. He has nothing to do with my hiding this time. Now hush."

Tyler sighed into his glass. "Don't you want to try for the bridal bouquet? Kelsey wil be disappointed
if you don't stand with al the single ladies and try to catch it."

"She'l just have to get over it. I'm not going over there. I don't want to get married." She peeked over
his shoulder, then ducked down again. "At least, not yet. And I don't see you hurrying over to try for
the garter."

"That's different. I'm injured."

"Right, Ty. That's the sorriest excuse I ever heard. Oh, crap. Here she comes."

Sure enough, Kelsey marched over to the table, stood with hands on hips and glared at her uncle and
aunt. "Come on, y'al . You have to do this.

Grams said so."

"Go find someone else," Tyler said.

"There is no one else. There aren't that many single people here. Aunt Tori, I see you. You're not
hiding very wel , bobbing up and down like that."

Kelsey reached around Tyler and caught hold of her aunt's hand. "Come on, before I send Grams over
here."

Tyler drained his glass and struggled to his feet. "The game's up, sis. Get moving." He grabbed his
crutches and waited for the ladies to lead the way. "I'm warning you, Kels. I'm leaving after this.
There's only so much fun I can take."

Tori came out of hiding and frowned at her niece. "Okay, I'l stand there, but you can't make me catch
it."

Kelsey giggled. "You guys are hopeless."

Tori was as good as her word and stood at the back of the group. Tyler smiled when Sarah Sue caught
the bouquet. She was a favorite in town with her popular cafe and famous cakes and pies.

When the garter was tossed, Tyler also made sure to stand way in the back. Even though his brother
Austin aimed it right at him, Harold Johnston fought off al competitors and made a successful grab for
it. Holding the fril y garter high above his head, Harold made a beeline for Sarah Sue and kissed her
in front of God and everybody. Applause broke out through the crowd.

Tyler just shook his head.

After the traditional rituals were duly performed and concluded, he approached Austin and Theresa to
tel them goodbye. He shook his brother's hand and kissed the bride on the cheek.

"I wish you al the best," he said. "Don't take any crap from this guy, you hear me? If he gives you any
trouble, any trouble at al , just give me a cal ."

Austin grinned and slapped Tyler on the shoulder. "Don't listen to him, sweetheart. I won't give you
any trouble. I'm putty in your hands and you know it."

Theresa rol ed her eyes. "I wish. How are you holding up?" she asked Tyler, concern evident in her
soft voice. "It's been a long day. I hope it hasn't been too much for you."

"I'm okay, but I'm going to cal it a night. Have fun on your honeymoon." He gave her a hug, then
punched Austin one for good measure.

"Hey, watch it!" he said, rubbing his chest where Tyler had hit him. "Who's driving you home?"

"Tori. She's meeting me out front with her truck."

"I'l walk with you. I've been meaning to talk to you al day."

Theresa lifted a brow. "Secrets already? I'm crushed."

Austin gave her a playful pat on the butt. "No secrets. I'l tel you al about it later." He winked over his
shoulder as he walked beside Tyler toward the front yard.

"You're one lucky son of a bitch," Tyler said. "Not only for finding such a great lady, but also because
she survived the plane crash. You could have easily lost her." Seemed like everything reverted back
to the accident. He needed to let it go and move forward. He would, too. As soon as he could stand on
his own two feet. Without the damned crutches.

"Don't remind me," Austin said. "Those hours in the hospital when she wouldn't wake up were about
the longest I've ever spent. But she did recover, thank God. Unlike you, I'm sorry to say."

Tyler shrugged. "Yeah, wel . I'm doing better. Like Kelsey says: I'l be rid of these crutches before you
know it." And maybe if he kept saying it, it would come true. Positive thinking and al that.

"I know you wil . You've always pul ed through tough times before. You'l get through this, too."
Austin looked up at the stars glittering in the night sky.

"Anyway, what I wanted to ask is if you've found another pilot yet. You've gone through them like
they're a dime a dozen, which they're not. First Gus, then Duffy, then that other guy--I can't even
remember his name. I don't know how you've kept Lone Star Wings solvent since your accident. And
now crop-dusting season is right around the corner. I need an herbicide application on the south farm
soon. Like in yesterday. Time is money, Ty."

Tyler inhaled a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "You're not tel ing me anything I don't already
know. And you're not the only one hurting. The phone's been ringing night and day with people
wanting to schedule applications. But help is on the way. I'm happy to say I've finally found another
pilot to fly my planes. She should be here Monday or Tuesday."

" S h e should arrive?" Austin looked at him in surprise. "You're going to let a woman fly your
precious airplanes?"

"Yeah, so what? I know a lot of women who fly, and Ms. Ross has an impressive resume. Wel , she'd
have to, right? I wouldn't trust just anyone with my babies."

"Impressive resume, huh? This should prove mighty interesting." Austin grinned. "Mighty interesting
indeed."

"Cut the crap. This is business, not pleasure." Tyler slugged him one last time and made it extra hard.

****

Late Tuesday morning, Tyler watched as an old battered pickup truck turned off the pavement onto the
dirt road leading to his airfield and crop-dusting compound. The dry red West Texas dirt crunched
beneath the tires. He squinted against the bright June sunshine. The old pickup groaned under the
weight of an equal y old camper and heroical y hauled a dilapidated trailer loaded with what looked
like the fuselage and various other parts of a vintage biplane.

What the hell was this? Sitting beneath the lone hackberry tree in front of hangar number two, he
watched the truck inch its way closer. Could this be the ag pilot he'd hired? And what was with the
ancient plane she was towing behind her truck? If he wasn't mistaken, it looked like an old Pitts
Special.

When the entourage final y pul ed to a stop in front of the hangar, Tyler took another sip of coffee and
waited. A big yel ow dog poked its head out the passenger side window and stared at Tyler with intel
igent brown eyes. The woman sat behind the steering wheel and peeked around the dog at him. She
made no move to get out of the truck. The dog barked and she petted its neck, shushing it, murmuring
words of comfort.

For the dog or for herself, Tyler couldn't tel . Even from this distance, her low husky voice drifted
over him, warm and smooth like good Kentucky sipping whiskey going down.

Wel , hel . Looked like his body had final y awakened from its long dormant sleep. Good to know that
part of him was stil in working order.

The woman gave the dog one last kiss, then she waved at Tyler before unbuckling her seatbelt and
hopping out of the truck.

"Hel o," she said, walking around the front of the pickup, not stopping until she stood directly in front
of Tyler. She stuck out her hand. "Tyler McCade? I'm Caitlyn Ross. Nice to final y meet you." She
looked around, green eyes wide. "Wow! This is some set-up you have. Crop dusting must do good
business around here." With hand stil extended, she looked Tyler up and down. "Oh my God, you're
hurt! You didn't say anything about being hurt when we talked on the phone."

"No, I didn't." Keenly aware of her scrutiny, Tyler reached for his crutches and slowly, painful y
stood. Once he'd balanced himself, he shook hands with his new pilot. He'd almost forgotten how
smal and warm and soft a woman's hand could be. "Welcome to Lone Star Wings and the
Diamondback Ranch."

Caitlyn withdrew her hand and looked him up and down. "So you're Tyler McCade . Air show stunt
pilot extraordinaire! Mr. Do or Die McCade!"

Tyler winced at the nickname he'd picked up on the air show circuit. If only they could see him now.
"Yep, that would be me."

"Wow! I stand in the presence of greatness," she said with a smile in her eye. "But what in the world
happened to you?"

"An accident."

"Accident? As in . . .? " She left the words hanging.

"Yeah, as in . . . " Tyler pointed with one of his crutches toward the field on the right, "as in plane
crash." His throat tightened on the words. Oh yeah.

It had been a life-changing moment al right.

Caitlyn looked at the crashed plane out in the field. It was hard to miss. He should know. It had
mocked him for months since the accident. He hoped she didn't ask too many questions, because he
didn't have any answers.

"At least you're in better shape than your plane," she said, looking at him again.

"Not by much." He adjusted his weight on the crutches. He stil hurt like hel . And at the rate he was
healing, he didn't know if he'd ever ful y recover.

And that scared the living crap out of him. He lived to fly, damn it. If he couldn't fly, he might as wel
be dead.

Caitlyn stared at his crutches. "No wonder you were advertising for an experienced pilot."

"Yeah. No wonder." Tyler's leg throbbed, and pain lanced his thigh. He stumbled backward, and
Caitlyn grabbed his arm.

"Don't!" He jerked away, ignoring the heat of her touch and careful y lowered himself into his chair
again.

"Sorry." Caitlyn stepped back, her emerald eyes ful of concern and something else Tyler refused to
acknowledge. He didn't want her pity. God, how he hated feeling so weak and helpless.

She stood there looking down at him. Silence hung heavy between them and threatened to stretch into
awkwardness. Thankful y, the dog barked before it became too embarrassing.

"Excuse me," Caitlyn said. "Do you mind if I let my dog out? She's been cooped up for hours."

"Sure. Go ahead."

"Thanks, I won't be long." She jogged over to her truck and petted the dog, nuzzled her nose in the yel
ow fur, cooing al the while. The dog wiggled and trembled, making happy dog sounds. When she
opened the door, the big yel ow Lab bounded out, ran around the truck and trailer three times, found a
patch of grass to do her business, then ran back and plunked her butt in front of her mistress.

Caitlyn squatted down and ruffled the dog's fur, rubbing her ears, whispering unintel igible words.
The dog ate it up; her tail wagged a mile a minute.

Lucky mutt.

Tyler had to admit Caitlyn Ross was one mighty fine looking woman. Something about her was
vaguely familiar. Those eyes were kil er and the sprinkle of freckles over her smal nose attractive.
Her short blond hair tumbled around her head in a glorious mess, begging a man to run his fingers
through the silky curls. She wasn't very tal , but she had a knockout body with luscious curves that
tempted a man to try his luck with her, as Tyler would have undoubtedly done once upon a time.

But not now. Now al he could do was wish that things could be the same as before.

Caitlyn returned to Tyler's side, smiling big and wide. She had a beautiful smile. Again that long-
absent arousal tugged low in his groin.

The dog dashed up, bumping Caitlyn's hand with her head, begging to be petted. Caitlyn squatted
down again, giving the dog more loving attention.

Tyler watched the woman pet her dog. "What's her name?" he asked, wondering how it would feel if
al that loving attention were aimed his way.

"Reba." The dog recognized her name, barked and licked Caitlyn's face. The woman laughed; a deep
throaty laugh. "Yes, you are a good dog.

Yes, you are." Another kiss, another ruffle of fur. "I found her at a campground several months ago.
She was skinny and filthy. We're good friends now."

"I can tel ." Tyler picked up his coffee and took a sip. He stared at the attractive young woman. She
was doing a number on him; that was for sure.

"What's with the plane on the trailer?"

She looked toward her truck. "It was my dad's. It's al I have left."

"He passed away?" He set his cup on the table, not liking the soft tremble in her voice.

"Last year." She mustered another smile. "Dad taught me to fly. He was retired Air Force and owned
a flight school and air taxi business just outside of San Antonio. After I graduated from high school, I
helped out with the flying and the teaching. And the maintenance, of course."

"What happened to his company?"

"It went bankrupt. I had to sel everything to pay off his debts. I stil owe quite a bit."

"Damn, that's tough."

"Yeah, wel . . . Dad was great with planes; not so great when it came to business." She pointed to the
truck and trailer. "That's basical y al I own.

Finding this job was a stroke of good luck. Truth is, I can't do much of anything except fly."

Caitlyn gave Reba one last pat then straightened to her ful height, which had to be al of five feet two.
She smiled again with a cheerfulness that looked forced. Tyler guessed Caitlyn had been putting on a
good face in order to deal with her losses. Just as he'd been doing for the past six months.

She gazed at him out of those kil er eyes. "So, I'm sure there's paperwork to fil out. In our emails, you
said there were hookups for my rig?" She looked around the airfield as if searching for a place she
could park her truck and camper.

"Right." Tyler grabbed his crutches again and winced when that familiar throbbing blasted through his
left knee. He should have taken another pain pil this morning, except he was trying to wean himself
off. He might be weak and helpless, but he sure as hel didn't want to be dependent on drugs.

That was no way to get back in the cockpit. He needed a clear head if he wanted to fly again. And he
wanted to fly again. More than anything else in the world. He hated being grounded.

Slowly, he heaved himself up and out of the chair again. "We'l go to my office. There are a couple
more questions I want to ask, then we'l fil out the paperwork and sign the contract." He started for the
other hangar, where his office was located.

Caitlyn walked beside him toward the hangar housing several of his planes. "Looks like you run quite

an operation here. Just how big is the Diamondback Ranch anyway?"

Tyler kept his eyes on the rocky ground before him and tried not to inhale too deeply. Caitlyn's subtle
fragrance smel ed delicious. "We own ten sections. Sixty-four hundred acres. It's been in my family
for three generations."

"Good gracious, that's a lot of land. Three generations, huh?"

"Yeah. My brothers and I own and operate it together. Along with my mother. My sister also owns a
portion, but she's away at col ege."

"So this is truly a family-owned operation. And y'al get along okay?"

Tyler stopped walking and lifted his head. He gazed into her green eyes. This close he could see the
ring of gold surrounding the irises.

For a moment, she held her ground and returned his stare. Then she stepped back, a blush staining her
high cheekbones. "Do y'al get along?" she asked again.

Tyler nodded. "Yeah, sure. For the most part. We have our disagreements now and again; we try to
resolve them as quickly as possible. Business is business. Personal is personal. We try to keep them
separate."

"But you don't always succeed?" She smiled and a dimple showed near the left side of her mouth.

He tried not to let his gaze linger, but he couldn't help himself. The woman had a mouth made for
kissing.

"No, we don't always succeed." He hitched the crutches under his arms. "Once in a while, we duke it
out just like when we were kids. Only we make sure it's not in front of Mom."

Caitlyn laughed. "How many brothers do you have?"

"Three. Dal as is the oldest, then Cameron, then Austin. I'm next in age, and my sister is the baby.
Tori's studying to be a vet; she loves animals."

Caitlyn sighed wistful y. "Sounds lovely. I'm an only child."

"Sometimes, I wish I were an only child." Tyler thought about everyone butting into his business.
Especially since the accident.

She shook her head and her tangle of curls bounced. "Believe me. You don't. Now that both my folks
are gone, I have no family. It's not fun to feel so alone." She sighed. "Anyway, I'm sure you don't want
to hear my life story."

Tyler stepped closer. "I'd like to get to know you better."

Her eyes dilated and her breath hitched. It seemed the sensual feelings racing through his bloodstream
weren't only on his side. Sweet.

"You would?" Her voice was low and soft; her eyes searched his.

What the hel was he doing? He shouldn't be thinking about getting naked with Caitlyn. She was here to
fly his planes, not warm his bed. Tyler tightened his hands on the crutches, instead of moving nearer
and kissing those delectable lips.

Even so. Life was looking far better now than it had since the accident. Because Caitlyn was here to
help him pul his business out of a sinkhole.

Not because the sexual attraction between them had instantaneously combusted.

Liar.

"Wel , yeah," he said. "We're going to be working together, right? So of course, I'd like to get to know
you better." Inside and out. Cut the crap, McCade.

"Of course." Caitlyn cleared her throat and deliberately put some space between them. She looked off
into the distance where acres and acres of fields stretched as far as the eye could see. Mesquite trees
and prickly pear cactus dominated the rugged landscape that wasn't under cultivation.

On the horizon, two lonely mountains stood guard over the surrounding flat plains. "It's so beautiful
here. And the air's even drier than back home.

Do those have a name?" she said, pointing toward the mountains.

Tyler swiveled his body around on the crutches and gazed toward the eastern horizon. "Those are the
Double Mountains. They've been a landmark in these parts since Indian times."

"Indian times," Caitlyn repeated. "What must it have been like way back then?"

"No cotton fields, no fields of any kind, and no need for crop dusting, that's for sure." As he swiveled
around again to face her, he stumbled and almost lost his balance. Caitlyn's hands shot out to steady
him.

" Son of a bitch," he muttered, as he leaned against her for a moment, his breath coming out in a
ragged gasp. A sharp agonizing pain wrenched his leg. Maybe he should have taken that pain pil after
al .

"Are you okay?" Caitlyn's breath whispered against him.

"Give me a minute, and I wil be."

CHAPTER TWO

Tyler's warmth and the musky scent of his aftershave sparked something deep inside Caitlyn.
Something she hadn't felt in a long time. She tried not to flex her fingers that were resting against the
man's rock-hard chest where solid muscle bulged beneath his black T-shirt.

His breath rasped hot and heavy in her ear, while she waited for him to regain his balance.

It didn't take long.

Tyler gently disengaged and transferred his weight to his crutches. "Sorry about that. I haven't ful y
recovered from the crash. Believe it or not, I'm actual y a lot better now than I was at first."

"Must've been some accident. Do you know what caused it?" She stared at the twisted metal that had
once been a sleek little plane. Why hadn't anyone hauled it off and cleaned up the mess?

"Mechanical failure," he said. "The FAA investigated, of course. Then I had it moved from the crash
site to where you see it now. I'l check it out myself, once I'm off these damned crutches. For my peace
of mind . . . and closure."

Caitlyn caught his gaze. Those oh-so-blue eyes held hers steady, yet she detected the fear behind the
bravado. He was afraid it was his fault even though he'd been cleared of blame. He was obviously
physical y unable to fly at the moment. He was probably afraid he'd never be able to fly again.

For someone like Tyler McCade, that would be a living hel .

"Come on," he said. "The sooner we sign those papers, the sooner you can get situated and squared
away."

A young man walked out of the hangar that housed the office. He looked about seventeen or eighteen
years old. "Hey, Tyler. Miss." The kid tipped his hat in an old-fashioned gesture.

"Hey, Pete. I'd like you to meet our new pilot, Caitlyn Ross. Caitlyn, this is Pete Lafferty. He's
working for me this summer before he heads off to col ege."

Pete offered his hand and Caitlyn shook it. "Nice to meet you, Pete."

"Ma'am."

"Please. Cal me Caitlyn." Ma'am made her feel older than her twenty-eight years.

"Yes, ma'am." The boy's cheeks turned ruddy and he quickly squatted on his haunches and patted
Reba. "I'l look after her while you're in the office .

. . Caitlyn. If you don't mind, that is. I used to have a dog just like her."

"I don't want to put you to any trouble. I'm sure you have other things to do."

Pete shook his head. "No trouble, ma'am." He stood and patted his leg, whistling as he moved toward
the hangar door. "Come on, girl. I bet you're thirsty and hungry. Is she on a special diet? I have some
scraps from breakfast I could give her."

"Reba eats just about anything you set in front of her," Caitlyn said. "Thanks, Pete."

"My pleasure, ma'am." The young man tipped his hat again, then disappeared into the hangar, with a
happy Reba fol owing by his side.

Caitlyn stood staring after them. "He seems awful y young. Especial y when he keeps cal ing me
ma'am."

Tyler grinned as he continued toward the office door. "He's a good kid. Wants to be a pilot some day.
He's crazy about planes."

"I can certainly relate to that," Caitlyn said with a smile.

Tyler's grin disappeared. "So can I. It's just about kil ing me to be grounded."

"I bet. I haven't flown since my dad died. This job gives me the perfect opportunity to do what I love
and get paid for it. After I liquidated the flying school, I thought I was going to have to get a desk job."
She shuddered at the memory.

"I know what you mean. Here we go." Tyler held open the door to the office for her.

Caitlyn stepped into the smal compact room. It was extremely messy, with papers and notebooks
scattered about. She couldn't imagine conducting business in such a chaotic, haphazard kind of way.
Even her dad had had a filing system of some sort.

Tyler closed the door and walked to the straight-back chair in front of the desk. Leaning on his
crutches, he removed a pile of magazines and dropped them on the floor. "Have a seat."

Caitlyn sat down and watched Tyler make his way around the desk and plop down in the swivel
chair, wincing when his butt hit the seat. Apparently, he was stil experiencing a lot of pain. Both
physical y, and probably emotional y as wel .

Wel , he had to be. That first time when she'd tried to help him balance, he'd jerked away as if she'd
been a live red-hot coal. But the second time, he'd actual y leaned against her while he got his
bearings. And those few minutes were enough to set the butterflies of awareness loose in her stomach.
His touch had definitely burned; his clean masculine scent had intoxicated.

As he sat behind his desk, Caitlyn was struck by his dark good looks. He had a strong jawline and a
determined chin. She quickly passed over the chiseled lips, focusing on the broad forehead and short
spiky brown hair, the dark slanted brows over sapphire blue eyes. Eyes intently taking her measure,
just as she was taking his.

She felt a blush heat her cheeks. When she'd taken the job, she hadn't thought one way or another about

working alongside Tyler McCade. She'd been too thankful to be hired for the pilot's position. Oh, she
knew about Tyler's reputation. She'd seen him in action at some of the air shows around the country.
She'd flown the circuit, too. Tyler McCade was what legends were made from.

And now he was grounded.

She lifted her chin, folded her hands in her lap and waited.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

"Not formal y. I compete in some of the air shows."

" You fly in the air shows?"

"Yes, I do. Oh, I'm not in the same league as you, but I've won my fair share of competitions."

"So that's why you look familiar," Tyler said. "I must have seen you at one show or another."

"Oh, I've seen you at more than one show," Caitlyn said with a smile. "Also in a few of the clubs after
the shows were over. In fact, you hit on me once in Waco. A couple of years back."

Tyler frowned, as if trying to dredge up a lost memory. "I don't remember--"

"You were drunk at the time."

"Oh God." He closed his eyes and groaned. "It doesn't get much more awkward than this, does it?"

She shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Everyone knows you have another nickname besides Mr. Do or
Die McCade."

"Huh-oh. Here it comes." Tyler flashed her a charming megawatt smile that immediately played havoc
with her hormones.

She ignored the flash of heat and kept her tone light. "Oh yeah. You know it. Mr. Love 'em and Leave
'em."

"Okay, I was mistaken. It's getting much more awkward in here. I'm surprised you even considered
working for me, what with my reputation and al ."

"Oh, I'm sure you're not real y that bad."

"Thanks . . . I think. "

Caitlyn shrugged. "Hey . . . I real y need this job. I'm not a slacker. I may be smal , but I'm very strong
and capable. I'l pul my weight, plus some."

"I'm sure you wil ."

"And I'm hoping to restore my dad's plane to its original condition. Working for you wil give me
access to the tools and equipment I need to make the repairs. On my days off, of course. If you don't
mind, that is."

"I don't mind. In fact, I'l help. Pete wil , too. I'd love to work on a vintage Pitts Special."

"That would be great. I plan to fly it in the Stone Creek Air Show Competition in October. I'm hoping
to win one of the big cash prizes. I need the money to pay off the rest of my father's debts. And
whatever's left over wil help me get back on my feet again."

"Stone Creek is right in our back yard."

"I know. One more reason that makes this job perfect for me. I real y need that money."

Tyler stared at her for a long moment. She tried not to squirm under such intense scrutiny. "You think
you can restore the plane in that length of time?

Four months isn't very long from now."

Caitlyn bit her lip. "I have to. With your help and maybe some pointers, it's almost a done deal. After
al , you are Mr. Do or Die McCade. Who better to show me the way?"

"I don't think that nickname applies any longer."

"Oh come on," Caitlyn said, hating how down and out he sounded. "You'l be back in the cockpit in no
time."

He shrugged. "That's what everyone says. I'm starting to have my doubts."

"I'l tel you what. You help me with the Pitts and the competition, and I'l help you with your
rehabilitation."

"How do you propose to do that?"

"Wel , I don't know exactly. There must be something I can do to help."

He didn't say anything for a moment; his eyes darkened with awareness and his glance fel to her lips.
Caitlyn's body reacted with alarming alacrity.

Her nipples tightened against the silk fabric of her bra and a heaviness settled low in her bel y.

She waited for him to say something. Anything.

Tyler cleared his throat. "I'm sure we'l find something for you to do. I want off these crutches so bad,
I'd sel my soul to the devil." He fumbled with a stack of papers on his desk, moving them behind him
to the table against the wal . He swung around and faced her again, picked up a lone sheet of paper
and studied it. "Now, about those questions. I need a few clarifications. Do you know how to operate

aerial applicators?"

Caitlyn stal ed for a moment, before answering. Here came the moment of truth. She adjusted her
position on the hard seat of the chair. "Not exactly, but I'm a fast learner. You could show me, couldn't
you?"

"You've never operated an aerial applicator? How could I have missed that in the phone interview?"
Tyler stared at the paper in his hand, glanced at the back, then the front again. "Okay, no problem. I
can teach you. You do have your commercial license, right? Any tail-wheel experience?"

"Yes, I've flown more than thirty hours and have my logbook endorsement. I can show it to you, if you
want."

He nodded. "Al right, that's acceptable. Tel me again what kind of aircraft you've flown."

"Wel . . . my father owned a Cessna Skyhawk and a couple of Pipers. I've also flown an Edge 540, a
Giles G-202 and an MX2. And the Pitts Special, before it broke down so completely."

Tyler whistled under his breath. " That's the reason I wanted to hire you. If you can fly those planes,
you should have no problem flying any of mine."

Caitlyn couldn't help the pleasurable feeling his praise evoked. "Thanks."

"And you should do fine flying applications. I'l train you. Now, if I can find the form for you to fil out,
we'l be al set." One after another, Tyler slid open and slammed shut the desk drawers. In the last
drawer he found what he'd been looking for, holding up a crumpled sheet of paper. "Final y!" He
smoothed it out on the top of his desk before handing it to her. "Here's an application for employment.
Fil it out and you'l be good to go."

Caitlyn took the paper from him. "Just like that? You don't want to see me fly?"

He shrugged. "To be honest, I'm desperate for a pilot. My business is sinking fast. The spring planting
is done. That means our busiest time of year for spraying pesticides and herbicides is already
underway. You said you could fly anything, anywhere. I believe you. You've answered my main
questions. Interview's over. Just fil out the paperwork, and it'l be a done deal."

He handed her a pen. "Oh, and you can park your rig behind hangar number two. There are hookups
and even a dump station. Make yourself at home. And welcome to Lone Star Wings."

****

Caitlyn set up "camp" that afternoon. Pete showed her where to park her truck and helped her with the
hook-ups, even though she assured him she could do it herself, and then he left her to her own devices.

Looking at her watch, she decided to head into town to get a bite of dinner and maybe pick up a few
groceries. She cal ed to Reba and coaxed her inside the air-conditioned camper where she'd be safe
while Caitlyn was gone. Pete had warned her about animal traps out in the pasture.

"Don't want her to get caught up in one, ma'am," the kid had said. "Best to keep a careful watch on her
until she gets used to the area."

Caitlyn rubbed Reba's ears and kissed her nose. "I won't be long, girl. Rest here inside and I'l be back
before you know it." She set out food and water, then grabbed her helmet and purse and set off to
town on her smal scooter.

The scooter traveled inside the camper when she was on the road. Having another mode of
transportation made it easier, so she didn't have to unhook the water and electricity every time she
needed to make short trips while she was camping.

The breeze felt good on her face as she turned off the dirt road onto the pavement winding its way to
Salt Fork, the smal town situated about ten or twelve miles from the airfield. She'd seen a cafe when
she'd passed through earlier in the day. Pul ing into the crowded parking lot--guess everyone had
decided to grab a bite of dinner--Caitlyn locked her bike, hung her helmet on the handlebars, finger-
combed her hair, and with a deep breath for courage, opened the glass door and walked inside.

She had always felt shy and somewhat conspicuous when she went somewhere by herself, like
restaurants or movie theaters. Now that she was alone and on her own, this was something she was
trying very hard to overcome.

"I'l be with you in a sec, honey," the waitress cal ed from behind the counter.

Caitlyn looked around the cheerful y decorated cafe with the large windows curtained with red
gingham-checked fabric, the chrome tables and chairs, the lunch counter with those old-fashioned
swivel stools and red-leathered booths lining the wal s. Nice and home-like. She'd bet her last dol ar
the food was delicious.

"Hey, Caitlyn! Over here!"

She whirled around, startled to hear her name cal ed out in a place where she'd never been before.
Pete Lafferty stood at one of the tables, waving her over. Again, she thought what a good-looking kid
he was. He'd be dangerously handsome in a few years when he matured a bit.

Sitting across from him was Tyler McCade. He smiled and waved her over, too. "Come on and join
us."

Caitlyn made her way to the table and stood for a moment. "I don't want to intrude."

Tyler nudged a chair back with his foot. "You're not intruding. We would have asked you along, but
decided to let you get settled in, didn't we, Pete?

Sit down and stay a while."

"Okay. If you're sure." Caitlyn took her seat and set her purse on the floor near her feet. When she
straightened, she accidental y knocked against Tyler's crutches that were balanced on the table next to
her chair. They clattered to the floor with a loud crash.

"Oh crap!" She made a grab for them, only to bump heads with Tyler who was also making a grab for
them.

For one frozen moment, Caitlyn crouched nose to nose with her new boss. So close she could feel the
warmth of his breath on her cheek. His sapphire blue eyes gleamed like jewels beneath dark-lashed
lids.

Caitlyn's mouth went dry. "I . . . I'm sorry. I didn't mean to . . . uh, get in your way."

"No problem." He smiled and his gaze dropped to her mouth.

Caitlyn's breath caught in her throat from the impact of the sensual heat now blazing in his eyes. She
couldn't believe the strong chemistry arcing between them. And they'd just met, for crying out loud.

"Hey, what are two doing down here?" Pete said, bending low to look at them both under the table.
He was smiling wide as al get out. "It's awful y lonely up there al by myself."

"We're coming." Tyler winked at her, then snagged his crutches and straightened in his chair. He set
them against the other side of the table.

When they'd al resumed their seats, Caitlyn picked up her menu and tried to stil her fluttering heart.
"So, any recommendations about what to order?"

"Chicken-fried steak," the two men said in unison.

Caitlyn laughed. "Chicken-fried steak it is."

****

After Sarah Sue jotted down their orders and took away their menus, Tyler tried to relax in his chair.
He listened to the conversation going on between Pete and Caitlyn. They were talking a mile a minute,
with laughter and smiles zinging back and forth. They'd real y hit it off.

If Tyler didn't know better, the strange sensation in the pit of his stomach might be classified as envy
or jealousy. Which was ridiculous. Pete was a good ten years younger than Caitlyn. And there was
nothing flirty going on. Not that he cared, one way or another. He'd only just met the woman.

Except that didn't seem to matter. It had been lust at first sight for him. And she was obviously not
immune. Not if that sexual y tense moment under the table was anything to judge by.

Not a good situation, considering he was her boss. Mixing business with pleasure was a recipe for
disaster, and he couldn't afford any more disasters. He'd already had more than his fair share recently.

But damn, he was attracted to the woman. After months of being grounded, his body had suddenly
gone into overdrive, al systems go. Ready for takeoff. He shifted in his seat, trying to ease the
discomfort in his groin. Oh yeah, al systems were go al right. He needed to retract the landing gear
and fast.

"You okay, Tyler?" Pete asked, shooting him a curious look.

"Just fine. Hungry, that's al ." Not only for food, but Tyler couldn't say that of course. Thank God,
Sarah Sue arrived at the table carrying a tray with their dinners.

"Here you go," she said. Using a potholder, she placed a steaming plate in front of each of them.
"Careful now, it's hot. I'l bring the bread in a minute. Anything else y'al need?"

"Could I have ketchup?" Pete asked, taking a bite of french-fry.

"Sure thing, honey. Anything for my little sweetie-pie."

The kid colored up and stuffed another fry in his mouth. Sarah Sue winked and walked back to the
kitchen.

Caitlyn smiled and caught Tyler's eyes on her, but he looked away and focused on his meal. Pete had
already consumed half his dinner. They ate in silence, and no wonder. The chicken-fried steak was to
die for. "Oh my God. This is the best chicken-fried steak I've ever eaten."

Tyler finished chewing a bite and slowly wiped his mouth before speaking. Caitlyn tried not to stare
at his sculpted lips playing peek-a-boo from behind the napkin. "Wait until you taste her pecan pie,"
he said. "You'l think you've died and gone to heaven."

Pete nodded. "And don't forget her cinnamon rol s. They're awesome!"

"Now I understand why the parking lot is so ful . The food is fabulous." Caitlyn dipped a bite of steak
in the thick creamed gravy. Oh yeah.

Delicious.

Pete's cel phone buzzed, and he took it out of his pocket and looked at the number. "It's my mom.
Excuse me."

Caitlyn watched Pete make his way to the door and then turned back to Tyler. "His mother certainly
has done a great job with him. He's such a gentleman. Wonderful manners."

Tyler set his fork down and took a sip of iced tea. "Mrs. Lafferty's raised her three kids by herself.
Pete's dad died when the boy was pretty little. Al the kids have grown to be responsible adults. Pete's
the youngest and the last one left at home."

Before Caitlyn could comment, Pete returned to the table.

"Sorry about that. I have to leave. Mom's having plumbing problems and can't get the water turned
off." He tossed a couple of bil s on the table and stuffed his wal et back in his pocket. He looked at
Caitlyn. "Do you think you could give Tyler a ride back home? I don't know how long this wil take
me."

A french-fry lodged in her throat at the thought of Tyler sitting behind her on her scooter, his hard lean
body pressed close to hers. She swal owed the fry with difficulty. "I'd love to, except I'm riding my
scooter and it's not very big."

Pete's eyes opened wide. "You ride a scooter? That's cool."

Caitlyn had to smile at his enthusiasm. "Yes, so I can get around while my camper is hooked up.
Saves time. Uh . . .couldn't we . . . uh, cal a taxi for Tyler?"

The kid grinned. "There's no taxi service here in Salt Fork."

Caitlyn was aware of Tyler's gaze on her. "But my scooter is smal . How would we manage his
crutches?"

"We'l manage." Tyler picked up Pete's money and handed it back to him. "Here. Take it. This one's on
me. And don't worry. I'm sure that between us both, Caitlyn and I wil figure out a way to get me home.
Give my best to your mom."

Pete grabbed his cap, smoothed back his hair and slipped it on his head. "Thanks, Tyler. See you
tomorrow." He strode off toward the door.

Caitlyn pushed her plate away, her hunger suddenly vanished. " How wil we manage? You have a
hard enough time just walking."

"I won't be walking much, now wil I?"

"How wil you even get on the scooter? You're obviously not flexible or ambulatory."

"Are you always this negative? It's just a scooter ride. I'l be fine."

Caitlyn shot up from her chair. "I'l wait for you in the parking lot." She grabbed her purse and hurried
to the counter where she paid for her meal.

Once outside, she placed her purse in the compartment under the scooter seat--the seat she was
shortly going to share with Tyler. The butterflies in her stomach started performing aerial acrobatics.
Straddling her bike, she heaved a deep sigh. It was going to be a long ride back to the airfield.

****

Could the trip home drag on any longer?

Tyler clutched his crutches in one hand and held on with the other clamped tightly around Caitlyn's
middle. Her warm soft middle. Every time she negotiated rough spots in the road, her breasts jostled
against his arm. They felt firm and round, and Tyler had al he could do not to rotate his hand so he
could cup one.

Man, he was having a hard time here. A very hard time. The scooter was smal . Too smal . Caitlyn's

tight little butt was jammed against his crotch.

Every bump and rut in the road slammed their bodies closer together, producing an exquisite type of
torture. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead as he tried unsuccessful y to ignore his body's
sudden craving for this woman.

If that wasn't bad enough, her scent was driving him crazy! A hint of lemon and something else he
couldn't name made him want to inhale deeply so he could absorb it into his system. He wanted to
absorb her into his system.

Are we there yet? He wanted to whine like a kid, even though every sensation screaming through his
body proved he was an adult.

Conversation was impossible. And if they could talk, what would he say? Hey baby, want to get
naked? Right.

Tyler steeled himself to endure the uncomfortable ride back to the airfield. On the one hand, it was
good to know his body was functioning sexual y again. He'd been worried there lately. At first, he'd
been in so much pain, he hadn't noticed his lack of libido. But for his body to go on the alert now was
damned inconvenient, because there wasn't a whole lot he could do about it at the moment.

He real y needed to get back on his feet and return to the land of the living. And the loving. He missed
having sex. He missed flirting with pretty women. Flirting was his default mode. Or it had been. Once
upon a time . . .

After what seemed like an eternity, they turned off the pavement and drove down the dirt road leading
to the airfield. Caitlyn pul ed to a stop in front of his apartment and kil ed the engine. Before he could
say a word, she took hold of his hand under her breast and deliberately moved it away from her body.

Well, damn.

As she removed her helmet, she started talking. "So, how do you think we should dismount? You first
or me?" She hung the bright blue helmet on the handle bars, shook her head, and ran her fingers
through her short tangle of hair, fluffing it--al with her back to Tyler. He could feel every movement
of her body against his. He started sweating again. He had to get away from her before he
embarrassed himself.

"I'l go first," he said, his voice hoarse with repressed desire. "I'l have to hold on to your shoulders,
like I did when I got on."

Caitlyn nodded. "I'm ready whenever you are."

Oh, I'm ready, sweetheart . Tyler almost grinned. Just the fact he'd thought such a suggestive comment
lifted his mood considerably. He almost sounded like his old self.

"Here, hold these." He handed her the crutches, then braced both hands on her slender shoulders,
careful not to exert al his weight on her or his bum knee, as he careful y dismounted. Stil leaning on

her, he waited until he balanced himself, then took the crutches from her.

"Thanks for the ride," he said.

Caitlyn sat there staring at Tyler her green eyes assessing him, her lush lips begging for a kiss. She
cleared her throat and broke eye contact.

"Wel , I need to get back to my camper and check on Reba." She started the scooter and rode around
the corner of the hanger and out of sight.

Tyler slowly made his way to his front door, pain slicing through his leg with every step--the result of
bending it more than it was used to, combined with the awkward position he'd been forced to assume
while sitting on the back of Caitlyn's scooter.

His good mood vanished at the brutal reminder that nothing had real y changed. Just because he felt
sexual y attracted to Caitlyn, didn't mean he was ful y recovered. Far from it. He stil had another
couple of months of rehabilitation left, then the insurance money would run out. Would he be off the
crutches by then?

Before letting himself into his apartment, Tyler turned and gazed toward the hulk of the crashed plane
stil sitting out in the field. Would he ever be limber enough to climb into the cockpit again? And if
not, how would he live if he couldn't fly?

CHAPTER THREE

Caitlyn landed the Piper and taxied down the runway toward the maintenance hangar. She'd been up
before dawn and with the wind final y dying down, she'd flown applications al day long. After almost
three weeks of intensive training with Tyler on the ground and her in the air, she'd official y started
flying applications for Lone Star Wings this past Monday.

Today, she'd sprayed herbicide on several hundred acres of cotton up near the Cap Rock; fungicide on
a couple hundred acres of peanuts to the south; and sulfur on two fields of melons on the other side of
Salt Fork. Since there'd been no danger of cel phone towers or electrical power lines--

Tyler's strict set of parameters for the jobs she could handle until she had more hours under her belt--
Caitlyn had had plenty of time to perfect her skil s at crop-dusting.

Only nowadays they cal ed it aerial applications. Tyler had been quick to correct her choice of
words. Aerial applications. Not crop-dusting. Caitlyn secretly thought crop-dusting had a nicer ring
to it. But Tyler was the boss.

And he'd been doing his ever-loving best to keep that fact uppermost in both their minds, especial y
after that sensual scooter ride on her first day at Lone Star Wings. Try as she might, she couldn't forget
that ride. They'd been scrunched tightly together with her butt jammed right up against his .

. . body. His hard aroused body. She'd barely been able to steer the bike what with being so hot and
bothered.

Maybe she'd imagined the sexual sparks bouncing back and forth between them. But he certainly
hadn't wanted anything to do with her after that ride. Since then, they'd been tiptoeing around each
other, not wanting to step across any imaginary lines, executing a delicate dance of avoidance.

Tyler only talked to her when it was absolutely necessary. Which had made the three weeks of
training quite stressful. His attitude only emphasized the problem of their sexual awareness for each
other. His silence was almost deafening.

So if he wanted to ignore the sparks flashing between them, that was okay by Caitlyn. In fact, it was
more than okay. She didn't need that kind of complication in her life right now. She usual y kept a
strict guard on her emotions when it came to any kind of relationship--whether friendship or
something deeper.

Being a military brat had taught her not to lay down roots, because sooner or later, she'd have to pack
up and move on. She'd quickly learned it was better not to become attached to any one place or any
one person. The pain of leaving behind those she loved was too great. Better to be alone and keep her
heart whole.

Living by that credo had made the nomadic lifestyle more bearable.

Only recently, had Caitlyn ignored that ingrained philosophy. Scott Nelson had been a pilot who

worked at her father's flight school. She'd let down her guard with Scott and look what had happened.

Caitlyn resolutely banished al thoughts about her disastrous relationship with her former fiancé and
climbed out of the cockpit. She removed her goggles and ran her fingers through her hair, wincing
when she tugged at the tangles.

It was getting late and she was starving. She needed to check on her dad's plane before heading to her
camper and her solitary frozen dinner. As she neared the maintenance hangar, she heard the twang of
country western music coming from within.

Wel , damn. She hadn't expected to encounter Tyler at this hour.

She walked through the doorway and looked around the cavernous hangar. Next to the scaffolding
surrounding her father's plane, Tyler was seated at the workbench. He was bent over one of the many
parts littering the oil-stained surface, his ever-present root beer by his side and Reba sleeping on the
floor next to his feet.

Caitlyn accidental y dropped the goggles on the cement floor and the sound echoed throughout the
hangar. Tyler's head whipped around in her direction. She was too far to see his face, but she knew he
wasn't happy to see her. He never was. Or maybe he was too glad to see her and covered his
attraction with a gruff demeanor.

Right, Caitlyn. Don't you wish?

No, she didn't wish. Or so she kept tel ing herself. Then why couldn't she help feeling a little rejected,
every time the man went out of his way to avoid her?

Wel , he couldn't avoid her now. Caitlyn picked up her goggles and strode purposely toward the
mysteriously intriguing man who made unwelcome nightly appearances in her dreams. Just thinking
about those dreams made her heart beat double-time. Perhaps they weren't as unwelcome as she
pretended them to be.

Even though Tyler wasn't thril ed by her presence, Reba was ecstatical y glad to see her mistress. The
dog barked and raced over to greet her.

Caitlyn smiled and ruffled the big dog's fur. Reba plopped down on her back and wiggled around,
making Caitlyn laugh.

"Who's a good dog?" she crooned, rubbing Reba's bel y. At least with dogs, you always knew where
you stood. With people? Not so much.

She glanced toward Tyler. He had turned back to his work, completely ignoring her. Rude man. Why
couldn't she get him out of her mind?

As she closed the distance between them, she saw exactly what he was doing. He didn't look up when
she stopped in front of him; he kept his attention on the tachometer.

"You're in my light," he said. No hel o, how are you, what's going on. Hmmph, two could play this
game.

Caitlyn set her goggles on the table and folded her arms across her chest. "It's not going to work, you
know."

He looked up and stared at her with raised eyebrows. "Of course it's going to work. It'l be good as
new when I'm done."

"I'm not talking about the tach, and you know it. I'm talking about you avoiding me."

"It's worked so far, hasn't it?"

"Sure, if you want a stressed-out pilot up in the air flying your precious planes. Personal y, I don't
think that's the best scenario for you or me. It doesn't make for a very conducive atmosphere in the
workplace. It's got to stop. I'm not the enemy here, Tyler."

"I never said or thought you were." Tyler pushed the tachometer to the center of the table, heaved a
big sigh and reached for his crutches. Slowly, he hauled himself to his feet. "I'm not avoiding you so
much as . . . never mind. It's getting late and it's been a long day. I'l see you in the morning."

He started past her toward the door. Before she could think better of it, she grabbed the sleeve of his
shirt to stal his departure. "Wait."

He stared at her hand on his arm, then at her, but didn't pul away. "What do you think you're doing?"
he asked in a dangerously soft voice.

Obviously playing with fire, that's what.

Caitlyn quickly dropped her hand. She didn't know what had prompted her to touch Tyler, but that
brief contact left her fingers scorched and her heart racing. She cleared her throat and decided to fight
back with words. "Ignoring the situation isn't going to make it go away."

"What the hel 's that supposed to mean?" His voice went softer, more dangerous. His hot blue eyes
lasered in on her. "What situation?"

She swal owed hard. Anger mixed with the strong sexual vibes pulsated between them. "I've been
here for almost a month," she said. "Except for that first day when we had dinner together, you've
been avoiding me like the plague."

He stepped toward her, his big body seemingly growing, expanding with his anger. Irritation.
Something. "I taught you what you needed to know to be an ag pilot, didn't I?"

Caitlyn stepped back. "Yes."

Tyler took two steps forward. "I didn't avoid you then, did I?" he asked between gritted teeth.

"No. Not exactly." God, the man was tense. And now he was invading her personal space. How could
she have thought for a moment that she'd imagined those sparks of awareness shooting between them?
They were brighter and more intense than fireworks on the Fourth of July. "But you can't deny you've
been avoiding me since then, can you?"

Tyler stood directly in front of Caitlyn and stared into her eyes. He was close enough to smel her
fragrance, feel the heat from her body. Her windblown hair tumbled around her face in wild disarray.
His fingers itched to run themselves through the silken tangles. He wanted to feel her body close to
his.

Unable to help himself, he reached out one hand and touched her soft cheek. She closed her eyes and
her dark lashes made feathery crescents against her creamy skin. He'd been dying to touch her again.
To feel her warmth and vitality.

He rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip. Back and forth. Back and forth, until her eyes flew open.
Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he leisurely traced his finger down her jaw line and the curve of her
neck, only stopping when he reached the top of one rounded breast. "This is why I've been avoiding
you. You make me feel alive again. You make me wish things were different."

Caitlyn's heart thumped swiftly beneath his finger. Tyler watched in fascination as the tip of her
tongue slipped out to moisten her plump lips. His body reacted violently to the innocent movement.
Damn.

"What do you wish was different?" she asked, her voice whispery soft.

With infinite regret, Tyler resolutely stepped back and let his hand fal to his side. "You and me. My
life's so messed up right now, I don't know whether I'm coming or going. I don't know if I'l ever be
normal again. I can't walk. I can't drive. I can't fly. When I'm not here, I'm in Abilene for rehab.

It's an hour and a half trip each way. It makes for long days not only for me, but for the driver, too. I
hate being dependent on people. I hate being helpless. And I damn sure hate being grounded."

Caitlyn bit her lip. "In other words, your life pretty much sucks right now."

"That about sums it up. I know I should be thankful for being alive, and I am but . . . " Tyler looked up
at the ceiling, then back at her. "Flying is my life.

And right now, I don't feel very alive. Except when I'm with you."

He felt her eyes on him, searching out his secrets. "Is that so bad?" she asked.

He inhaled a deep breath, then blew it out. "Under normal circumstances, I'd say no. But these
circumstances are far from normal. I think it's best we maintain a professional relationship between
us." And God help him, he was trying his best to do just that.

Caitlyn stared at him for a long moment, then shook her head slowly. "Who would have thought it?"

Tyler frowned. "Thought what?"

"You. Mr. Love 'em and Leave 'em McCade. Trying to do the noble thing. Maybe we should mark the
calendar."

Tyler narrowed his eyes at her. "And why would we do that?"

"To commemorate the occasion natural y. This has to be a first. A memorable first." The sparkle in
her gaze invited him to share in the ridiculousness of it al .

He couldn't help it; he grinned back. "It's a damn shame, right?"

"Sure is. But what an honor for me to be able to share in this historical event." Her green eyes glowed
brightly as she stood on tiptoe and kissed him quickly on the cheek. "Good night, Tyler."

He stood rooted to the floor as Caitlyn cal ed to Reba and disappeared into the night. If she was trying
to drive him crazy, she was doing a damned good job of it.

****

The next day was Sunday and Caitlyn took advantage of her one and only day off. She cleaned the
camper from top to bottom, gave Reba a bath, and washed a few of her clothes in the sink. She hung
them up to dry on a line she'd rigged outside. She real y needed to go to a washateria soon--

this hand-washing a few pieces of clothing every other day sucked big time.

After she scarfed down a peanut butter sandwich for lunch, Caitlyn decided to repot a couple of her
precious plants. There was a fern from her mother's funeral and a variegated ivy from her father's. She
tenderly nurtured both plants, feeling closer to her parents by the very act of taking care of them.

The soft roar of a truck engine floated on the hot summer breeze. Reba barked at the vehicle making
its way from the direction of the southernmost hangar. Caitlyn hadn't yet traveled on the narrow dirt
road that seemingly led nowhere. Pete had told her it meandered through the pastures for several
miles until it stopped at the big ranch house where Tyler's mother lived.

Caitlyn hadn't had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. McCade yet. The woman had been out of town the
past couple of weeks. As she watched the pickup truck turn into the compound and park right in front
of her camper, that lapse seemed likely to be remedied in the next couple of minutes.

Ruth McCade was a widow and the matriarch of the family. Together with her five children, she
owned the sixty-four hundred-acre Diamondback Ranch. Tyler's crop dusting company was located
on his portion of the land.

Brushing the dirt from her hands, Caitlyn set the freshly potted ivy on the new plastic patio table she'd
bought in town last week. Hoping she didn't have smudges of potting soil on her face, Caitlyn turned
to greet her guest.

"You must be Tyler's mother," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Caitlyn Ross. So glad to final y meet
you."

Ruth clasped Caitlyn's hand and shook it up and down. "Nice to meet you, too. I've been visiting my
sisters down in Austin and Temple and just got back home a couple of days ago. Pete's told me al
about you. Not only that you're mighty pretty, but you're also a good pilot and mechanic. Pete couldn't
praise you enough. He's a sweetheart, isn't he? And such a responsible young man."

Caitlyn nodded. "Yes, I like Pete. He'l go places; I just know it."

"I know it, too. His mother wil miss him when he goes off to col ege in the fal . Anyway, I don't know
why Tyler hasn't brought you over to the big house so we could get acquainted. I'm mighty worried
about that boy, let me tel you. It's taking a long time for his legs to heal from the crash. He's going
plumb stir-crazy not being able to fly." Pul ing a tissue from her apron pocket, Ruth dabbed at her
eyes.

Caitlyn was at a loss as to what to do or say. "I'm sorry Mrs. McCade--"

"Cal me Ruth, darlin', everybody does. Except my children, of course." She blew her nose. "I tel you,
I'm just beside myself about Tyler. Thank God, he found you to pilot for him. He's hired several other
pilots since the accident, but something always seemed to come up and off they'd go. No staying
power. You'l stay on, won't you, dear? Until he's back on his feet?"

"Yes, of course. I'm here for the duration."

"Oh, thank the Lord," Ruth said. "It's already going on past seven months since the crash, and Tyler's
no nearer getting better now than when it first happened."

"I was under the impression he's much better than he was at first. Here, sit down." Caitlyn guided
Ruth to one of the green plastic chairs she'd bought to go with the table. "Can I get you anything? Tea?
Coffee? Water?"

Ruth blew her nose one last time and stuffed the tissue back in her pocket. "A little tea would be
welcome. Except I hate to put you to the trouble.

Lands' sakes, I don't know what's gotten into me."

"No trouble at al . One glass of iced tea, coming right up."

"Oh, please join me. I don't want to be an imposition."

Caitlyn smiled. "Don't worry. You're not imposing. I'm glad to final y meet you. You sit here while I
get the tea."

When she returned from the camper, Caitlyn set a tal iced-tea glass in front of Ruth. "Here you go,"
she said, plopping down in the chair opposite her guest.

"Bless you, child." Ruth took a long refreshing sip and sighed in appreciation. "Good and strong, and
not too sweet--just the way I like it."

"I'm glad you approve," Caitlyn said, lifting her glass in salute.

Ruth's blue eyes sparkled with humor. Tyler had clearly inherited his mother's eyes. Every time
Caitlyn had seen him at the air shows, his eyes had sparkled in just the same way. Now the spark
wasn't nearly as bright.

Ruth set her glass on the table. "I can't stay but a minute. I wanted to introduce myself, since no one's
thought to do so. If there's anything you might need, don't be afraid to ask." She looked around the
campsite and eyed Caitlyn's meager col ection of clothes drying on the line. "Land's sake.

Looks like you're having to hand wash your clothes. Now there's no cal for that. You're welcome to
use my washer and dryer up at the ranch house anytime you'd like."

"Oh, I couldn't impose like that."

Ruth sat straighter, looking like she meant business. "I won't take no for an answer, young lady.
Besides, I'd enjoy a little company. With three of my boys married, Tyler living here at the airstrip
now and Tori--she's my baby girl, away at col ege--the big house gets mighty lonesome at times."

She took another sip of sweet tea. "Now don't you go picturing me sitting home al alone just moping
about. I stil help my boys manage this ranch and the farmland and that keeps me plenty busy. Plus I
work with the ladies at the church over in Salt Fork. But sometimes, I wouldn't mind a little company,
like I said. So you gather your dirty clothes and come on over to the house. This evening's good for
me. How about you? I'l even throw in dinner."

"I don't know what to say." Caitlyn eyed the older woman for a moment. She felt drawn to her. "It
would be nice to spend an evening with someone other than Reba. And I do have a pile of dirty
clothes. In fact, I was just thinking I needed to find a washateria--"

Ruth chuckled. "Honey, the closest washateria around here is fifty miles away."

"You're kidding."

Ruth shook her head, her eyes twinkling again.

"Wow, it's going to take me a while to get used to living in the middle of nowhere and not having
things close by."

"Out here in West Texas, we have to plan ahead," Ruth said. "We make every trip to Abilene and
Lubbock count. That means we stock up on groceries and paper goods, schedule doctor and dentist
appointments, run errands, things like that. We make a day of it. Saves time and gas."

Ruth finished her tea and stood. "I need to get on over to see about Tyler. I made a meatloaf last night,
and I'm taking him a helping or two. Nice to meet you, Caitlyn Ross. Now I'l be looking for you later

this evening. We'l make a girls' night out of it. How about five o'clock? That okay with you?"

Caitlyn smiled. "Sounds like a plan."

Ruth stepped closer and hugged her. "I think we're going to get along mighty fine. I'l see you later on."

Caitlyn watched Ruth climb into her truck and drive the short distance to Tyler's place. Meeting the
man's mother made her think of her own mom and how much she missed her. For some reason, it
brought home the point that she was alone, real y alone, with no family or friends to speak of.

As Caitlyn watered the freshly-potted fern and ivy, a tiny flame of hope flickered in her heart. She'd
literal y left everything behind in San Antonio when she'd packed up to take this job at Lone Star
Wings. A new chapter of her life stood open before her, a new beginning. Caitlyn made a solemn vow
to make the most of it.

****

That same evening, Caitlyn loaded her dirty clothes in a large plastic garbage bag, secured it behind
her on the scooter and drove down the meandering dirt road toward Ruth's house. The road cut
through vast acres of pastureland. Huge ancient mesquite trees lined the way on both sides, their
feathery branches sweeping low across the barbed wire fences. Throughout the pasture, great stands
of prickly pear cactus huddled in clumps. Large groups of cattle grazed on brownish-green Bermuda
grass, while others rested beneath the shade of the mesquites.

Al and al , a bucolic scene that tugged at something deep inside Caitlyn. A peaceful sense of
contentment spread through her, the likes of which she hadn't felt since before her mother had died.
She inhaled deeply, breathing in the fresh dry air redolent with nature's smel s.

As Caitlyn rounded a bend in the road, the big ranch house appeared in the distance, stately against
the backdrop of the Double Mountains. She had flown over the mountains countless times these past
several weeks. There were actual y three mountains, but from the ground only two were visible from
most angles. Even though she'd barely settled in at Lone Star Wings, she already loved the mountains.
Whenever she felt lonely or the weight of her past threatened to push her down, Caitlyn had only to
gaze at the Double Mountains and her demons shrank back into the nether regions of her brain.

As the ranch house loomed before her, she was surprised to see four pickup trucks parked in and
around the surrounding yard. One of the trucks belonged to Pete. Ruth hadn't mentioned there'd be
other people here tonight. What had happened to girls' night?

Caitlyn parked the scooter, unstrapped the bag of laundry from the seat and made her way to the front
door. Thick white columns supported the big wrap-around porch where four white Shaker-style
rockers sat facing the magnificent view of the Double Mountains. Before she had time to knock, Ruth
was ushering her into the house.

"Change of plans, dear," she said, taking hold of Caitlyn's elbow and urging her through the living
room. "I know I said we'd have a girls' night, but when I saw Tyler this afternoon, I was bound and

determined to get him out of that apartment and make him socialize a little bit. I hustled him out to my
truck and brought him home with me."

Ruth's eyes twinkled. "I kidnapped him, when al 's said and done. I hope you don't mind too badly. I
made a big pot roast and invited the family over for a Sunday dinner. Come on in and meet everyone.
Of course, not Tyler and Pete, because you already know them. I mean everyone else. Then I'l show
you where the laundry room is."

In a daze, Caitlyn fol owed her hostess through the comfortably furnished living room toward the back
of the house. Ruth was a sweet old woman, but she did tend to talk a lot. Not that there was anything
wrong with that, but it was sometimes difficult to fol ow the threads of her conversation.

Loud voices sounded from the back of the house, and as they neared the kitchen, Caitlyn recognized
Pete's voice, but none of the others. Male and female laughter made it sound like a party was going
on. A baby's squeal and a young girl's voice added to the cacophony of the family get-together.

"Here we are, dear." Ruth let go of Caitlyn's elbow after urging her into the middle of the kitchen and
the center of attention. Nine pairs of eyes zeroed in on her, making Caitlyn feel like she was on
exhibit.

Ruth's kitchen was huge and old-fashioned, exactly how Caitlyn imagined a big old farm kitchen
should look. Rectangular in shape, the wal s were knotty pine with built-in shelves at one end, lots of
brown tiled counter space and custom-built cabinets, also of pine, at the other. The refrigerator
looked brand new, but the gas stove had to be going on fifty or sixty years old--very retro.

A large oak table dominated the room, with bench seats on both sides and ladder-backed chairs at the
ends. Tyler sat at the foot of the table with his injured leg propped up on the edge of one of the
benches. A young girl, who looked to be twelve or thirteen, sat on the bench next to Tyler's booted
foot.

The resemblance between Tyler, the girl and the three men--who had to be his brothers--was
remarkable. The McCades were big and powerful men; their presence dominated the room. They had
golden brownish hair, olive complexions and bedroom eyes. The little girl was sure to be a beauty
when she grew up.

Pete and the three men quickly stood. Nice to know there were gentlemen who stil practiced good
manners way out here in the wilds of West Texas.

"Here, let me introduce you." Ruth left Caitlyn's side and moved closer to the table. "You know Pete
and Tyler, of course. And these three are my other sons--Austin, Dal as and Cameron. And their
wives--Theresa, Gil ian and Jessie. The baby's name is Daniel, after his grandfather. My dearly
departed husband."

"I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. McCade," Caitlyn said.

"Thank you. It's been a while, but I stil miss him every day. And please, I wish you'd cal me Ruth."

"Al right . . . Ruth," Caitlyn said. "I'm sorry for al of you. I know how you feel. I recently lost my own
father. It's tough, I know."

Everyone murmured condolences. Ruth walked back over to her and gave her a big hug.

Austin smiled and came forward to shake her hand. "Ma'am, good to meet you. I've been meaning to
get up to the airfield, but it's been one crazy month. Welcome to the Diamondback Ranch."

"Thank you, I'm glad to be here," Caitlyn said. "It's nice to final y meet you. All of you. You'l have to
bear with me until I learn al of your names."

"No problem," said the woman holding the baby boy. "The family's grown quite a bit since I've
joined. It won't take you long, I'm sure."

"Thanks . . . Jessie, right?" Caitlyn made a stab at the name. When Jessie nodded, Caitlyn started to
relax. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Luckily, she had a knack for remembering names. "Your baby is
adorable."

Jessie smiled. "Thank you. We certainly think so, don't we, Daniel?" The baby gurgled and smiled.

"Hey, Grams. What about me, huh?" The young girl waved her hand in the air. "Aren't you going to
introduce me?"

"Wel , sure enough, sweetheart. I was just getting to you," Ruth said with that endearing twinkle in her
blue eyes. "Caitlyn, I'd like you to meet my granddaughter, Miss Kelsey McCade."

Kelsey hopped up from the table and walked over to where Caitlyn stood. She dropped a little curtsy.
"How do you do?" she said in a formal tone of voice.

"I'm fine, thank you very much." Caitlyn smiled. "Although I've never been curtsied to before."

Kelsey grinned, her eyes twinkling just like her grandmother's. "Grams taught me after we watched
Pride and Prejudice the other night. Are you real y a pilot?"

"Yes, I am. Do you like to fly?"

"Oh, yes. Uncle Ty takes me up al the time, or at least, he used to. Once in a while, he'd do barrel rol
s. It was awesome. I'l be glad when he gets wel . Then I can fly with him again. Hey, maybe you can
take me one day. Do you do barrel rol s, too?"

"I sure do. I'd be glad to take you up if your parents give you permission. Or maybe you'd rather wait
until your uncle is better." Caitlyn sneaked a peek at the man sitting silently at the end of the long
kitchen table. His strong jaw clenched tightly and pain flickered in his eyes. The man had to be hurting
on the inside as much, or perhaps more, than on the outside. Being grounded was weighing down his
normal cheerful spirit. She'd seen him enough at the air shows to know Tyler McCade was usual y the
life of the party.

Kelsey crossed the kitchen to where her uncle sat and hugged his neck. "Please hurry and get wel ,
Uncle Ty. But in the mean time, you don't care if Ms. Ross takes me flying, do you?"

Silence stretched across the big kitchen, and Tyler felt every pair of eyes focused his way. He hugged
his niece, and she stood next to him with her arm looped around his neck and shoulder. "If Caitlyn
wants to take you up with her and your dad says it's okay, then it's fine by me, Hotshot."

"Thanks, Uncle Ty. You're the best!" She kissed his cheek and turned toward her father. "What do you
say, Dad? Can I please fly with Ms. Ross?"

"We'l talk about it later, Kels. Okay?"

Kelsey gave him a pained look. "O-kay."

"Wel now," Ruth said, taking the bag of dirty laundry from her guest. "Let's get Miss Caitlyn's wash
going, so we can get supper on the table."

Tyler watched Caitlyn fol ow his mother out of the kitchen and into the laundry room. Kelsey tagged
along behind them, chattering about the different times he'd taken her up in one of his planes. He was
thankful the accident hadn't frightened her about flying. He dearly loved his niece. It was bad enough
that she'd always bear that scar on her forehead resulting from the crash. It would have been doubly
worse if her indomitable spirit were scarred, too.

"Al righty, then. Who's ready for supper?" Ruth asked, hurrying in from the laundry room, with Kelsey
right behind her. "I hope everyone's brought their appetites."

Caitlyn fol owed Kelsey into the kitchen, bringing up the rear. Those green eyes of hers were bright
and round, taking in the large gathering of the McCade family. Tyler adjusted his position in the chair
to relieve the pressure in his groin. Although he'd tried to avoid her for the past month or so, he was
unable to avoid the strong attraction he felt for her. His body hardened to rock solid whenever she
crossed his path.

"Caitlyn, make yourself at home while I get supper on the table," Ruth said. She grabbed two
potholders and opened the oven door.

Pete jumped up from his chair. "Here, Mrs. Ruth, let me get that for you." He took the potholders and
careful y lifted the big roasting pan from the oven and set it on the tiled counter.

Jessie rose from her seat and handed the baby to Cameron. "Take Daniel while I help your mom, wil
you?"

"Only if you give me a kiss." Cameron puckered his lips as he took the baby from her arms.

Jessie laughed and kissed him. "You are so bad."

"You love it. Don't deny it."

"Oh, believe me. I don't." She kissed him again and moved quickly away to help Ruth prepare for
supper.

Tyler couldn't help feeling a tiny stab of envy as he witnessed the byplay between his brother and his
wife. Between al three of his brothers and their wives. They certainly seemed happy and content with
their marriages. He smiled and shook his head when he thought how reluctant each of them had been
initial y, in one way or another, about committing themselves.

He glanced at Caitlyn. Her eyes dimmed with what looked like an almost painful yearning. As if
sensing his gaze upon her, she looked his way. He had an overwhelming urge to ease the sad
expression on her face, so he winked at her. To his delight, she blushed and turned away.

She hurried toward his mom. "Ruth, is there anything I can do to help?"

Her low melodious voice washed over Tyler, and he tried not to squirm in his seat again. He was
going to have to do something about his celibate lifestyle pretty damn quick. He wasn't used to going
without sex for long periods of time.

His mother bustled about the kitchen, getting things ready for the meal. "You can help Gil ian get the
glasses and pour the tea. Theresa, why don't you mash the potatoes, and Kelsey can set the table.
Jessie, you're in charge of the corn and applesauce. "

Ten minutes later, they were seated around the table, passing dishes right and left. Tableware clinked
as plates were passed and servings dished out.

Tyler took a bite of the savory roast beef. How long had it been since he'd visited the big house for
one of his mom's Sunday dinners? Not only had she been out of town for the past several weeks, so
there hadn't been any family dinners; before that, he'd been too injured to do much socializing.

He'd spent his time feeling sorry for himself and just wanted to be left alone to lick his wounds.

And even though he was much better, he hadn't been too thril ed when his mother had practical y
ordered him to come home with her earlier this afternoon. But now, seated at the table in the kitchen
where he'd grown up, surrounded by his family, he was glad he'd come.

"Could you pass the butter, please?" Caitlyn asked, jarring him out of his sentimental reverie. She sat
on the bench to his left with Kelsey scrunched in the middle next to Austin and Theresa on the end.

When he handed over the butter dish, their fingers brushed. The electric current that jolted between
them nearly knocked him for a loop. Caitlyn's quick intake of breath told him she'd felt it, too.

"Thanks." She buttered a rol , and continued eating, keeping her eyes on her plate. But Tyler knew she
was as aware of him as he was of her.

Conversation vol eyed back and forth across the table. Austin and Pete argued about the best and most
economical ways to apply pesticides on cotton crops. Dal as and Gil ian were discussing something
in low voices. Ruth and Kelsey and Theresa discussed an upcoming shopping trip to Lubbock, and

Jessie and Cameron were busy feeding little Daniel in the high chair.

Caitlyn listened with only half an ear. Most of her attention was centered on the silent man seated to
her right and on the way her body stil tingled from the slight contact when he'd passed the butter dish.
Final y, when a lul occurred in the conversation, she looked up from her plate. "Okay, I have to ask.
What's with al of you being named after cities and towns in Texas?"

Everyone looked at her and then at Ruth. The older woman smiled and wiped her mouth on a napkin.
"Wel now, I'l tel you, my dear. Daniel and I were married several years before the children came
along. Every year, we celebrated our wedding anniversary by taking a little vacation and exploring
different places in this great state of ours. It became sort of a tradition; one we kept up until he passed
away."

"You must have loved him very much," Caitlyn said.

"Oh, I did. He was the love of my life. And Lord, how he loved his children." Ruth sniffed and
dabbed her eyes with her napkin. "Anyway, when our first son was born, we decided to name him Dal
as. And naming the children after our favorite places became a tradition, too."

"What a lovely thing to do," Caitlyn said. Her chest hurt and her stomach felt hol ow. What would she
give to belong to such a close-knit family? One that had lived on the same land for generations? So
different from her life as a child of a military parent. Never staying in one place long enough to put
down roots or make lasting friendships.

Kelsey turned toward Caitlyn. "I was named for a town, too. Not my first name, but my middle one."

Caitlyn smiled down at the young girl. "Oh? What is it?"

"Girard. It's an itty-bitty little town not far from here. That's where my mother and dad first kissed.
Isn't that cool? Not my new mom; I mean my birth mother."

"Very cool." Caitlyn looked past Kelsey to her father. He was gazing down at his daughter, a
winsome smile on his face. Ruth had said his first wife had died in childbirth. The man had clearly
loved her very much. But he must have gotten past his sorrow, because he'd married again and seemed
to love his new wife very much, too.

What would it be like to be loved like that? Another glance at Tyler, and her stomach plunged to her
toes. He was looking at her like he wanted to gobble her up.

But that was lust, not love. Stil . . .

She broke eye contact and looked at the baby in the highchair. "So what about little Daniel? What
town is he named after?"

Jessie wiped her son's mouth and cleaned his smal pudgy hands. "I'm afraid Cameron and I broke with
tradition and started a new one since our favorite Texas town is Salt Fork. It doesn't exactly lend
itself as a name for a child; so we named him after his two grandfathers: Daniel George McCade."

"And so their memories live on in little Daniel. So sweet." Ruth sighed, then scooted back her chair.
"Al right now. Who wants dessert?"

The dishes were cleared and everyone settled in to eat the homemade peach cobbler and vanil a ice-
cream. After a little while Kelsey broke the silence that had descended around the big table. "I have a
question. What are we going to do about the Founder's Day Jubilee?"

"What do you mean?" Ruth asked. "We're going to go and enjoy the festivities just like we do every
year. Although, I don't think anything wil top last year's Jubilee." She glanced at Caitlyn and
explained. "That's when Jessie had the baby."

Jessie shook her head. "I can't believe he's almost a year old."

"I can't believe Gil ian and I delivered the little guy," Dal as said. "Cameron's the doctor in the
family. He should have been the one. Not me. Not me, ever again."

Cameron smiled. "Hey, let's not get into that again."

Gil ian grabbed hold of Dal as' elbow and snuggled against him. "Maybe if we time it right, Cameron
can deliver our baby. You know, kind of keep it in the family."

"You mean start a new tradition?" Dal as asked.

"Sure, why not?"

Dal as shuddered. "Not on your life, sweetheart. For one thing, Cameron's not your obstetrician."

"I'm not anyone's obstetrician," Cameron said. "Although I can deliver babies if I have to."

"Wel , you're not going to deliver our baby." Dal as kissed his wife's hand. "When it gets close to Gil
ian's delivery date, we're going to camp out in Abilene so we'l be near her doctor and the hospital."

"Good cal ," Cameron said.

"But that's months and months away from now," Kelsey said. "What about the games? The Jubilee is
next Saturday. Isn't anyone else worried about them?"

Caitlyn set her spoon down and looked around the table. "What's the Founder's Day Jubilee and what
kind of games are you talking about?"

Kelsey sighed a big sigh. "The Jubilee is like a carnival or county fair that's held around the Fourth of
July. There are lots of booths and food and drinks and fireworks. But the best thing is the track and
field games. And the McCades have won three years in a row. But without Uncle Ty, we're going to
be doomed."

"Why do you say that?" Caitlyn looked at Tyler, who was staring at his niece.

"Because he's the one who plans everything. He comes up with the greatest strategies. Except he can't
play in the games this year. We're doomed, I tel you. Doomed."

"Now wait a dang minute," said Tyler. "Just because I've got a bum leg and I'm stil on crutches
doesn't mean I can't come up with strategies.

Nothing's wrong with my brain, kiddo."

Kelsey sat up straight in her chair. "You mean you think we might stil have a chance to win?"

"Sure I do. We're McCades, aren't we? When we set our minds on something, we usual y get it done.
Right?" Tyler spoke to Kelsey, but kept his eyes on Caitlyn.

She didn't flinch or look away. She held his eyes and watched him intently.

That was good. Very good.

Tyler dug into his peach cobbler with renewed vigor. Life suddenly looked a whole lot brighter.

CHAPTER FOUR

The Founder's Day Jubilee in Salt Fork, Texas, was a big attraction for many smal towns in the
surrounding counties. People came from far and wide to sample the foods and sweets and to enter the
contests for their animals, handmade goods, canned fruits and pickles, cakes and pies.

There were the dunking booth, cakewalks, apple bobbing and the ever-popular kissing booth. Brightly
colored carnival rides thril ed kids of al ages.

Caitlyn had lived in many places during her twenty-eight years; she'd seen many county fairs and
bazaars, and she never tired of the festive atmosphere and child-like joy the events engendered deep
in her heart.

She spent the day walking beside Tyler, sometimes in the company of his brothers and sisters-in-law,
sometimes with Ruth or Kelsey, but much of the time they were alone, just the two of them if one
didn't count the crowds of people in attendance.

Al day long, she'd been hyper-aware of him walking on his crutches by her side. His big body gave
off a delicious heat and his aftershave smel ed heavenly.

At seven o'clock, the sun was just starting its descent toward the western horizon, but it was stil fairly
high in the sky on this bright summer evening.

They'd lucked out with the mild weather for the Jubilee. The thermometer had only hit ninety-five. It
could have been much higher and hotter. Already, the breeze was cooler.

Caitlyn ate her blue snow cone and marveled at how much hotter it felt here in West Texas than it did
back home in San Antonio, although it certainly got hot there, too.

The snow cone paused halfway to her mouth. Home. San Antonio wasn't her home any longer. She'd
cut al ties and moved west. She didn't know exactly where she'd settle down, but the longer she stayed
at the Diamondback Ranch, the more loath she was to leave.

Kelsey appeared before them stopping their slow progress along one of the paths between the booths.
"It's nearly time for the games. They're running a little late; some kind of technicality," she said. "I'm
getting everybody together and we'l meet down by the track. Start thinking up strategies, Uncle Ty.
We're going to need them." She trotted off in the direction of the cakewalk.

Caitlyn smiled as she tossed the last of her snow cone in a trash barrel. "Your niece is quite the little
organizer, isn't she?"

"She's a pistol, that's for sure. I guess we should head over to the track." He maneuvered his crutches
and turned around, starting off toward the area roped off for the competitions.

"Are you sure you're up for this?" Caitlyn asked, noticing the grim set of his lips.

He glanced at her. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Oh, I don't know. It won't be easy standing on the sidelines watching the races. From what I've heard,
you not only plan the strategies for winning these games, you're also the star athlete of the bunch."

"Who told you that?"

"Oh . . . a little bird."

Tyler snorted. "Right. It was my mom, wasn't it?"

"Hmm. She might have mentioned it the other day when she stopped by my camper for another glass of
iced tea. Just between us girls, she said."

"Mothers. Gotta love 'em." Tyler shook his head. "Yeah, it's going to be tough to watch instead of
competing. I love these games. We al do. But Cameron's here this year. He's the real athlete of the
family. And besides . . . it al evens out. Gil ian has to sit out because she's pregnant, so that leaves
Kelsey partnering with Dal as."

The grim look left his lips, replaced with a smile and a sparkle in the blue eyes. "You can help me
coach. And just you wait and see, sweetheart. I wasn't blowing smoke when I told Kelsey we stil had
a chance to win. I may be crippled, but I stil have a trick or two up my sleeve."

****

When the games final y ended, the sun had set and the ful moon had risen in the black sky amidst mil
ions of glittering stars. Another Founder's Day Jubilee was coming to a close.

"Come on, people!" Kelsey hol ered, holding the First Place trophy triumphantly above her head.
"Let's get a move on. We don't want to miss the fireworks. They're Grams' favorite part of the
Jubilee."

The McCades fol owed in a procession to the grandstands with Tyler and Caitlyn bringing up the rear.
Tyler tried to step lively, but truth was, his left leg hurt like a son of a bitch. He'd be glad to sit down
and rest a while. He'd be even gladder when he could go home. Except then he'd be alone.

Usual y that didn't bother him. In fact, he preferred it most times.

But today, he'd enjoyed being with Caitlyn. They'd talked a lot and exchanged many a steamy glance.
It was a new experience to actual y forge a friendship with a woman, to get to know her on a more
personal level. Usual y he kept his dealings with women light and unfettered. Casual sex and nothing
else.

Caitlyn moved closer and smiled that smile that made his stomach clench. "No wonder they cal you
Mr. Do or Die McCade. And here I thought it only referred to your competitive streak at the air
shows. I see it's more than that. Much more."

Tyler grinned back. "What can I say? I play to win." And he'd certainly like to win with her.

Their gazes locked for a moment, then she broke eye contact and pul ed back. "I like to win, too. And
now I've seen a true master at work. Your strategies can be summed up in two phrases : Give no
quarter and Take no prisoners. The other teams never had a chance today, did they?"

He shrugged. "There's always a chance. Nothing's for certain in this life. Nothing's a sure thing."

She looked at him oddly, but didn't say anything. They'd reached the grandstands where they could sit
and watch the fireworks display. Al the McCades walked up to the top of the bleachers to sit in their
favorite spot. Tyler stopped at the bottom and gazed at al those concrete steps. No way could his leg
take that much more abuse.

"Why don't you and I sit down here?" Caitlyn plopped her butt on the bottom bleacher and patted the
place next to her.

Tyler sighed in relief and sank down beside her. The understanding and sympathy in her eyes should
have raised his hackles, but he was too tired and aching too much to feel anything but gratitude for her
consideration. Damn, he'd be happy when his legs final y healed.

It wasn't long before the first fireworks exploded in the night sky. Spectacular bursts of bright colors
cascaded down, one right on top of the other, the booms echoing on the soft summer breeze. The oohs
and ahhs of the crowd rose and fel with each new display.

Thankful y, there had been a gul y-washer of a rain the week before and the ground was good and
damp, otherwise the fireworks show would have been cancel ed. There was always a fifty-fifty
chance of cancel ation, but that's just the way it was up here on the arid plains of West Texas.

The air had turned almost chil y and Tyler felt Caitlyn shiver next to him. She was wearing a yel ow
tank top and short shorts that made her legs look long and her ankles slender. Strappy golden sandals
and sexy red toenails completed her outfit, which was great for the hot temperatures of the daytime,
but did little to protect her from the cool night breeze.

Tyler moved closer and threw his arm over her almost-bare shoulders. He felt her stiffen and
searched his brain for something to say to lighten the tension. "One good turn deserves another."

She looked up at him with a question in her eyes. "What good turn would that be?"

Her voice was breathy, her scent intoxicating. And her lips were tantalizingly close.

Al he'd have to do would be to bend slightly forward to kiss them. He clenched his jaw and inhaled a
deep breath into his lungs. "You were thoughtful enough to sit down here so I wouldn't have to make
that hard climb up the bleachers. Now, I'm sharing my body heat with you. Just say thank you, okay?"

Caitlyn searched his face. After a lengthy pause, she relaxed and smiled. "Okay. Thanks."

Tyler wondered if she was aware that she'd cuddled closer into his embrace when she tilted her head

to watch the fireworks show. He tightened his hold on her and hoped the show wouldn't end too soon.

****

Caitlyn stepped from her camper into the early morning sunshine. She sat on the doorstep, sipping her
coffee and petting Reba. Birds chattered in the trees, and a brown-striped lizard sat on a rock nearby
lazily soaking up the sun. Two cotton-tailed rabbits played tag on one of the runways.

Shielding her eyes from the bright sunlight, she looked around the airfield with a feeling of
contentment. Or something perilously close to it.

These past couple of months had been busy, a good kind of busy. They'd quickly flown by with Tyler
training her those first few weeks, flying applications almost every day since then, and spending
evenings together restoring her dad's old plane.

Caitlyn took another sip of coffee. Already, she felt as if she'd found a place to cal home. She needed
to be careful though. Home had never been this good. Never felt this permanent. Situations could
change in a heartbeat. It was never safe to put down too many roots. Like as not, they'd be torn loose
when it was time to move on.

The crunch of boots on the gravel path behind the camper broke her reverie. "Good morning, Tyler."
She summoned a quick smile and ignored the dip in her stomach caused by his sudden appearance.

"Morning." He lowered himself onto the top step next to her and rubbed Reba behind the ears. He was
silent for a moment then cleared his throat. "I need to ask a favor."

"Sure thing," she said, a little surprised by the request. The man had confessed he hated being
dependent on others. Asking her for a favor must mean he was in something of a dilemma. "What can I
do for you?"

He continued petting Reba, and of course, the dog was in heaven. Her tail wagged back and forth a
mile a minute. "I need you to drive me to Abilene for my physical therapy session today. Mom was
going to do it, except she's not feeling wel . Pete took the day off, something to do with col ege
placement tests. Anyway, seeing as how there aren't any application jobs scheduled today, I'd
appreciate a ride. I could miss it just this once, but I'm supposed to get rid of the crutches today. I'l
stil use a cane, but it's a definite improvement."

"That's wonderful. I know you'l be glad to be more ambulatory." Caitlyn gripped her coffee cup
tightly. She didn't want to drive Tyler the ninety miles to Abilene, except she didn't have much choice.
He was the boss and he was in charge.

"So, wil you do it?" Tyler looked at her with those big blue eyes.

She forced another smile. "Sure, I'd be happy to help out. What time?"

Tyler glanced at his watch. "We'l need to leave in half an hour. You can drive the company truck. Just
honk and I'l be ready." He stood and tossed her the keys. "Thanks for doing this."

"No problem." She sipped her coffee as she watched him walk across the compound and into the
company office. He did seem to be walking a lot better today. His step was firmer, and he didn't
appear to be leaning as heavily on the crutches.

Reba nestled her head on Caitlyn's lap. "I know you don't like it," she said to the dog, "but I'l have to
lock you in the camper while I'm gone. Don't want you getting into any trouble while I'm not here."
She ran her fingers through the soft yel ow fur, seeking the peace and contentment that almost always
came from petting Reba. She needed to store up an extra amount, because Caitlyn knew she would be
feeling anything but peace and contentment on the long drive to Abilene and back with Tyler McCade.

****

Forty-five minutes later, Tyler heard the honk of the horn and let himself out the front door. After the
past two weeks' intensive physical therapy sessions, he was final y seeing progress again. He'd
seemed to hit a plateau after six months, when al progress had stal ed. He'd worked doubly hard these
last couple of weeks. The pain in his leg had decreased significantly in direct proportion to becoming
more bendable and strong.

And today, he was final y trading in the crutches for a cane. A sense of triumph washed over him with
the anticipation of being able to move more freely. It wouldn't be long now before he was back in the
cockpit. Back where he belonged.

Jerking open the truck door, he climbed in. He was aware of Caitlyn's green eyes on him and the death
grip of her hands on the steering wheel.

Nothing like strong sexual attraction to make a body tense.

"Hey," she said. "Sorry I'm late."

"No problem. We should stil make it in time, if we hurry."

He positioned the crutches in the backseat and fastened his seatbelt. Fishing his mirrored aviator
sunglasses out of his shirt pocket, he slid them onto his nose. He turned his head and al owed his gaze
to travel over Caitlyn, wondering for the hundredth time why he was so attracted to this particular
woman.

She wasn't drop-dead gorgeous, by any means. But she had a freshness about her that appealed to him
on some level he couldn't name. Her clothes weren't fashionable, but chosen more for function and
comfort. The peach-colored T-shirt accentuated her tanned skin and the khaki shorts emphasized her
shapely legs. She was wearing those strappy sandals again with her toes painted pink this time.

Caitlyn's unique scent permeated the interior of the truck cab. Tyler's body responded with a little too
much enthusiasm. Once again, he was going to have to endure an uncomfortable drive with this
woman. At least this time, his body wouldn't be plastered against hers as it had been during that
infamous scooter ride way back when.

And what a damned shame that was.

Tyler stared straight ahead as Caitlyn turned off the dirt road onto the pavement in the direction of
Abilene.

****

It was afternoon before they headed back to the Diamondback Ranch.

Caitlyn tried to ignore the sexual awareness zinging between her and Tyler. She needed to keep in
mind that it hadn't been very long ago since she'd been burned by a man she'd trusted and loved. Or
thought she'd loved. She wasn't ready to fal for anyone right now.

Especial y a man like Tyler McCade.

Oh no, she wanted nothing to do with Mr. Love 'em and Leave 'em. She had too many troubles of her
own at the moment, too much to handle.

Sliding a glance toward the man who had occupied her thoughts longer than she wanted to admit,
Caitlyn couldn't tel if he was just sitting silently or actual y taking a nap. Those mirrored sunglasses
hid his eyes.

When Tyler adjusted his big body to a more comfortable position, the inside of the truck cab closed in
on Caitlyn. She'd never been this hyper-aware of a man before. It was difficult to ignore, because
while her brain said no, no, no; her body said go, go, go.

"Want to grab a bite to eat before we get farther down the road?" Tyler's voice shattered the silence
of the drive. "I'm hungry enough to eat a horse.

Besides, I want to celebrate getting rid of the crutches. My treat."

Caitlyn shot a quick glance his way. "I'm happy for you, Tyler. Of course, I'l help you celebrate."

"Excel ent." He smiled at her, and the tilted corners of his mouth pointed to two irresistible dimples.

Caitlyn gripped the steering wheel tighter and tried to steady the loud pounding of her heart. Warning
signals flashed in her brain: Danger. Strong turbulence ahead.

****

For dinner that night, Tyler warmed up the remains of a hamburger casserole his mother had dropped
off a couple of days ago, before she'd taken il . After returning from Abilene, he'd cal ed to check on
her and was glad to hear she was already feeling better. It had only been a twenty-four hour bug, she'd
said. Why didn't he come over for lunch on Sunday? She would make his favorite chicken and
dumplings. She'd invite his brothers and their wives, so they could have another family meal together.
Bring Caitlyn along, of course.

Sure, Mom. Why not?

Taking his plate to the sink, he spied the big hunk of Ruth's famous Texas Hot Cocoa cake wrapped in
cel ophane sitting on the counter. Maybe he'd walk over to Caitlyn's camper and share it with her.
Women went gaga over chocolate, didn't they?

He didn't question the fact that he'd like to see her again so soon. He had enjoyed the lunch they'd
shared as wel as the ride back from Abilene earlier this afternoon. Not only was Caitlyn pretty; she
had a wicked sense of humor and an adorable way of crinkling her nose when she was about to let
loose a zinger.

Grabbing the cake and his new cane, Tyler let himself out of the apartment. The night was cool, the
dark sky clear with thousands of stars shimmering up above. It took a few minutes to make his way
over the rough gravel path from his hangar apartment to where her truck and camper were parked.

He knocked on Caitlyn's door with his cane. Man, he'd be happy when he could chuck it in the closet
along with the crutches. A couple more weeks of therapy should do it, then he'd be a free man. He
squinted through the darkness toward runway four and the field beyond. He could barely make out the
silhouette of the crashed plane.

It was past time for him to investigate the cause of the accident, so he could move on with his life.
Sure, he'd been cleared of al blame, but he wanted to see for himself that he'd done everything
possible to avoid going down.

He didn't like to think of himself as cowardly, but that crash had done a number on him. He'd crashed
once before when he'd been younger; it had been nothing compared to this last one. Definitely time to
push forward. His body was nearly healed. Now, if only he could get his mind in gear.

The door to the camper opened and Caitlyn stood for a moment on her side of the screen door, staring
at him. Reba stationed herself next to her, tongue lol ing, tail wagging. The dog barked a happy
greeting.

Tyler held up the piece of cake. "I've brought chocolate."

Caitlyn's eyes widened as she opened the screened door to let him in. "Oh my gosh, is that Tunnel of
Fudge?"

"Nope; better than that. It's my mom's Texas Hot Cocoa cake. I thought I'd share it with you." Shoving
the cake into her hands, Tyler grabbed the side of the door and hauled himself up the steps and into the
camper. It was a tight squeeze with two adults and one very large dog.

For a moment, he and Caitlyn stood closer-than-close with only the hunk of cake between them. Her
scent fil ed his nostrils, and his body went rigid with desire. Their eyes locked, and unable to help
himself, he lifted a hand to her cheek, smoothing his fingers over her satin-soft skin. Her breath
hitched and he couldn't resist . . . he bent down and brushed his lips across hers.

Caitlyn moaned deep in her throat, and Tyler thought he'd never heard anything so sweet in his life.
He buried his fingers into the wild tangle of hair that framed her heart-shaped face and deepened the

kiss, thrusting his tongue into her moist warmth. She leaned closer and kissed him back.

She tasted so good, so hot, so perfect; he wanted more. He wanted al of her . . .

Suddenly, Reba barked and jumped up, knocking Tyler off balance. His cane clattered to the floor,
and he clutched Caitlyn's shoulders to keep from fal ing. Her body aligned itself perfectly along the
entire length of his. Her eyes widened more when she realized he was aroused.

Well, damn. What did she expect? She turned him on big time.

Caitlyn quickly stepped away and cal ed her dog to order. "Reba! Down!" She cast a tentative smile
at Tyler. "Sorry about that."

"I'm not." Tyler stood ramrod straight, his fists clenched tight.

She blushed and ducked her head as she wiggled past him so she could open the door for Reba to go
outside. "Don't go far," she cal ed to the dog, then turned back toward Tyler. "I always worry she'l get
in one of those traps when I let her out at night."

"She should be okay." Tyler stooped to retrieve his cane, then scooted a large bag of dog food out of
the way so he could sink down onto one of the benches at the dinette table. "Why don't you cut the
cake?"

Caitlyn blinked at the cake in her hands, then shot him a look that was priceless. "I'm afraid it got
squashed, when we . . . uh, you know."

Tyler chuckled. "When we kissed?" If he were stil standing, he would definitely kiss those delectable
lips again. Probably not a good idea, now that he was thinking with his brain. "Trust me, that cake wil
stil be delicious," he said. "So what if it's squashed? It's the taste that counts. Grab two plates. Bowls
might be better. And spoons. Do you have any milk?"

"Sure." Setting the cake on the table, she turned away, searching in the cabinet for the dinnerware. A
scratch at the door and a smal bark announced Reba wanting inside again. Caitlyn let her in, then
grabbed the milk from the smal refrigerator.

Tyler watched while she poured two glasses of milk and set the bowls and spoons on the table. She
sat across from him, the light catching the golden strands of her hair that intermingled with the brown.
How could this woman ignite a fire in his body so quickly? He couldn't remember a woman affecting
him like she did. And he'd been with many different women.

Careful y unwrapping the cel ophane, Caitlyn scooped out the smashed cake into the bowls and
handed one to Tyler. He waited before taking a bite, wanting to see her reaction to the chocolate
confection. His sister Tori said the taste sensation was orgasmic. Would Caitlyn's reaction be
similar? And how could he stand it, if it were?

Caitlyn dug her spoon into the gooey cake and took the first bite. She closed her eyes as the chocolate
burst across her taste buds. Dear lord, she'd never tasted anything this wonderful. The dense moist

cake and rich creamy frosting melted on her tongue. The sprinkling of chewy pecans complimented the
chocolate and texture.

Al in al , it was almost as good as sex. Almost.

Tyler gazed at her out of his dark blue eyes, looking like he wanted to devour her instead of the cake.
He smiled a slow sexy smile that showed those irresistible dimples at the corners of his mouth. "So?
Do you like it?"

Their knees bumped under the table. Caitlyn swal owed hard. Oh, yes. She liked. "It's awesome.
Thanks for sharing."

"My pleasure."

Caitlyn lowered her gaze to her bowl and took another bite of cake. Tyler picked up his spoon and
dug in. Silence hung in the air as charged as the electricity crackling between them.

She couldn't believe Tyler had kissed her. Talk about awesome!

But damn, she needed to keep her wits about her and not let her hormones or emotions get carried
away. That shouldn't be a problem. She was an expert in the art of not getting emotional y involved.

She peeked at Tyler and found him looking at her. He winked and again tingles of awareness skittered
through her system. Perhaps she was feeling this strong sexual pul , because it had been a while since
she'd actual y had sex. Yeah, that must be it.

Right, Caitlyn. Don't lie to yourself.

What she felt for Tyler had nothing to do with lack of nookie and everything to do with the handsome
injured pilot. She sympathized with his predicament and felt his pain. She admired his hard work and
determination to get over the crash.

She admired his big body and his sexy smile. She admired the man way too much.

Tyler demolished his cake and pushed his bowl to the center of the table. Caitlyn finished her portion
of the rich dessert and drank the rest of her milk. He angled his body against the wal and booth,
raising his leg onto the bench seat, settling in like he intended to stay for a while.

Caitlyn wil ed her body to calm down. She hopped up, cleared the dishes away and put them in the
smal kitchen sink. Turning back to the table, she leaned over to snag Tyler's milk glass.

"Would you like more milk?" she offered, trying for a light hostess tone of voice. The smart thing
would be to forget about that kiss. Ignore it. "Or how about coffee? I could make a fresh pot."

To her dismay, he grabbed hold of her wrist and pul ed her close. He stared deeply into her eyes then
dropped his gaze to her mouth. "That's not what I want."

Her stomach tumbled into a deep nose-dive. His hand felt like a hot manacle clamped around her
wrist. A simmering fire glowed in his eyes.

Caitlyn swal owed and tried to pul away, but he wouldn't let her. An answering flash of need seared
her insides. Her knees threatened to buckle.

So much for forgetting and ignoring.

She bit her bottom lip as she searched his face. She had to ask; she couldn't help herself. "What do
you want?"

CHAPTER FIVE

A quiet hush descended between them as they looked at each other. Crickets chirped outside and the
wind rustled the leaves of the old hackberry tree just outside the camper door.

Tyler tightened his fingers and lifted his other hand to brush her hair from her cheek. "Babe, if you
don't know what I want, then I've definitely lost my touch."

Caitlyn felt the rush of pleasure from Tyler cal ing her babe in that deep sexy voice of his. She smiled,
then chuckled softly.

Tyler dropped his hand from her cheek, but kept hold of her wrist. "What's so funny?" he asked, his
voice sharper than before.

She shook her head. "Nothing. I was just thinking this is the first time since I've been here that you've
actual y sounded like the Tyler McCade everyone's so kindly warned me about. I think you are
definitely on the road to recovery."

She pul ed her wrist from his slackened grasp and moved to stand against the kitchen counter. Her
heart was stil beating a mile a minute from the sensual situation she'd just defused. She crossed her
arms over her chest. "I thought you wanted to keep our relationship on a professional level."

She hated how breathless her voice sounded, giving lie to the light-hearted facade she was trying so
hard to convey.

Tyler raked his fingers through his short hair. "I must have been crazy to suggest such a thing."

She tilted her head and stared at him. His frustration was evident in the way he sat there with his jaw
clenched. Did he just want sexual release with any readily available female and she just happened to
be here? Or did he truly want her, Caitlyn Ross? And if it were her, did that real y make a
difference?

"So, are you changing the rules of the game?" she asked. Where in the world had that come from?
Did she want the rules changed? Her mind said one thing, while her body begged for the other.

His eyes slid over her like a warm caress. The man was lethal, no doubt about it. When he locked
gazes with her, she resolutely held steady and returned the scrutiny. If he wanted to intimidate her, he
needed to know she could give as good as she got. Living with her stern father and working with the
pilots at his flight school had taught her a lot about testosterone-laden men. Although she had to admit,
she'd played it pretty stupid with Scott.

Tyler swung his legs down to the floor and grabbed his cane again. "Damn it. You're right. I did say
we needed to keep our relationship professional. Nothing's real y changed since then. Getting rid of
the crutches made me feel so good, I just wanted to . . . hel , I don't know. Do something normal for a
change. Forget it. Good night, Caitlyn. See you in the morning."

Hauling himself out of the smal booth, he headed toward the door and careful y stepped out of the
camper.

Do something normal for a change? Like make love with her?

Caitlyn stood at the door and watched Tyler return to his apartment. His backside was just as
appealing as the front. He had broad shoulders and a nice firm butt encased in wel -worn denim. With
the cane, he walked more upright than he had on the crutches and that emphasized his tal physique.

He wanted to make love with her? Good grief, the man had practical y ignored her for the past two
months. The kiss they'd shared had opened up possibilities. Or not.

It was Caitlyn's turn to clench her jaw, because now her body was begging with a vengeance.

****

Three weeks later, Tyler stil couldn't forget how it had felt to kiss Caitlyn. He wanted to kiss her
again, but that wasn't going to happen. At least, not anytime soon.

Since that night in her camper, she'd walked a wide circle around him. Now, she was keeping him at
arm's length. He couldn't remember the last time a woman had done that. Not to brag or anything, but
usual y he could have any woman he set his sights on. He didn't know why he was so lucky; he just
was.

And he hated to admit it, but Caitlyn's rejection only made him want her more. She'd awakened the
primal hunter within him and she was the targeted prey. His senses were heightened whenever she
was near.

She might say she wanted nothing to do with him, but her body language told a different story. She
wanted al right. And so did he.

Tyler stepped out of the shower and toweled himself off. Today was the first day he was truly
walking on his own. Yesterday, the doctor had given him the okay to walk without his cane or any
kind of support. He had a ful medical release and his body was good as new. Or almost. He wouldn't
be good as new until he could climb into the cockpit and fly one of his planes again.

He wrapped the towel around his waist and stood at the sink to shave. Now that he'd final y
recovered from the accident, it was time to examine the mangled heap of plane sitting out in the field
beyond the runway. It didn't matter that the FAA had done a thorough investigation. Tyler wanted to
see for himself. He needed to close that door of his career and open a new one.

Now that he'd chucked the cane, he had a whole new outlook on life.

A knock on the front door startled him, and he nicked his chin. Damn. He tore off a smal piece of
tissue and stuck in on the bloody nick, then went to see who was cal ing.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." He pul ed open the door and found Caitlyn standing on the step with a box

in one hand and in the other, two cups of coffee in a cardboard tote.

She smiled at him and his body reacted with unsurprising vigor. He needed to get some clothes on
quick. Or haul her into his bedroom and make love to her until they were both gasping for breath.

Not exactly the kind of thoughts to soothe the savage beast.

Caitlyn held up her goodies. "I've brought some of Sarah Sue's cinnamon rol s and coffee. To help
celebrate your first real day back on the job.

Aren't you going to let me in?"

Uh, no. Not until I'm decently clothed.

"Come on in. I'l be right with you." He turned on his heel and marched to his closet where he dressed
in record time.

He hadn't missed the smile fading and the blush staining her cheeks when she'd noticed the towel
around his waist. It had done little to hide the fact that he was thoroughly aroused. He was stil
aroused, but at least he had jeans on. He pul ed on his boots, then went to greet his unexpected guest.

Caitlyn sat at his smal kitchen table already eating one of the cinnamon rol s. He leaned against the
doorway and looked at her. Day after day, she crossed his direct flight path, and there was nothing he
could do except endure the simmering sexual attraction he felt for her.

Why, al of a sudden, had she wil ingly decided to approach him in such a secluded setting? They
hadn't been alone together in confined quarters since he'd gone to her camper almost a month ago and
they'd kissed.

Working side by side restoring her dad's plane didn't count. More times than not, Pete was right there
with them. The kid was a natural when it came to mechanical stuff. Tyler would miss him when he left
for school next week.

Then he and Caitlyn would have to deal with the volatile chemistry always bubbling beneath the
surface whenever they were together. They were either going to have sex or not. Whatever happened,
he real y needed to find a wil ing bedmate soon to work off this frustration, before he completely lost
his mind.

Caitlyn set her cup down and looked up at him. Her eyes held guarded secrets, guarded longing. The
constant denial and suppression of the seductive magnetism radiating between them was taking a tol
on them both. "Are you just going to stand there?" she asked. "Don't you want a cinnamon rol ? The
coffee's excel ent. Better drink it while it's stil hot."

Tyler pushed off the doorframe and entered the kitchen. He sat down in a chair across from her. She
handed him his cup of coffee, then scooted the box of pastries toward him. "Help yourself. We're both
going to need the extra calories if we're going to inspect the crashed plane and then have it hauled
away. It's already a scorcher outside this morning."

" We're going to need the calories?" He took a sip of the coffee and gazed at her over the rim of the
foam cup.

"Sure. You don't think you have to do this al alone, do you? The wreckage needs to be cleared away
so you can move on. It should have been done months ago. I don't know why you've waited this long."

Tyler frowned. "I told you. Even though the NTSB cleared me of pilot error, I wanted to have one last
look myself. Lady Hawk was one of my favorite planes. I need to say goodbye."

"Men and their toys." Caitlyn popped the last bite of cinnamon rol into her mouth. "So you weren't
physical y able to inspect it yourself until now?"

"Right. I had it hauled closer to the air strip, and it's been there ever since."

She licked the gooey icing and cinnamon from her fingers, and Tyler sucked a swift intake of breath
into his lungs. Caitlyn's eyes shot to his and he couldn't resist tucking a stray strand of hair behind one
of her delicate ears. Her eyes dilated and she quickly shoved back her chair, grabbed her cup of
coffee and made for the door. "I'l meet you over there in ten minutes."

Tyler lowered his hand and bunched it into a fist. Ten minutes to get his body and his emotions under
control and into gear. Ten minutes before confronting his personal demon. Ten minutes of pure hel .

****

The morning sun was bright with the promise of another hot August day. The Double Mountains stood
clear and majestic in the distance. Caitlyn waited anxiously for Tyler near the crashed plane. She
could only imagine his emotions and reactions to what he was about to do. His legs had been crushed,
his psyche muddled and his confidence shattered. She knew he'd been blaming himself for the
accident; she'd blame herself too in a similar situation.

Bul dozers were standing by in Salt Fork to clean up the mess. One phone cal and they'd be here
within the hour. By evening, al trace of the crash would be buried and gone. Maybe then Tyler could
take control of his life and his business. He'd be able to do what he loved more than life itself.

He'd be able to fly again.

So, was it time for her to move on, too? Should she stay or should she leave? Tyler wouldn't need an
extra pilot now. Lone Star Wings was a one-man operation. Or rather, it had been until today. They
hadn't discussed whether she would continue working after Tyler made a complete recovery and
could fly his planes.

Caitlyn didn't want to think about leaving. For the first time in her life, she felt like she truly belonged
somewhere. She'd had a fairly good childhood with strict and loving parents, but the constant moving
and relocating demanded by the military had been difficult for her. Even after her mother had died and
her dad retired, she'd kept a vital part of her heart in lockdown.

And the one and only time she'd al owed someone to break past her barriers . . . No. She'd never do

that again. Scott had charmed his way into her heart and into her bed, but when the chips had fal en
and he'd discovered there was no monetary gain left in her dad's defunct flight school, he hadn't been
able to leave fast enough. And no one had been left to pick up the pieces of Caitlyn's shattered heart.

She'd learned her lesson the hard way. She was over Scott for the most part, and she was desperately
trying to guard her heart against the sensual appeal of Tyler McCade. No matter how stern a lecture
she gave herself, the temptation to give in only grew stronger.

No, she didn't want to think about leaving Lone Star Wings or the Diamondback Ranch. Ruth McCade
had taken Caitlyn in and lavished nurturing balm to her lonely heart. Every Sunday, the McCades
gathered in Ruth's big cozy kitchen for delicious home-cooked meals. Caitlyn final y knew how it felt
to be a part of a large loving family. The dynamics were fascinating to watch and participate in.

Undoubtedly, it would be much safer to pack up her camper and her dad's plane and head for the hil s.
Except that would be like reading an edge-of-your seat, page-turning novel and throwing it away
before it was finished. How would it end?

Only one way to find out, and that was to stay and face the music.

****

Tyler let himself out the door and headed toward the wrecked plane. He stil had a slight limp and his
knee ached a little, but he was a free man. No crutches. No cane. His body had final y healed. Now if
only his spirit could be resuscitated.

During his convalescence, he'd purposely stayed away from the downed plane. He'd focused al his
energies on healing his body and tried to believe he'd not been at fault.

Consequently, he hadn't given the go-ahead to remove the debris even though family and friends urged
him to do so. The Maule MX-7-180 had been his first four-seater. He'd bonded with her and
christened her Lady Hawk.

Sure, the insurance would help pay for a new plane, but it wouldn't be the same. A man didn't give his
love lightly. To his planes or his women. At least, he didn't. He'd never fal en in love. Not one of the
many women he'd dated had ever touched his heart.

Tyler walked slowly along the runway then out into the field. Caitlyn stood near the Lady Hawk,
hands on hips, her attention on the landing gear. She looked up, saw him approaching and smiled. His
stomach clenched and his body tightened. He tried to tel himself it was because he'd been without a
woman for so long.

Sell it somewhere else, McCade.

Tyler stepped on a pebble and his foot turned slightly; pain shot up his thigh. " Son of a bitch!" He
corrected his bearing and kept walking forward.

Caitlyn came running, not stopping until she was standing right in front of him. "What happened?

What's the matter?"

"Nothing. Just stepped wrong, that's al . Let's go and get this over with. I'd like to get reacquainted
with my planes. I want to take the Piper up this morning. It's been too long since I've been in the
cockpit."

"You don't have to do this, you know." She pointed toward the plane in the field. Or what was left of
the plane.

He gritted his teeth. "Yes. I do. Then you can make the cal and get the bal rol ing on the clean-up
detail while I make that first test flight."

She saluted. "Yes, sir. Anything you say, sir."

"Don't I wish?" He stared into her green eyes and touched her cheek. She stood passive beneath his
caress, before blushing and ducking away.

Yet an answering fire burned in the emerald depths and a longing so strong, it stole his breath.

The woman was a contrast between innocence and seduction. If they didn't make love soon, he
wouldn't be held accountable for his subsequent actions.

****

After walking around the crashed plane twice and inspecting every dent and cranny, Tyler slowly
climbed into the crumpled cockpit. He eased himself downward until his feet found purchase, then
hunkered behind the flight control panel. No way could he sit in the pilot's seat. The plane was tilted
at an angle almost paral el to the ground. Caitlyn stayed outside the opened door, peering into the
cockpit.

"It's a miracle you got out alive, isn't it?" she said in a hushed voice. "A miracle al three of you
survived."

"Yeah. A miracle." He swal owed the bile rising in the back of his throat. A sudden chil slid along his
spine and his palms felt sweaty. Damn, he hadn't thought he'd have such a strong reaction like this.
The accident had happened months ago. A lifetime ago.

As he crouched there, it al came rushing back. He wiped his damp palms on his jeans and looked up
at the concerned face above him. "Give me a minute, wil you?"

Understanding gleamed in the sympathetic eyes. "Sure. I'l be right outside. Take as long as you need."
Caitlyn disappeared from sight.

Tyler inhaled deeply. For months, he'd determinedly blocked out the sequence of events preceding the
moments leading up to the crash. During the daylight hours, it hadn't been so difficult. Nighttime was a
different story. He'd told no one about the nightmares that invaded his dreams.

He reached out to grip the yoke and closed his eyes. Immediately, images played behind his eyelids.
Better to al ow the memories to wash over him, get them out of his system and cleanse him. He
needed to get rid of them so he could move on. Flying was his life; he couldn't let himself be weighted
down by such cumbersome cargo.

Tyler remembered the bright December day as if it were yesterday. At Kelsey's instigation, he'd
agreed to fly Theresa--who hadn't been his sister-in-law at the time--to Houston to visit her folks for
Christmas. Theresa had been Kelsey's favorite teacher back then. Now, she was his niece's new
stepmother.

A lot had changed over the past nine months. Some for the better; some not so much.

That cold winter day, he'd performed a thorough pre-flight inspection. He might be the happy-go-
lucky McCade brother, but he was a damned good pilot. Conscientious and responsible. Safe and
careful.

After the inspection, he remembered hurrying to the passenger door to help Theresa board the plane.

"Thanks." She took his hand and climbed in.

"Here, Miss Rogers," Kelsey said. "Let me help you buckle."

While Kelsey helped her teacher with the buckles, Tyler made one more ground check before
climbing into the cockpit.

Opening the door, he caught the tail end of Kelsey's buoyant chatter. " . . . he insisted.

"Who insisted on what?" he asked, as he eased his tall frame into the pilot's seat.

Kelsey giggled. "You did. You figured if you were going to fly Miss Rogers to Lubbock, you might
as well fly her all the way home to Houston."

"What can I say? I love to fly." He flipped switches and checked gauges. "Besides, it saves time
and trouble. And it's a hell of a lot more fun than driving!"

"It doesn't save you time and trouble," Theresa said with a frown. "I feel like I'm imposing on your
goodwill."

"No such thing. Hotshot back there will tell you I'm never happier than when I'm flying one of my
babies."

Kelsey leaned forward. "That's true, Miss Rogers. Uncle Tyler lives to fly. Don't you, Uncle
Tyler?"

"That's right."

"Well, I appreciate it all the same."

"No problem. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride."

After Theresa settled into her seat, Tyler pointed to the headphones. She put them on and he did
the same, as did Kelsey.

"Everybody ready?" He glanced around at his passengers. He adjusted Theresa's headset, then
started the engine. It rumbled to life. The propeller turned slowly at first, gaining speed until it
was only a whirling blur on the nose of the plane.

Tyler maneuvered onto the airstrip. "Hold on," he said, as he prepared to take them up in the air.
The small plane sped down the runway, lifting effortlessly into the clear blue West Texas sky.

"Wow!" Theresa smiled at him then looked out the window at the diminishing ground below.

"I told you it was great." Kelsey's voice piped in over the headsets. Theresa turned in her seat and
smiled. Kelsey gave her teacher a thumbs up.

Suddenly, the plane jerked, the engine sputtered, then died.

"Oh, hell." Tyler tried to stabilize the aircraft. While he fought for control, he felt more than saw
Theresa reach back and grab Kelsey's hand to offer comfort.

The plane dropped fast. He tried desperately to hold steady and ease out of the drop, but no luck.
With teeth clenched and mouth grim, he looked at Theresa. She stared back at him in stark terror,
realizing there was nothing he could do to save them.

The ground rushed toward them, and Tyler braced for impact. Kelsey screamed or maybe it was
Theresa. Time stood still for a moment, before the plane crashed to a grinding stop. A loud
sickening crunch of metal and breaking glass surrounded them. Tyler was thrown into the
instrument panel and pain wrenched through his body. Theresa and Kelsey tumbled forward and
landed on top of him. He tasted blood in his mouth. Then everything went black . . .

****

"Tyler! Tyler, are you okay? " Caitlyn's near-frantic voice broke through the fog of memories.

No, not really. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Blinking away the dark mists, Tyler shook off the recol ections and straightened from his crouch. He
pul ed in a deep reviving breath only to catch it halfway in his lungs when his left leg throbbed painful
y from the uncomfortable position he'd maintained for the last few minutes. Probably not what the
doctor had meant when he'd ordered him to take it slow and easy.

"Move back. I'm coming out." He caught hold of the sides of the door and hauled himself out of the
tilted cockpit. He rubbed his thigh trying to ease the pulsing ache. He stil had a long way to go before
he could leave behind the injuries caused by the crash.

One thing he could do was to get rid of the evidence, the constant physical reminder of the accident.
Caitlyn was right. He should have done it months ago.

"Make the cal ," he told Caitlyn, ignoring those wide concerned eyes. "I'm going to go prep the Piper
and take her up."

Caitlyn stared at him with her mouth hanging half open.

Tyler frowned. " What? "

"Are you sure you're ready to do that? A solo flight, I mean."

"I won't know until I try, wil I?"

"Let me come with you. For moral support."

It was Tyler's turn to stare. "You don't think I'm capable? Two weeks ago, I wasn't physical y
capable. Today, I'm perfectly capable. I assure you."

Caitlyn shook her head. "No! No! I didn't mean that at al . Of course you're capable. It's just . . .
you've suffered a terrible ordeal. Flying alone for the first time might not be the best thing to do. I'l
just go along for the ride. You'l pilot the plane. You'l have the controls."

Tyler frowned at her. He didn't expect to have a negative reaction in the cockpit of the Piper like the
one he'd just experienced in the Maule.

Inspecting the Lady Hawk had brought back the memories of that day. Natural y, he'd be
uncomfortable thinking about the accident in which he'd been critical y injured.

Examining the crashed plane was total y different from taking up the Piper. He was itching to fly. He'd
been grounded way too long. He lived to fly, didn't he? Flying was his life. Once he was behind the
controls and winging over the countryside, he knew he'd be completely over the accident.

And about damned time, too.

If it made Caitlyn feel better to go up with him on this first flight, he would humor her. He liked her,
liked being around her. He wouldn't mind the company. Being with the pretty lady and flying one of
his planes . . . what more could he wish for?

Besides sex, of course.

And he planned to take care of that in the not-so-distant future, too. With or without Caitlyn. Although,
with Caitlyn would be the ideal scenario.

She stood before him with concern and anxiety dimming the brightness in her beautiful eyes. What
would she do if he closed the distance between them, took her in his arms and kissed her like he'd
been dreaming about for weeks?

Not now, McCade. First things, first.

"Okay," he said. "Make the cal , then meet me in the hangar."

****

Caitlyn watched him walk away, his limp more pronounced than earlier. He'd stayed inside the tilted
cockpit for quite a while, squatting on his haunches the whole time. She'd respected his need to be
alone, knowing he had his demons to face. But something urged her to go with him on this first solo
flight. Facing demons while on the ground was one thing; facing them up in the air was something
else.

She shook her head and sighed. Digging her cel phone out of the pocket of her shorts, she punched in
the numbers and arranged for the bul dozers to come out to the airfield. Then she ran to catch up with
Tyler.

She found him standing in front of his Piper staring at it. Just standing there. Staring. Making no move
to conduct a pre-flight inspection. His fingers curled into his palms squeezing into tight fists. He stood
with his legs apart as if braced for a fight. What was going on in that brain of his? Was he fighting
demons? Was he afraid?

Should she offer comfort? Or should she egg him on? Push a few buttons? Challenge Mr. Do or Die
McCade?

Best just to play it by ear. Go with the flow.

Caitlyn walked to one of the huge sliding doors of the hangar and pushed it al the way open. Tyler
turned at the sound of the grating noise. "Just don't stand there," she told him. "Open the other door.
The sooner we get this baby out of the hangar, the sooner we can take to the skies. It's a gorgeous day
to fly."

Of course, she could be imagining al of this about him being afraid; she hoped she was imagining al
of this . . . Tyler not wanting to fly was too scary to contemplate. The man was a legend, for crying out
loud.

Several weeks ago, she had Googled fear of flying in pilots, and it wasn't that uncommon for some to
develop a phobia of either crashing or fal ing or both. Tyler hadn't actual y said anything about being
afraid. Perhaps she was just transferring what she might feel if she were in his shoes . . . or cowboy
boots in his case. Manifesting her imagined fears if their situations were reversed.

Early on, she'd learned to trust her gut feelings or pay the consequences. She wasn't going to let him
fly alone this first time. No matter what.

Tyler turned on his heel and slowly walked toward the other sliding door. Gripping the metal handle,
he pushed it open al the way and locked it in position. He looked at the windsock in the middle of the
airfield, noting it wasn't flying straight out, but hanging almost paral el to the pole. The sky was clear
with no clouds as far as the eye could see. Caitlyn had said it was a perfect day for flying, and it was.

So why was he stal ing? He knew it was best to gird his loins and just do it. That old adage about fal
ing off a horse applied to flying as wel . If you get thrown off, climb back on. He'd done it before; he
could do it again.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Are you ready?" Caitlyn's voice was low and soft.

Tyler looked down at her. "As ready as I'l ever be. Let's go."

They did a thorough pre-flight inspection with Tyler double-checking everything. After his last circuit
around the aircraft, he stopped on the pilot's side and stood before the door.

Just open the damned thing, McCade. Should be easy enough.

Should be, but wasn't. Just do it!

He jerked open the door and climbed into the cockpit. Caitlyn was waiting in the passenger seat,
buckled in and ready.

Tyler looked at her. "You're going to have to get out."

She turned those eyes on him and they narrowed. "Excuse me? I don't think so. I'm not letting you do
this alone."

Tyler gritted his teeth. "I have to do this my way. I have to do it alone."

She crossed her arms across her chest, the movement making her breasts rise against the soft fabric of
her tank top. She stared straight ahead.

"No. I'm not leaving."

He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. "Listen to me. You're a distraction. I want you so
bad, I hurt. There. Are you satisfied? I've tried to ignore this chemistry between us, but it's not
working. Right now, I have a plane to fly. I won't risk your life or mine, okay? I need al my
concentration focused on flying. I can't afford any distractions. Besides, you owe me."

"Owe you? I don't understand."

"You're the one who planted that seed of doubt in my mind. So you owe me, big time."

Her eyes widened and her lips formed an O. "Me? I did no such thing."

Tyler wanted to kiss those pouty lips. He needed to get his mind off Caitlyn and onto flying. He'd
never make it if he didn't. "Yes, you did. Before this morning, the only thing I was afraid of was not
being physically able to fly again. I never thought I'd actual y be afraid to fly. And I'm not. But I don't
need you in here distracting me."

She wrenched her chin away from his clasp and took a deep breath. "I want to lend my support. Moral
support. I just want you to fly again."

Tyler let his hand fal . The warmth of her skin lingered on his sensitive fingertips. The woman was a
distraction al right. "Yeah wel , that makes both of us. Now get out."

"But I care about you. I don't want you to go through this alone."

"If you care about me, then you'l do as I wish."

Caitlyn searched his face. Tyler felt his groin quicken under her intense scrutiny. He wanted to grab
her again and kiss her until they were both panting for breath.

Final y, her shoulders slumped in capitulation. "Okay, I'm leaving. But no aerial hijinks. Promise?"

"Cross my heart. I'm going to take this baby up, fly her around the airfield two or three times, then
bring her in for a safe landing. I'l save the hijinks for the next flight." Or bed. With her. He would
have her in his bed before this was al over. It had been too long; the chemistry was too strong to
ignore any more.

She surprised him when she leaned forward and kissed him. "That's for good luck. I'l be waiting."

Tyler watched her unbuckle and climb out of the plane. She closed the door and moved out of his
flight path. At last, he was alone. Just as he preferred. He ignored the little voice that whispered he
was lying. That he missed Caitlyn's presence. Her warmth and encouragement. Her moral support.
Her sexy body.

Shaking off those dangerous thoughts, he fastened his seat buckle and shoulder belts. Reaching for the
yoke, he took a deep breath and blocked his mind of everything but the plane and himself. Just him and
his plane going for a routine flight.

He started the engine and let the whirling of the propel er and the rumble of the motor vibrate through
him, become a part of him until he was one with his plane.

Maneuvering the Piper out of the hangar, he taxied her over to runway three and revved the engine. He
paused for a moment, checking his controls, examining his feelings.

Al systems seemed to be good to go.

Tyler started down the runway, but before he pushed to ful throttle his hands started trembling and he
broke out in a cold sweat. What the hell?

He reversed the engines and shut them down. Sitting there in the middle of the runway, he desperately
tried to catch his breath and steady his suddenly twitchy stomach.

He couldn't believe it. Goddamn it! Son of a bitch! He couldn't do it.

CHAPTER SIX

Caitlyn held her breath as she stood watching Tyler taxi the Piper toward the runway. How could she
have left him to do this alone, after vowing so stridently she'd go with him? Unfortunately, she was
afraid she knew the reason.

It was simple.

Her brain had short-circuited when he'd grabbed her chin in his strong hand. She'd felt the imprint of
each finger branding her skin. At that moment, she couldn't have denied him anything he requested.
Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

He'd been so intense in the cockpit just now. Even though he'd said he wanted her to leave, his
smoldering eyes told her otherwise. A thril ing chil had skittered over her skin. She hadn't been able
to resist kissing him before climbing out of the plane. Her knees had wobbled when she'd hit the
tarmac, but somehow she'd managed not to fal on her butt.

Caitlyn shaded her eyes and waited for Tyler to take the Piper up. For some reason, he'd stopped in
the middle of the runway. It was hard for her to imagine what he must be going through. He'd said he
hadn't been afraid to fly, only how could he have been total y immune to doubts after such a life-
threatening crash?

So far, she'd never had a flying mishap. Please God, she never would.

Suddenly, the engine shut down and the door to the cockpit flew open. Tyler got out of the plane and
strode purposely toward her. Dear lord. If she'd thought he'd been intense before, that was nothing
compared to the thundering rage now marring the handsome features of his face.

He looked like he wanted to kil someone. He looked like he wanted to kil her.

Caitlyn stood her ground. She wasn't afraid. Not real y. She knew Tyler would never hurt her physical
y. It was emotional y she had to guard against.

The man had suffered an internal upheaval when he'd revisited the wreckage this morning. Attempting
the solo flight had probably been too much in one day. A person could only take so much conflict
before floundering in sensory overload.

Tyler might be Mr. Do or Die McCade, but he was only human, after al . And at the moment, he was
an extremely furious human male.

He stopped right in front of her, so close she could feel the heat and anger radiating off him.

She licked her suddenly dry lips and forced herself not to step back. "What's wrong? What
happened?" To her consternation, her voice trembled slightly.

Tyler didn't speak for a moment; he couldn't speak. He'd never felt such a scalding rage before in his

entire life. If that weren't enough, he'd never experienced such a potent desire for a woman, either.
The combination was threatening the thin thread of control holding him together.

His world was crashing down around him and she wanted to know what was wrong? If not for her,
he'd be flying the Piper high in the sky right now.

If not for her, he wouldn't be so goddamned horny.

Tyler closed the distance and gripped Caitlyn's shoulders. Her tank top didn't cover much of her
above the chest, so skin touched skin, scorching them both. Her breath caught in her throat as she
stared at him out of wide green eyes.

"You want to know what's wrong?" he said through gritted teeth. " This is what's wrong."

Too many emotions raged through Tyler to al ow him to consider the consequences of his next move.
He didn't want to think; he only wanted to feel.

He desperately wanted to lose himself in sensual sensations and the pleasures of the flesh. He wanted
to go to that place where passion and desire reigned; where harsh reality receded to the background.

Bending his head, Tyler took Caitlyn's mouth in a savage kiss. He slid his tongue across her bottom
lip, once, then twice. "Open your mouth."

She quickly complied and he slipped in to taste her honeyed sweetness. She moaned as she leaned
into him, tangling her tongue with his.

His world righted itself and his equilibrium was partial y restored. For the moment, the disaster on
the runway faded into a fog of passionate yearning and desire. His world may have turned on its axis,
but one thing remained a constant. His body was on fire, burning out of control, and the beautiful
woman in his embrace, kissing him like there was no tomorrow, promised to take him to paradise and
back.

At least, he hoped she did.

He kissed the corners of her mouth, her nose, her cheeks. He nuzzled her neck and kissed the sensitive
spot behind her earlobe. "I want you, Caitlyn. I've wanted you from the first moment I saw you. Tel
me to stop, and we won't go any further."

She pul ed back and searched his face again, cupping his jaw with a gentle hand. "I don't want to stop.
I want you, too."

Tyler let out a whoosh of exhaled breath. " Thank God."

Capturing her lips again, he kissed her hard and long. Then he took her arm and dragged her the short
distance to the front door of his apartment at the side of the hangar.

He opened the door, pul ed her inside and into his arms again. Tyler took her mouth in another searing

kiss. He'd never tasted such a delicious woman. He backed her against the table in the foyer, grinding
his lower body against hers. She looped her arms around his neck and wiggled closer, sucking his
tongue, deepening the kiss.

Behind the button-fly of his jeans, his arousal flexed painful y. If he wasn't careful, he'd be finished
before they were good and started.

Tyler pul ed back and leaned his forehead against Caitlyn's. His breath shuddered in his lungs. Too
fast. Too hard. He needed to slow down.

Caitlyn's emerald green eyes were fogged with desire. "Don't stop now," she whispered. She rose on
tiptoe and tried to capture his lips in another scorching kiss.

He grabbed both of her hands and brought them to his mouth. "I'm not stopping, but we need to pace
ourselves. It's been too long for me, and I want you too much."

He kissed the palm of one hand and licked the sensitive hol ow of the other. With his tongue, he traced
the blue veins across her wrist, then tenderly kissed the soft skin. Her breath hissed on the intake and
he felt her tremble.

Tyler couldn't believe how responsive Caitlyn was to his touch. He pushed away al the troubling
thoughts threatening to crowd his brain and concentrated on the pleasure and passion of the here and
now. There'd be plenty of time to deal with his problems later. His body had final y healed and he
was dying a thousand deaths wanting to make love to the sexy woman who'd been haunting his
dreams, both day and night, for the last couple of months.

He kissed her delicate wrist again. She tasted perfect and smel ed even better. He raised his head and
locked his eyes on hers. One more searing kiss, then he took her hand, entwining their fingers and led
her to the bedroom.

Caitlyn didn't know how Tyler's anger had transformed to sexual hunger, but she wasn't going to
complain. Whatever had happened in the cockpit of the aborted solo flight seemed to be forgotten or
put on hold. Tyler was refocusing his anger into passion, yet she felt perfectly safe with him. When
he'd stalked across the tarmac toward her, fury burning in his cobalt-blue eyes, there'd been a second
there when she'd thought he was angry with her.

Deep down, he probably was. Yet he also desired her and if he needed comforting and mindless sex
to help him forget what had happened, then she was wil ing to offer her body to the cause.

No longer could she deny how much she liked the man. She admired and respected him and she
trusted him implicitly.

This wasn't about love. It was just going to be clean, unadulterated sex between two consenting
adults. They were taking their relationship to the next level.

She could handle it. She hoped . . .

Tyler pul ed down the covers of his bed and sat on the edge so he could remove his boots. Caitlyn fol
owed suit and toed off her sneakers.

Now that they were actual y alone in his bedroom and on his bed, her stomach started fluttering in
nervous anticipation. She took a deep breath for courage.

Tyler turned to her and brushed her lips with a lingering kiss. He stood and pul ed her to her feet. "I
want to undress you," he said, his voice rough with passion.

He reached for the hem of her tank top and lifted it up and over her head, slinging it across the room.
Caitlyn's nipples hardened to taut peaks, pressing against the thin fabric of her sports bra.

Tyler cupped her breasts in his hands, weighing them in his palms, his thumbs rubbing around her
nipples, massaging, teasing, taunting. Before she could beg him to touch her already, he removed her
bra and bent to take one sensitized bud into his hot wet mouth. He suckled deeply, and she felt the pul
al the way down to her womb.

Caitlyn's knees almost buckled, and she buried her fingers into Tyler's hair, holding his head close
and herself upright. His short brown hair felt crisp and silky; his skin warm beneath her fingertips.
She arched toward him, seeking more of his touch and felt one big hand splay across her back,
anchoring her body in place. He kissed his way down the slope of one breast, licked the val ey
between, then nuzzled the upward curve of her other breast. He swiped his hot tongue across the
neglected nipple and blew softly.

A moan tore from the back of her throat and just when she thought she'd die, he latched on to the wet
nipple and pul ed it into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue before final y giving Caitlyn what she
wanted. She moaned from the pleasure pulsating through her body. Liquid heat pooled between her
legs, aching to be fil ed.

Tyler pushed her onto the bed and she blinked at him, trying to focus. He cupped her mound with one
strong hand and she felt the heat through the thin layer of shorts and panties. He traced the seam over
the intimate folds, touching a fingertip to the most sensitive spot.

Of their on volition, her legs spread apart and her breathing increased. She looked down the length of
her torso and stared at his thick finger resting against the intimate flesh, wishing with al her might that
she were naked.

She licked her lips then moved her eyes to Tyler's. Fire burned in the sapphire blue eyes and he gently
tapped his finger against that restrictive seam. "You like?"

Caitlyn swal owed and nodded as she felt herself gather for blessed release. She nearly wept with
frustration when he suddenly changed course and removed his finger to unsnap the waistband of her
shorts. He grabbed hold of the top of the shorts and pul ed them down her long bare legs.

Her silky low-cut panties immediately fol owed.

He stretched out beside her and smiled that lethal smile of his. He rested on one elbow, leaning his

head on his hand as if settling in to play some kind of sensual game. He leisurely skimmed his fingers
from her lips, slowly down her neck, between the val ey of her breasts and dipped into her bel y
button, then lower stil where he hovered over the soft triangle of curls.

She felt like squirming on top of the mattress as she wil ed him to touch her sweet spot. She caught his
hot gaze locked on hers. Without breaking eye contact, he brought his finger to her mouth, pressed on
her lips and she opened. "Make it wet," he said, his deep voice irresistibly seductive.

Caitlyn took his finger into her mouth and laved it with her tongue. The slight salty flavor permeated
her taste buds. His eyes glittered with suppressed desire when she gently bit then sucked.

He withdrew his finger and returned to hover it over her quivering, sensitized mound. "Watch me,
Caitlyn."

Tyler lightly pressed the tip of his wet finger to that tiny intimate flesh, barely making contact, not
moving, just holding it there.

Caitlyn watched his finger barely touching her, wondering how such a light caress could produce such
a wicked yearning that reached deep down to her core. When she thought she couldn't stand it any
longer, she glanced at his face and again he smiled.

He lifted his finger away. "You're not watching."

"Tyler. Please. Please . . . touch me."

"Watch my finger, babe. Then I'l give you what you want."

Caitlyn bit her lip and looked down the length of her now perspiring body. Delicious, tortuous shivers
coursed over her. When he touched her again, her body jerked, and he quickly withdrew the magic
touch.

" Tyler . . ."

The bed creaked as he knelt between her legs. Before she could make sense of what he was doing, he
slid his finger inside her and bent to give her the most intimate kiss of al . He swept his tongue lightly
across the sensitive bud and moved his finger in counterpoint. Again he hovered over the sweet spot,
flicking his wet tongue, moving his finger, stopping, waiting.

Caitlyn gripped the sheets with her fists and spread her legs wantonly wider, lifting her hips, seeking
that scorching pleasure just beyond her reach.

She was so close, her body hummed with anticipation.

"Watch me, babe. I want to see your face when you come."

She lifted her head and watched as Tyler pressed the flat of his tongue against her nub, the pressure
somewhere between gentle and soft, not moving. Again.

Caitlyn hung in a tortuous limbo of desire, the only reality the feel of that hot wet tongue exerting a
wondrous promise against her soft quivering flesh.

She bucked her hips, feeling her orgasm balancing on a steep precipice. Just one little shove and she
would explode. "Tyler. I need . . ." She couldn't get the words out, her desire made her pant for
breath.

"I know, babe. I know what you need."

The thick finger resting inside her womanhood began a rhythmic movement, in and out, in and out. A
slow slide in; a slower slide out.

Caitlyn moaned loudly as her climax overtook her, consumed her, propel ing her outward into a
miasma of sensuous delight. Tyler moved his tongue against her, kissing her, licking, stoking the fire
to greater intensity until a rainbow of bright lights burst behind her closed eyelids and her body
shattered into thousands of glittering shards.

She lay limp on the bed, her body stil trembling with the aftermath of her orgasm. Even after
experiencing such delirious pleasure, a hol owness between her legs ached to be fil ed.

She opened her eyes to see Tyler shedding his clothes and covering himself with a condom. He stood
in al his male glory, his erection jutting outward, his blue eyes gleaming beneath heavy desire-laden
lids.

Caitlyn lifted her arms to him and smiled. "Make love to me, Tyler. I need you inside of me. Hurry."

Tyler gazed at the woman lying on his bed, looking wickedly sexy. He wasn't going to last two
seconds after he plunged into her slick wet heat. He was glad he'd taken the time to make it good for
her, because now it was his turn and it was damn sure going to be good for him. And her too.

Again. If he could keep his brain from completely shutting down.

He knelt on the bed and positioned himself between her legs. He took hold of her ankles and pushed
her knees toward her chest. He bent to kiss one rose-beaded nipple, then the other. "Grab you knees,
sweetheart. And spread your legs, like this. Excel ent." He kissed the sensitive skin on the inside of
one of her thighs and smiled when she began to tremble and undulate.

He lowered himself over her, bracing himself with his arms on either side. He nudged the tip of his
erection against the hal owed sanctum. Sweat beaded on his forehead and the top of his neck. "I'm not
going to last. It's going to be quick."

"Don't worry. Just do it. You can show me finesse the next time." She wrapped her legs around him
and drew him closer.

Tyler gave up the ghost and plunged into the welcoming wet channel, burying himself to the hilt. He
waited half a second before withdrawing, then plunging again. And again. And again.

The world receded into darkness, leaving only himself and the woman beneath him moving to the
rhythm of an ancient primordial dance.

When Caitlyn reached up to cup his jaws and looked deeply into his eyes, Tyler's orgasm hit him with
a force so powerful, he col apsed on top of her. As his body convulsed with the last tremors of his
climax, he thought he might never move again.

He smiled into the pil ow. Who was he kidding? As soon as he recovered, he wanted a repeat
performance.

****

Caitlyn sat in the office of Lone Star Wings, entering the accounts receivable into the computer. Soon
after she'd begun working for Tyler, she had gradual y organized his accounting system, filed reports
and receipts, and basical y cleaned out the entire office from top to bottom.

She'd learned what not to do in an office while working with her dad. After he'd died, she'd been left
with the chaotic aftermath resulting from his lack of business acumen. She'd learned too little, too late.
There'd been nothing she could do to save his flight school from going bankrupt.

But she'd been determined to help Tyler save his flailing business. He'd hired her to fly the crop-
dusting planes in order to keep his company from going under. Caitlyn had volunteered to set up a
better accounting system and after an initial reluctance, she'd gained his trust and he'd final y agreed.

Why couldn't he trust her to help him fly again? It had been a week since that disastrous aborted solo
flight. A week since they'd made passionate love. They'd stayed in bed the whole day, making love,
exploring each other's bodies, talking about everything under the sun, except flying. Neither mentioned
Tyler's failed attempt that morning. It was like the elephant in the room everyone pretended not to see.

Only when they'd taken time out for a snack to replenish their strength for more lovemaking, did they
hear the bul dozers cleaning up the debris.

Tyler had stood at the window and watched the men demolish and bury the tangled heap of metal that
had once been one of his favorite aircraft.

Caitlyn sighed. At least the physical reminder of the crash was gone for good. Now, if only Tyler
could get over this hurdle and fly again, everything would be great. His body was healed, but his soul
stil suffered from aftershock.

To make matters worse, Caitlyn hadn't been able to get much done on the restoration of her dad's
plane this past week, and she was running out of time. It was late August, and the Stone Creek Air
Show was in eight weeks. She'd sent in her entry form and received back the flight sequences in
which she'd be competing. Only thing was, she had no plane.

And once again, she and Tyler were dancing the dance of avoidance. Before they'd gone to bed
together, the dance had only consisted of a few basic steps; now after Saturday, they were
choreographing entire routines to keep out of each other's way. As a result, they were barely speaking

to one another.

And they were behind schedule on everything. She'd flown several crop dusting-- aerial application-
- jobs during the week, and Tyler had assisted on the ground. He'd kept conversation to a minimum
and eye contact as brief as possible.

Caitlyn didn't know if he regretted the lovemaking or what, but she was getting pretty damned tired of
feeling like a pariah. What they'd shared had been amazing. And it wasn't like she wanted a lifelong
commitment or anything. Heck, she didn't even want a real relationship.

Don't lie, Caitlyn.

Her engagement to Scott should have made her resistant to Tyler's good looks and ready charm, yet it
didn't. That combination along with his determination to rise above the plane crash and his serious
injuries had engendered a respectful sympathy and admiration for his strong spirit.

But his spirit had crashed and burned the other day. And she felt guilty, like it was her fault. Had she
planted that seed of doubt in Tyler's head?

Would he have been able to make that solo flight if she'd kept her fears to herself?

And what about the seed he'd planted in her head?

"I want you so bad, I hurt . . . I've tried to ignore this chemistry between us, but it's not working."

He'd put on a good act, that's for sure. Ever since the awesome kiss they'd shared in her camper that
night he'd brought the chocolate cake, Caitlyn had believed he'd succeeded in ignoring the strong
attraction bouncing between them. Evidently not, considering the day they'd spent together in bed.

When he'd confessed his desire in the confines of the cockpit right before he'd ordered her to leave,
Caitlyn's stomach had plummeted and her thighs had tingled. When he'd turned to her for comfort after
the aborted solo flight, she'd been only too happy to comply.

Only afterwards had her own regrets risen to the fore.

Alone in bed these past seven nights, she'd final y acknowledged to herself that she wanted Tyler
McCade in the worst possible way. Only she knew better than to pin her hopes and dreams and heart
on anyone, especial y a male someone. Look how Scott had let her down.

Maybe if she just ignored her feelings for Tyler, they'd go away. It wasn't like he'd fal en madly in
love with her or anything. He'd just needed comfort and a warm body the other day. To drown his
sorrows in mind-blowing sex.

It didn't have to mean anything. She didn't want it to mean anything.

Then why did she feel so numb inside?

Caitlyn shook away the depressing thoughts and picked up a piece of mail. It was from the insurance
company. She quickly slit open the business envelope, pul ed out the letter and stared at the large
cashier's check.

Tyler would be happy to know they'd final y paid out on the accident. The money would go a long
way to replacing the plane he'd lost. He'd used the Lady Hawk as a sort of taxi service, picking up
extra income flying people to different destinations in and around Texas and beyond.

Caitlyn tapped the edge of the check against the top of the desk, contemplating another confrontation
with Tyler. She'd let him cal the shots al week. Enough was enough. They couldn't go on like this.
They needed to acknowledge the elephant.

****

Tyler sat in the cockpit of the Piper, mental y going over the pre-flight inspection again; going through
the motions of moving the plane onto the runway; imagining taking off into the wild blue yonder.

Every free moment for the past several days, he'd returned to sit in the cockpit, determined that this
time he'd take the plane up . . . this time he'd succeed in banishing his demons.

So far, he'd only succeeded in sitting in the cockpit alone, wondering if life as he knew it was over.
Goddamnit! Why couldn't he get over this ridiculous fear?

Since the accident in December, he'd been worried he wouldn't be physical y able to climb into the
cockpit. Oh, sure. If worse came to worse, he could have had something rigged so he could fly
without the total use of his legs. But now that he was healed, he had some sort of mental block. He felt
foolish and embarrassed.

He would get over it. One way or another.

Glancing at the door leading out of the hangar, Tyler saw Caitlyn walking toward him waving a piece
of paper in his direction. His body instantly hardened and his blood hummed in his veins. He couldn't
get Saturday out of his mind.

Saturday in bed with Caitlyn.

He'd had a lot of sex in his time with a lot of pretty women, but no past experience could match the
intense pleasure he'd felt with Caitlyn. It stil amazed him how good it was between them. It also
scared the hel out of him.

He kept tel ing himself it had been so good because it had been months since he'd been with a woman.
But deep down inside, he knew it had been good because it had been with Caitlyn.

He'd tried to avoid her; he didn't know why. He felt like a rat-assed bastard. He'd never treated the
women in his life like he'd treated Caitlyn this past week. He was worse than a bastard. He was a
coward.

She'd been generous in bed, giving as good as she got. His mind stil reeled and his body grew taut
whenever he thought about how she'd seduced him after they'd fal en asleep in the late afternoon. Her
hot wet mouth, her clever lips and nimble fingers. He'd come so fast and so hard, it had left him
gasping for breath.

Damn. She didn't deserve to be treated like he'd been treating her since they'd slept together.

What the hell was wrong with him?

Tyler watched Caitlyn make her way across the hangar to the plane. She had a nice little body, with
just the right amount of curves to entice a man to madness. He shifted in the seat, trying to adjust his
aroused body.

As she neared the door on the passenger side, Tyler wondered why he'd been avoiding her al week.
And why if avoidance wasn't possible, had he barely acknowledged her presence?

They hadn't spoken of his disastrous attempt to fly last weekend. He'd only wanted to lose himself in
the passion. They'd talked about lots of stuff, but flying had been the unspoken taboo.

She'd fol owed his lead. Al week, she'd been understanding and sympathetic. And how had he repaid
her? He'd treated her like the cowardly bastard he'd somehow morphed into.

He used to be a nice guy. What the hel had happened to him?

The passenger door opened and Caitlyn climbed into the cockpit. She shut the door and sat there
gazing at him, waving the slip of paper in front of his face.

"Guess what came in the mail today?" Her smooth deep voice oozed over him, simultaneously
soothing and arousing.

Her eyes held a wariness that he was responsible for putting there. Tyler wanted to see those
beautiful eyes glazed with passion again. He wanted Caitlyn to look at him like she had al day
Saturday, in bed and out.

"Tyler?" She jiggled the paper closer. "It's the insurance check."

"The insurance check?" He grabbed it out of her hand and stared at it. He now had the means to
replace the Lady Hawk. Except what good would it be if he couldn't fly the new plane?

Caitlyn reached over and touched Tyler's arm. "You're going to fly again. Trust me," she said, as if
reading his mind. "If you let me, I'l help any way I can. We can take it step by step until you work
through the fear."

Tyler cringed inside. It was one thing to admit his fear to himself. Quite another to hear Caitlyn voice
it out loud.

She squeezed his arm. Her smal hand was fair against his dark-tanned skin. "I think you were trying to

confront too many emotional obstacles last weekend," she said. "Inspecting the Maul must have
drained your reserves. When you tried to fly solo, your brain probably overloaded. Or perhaps you
were having a delayed reaction from climbing into the crashed plane."

Tyler narrowed his eyes. "If you're so good at psycho-analyzing my fear, then tel me this: Why haven't
I been able to take the Piper out of the hangar and fly this week? There's no emotional overload now.
Hel , the Lady Hawk is dead and buried. And if I can't fly, then I might as wel be dead and buried,
too."

"Don't say that."

"Why not? It's true." Tyler's voice grated on his own nerves. He saw the hurt in Caitlyn's eyes; he
gripped her wrist when she tried to move away. He blew out a breath and tried to come to grips.
"Look, I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. Believe it or not, I appreciate your help. What
do you suggest? How do I make myself just do it and fly?"

Caitlyn bit her lip. "I don't know. Al week, you've been trying to confront your fear alone. Maybe you
need help. And moral support."

"Yeah, maybe I shouldn't have been so quick to kick you out of the cockpit last Saturday."

She shrugged. "You did what you thought you needed to do."

Tyler folded the check and stuffed it in his pocket. "It didn't work, though."

"The brain plays funny tricks sometimes," Caitlyn said. "I've been researching this fear of flying some
more. It happens to pilots more often than you'd think."

"It shouldn't have happened to me." Tyler gripped the yoke in a tight fist.

Caitlyn smiled. "Why? Because you're Mr. Do or Die McCade?"

"Yes, damn it. I have a reputation to maintain. In public, as wel as in private. Flying is my life. I
refuse to be grounded. I will get over this."

"I know you wil . But you don't have to do it alone. Let me help."

"You helped last Saturday." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the soft skin below her knuckles.
He felt her hand tremble in reaction.

"Yes, wel . Last Saturday was a mistake." She gently tugged her hand from Tyler's clasp and gazed
out the side window.

His chest constricted painful y at her words and her action. "A mistake? You think making love was a
mistake?"

CHAPTER SEVEN

Caitlyn snapped her head around and looked at Tyler. "Yes. No . . . don't you?"

He didn't say anything for a long moment. He just sat there staring at her. Of course, he must think it
had been a mistake. His behavior over the past week spoke loud and clear.

Caitlyn wondered if he realized what it had cost her to confront him this morning after the week they'd
spent tiptoeing around each other. After sharing that incredible day and night of making love, then
waking up the next morning to . . . nothing.

It hadn't been making love, she reminded herself. Tyler didn't love her and she refused to love him. At
least, that's what she kept tel ing herself.

She knew she should nurse her hurt feelings, but she realized Tyler wasn't acting as himself. That
crash had marked him.

Would he ever heal completely in his head as wel as in his heart? His heart belonged to his planes.
She knew that. His reputation with the women was a wel -known fact on the air show circuit. He was
commitment-shy, except when it came to flying.

The Tyler McCade she'd come to know and perhaps love just a little, was a different man than before
the accident. Every nurturing cel in her body ached to make him better. Thus the day in bed they'd
spent. It had been about comforting as wel as exploring the powerful chemistry they shared.

Except she hadn't expected to lose a little bit of her heart to the handsome pilot. She'd tried to guard
against it, but making love somehow broke down a person's defenses and left them vulnerable. At
least, that's what it did to her.

Caitlyn lifted her chin. "Never mind. You don't have to answer. Listen, I have to go to town. I'l be
back this evening." She turned away to open the door. Maybe she could make it to her camper before
she gave way to tears. She wasn't sure why she wanted to cry because usual y, she didn't. At least, not
very often.

"Caitlyn, wait."

She felt Tyler's strong hand grip her shoulder and pul her around to face him. Those sky-blue eyes
regarded her with questions and a heat so scorching, she thought she'd melt right there in the cockpit.

"I don't think Saturday was a mistake," he said.

She drew in a deep breath and looked him in the eye. "Could have fooled me."

He had the decency to flinch. " Ouch. I deserved that. I'm sorry for the way I've treated you this week.
I've acted like a first-class bastard."

"And a son of a bitch," she added, narrowing her eyes at him. Something hot and heavy barrel-rol ed
in her chest. It couldn't be a reaction to Tyler rubbing his thumb on her col arbone, could it? Was she
going to let him get off so easily?

Hell no.

He hadn't let go of her shoulder and the soft caress was messing with her mind. And body.

Well, maybe she would let him off . . .

Because there was something about Tyler McCade that got to her. He obviously got to a lot of other
women, too. Another reason to guard her heart.

Once again, this was not about love. Tyler just wanted more of that awesome sex they'd shared on
Saturday. And she couldn't lie to herself. She did, too.

What was she? A slave to desire or what?

Good grief, Caitlyn. Don't be so melodramatic. That sounded like a line right out of one of the
romance novels she was so fond of reading.

Tyler's touch and the heat in his eyes were definitely messing with her mind. Her body was
instinctively readying itself for more. Her panties were damp and her thighs tingled.

Oh my.

She licked her suddenly dry lips and those blue eyes dilated; his grip on her shoulder tightened. "No, I
don't think it was a mistake at al ," he final y said. His mouth came down on hers in a kiss so sizzling,
her body went up in flames.

Caitlyn held herself stiffly for al of twenty seconds before succumbing to the passion she'd been
craving al week.

Damn. She had it bad for Tyler McCade.

****

"We're not going to make it, are we?" Caitlyn looked at the parts of her dad's plane scattered al over
the cement floor of the hangar. She had to face it. There was too much left to do to restore the Pitts
Special and not enough hours in the days to do it in. No way could they finish in time for her to
compete in the Stone Creek Air Show.

Tyler was up to his elbows in oil and grease. He wiped his hands on a rag and looked at the landing
gear he'd been working on al morning. One of the struts was cracked and both tires needed to be
replaced. "We'l make it. One way or another, you'l fly in that competition. Have they sent you the sets
of sequences in the category you'l be competing in yet?"

"Yeah. The Known compulsory came in the mail yesterday. Even if we finish the restoration and
repairs in time for the air show, I won't have time to practice the figures. If I don't practice, I won't
have a chance to win. Oh, what's the use? It's hopeless."

Tyler threw the rag in the trash barrel and walked over to the workbench where Caitlyn sat. He stood
behind her, put his hands on her shoulder blades and kneaded the knotted muscles. "It's not hopeless.
If worse comes to worse, you can fly Queen Mab, my Sukhoi-S31."

"You'd let me fly your competition plane?"

"Sure. Why not? You fly the rest of my planes. I don't see why you can't fly Queen Mab. I won't be
flying her anytime soon."

She jerked her head around at him and frowned. " That is so not true. You've made good progress the
last couple of weeks."

He kissed the tip of her nose, then turned her head and continued the massage. "And you're stretching
it a bit. Sitting shotgun to your pilot is as far as I've gotten. The reality is I'm no closer to flying solo
than I was three weeks ago. Talk about hopeless. That's me."

"Don't talk like that. Baby steps, Tyler. Baby steps."

"Not good enough."

"You'l get there," she said. "I know you wil ."

"Thanks for your vote of confidence. Now, let's talk about this competition. Even though I won't be
flying in it this year, that doesn't mean I can't coach you." He rubbed the area directly beneath the nape
of her short wavy hair.

Caitlyn sighed with pleasure. She tilted her head back and rested it against the fly of his crotch. Her
eyes closed and she very nearly purred with satisfaction. "That feels wonderful."

"I'm glad you like it." Her head against his arousal felt even better. It didn't seem to matter how often
he and Caitlyn made love, he always wanted . .

. needed more. He'd never felt this way about a woman before. He'd never stayed with a woman this
long either.

Tyler bent forward and kissed Caitlyn's lush lips. She turned on the bench and wrapped her arms
around his neck pul ing him closer. For three weeks, they'd practical y been living together. She'd
moved her things into his apartment and slept every night in his bed. He didn't think he'd ever get tired
of her sweet taste, her intoxicating scent or her sexy little body.

He kissed her one more time for good measure, then stepped back. "Okay, enough of a break. Let's go
haul out the Queen Mab so I can introduce you. Then you can take her up for a test flight and become
better acquainted. Just in case we don't finish the Pitts in time."

"You talk about your planes as if they were people." Caitlyn smiled, and Tyler thought how beautiful
she was, inside and out.

He took her hands and pul ed her to her feet. He couldn't resist brushing her lips with his one more
time. "Some guys christen their cars and trucks, their boats and motorcycles. I name my sleek-winged
flying ladies. Must be a guy thing."

She shrugged. "I'm not so sure about that. I know several women who name their cars, so it's not
entirely a guy thing."

"There you go. I'm not the only one who does it, am I?"

Those deep emerald eyes sparkled. "You certainly do it for me."

Tyler pul ed her smash up against him until their bodies meshed together. "You do it for me, too,
sweetheart. You definitely do it for me."

After another long deep kiss, he led the way out of the hangar, keeping her hand in his, not wishing to
break physical contact. Without Caitlyn's presence and support, he wasn't sure how he'd be handling
this irrational fear he'd developed. With her by his side and in his bed, she encouraged him and gave
him hope that one day, his world would right itself and he'd fly again.

He just had to believe.

****

Tyler sat in a lawn chair in the middle of the airfield with his tablet and stopwatch; his eyes focused
upward as he stared at the clear West Texas sky where Caitlyn was flying the compulsory flight
sequence for the Stone Creek Air Show. The aerobatics competition was set for this coming weekend.
The crisp October weather would be perfect for flying, and the spectators would enjoy watching the
aerobatic contests in the comfortably cool autumn breezes.

Caitlyn had flown the figures countless times, relentless in her pursuit for perfection. He had to
admire her determination and guts. She was a lot like him when it came to flying. She was a lot like
him in many ways. And the differences between them only made it al the more interesting.

Tyler couldn't deny it any longer. He was in love with Caitlyn Ross. Mr. Love 'em and Leave 'em
McCade had final y succumbed to a pair of sparkling green eyes and a curvy little body that drove
him insane with desire.

He loved Caitlyn. With his whole heart and soul.

He waited for the panic to set in, but it didn't. Instead, there was a rightness to it al . He couldn't
imagine life without Caitlyn in it. Being grounded was a bitch, but spending the rest of his life without
Caitlyn was inconceivable.

Tyler had dated many women, but he'd never made any commitments, or promises and certainly not

any proposals of marriage. It wasn't like he was against marriage. He believed in love; he was
surrounded by a loving family and his parents had been devoted to each other. But in al these years,
he'd never experienced romantic love with any of the women he'd been with.

Caitlyn had changed al that.

As soon as she landed, he'd pop the question. He knew she loved him. She hadn't said it in so many
words, yet he could see it in her eyes and in al the little things she did for him. Her actions spoke
louder than words, right?

He certainly hoped so. His future depended on it.

****

Caitlyn landed the Queen Mab and taxied toward the hangar where Tyler stood waiting for her. She
felt confident that she now had a fighting chance to win the Intermediate Division of the Stone Creek
Air Show. The Sukhoi-S31 was an awesome little plane. It handled like a dream.

Speaking of which . . . The past few weeks had passed as if in a wonderful dream. Tyler was like no
man she'd ever known before. Al the McCade brothers were exceptional men. The four brothers were
handsome as sin and charming as al get out. Yet Tyler stood apart from his older brothers.

They were al serious-minded, bordering on stern. Tyler was more laidback and easy-going. Even
with al the baggage he'd been dealing with, his basic outlook was bright and cheerful. Especial y now
that he wasn't in so much pain.

Physical pain. He stil had a mountain of mental anguish, but he was handling it and she admired him
for it. She did her best to keep his hopes and spirits high.

Oh sure. The plane crash had changed him and she could only imagine the emotional pain he was
suffering from not being able to fly. Especial y as he coached her through the flight maneuvers she'd
be performing in the air show. He was generous, kind and funny; and of course, gentle and sweet. Not
to mention an awesome lover. Just thinking about their time spent in bed, the shower, the couch and
even the cockpit, made delightful goose bumps whiz along the surface of her skin.

She cut the engine and climbed out of the cockpit of the Sukhoi. Finger-brushing her hair, she walked
toward Tyler who was striding out to meet her. His smile warmed her through and through, but she
quickly squashed the feeling. She might have lost a smal chunk of her heart to Tyler, but she was
determined to keep the rest under lock and key.

Just as Caitlyn reached the shade of the hangar, Tyler caught her in his arms and hugged her. He
kissed her hard, then pul ed back keeping his hands around her waist.

She felt his heart thumping and his blue eyes glittered hot as he looked down at her. He was a tal man
and powerful y built. He always made her feel even smal er and more petite than usual.

"What was that for?" she asked breathlessly, resting her hands on his strong shoulders.

"Can't a guy kiss his favorite girl for the sheer pleasure of it?"

"Sure, but you usual y have an ulterior motive . . . like getting me naked."

"Hey . . . I'm a guy. I like naked." Tyler cleared his throat. "As a matter of fact, I do have a motive."

Caitlyn stared at the man who was holding her like he never wanted to let her go. He seemed unsure
of himself al of a sudden. Her chest tightened and her stomach swirled. What was he up to?

Tyler smiled and the two dimples flanking the corners of his lips appeared. "There's something I want
to ask you . . . um . . . Damn, I didn't think it would be this difficult."

A truck horn blared from the pavement as it pul ed onto the dirt road leading up to Tyler's compound.
A black pickup barreled toward them, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

"What the hel ?" Tyler kissed Caitlyn's forehead before letting her go. "That's Austin's truck. Looks
like trouble of some kind."

Tires crunched gravel as the pickup ground to a screeching halt in front of the hangar apartment. Tyler
strode toward his brother who'd slammed out of his truck. Caitlyn fol owed on his heels.

"Where in God's name have you been?" Austin said, meeting him at the edge of the tarmac. "We've
been trying to get hold of you al afternoon.

Why the hel haven't you answered your cel phone?"

Tyler patted the empty pocket of his t-shirt. "Damn, I must have left it inside. What's the matter? Is it
Mom? Is she okay?"

"No, it's not Mom. It's Gil ian," Austin said. "She went into labor right after lunch. She's having the
baby, and Dal as is a basket case, as you can wel imagine. He and Mom bundled Gil ian in the
backseat of his truck and left for Abilene. I stayed behind to bring up the rear. I'm picking up Theresa
and Kelsey at school on the way out of town. Cameron and Jessie wil fol ow as soon as Cameron can
close up the clinic. Like I said, I've been trying to cal you since lunch. I thought you'd want to be there.
We're al going to the hospital to welcome the newest McCade into the world. You too, Caitlyn. Gil
ian sent a special invitation. Told me not to forget to tel you."

"Me? I real y don't think . . . I don't want to intrude. This is a family event." And she wasn't family,
she thought. Not even close. At the hospital, she'd be the odd man out, no matter how friendly the
McCades had been to her or how many times they included her in the numerous birthday celebrations
these past several months and even Gil ian's baby shower.

Tyler threw his arm over her shoulder and hugged her. "Aw, come on, honey. A baby's a big deal in
this family. You have to go. I want you to go."

Austin punched Tyler's shoulder. "You want to ride with us, or take your own truck?"

"We'l take my truck. You go on and we'l meet you there."

Twenty minutes later, Tyler and Caitlyn were on their way. They'd been on this drive together many
times, back when Tyler was taking physical therapy and couldn't drive himself to Abilene.

He figured he'd wait to pop the question until the hustle and bustle of the new baby settled down. He
didn't want to steal the limelight from the special occasion. And he didn't want anything to
overshadow the happiness of the moment when he asked Caitlyn to marry him. He'd just keep it under
wraps until he had Caitlyn's undivided attention.

He could hardly wait.

****

Caitlyn and Tyler stood at the nursery window, gazing at the new baby. Tyler hadn't ventured far from
her side anytime during the ten-hour wait. The waiting room had been ful to overflowing with
McCades gathered to lend support to Dal as and Gil ian.

"Another boy!" Kelsey said with a groan. "No offense, Aunt Jessie."

Jessie resettled little Daniel on her hip. "None taken. I know what you mean."

Kelsey sighed. "It's just that I'l never have a girl cousin to play with, wil I?"

Ruth looked at her oldest granddaughter. "Wel land's sake, child. Why would you say such a thing?
You adore little Daniel. Besides, it's not like it's a surprise. We al knew Gil ian was going to have a
boy."

"I know," Kelsey said. "But another girl would be nice."

Ruth tapped the glass of the nursery window. "That's true, but little Zachary Dal as is nice right now.
Aren't you, my sweet?" The doting grandmother blew kisses to the sleeping baby in the hospital crib.

Theresa hugged Kelsey. "Given the number of aunts and uncles both present and future, there's a good
chance it'l happen one of these days. And who knows, maybe you'l get a little sister when al 's said
and done."

Caitlyn shifted from one foot to the other. Theresa had stared right at her when she'd said future. But
Caitlyn knew deep down inside there could be no future with her and the McCade family, because
there could be no future with Tyler.

"Al right!" Kelsey jumped up and down. "Are we final y pregnant? Are we going to have a baby?"

" We? Finally?" Austin said, ruffling his daughter's blonde hair. "Theresa and I haven't been married
a year yet, Kels. Give us time to settle into being a family together a little while longer, before we
start thinking about babies."

Kelsey frowned. "Uncle Dal as and Aunt Gil ian weren't married long before they got pregnant.
Besides, I'l be grown before you know it. I don't have much time left before I'l be going off to col
ege."

Austin exchanged a special look with Theresa. Caitlyn could actual y feel the deep love husband and
wife shared. The love between al the McCades was a living tangible entity. She'd never experienced
that kind of love before.

"You just turned thirteen," Austin said. "We have plenty of time to add to our family. Now let's enjoy
the newest little bundle of McCade, al right?"

"Oh, al right. But don't wait too long. I'm not going to be a kid much longer, you know."

Tyler smiled at his niece. "So speaks the voice of youth." He placed his hand on the back of Caitlyn's
neck. She felt the zing al the way to her toes.

She also felt possessiveness in his touch. She was flying too high, too close to the sun, indulging in
this relationship with Tyler. If she wasn't careful, she was going to crash and burn. Again.

"You ready to head back to the ranch?" Tyler whispered in her ear. "We have a long day tomorrow.
You need to rest and get ready for the air show.

Saturday's going to be here before you know it."

Caitlyn summoned a smile. Right now, she couldn't worry about the dynamics of her relationship with
Tyler. She had to focus on winning that competition money, so she could get her life and finances back
in order . . . and then it would be time to move on.

****

The Stone Creek Air Show drew aerobatic pilots from far and wide. Stone Creek was one of the few
competitions that awarded large cash prizes.

It was always held two weeks after Nationals with some of the top pilots competing against each
other.

Spectators came from miles around to watch the aerial acrobatics. Vendors set up booths with hot
foods, cold foods, desserts and beverages of al kinds. Carnival games were enjoyed by young and old
alike. People lined up for helicopter rides over the Double Mountains and Coyote Dam.

Photographers set up shop ready to snap pictures of anyone who wanted to pose with a vintage
biplane as a backdrop.

Caitlyn and Tyler arrived on Friday afternoon, with Caitlyn flying the Sukhoi and Tyler driving her
truck and camper. They'd left Reba with Pete's mom in Salt Fork for the weekend.

Caitlyn landed and checked in with the competition committee and walked around the airfield,

waiting for Tyler to arrive so they could set up camp.

She saw many familiar faces and exchanged pleasantries and bandied jokes around. Quite a few of the
pilots expressed their condolences for the loss of her father.

The air show circuit was a pretty smal tight-knit group of pilots who shared a special camaraderie
and competitive spirit. In the air, they were ruthless; on the ground, some of them seemed almost like
family to one another.

One familiar face stood out in the crowd. Caitlyn would gladly give up al of her contest trophies to
avoid that particular face. She cringed inside when she spotted her former fiancé, Scott Nelson.

"Hey, baby dol . I didn't expect to see you here. How's about a little kiss for old time's sake?"

Caitlyn watched in disgust as Scott swaggered toward her, beer in hand and a cocky smile on his too
handsome face. How had she ever believed she loved this man? "I don't think so, Scott. I have nothing
to say to you except good bye and good riddance."

"Now is that anyway to talk to the man you almost married?" He set his beer down on a picnic table,
and opened his arms wide. "One kiss, baby dol . Just one kiss."

Before Caitlyn could reply, he pul ed her against him and covered her mouth with his. She struggled
to free herself, but to no avail. Scott was a big blond giant of a man and pitting her strength against his
was comparable to a mouse fending off a lion.

She tried to knee him in the groin, except he had her in a viselike embrace. The beer fumes on his
breath almost made her gag. She managed to turn her head away. "Let me go, Scott. I'l scream if you
don't."

To Caitlyn's dismay, Scott tightened his hold with one arm and grabbed her chin with the other. "We
were good together. It could be good between us again."

She jerked her head out of his hold. "It was never that good. Now let me go!"

She thought she'd never be free. Was she going to have to scream and cause a scene? Al of a sudden,
another hand gripped her shoulder from behind.

"Hey, buddy. I believe the lady made a request. I suggest you let her go. Now!"

Caitlyn had never been so glad in al her life as she was when she heard that deep voice. She pushed
with al her might, and Scott released her and glared at Tyler.

"What the hel do you think you're doing?" Scott said, his voice slightly slurred. "You have no fucking
right--"

"I have every fucking right," Tyler said, cutting him off. "Caitlyn, step back. This could get ugly, and I
don't want you hurt."

She looked from Scott's furious drunken face to a Tyler McCade she'd never seen before. The man
she'd practical y been living with for the past month had suddenly transformed from his usual happy-
go-lucky self to a dangerous menacing stranger.

Caitlyn stood her ground and touched him on the arm. "Tyler, please. Let's just go to the camper."

"You're with him? " Scott asked unbelievingly. He looked from one to the other. "You're with Tyler
Big Shot McCade? Wel , I'l be damned."

"Yeah, she's with me," Tyler said. "Why should you care?"

Scott laughed derisively. "You didn't tel him, baby dol ? Caitlyn and I were engaged to be married
once upon a time." He picked up his beer and took a swig. "Didn't see you at Nationals, McCade.
Rumor has it you're not flying anymore."

Caitlyn took hold of Tyler's arm and leaned against him. "He was in a plane crash. He's stil not over
the accident."

Scott shook his head. "Looks like he's over it to me. What are you doing, McCade? Hiding behind a
woman? Who would have thought it? Mr. Big Shot McCade grounded . . . because he's running
scared."

Tyler gently pushed Caitlyn aside and stepped closer to Scott. "Mister, I'm giving you twenty seconds
to get out of my sight, or I'l give you a very good reason to run scared."

"You? Hah! I'd like to see you try."

Tyler looked at his watch. "Ten seconds . . ."

Caitlyn held her breath. She real y didn't want to be the cause of a brawl right here in front of God and
everybody.

Scott frowned and blinked drunkenly. He raised his beer in a toast. "I can tel when I'm not wanted. So
long, suckers!" He swaggered off into the crowd.

"What a blowhard." Tyler put his arm around Caitlyn. "You al right, honey?"

She smiled. "I am now."

"I can't believe you actual y thought about marrying that asshole."

"I can't believe it either. I must have been insane." Caitlyn shrugged. "Oh wel , everyone's entitled to
make mistakes. Come on, let's grab some dinner."

CHAPTER EIGHT

Saturday dawned bright and clear. Perfect flying weather. The blue West Texas skies stretched as far
as the eye could see. The wind was calm and the temperature cool and brisk. A perfect day for the air
show.

Tyler awoke from a sound sleep to the sounds of retching and moaning coming from the camper's smal
bathroom. He jumped out of bed and hurried to the closed door. "Caitlyn? What's wrong, honey? Are
you sick? I'm coming in."

He opened the door and saw Caitlyn hunkered down over the toilet. She looked up at him, her face
pale, her hair bedraggled and her eyes watery.

She bit her bottom lip. "Oh, Tyler. I can't be sick. I just can't. I need that prize money. Oh God, I feel
so horrible."

Tyler held her head while she retched once again. He grabbed a washcloth from under the sink, and
after dampening it, he wiped her forehead and mouth. She was hot to his touch. "You have a fever.
Can I get you anything? How about some cola? That usual y settles my stomach."

Caitlyn took the washcloth and held it against her hot skin. "That sounds good. I'm going to lie back
down. I can't be sick. I have to fly today."

Tyler opened a can of cola and poured it in a glass. He sat on the edge of the bed and handed her the
soft drink. As she sat up and sipped the cool beverage, he took the cloth and wiped her face and neck,
trying to cool her off.

She finished the cola and lay back down. "Oh God. I can't afford to be sick. I need my chance at that
prize money. What could be wrong with me? I was perfectly wel yesterday. I can't be sick. I have to
fly."

Tyler took the glass from her and set it on the bedside table. "You're not flying today."

"I have to. Don't you understand? I real y need that money."

"I know you do."

"Maybe I'l be better in an hour or so. Then I'l be able to fly. I'm not scheduled until after lunch. Maybe
I'l be wel enough to fly by then."

Tyler continued wiping her down with the damp washcloth. "I don't think so, honey. I don't have a
thermometer, but you're awful y hot. You're burning up with fever."

She took the cloth and held it to her forehead. "I have some aspirin in the medicine cabinet. That'l
lower my temperature. Please, wil you get it for me?"

"Sure thing." Tyler pul ed on his jeans, then searched the medicine cabinet. He returned to the bed and
shook out two tablets into Caitlyn's outstretched palm. He poured more soda into her glass and handed
it to her.

After swal owing the pil s, she offered a weak smile. "I'm certain I'l be better in a couple of hours. I
feel better already."

Tyler sat on the bed again. "Caitlyn, honey. I can't let you fly today. It would be too dangerous."

"You can't stop me. I have to fly today." Her bottom lip trembled and several big tears slid down her
cheeks.

Tyler reached out and wiped them away. "Don't cry. Please don't cry."

"I can't help it." She sniffed back the tears, but they were coming on quicker and stronger. "I've been
counting on that prize money to help me get back on my feet. I know I could win it; I know I could. I
can't believe I'm sick. Why couldn't I be sick tomorrow? Why today? I need to fly today; I need that
money."

Tyler grabbed a box of tissues on the nightstand and handed it to her. "Here, dry your tears. No way
can you fly today . . . now wait a minute! Hear me out. You know you can't fly; you know it would be
too risky with you being sick like this. I'l take your place. I'll fly for you."

Caitlyn stared at him like he'd gone nuts. Maybe he had. He had no idea if he could actual y take the
plane up. What if he froze? He'd been trying to get over his irrational fear for weeks with no
discernible luck. For some reason, he felt very lucky today.

"You haven't flown in months," she said, then bit her lip. "I mean--"

"I know what you mean." He cupped her jaw tenderly in his hand. She was stil hot to the touch. No
way could he let her fly this afternoon. "You don't think I can do it?"

She lifted her chin. "Of course, I think you can do it. The important thing is, do you think you can do
it? You haven't flown the sequences. You'd be doing every event without any practice."

Tyler shrugged. "I've been coaching you for weeks. I'm very familiar with the Known Compulsory
sequence. Even though I haven't flown it, I think I could do it in my sleep. And the Unknowns and
Freestyles are my specialty. At least, they used to be."

Caitlyn searched his face. Her scrutiny made him al the more determined to do this for her. Final y,
she shook her head. "I can't let you do it. What if

. . .?"

"What if I make a fool of myself?" Tyler took her hand in his and smiled. "I have to try, honey. The
more I think about it, the more I believe this is the perfect push to get me over my damned phobia. I
want to do this for you, Caitlyn. I'l win that prize money for you."

"But why? Why would you give me the prize money if you win the competition?"

" If I win? Oh, I'm going to win, honey. I feel it in my bones."

For the first time that morning, Caitlyn smiled. It warmed Tyler al over. " That certainly sounds like
the old Tyler McCade. But a hundred thousand dol ars?" she said. "That's a lot of money. It wouldn't
be right. I couldn't accept such a generous gift like that."

"I want to do this. I need to do this. I'l win the money for you." He took her hands in his, and brought
them to his lips. "I love you, Caitlyn Ross. I want to marry you."

She gasped in surprise and those green eyes opened wide. "I . . . I don't know what to say."

He smoothed back some straggly wisps of hair from her forehead. "Al you have to say is yes. Believe
it or not, I've never fal en in love before. I've never asked anyone to marry me. I never thought I'd find
someone to love until I met you."

"But . . . but I can't marry you. You're Mr. Love 'em and Leave 'em."

"Not anymore." He squeezed her hands. "Marry me, Caitlyn. No one wil ever love you as deeply as I
love you."

She pul ed her hands from his strong clasp. "I can't marry you. I won't marry you. You don't
understand. Everyone I've ever loved has let me down. I promised myself I'd never open my heart to
that danger again."

Tyler frowned. "What do you mean everyone let you down? Are you talking about Scott Nelson? I
don't know how you ever thought you loved that son of a bitch, but we won't go there. Are you
comparing me to that bastard?"

Caitlyn pul ed another tissue from the box and blew her nose. "Of course I'm not comparing you to
Scott. Scott's a slime bal . He's lower than dirt. I see now that I never real y loved him." She stared at
the crumpled tissue in her fist, then tossed it in the trash. "I'm sorry, Tyler. But I mean it when I say I
won't marry you. And I'l understand if you don't want to take my place in the competition. I'l survive
without that prize money. I've done okay for the past year or so. I'l continue to do okay."

Tyler looked at the woman he loved more than life itself. She was a mess this morning. A beautiful
mess. And the fever was making her loopy. He hoped she got wel fast. He hated to see her so sick.
"This must be the fever talking. I know you love me. Shh." Tyler touched his finger to her lips to stal
any argument she might offer. "I don't want you saying anything that you'l regret. When you think this
over, I know you'l figure out I would never let you down."

He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead before rising to his feet. "Now I want you to rest. I'm
going to go talk to the air show officials about flying in your place. When my family gets here, I'l send
Cameron over to check on you."

"But Tyler--"

"No buts, honey. I'm doing this. For you. For me. For both of us."

****

Caitlyn lay in the bed after Tyler let himself out of the camper. She hugged a pil ow to her chest and
tried to calm her racing heart. Had Mr. Love 'em and Leave 'em McCade actual y declared his love
and asked her to marry him?

So many things had happened in close succession this morning; it was al blurry in her fevered brain.
She blinked away the sleep threatening to take hold and took another sip of soda.

First, she couldn't believe he'd offered to stand-in and win the prize money for her. That would mean
pushing aside the fears that had plagued him for the better part of a year and flying the Sukhoi in the
competition.

Solo. Alone. All by himself. Just him and the plane together once again.

Yes, she'd told him she believed in him, but in reality would he be able to get past his deep-seated
fear?

If he were successful, the prize money would be a secondary triumph compared to his victory over his
fear. Tyler McCade not flying was like a fish not swimming; it just wasn't natural. If he did fly today,
his personal world would right itself. Life as he knew it would be back to normal.

And that brought her to the second and most important thing that had happened this morning: Tyler had
said he loved her. Like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like it was normal for him to love
her.

He'd said he'd never loved anyone before. Yet he'd dated dozens of women, hundreds of women, or
so said the grapevine. Surely, he'd felt more than mere liking for some of them.

Except why would he lie about it?

When he'd said he wanted to marry her, Caitlyn's heart had nearly burst with happiness. She couldn't
fool herself any longer. She'd fal en in love with Tyler McCade.

But loving him changed nothing. She couldn't risk her heart again. She hadn't been joking when she
said everyone she'd ever loved had let her down. Her mother had died and so had her father. They'd
left her alone in the world. And Scott . . . Wel , she'd never real y loved him; she realized that now.
But he'd hurt her just the same.

So whether or not Tyler won the competition, Caitlyn knew it was time for her to move on. She knew
better than to put down roots and get too attached to anyone, no matter the temptation.

Snuggling down under the covers, she closed her eyes and gave way to the overwhelming fatigue that
beckoned. Maybe after she slept a couple of hours, she'd be al wel . Maybe Tyler was wrong and she
would be able to fly in the competition herself.

Two hours later, a knock on the door roused Caitlyn from a deep sleep. She opened her eyes,
disoriented and a little unsettled.

"Caitlyn? It's Cameron McCade. May I come in?"

Good lord! She probably looked like death warmed over even though she was feeling a bit better than
earlier. The nap seemed to have refreshed her. She finger-combed her hair and wiped the sleep from
her eyes. "Sure. Come on in. The door's open."

Cameron entered the camper and his commanding presence fil ed the smal space. He was just as
handsome as his younger brother, yet once again, Caitlyn felt none of the thril s and chil s that Tyler's
presence engendered.

The doctor took off his Stetson, set it on the kitchen counter and smiled at her. "Tyler sent me to check
on you. How are you holding up?"

She smiled back. "I think I might be on the mend. I just woke up from a long nap."

"Good." He picked up her wrist and started taking her pulse. "You're stil pale. Any more vomiting?"

She shook her head. "No, not since this morning. I've been able to keep water and soda down. I think
my fever broke while I was sleeping."

Cameron felt her forehead, then the back of her neck. "Fever seems to be down. You probably have
the virus that's going around. Just stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids.

"Okay." She couldn't keep from asking, even though she knew the answer. "So you don't think I'm wel
enough to fly?"

He shook his head as he picked up his Stetson. "No, definitely not. Besides, Tyler's determined to fly
for you. I haven't seen him this cheerful and confident since before the crash. Oh, and by the way . . .
welcome to the family."

Caitlyn's breath caught in her lungs. "Welcome to the . . .? I'm not . . . I can't be . . ."

Cameron smiled that kil er McCade smile. "Yes, ma'am. You are and you can. Now, take care of
yourself, you hear?" He stepped out of the camper and shut the door behind him.

She couldn't believe Tyler had told his brother he'd asked her to marry him and made it sound like it
was a done deal. Like she'd accepted the proposal. She remembered refusing him this morning when
he'd asked, although the whole encounter was hazy in her memory. And had he announced it to his
whole family? Most of the McCades had planned on attending the air show. Would they al assume
wedding bel s were in the near future for her and Tyler?

A part of her so wanted to marry him, but another part was scared to death to take the risk.

Caitlyn glanced at the clock on the far wal of the camper. One forty-five. She didn't have much time if

she wanted to watch Tyler compete. No matter what happened, she had to be there for him. She owed
him that much.

****

After Tyler located Cameron and asked him to check on Caitlyn, he walked across the airfield to
conduct the pre-flight inspection on his Sukhoi. It seemed ironical y perfect that he was attempting this
critical solo flight with the Queen Mab. He and his lady had won countless competitions together. Of
al his planes, she was nearest and dearest to his heart and soul.

Maybe that's what he'd been doing wrong al these weeks. He'd been trying to conquer his fear by
flying one of the planes he used for applications jobs.

Tyler loved al his planes, but some rated higher in his heart than others. Lady Hawk had been a
favorite, but she was gone forever.

Queen Mab would show him the way.

That familiar rush of adrenaline shot through his veins. For the first time since the accident, Tyler
final y felt comfortable in his own skin again. He could do this. He knew he could. For Caitlyn, and
most especial y for himself.

When he'd walked over to the registration tent to sign up in Caitlyn's place, the air show officials had
been happy to make the substitution. Most of them knew him, and they welcomed him with
enthusiastic support. No one said anything other than they were glad to see him back on the circuit,
and they wished him the best of good luck.

He was going to need it. He'd told Caitlyn he knew the Known Compulsory sequence by heart, but to
put it into execution would be a chal enge to say the least. He spent the rest of the morning walking
through the routine sequences, going over them repeatedly in his mind.

Tyler didn't have time to check on Caitlyn before he flew. Cameron had texted him that she seemed to
be doing better. His family was sitting in the audience. They'd come to cheer Caitlyn on. Now, they
would be cheering for him.

He'd had a mil ion and one things to attend to, and two o'clock came mighty fast. Before he could have
second or third thoughts, he was buckled in and taxiing down the runway, positioning himself for take
off.

He sent up a quick prayer and waited for the official to give the signal. When he did, Tyler took off
down the runway and much to his astonishment and delight, he pushed forward the throttle and Queen
Mab lifted effortlessly into the air. The ground receded and he checked his instruments. Over the
headset, ground control gave him the go ahead to begin the sequence routine.

The hum of the engine and the grip of the control stick in his hands were al the welcome Tyler needed
to fly his best. The months of pain and frustration faded away. He was flying again and that was al that
mattered.

After he gained the desired altitude, Tyler maneuvered into the first series of barrel rol s, loops, snap
rol s and hammerheads. The Queen Mab responded to his every command, turning over and over
again in the clear blue West Texas sky. The world twirled beneath him, behind him, in front, al
around. Sucking in the force of the G's was intoxicating and boosted his confidence, making him
secure in the knowledge that he had final y recovered what he'd almost lost forever.

He climbed high in the sky, then dropped toward the earth, and only at the last minute, he pul ed up
smoothly out of the dive to climb high once more. He flew upside down, then executed a couple of
Cuban Eights fol owed by flips and rol s. Another series of loops and spins and Tyler knew he'd
discovered his groove again.

He was one with the sky and Queen Mab. Nothing could stop him now. He could taste sweet victory
within his grasp.

As he flew the final sequence, a fierce joy constricted his chest. Damn, he'd missed flying. With
Caitlyn's patience and guidance and love, al was right with his world.

He circled over the airfield one last time before touching down on the tarmac. The crowd applauded
as he opened the hatch and climbed out of the cockpit. His family came running and hugged him,
kissed him, and clapped him on the back. His mother cried, his sisters-in-law cheered and his
brothers lifted him up on their shoulders and carried him toward the sidelines where Caitlyn stood
waiting for him.

Tears spil ed down her cheeks as she looked up at him. He was stil sitting on his brothers' shoulders.
"You did it!" she cried, laughing and dashing the tears away. "I knew you would. Congratulations."

Tyler's brothers set him down. As soon as his feet hit solid ground, he held out his arms to the woman
he loved. She hesitated only a second before walking into his embrace.

"Oh, Tyler. I'm so happy for you."

He hugged her tight. "I couldn't have done it without you, sweetheart. If not for you, I couldn't have
done it."

****

The week after the Stone Creek Air Show was a busy one. Tyler settled into the familiar routine of
flying applications and keeping the planes in tiptop condition with maintenance checks and repairs.
His ridiculous fear of flying was final y at an end. Thank God.

Only now, he had an even bigger catastrophe to deal with.

Caitlyn was leaving at the end of the month. Nothing he said could make her change her mind. She
was adamant and refused to see she was making them both miserable with her stubbornness.

At the closing ceremonies of the air show competition, Tyler had gladly accepted the first-place

trophy and the cashier's check from the judges and officials. He'd enjoyed receiving congratulations
and best wishes from his friends, his compatriots, his buddies on the air show circuit.

The trophy would hold a special place of honor when he added it to his col ection. This prize not only
represented his skil in the cockpit, it symbolized his personal triumph over his fear of flying, final y
laying to rest the aftermath of last year's accident. He was ready to move on, ready to tackle anything.

Or so he'd thought.

He'd been riding high fol owing his victories at the air show when his world came crashing down
again. After the ceremonies, Tyler immediately sought out Caitlyn. He proudly handed the check to
her, but she steadfastly refused to take it.

She shook her head, stil pale from being so sick. "I'm sorry, but I can't accept the money. It wouldn't
be right. I can't marry you, Tyler. I won't marry you. It's time I moved on. I don't expect you to
understand, but I hope you can respect my decision."

In shock, Tyler stood staring down at her beautiful face. He couldn't fathom the fact that not only was
she refusing the prize money; she was also rejecting his love and his marriage proposal. His heart
was breaking in two. His chest constricted so painful y, he thought he might pass out from lack of
oxygen. Pul ing G's didn't even compare. Up to now, he'd had no idea how much pain he'd unwittingly
inflicted on the many women who'd professed their love for him in the past. Now he knew, and it
sucked.

Taking hold of Caitlyn's shoulders, Tyler barely restrained himself from shaking some sense into her.
"I love you, damn it. And don't say you don't love me back. I know you do."

She shrugged out of his grasp and stepped away, putting distance between them. "Yes, I love you. I
tried not to, but . . . it just happened. I tried to guard against it, but . . . Just let me go, Tyler. I can't
stay. We've had a lovely summer and autumn together, but al good things come to an end. It's time for
both of us to move on."

His hands dropped to his sides and fisted in frustration. "I don't want to move on. I want you. In my
life. By my side. Together forever."

She shook her head again, and a tear slid down her cheek. She hastily swiped at it. "Please . . . don't
say any more." Her voice trembled with emotion. "Nothing lasts forever. I learned that a long time
ago."

He couldn't believe what was happening, what she was doing. "So, you're throwing it al away?
You're not wil ing to take a chance on this love growing between us? We're good together, Caitlyn.
We're good for each other. Take a chance, honey. For God's sakes, you're an aerobatics pilot.

You risk your life every time you climb into the cockpit. How hard could it be to risk your life, your
heart on me?"

"You have no idea how hard it is." She bit her bottom lip so tight, Tyler thought it might bleed. He

wanted to kiss away her hurts, except kisses wouldn't be enough. She'd been marked by her childhood
and the people she'd loved. He hadn't realized the extent of the damage, until now.

"I'm sorry," she said again. "I just can't take the risk. I've made up my mind. Please don't ask me
again." She turned away and ran toward her camper.

That last night at the air show, he'd bunked with a buddy so he wouldn't impose his presence on
Caitlyn. Maybe she just needed a little time and space to think things through.

Tyler knew he needed time to think. So much had happened in such a short space of time, his head
was spinning. He'd conquered his irrational fear of flying. And not only had he flown solo for the first
time since the accident, he'd won the prize money in the competition. But Caitlyn had refused to
accept it. If that weren't bad enough, the woman he loved, the only woman he'd ever fal en in love
with, had stomped his heart into the ground.

He needed to regroup. Surely, Caitlyn would see reason and open her heart to him after she'd thought
about it a little more. His future looked bleak without her in his life.

The next morning, Caitlyn drove the truck and camper back to the Diamondback Ranch, and Tyler
piloted the Sukhoi. Since then, they'd been tiptoeing around each other. Again. Seemed like they'd
spent most of their acquaintance dancing around each other for some reason or another.

When she'd returned to the airfield, Caitlyn immediately removed al her stuff from his apartment and
slept in her camper. Reba wandered back and forth between them; the dog didn't know which of them
she owed her loyalties to.

Too bad Caitlyn wasn't more like Reba. At least the dog loved him and wanted to be with him. That
had to count for something.

Right, McCade. That was stretching it a bit even for him.

Caitlyn had flown several of the application jobs during the workweek, but for the most part she was
keeping to herself and working on her dad's plane. From what Tyler could see, she wasn't going to
finish the restoration before she headed out in a couple of weeks.

Today, she'd gone to town to do some shopping and banking. With no work scheduled for the day,
Tyler devoted the morning to maintenance and repairs. He was adjusting the application hoses on one
of his planes when Reba barked a greeting to her returning mistress.

Caitlyn marched into the hangar and stood with hands on hips, glaring at Tyler. "What were you
thinking? I specifical y told you I couldn't accept the prize money. But apparently I didn't make myself
clear. Imagine my surprise when the tel er gave me the balance in my account?"

Tyler straightened to his ful height and deliberately laid the wrench on the tool cart. He wasn't going
to argue about this again. "I told you that money is yours. I flew in the competition for you. I took your
place. I was your proxy, your substitute."

She stamped her foot. "Don't talk to me like I'm dimwitted. Yes, you took my place. You flew and you
won. It's your money."

Tyler slowly counted to ten before replying. She was being dimwitted as far as he was concerned.
"Hel , I wasn't going to fly at al , if you'l remember.

I thought I couldn't fly. Except I knew how much you needed the money. I did it for you. If you don't
want to accept it in the spirit it's given, then consider it payback for helping me get wel , a bonus for
working at Lone Star Wings, going above and beyond the cal of duty. You organized my office and
accounts, you kept my company from going under while I couldn't fly, and you were the incentive I
needed to get back in the cockpit.

Yeah. You earned it, honey. It's yours."

Caitlyn crossed her arms and glared harder. "Tyler, this is important to me. It's not right for me to
accept the money."

Tyler glared back. "Wel , that's just tough beans. This isn't only about you. I'm stil trying to understand
why you're rejecting my love and proposal. I can understand that you have trouble trusting and
depending on people. But you can trust me, Caitlyn. I'l always be there for you. Just take the damn
money, okay? We'l cal it even."

"Tyler . . . "

He grabbed the wrench and bent over the applicator to adjust another hose. "The subject's closed. I
don't want the prize money. If you don't want it, donate it to charity or something."

CHAPTER NINE

Caitlyn tossed and turned in the bed in her camper. No matter which way she lay, she couldn't get
comfortable. Just as she was dozing off, Reba propped her nose on the bed and whimpered, signaling
she needed to go out.

Caitlyn cracked open one eye and groaned. "Do you real y need to go out or do you just want to chase
raccoons?"

Reba nudged her shoulder and whined, her tail thumping on the floor.

"Okay, okay. But we real y need to get on a better schedule, girlie. This waking up in the middle of
the night needs to stop."

She climbed out of bed and fol owed Reba to the door and let her out. The dog dashed into the black
night and quickly disappeared. "Don't go too far," she cal ed, then shook her head. Ever since she and
Tyler had returned from the air show and began sleeping apart, Reba had wanted out during the early
morning hours.

Every day, Caitlyn fought to stay awake because of the sleep she lost. Reba usual y took about ten or
fifteen minutes to do her business. Caitlyn had to wait to open the door for her. She didn't like leaving
Reba out after dark. Coyotes, pumas and wild hogs lurked about the countryside during the night. Wild
animals that might hurt an overly friendly puppy dog.

Caitlyn stationed herself at the dinette table, waiting for Reba to return. She leaned her head on her
arms to rest her eyes for a moment and promptly dozed off.

****

A loud knock on his door woke Tyler from a restless sleep. He stil hadn't gotten used to sleeping
alone in his bed again. Funny how quickly he'd become accustomed to the feel of Caitlyn by his side.
Not so funny how he stil missed her. How he didn't even feel whole without her . . .

The knock sounded again in a rapid tattoo. "Tyler! It's me . . . Please open the door."

The frantic note in Caitlyn's voice jerked Tyler upright to a sitting position. More banging on the door,
and he jumped out of bed and hurried to open it.

Without putting on any clothes.

Caitlyn didn't seem to notice. She stood there wringing her hands together and leaning on one foot then
the other, rocking back and forth, either from the cold or worry, Tyler couldn't tel which.

"What's wrong, honey? Come on in. I need to get dressed."

Caitlyn seemed to awaken from a stupor and her eyes widened when she noticed he was naked.

Tyler turned quickly away, unable to control his body's violent reaction to seeing her. He left her
standing at the door and returned to the bedroom to scramble into some jeans, before hurrying back to
the living room. "Sorry about that. What's wrong?"

"It's Reba. She's gone." Caitlyn paced back and forth in front of the couch, biting her thumbnail. She'd
thrown a thin robe over her nightgown and wore fuzzy flip-flops on her feet. The jerky movements of
her pacing whisked the silky fabric of her robe taut against her body outlining her curves.

Curves he ached to caress; the sexy body he longed to plunge himself into.

Not the time to be thinking about sex, McCade. Get with the program.

He swal owed his lust and tamped down his desire. "What do you mean Reba's gone?"

Caitlyn explained about the last couple of days' new nighttime ritual. "And then I fel asleep. When I
woke up and opened the door, she wasn't there.

She always comes right back. Always. She's been gone for more than an hour. Something's happened
to her, I just know it." Her bottom lip trembled as she fought for control over her emotions.

Tyler took her hands and squeezed them. "You want me to find her?"

She nodded and squeezed his hands in return. She looked up at him and frantical y searched his face.
For what, he didn't have a clue.

He used every ounce of reserve left in his overly aroused body not to gather her into his arms and kiss
her senseless. Caitlyn hadn't come because she'd changed her mind and missed him. She'd come
because she needed his help to find her missing dog.

He inhaled sharply. Wel , he sure as hel wasn't going to let her down now.

Unable to help himself, Tyler lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them. He needed the connection to
her as much as he needed to fly his planes.

Caitlyn gently pul ed her hands away . . . and he let her.

"Don't worry, honey. I'l find Reba. Why don't you wait here where it's nice and warm?" He pul ed on
a shirt and grabbed his boots. "Which way did she go? Did you notice?"

Caitlyn shook her head. Her hair was a tumbled mess, a wild tangle fal ing around her face, but she
looked beautiful to Tyler, desirable and adored.

"She went off in the pasture somewhere," Caitlyn said. "She likes to chase raccoons. But she's never
stayed away this long before. Do you think she lost her way? What if she got caught in one of those
traps?"

"Let's not borrow trouble before we need to. I'l find her for you." Tyler shrugged into his jacket and

rummaged in a drawer for a flashlight. "Damn, where is it?"

"Where's what?" Caitlyn asked, stepping closer and peering into the drawer.

"The flashlight. It's usual y right here."

"Oh, I put it in the utility closet when I cleaned the last time. I'l get it." She disappeared down the hal ,
and shortly returned with the flashlight. "Here you go. I sure hope you can find her. Where could she
be?"

Instead of taking the flashlight from her, Tyler gathered Caitlyn in his arms and hugged her. "I'l find
her, sweetheart. Have a little faith."

When Caitlyn looked up at him with those great big green eyes, Tyler couldn't resist. He bent his head
and kissed her. Hard. He'd been dying to kiss her since she'd walked in the door. He'd been dying to
kiss her al week.

For one heavenly moment, she kissed him back. But only for a moment. She pul ed away. "Tyler, you
shouldn't . . ."

"I'm not going to apologize. I love you, damn it. I'l never stop loving you." He took her in his arms
again and covered her mouth with his, delving his tongue inside, tasting her sweetness, her essence.

This time Caitlyn didn't push away. She wrapped her arms around his neck and plastered her body
against him. She met his thrusting tongue with hers, and tasted like heaven.

Suddenly, she stiffened in his arms and wiggled out of his embrace. She started to say something, then
her face crumpled and her lips trembled again. " Oh Tyler . I . . . I shouldn't have done that. You
shouldn't have done that. We can't get into this right now. What about Reba? You have to find her. I'l
never forgive myself if something bad's happened."

Tyler stared at her, his body in hyperdrive, his breathing heavy. For the hundredth time, he wondered
why he'd fal en in love with a woman who wanted no part of him. Only she did want him; she just
didn't realize it, didn't want to acknowledge it. Otherwise, why had she returned his kisses?

Why had she turned to him when she needed help?

Maybe there was hope for them after al .

"Don't worry, I'm on it." Tyler took the flashlight from her, grabbed his shotgun just in case and
headed out into the night.

****

Caitlyn watched dumbfounded as the door closed behind Tyler. Why in the world had he taken the
gun? For protection, dummy. Duh. Those wild animals out there weren't only dangerous to dogs; they
could do serious harm to humans, too.

Now, not only was she worried about Reba, she also had Tyler to worry about.

She touched her finger to her lips and closed her eyes on a sigh. Tyler had kissed her like he'd been
starving for her. And she'd kissed him back just as hungrily.

Her body stil quivered with that hunger, that yearning, that need. She shouldn't feel like this about
Tyler, especial y since she wasn't ready to make a commitment. Wouldn't make a commitment.
Refused to make a commitment.

Was she merely being stubborn by sticking to her guns? Could she trust her heart this time?

It was al very confusing. She didn't trust the feelings, because she didn't trust her judgement. Scott was
the case in point. A point worth noting. A point she shouldn't ignore.

When had her life turned so damned complicated? She shook her head. Who was she kidding? Her
life had always been complicated.

She knew in her heart Tyler wouldn't treat her badly. He wasn't anything like Scott. But it was hard to
let go of her fears.

Caitlyn sighed deeply. An overwhelming fatigue swept over her. She looked longingly down the hal
and thought of the big comfortable bed in Tyler's room. Her bed in the camper left much to be desired.
Maybe she'd just lie down until Tyler returned. What could it hurt?

****

Tyler found Reba caught in a steel trap down in the pasture, about a mile from the airfield. Thankful y,
his brothers had the traps adjusted and set so as not to kil . Coyotes had been a problem the past
couple of years, and Dal as had a running fight with the predators. Feral hogs ran rampant around the
countryside and the sixty-four hundred acres of the Diamondback Ranch. They threatened pastureland,
as wel as the cultivated fields.

Dal as and Austin tried to capture the pesky critters as humanely as possible, but where the livelihood
of the ranch was concerned, there real y was no question of priorities.

When Caitlyn first arrived at the ranch, both he and Pete had warned her about the traps and snares,
and up to now they hadn't caused a problem.

Reba usual y stayed close to the airfield. But if the dog had been on the hot scent of a raccoon or
possum, al of her attention would have been focused on her prey. In the darkness, she could have lost
her way.

He'd first checked a couple of places close to the airfield with no luck. Then he took off down the
trail leading deeper into the pasture. Sure enough, Reba had stepped into one of the traps set beneath
the barbed wire fence near the path. The yel ow lab whimpered and barked when she heard his
approach.

Tyler pointed his flashlight at the dog. "Hey, girl. So Caitlyn was right. You did get into trouble. She's
worried sick about you." Crouching low, he rubbed Reba's ears and stroked the thick fur. "Poor baby.
Don't you worry. I'l get you out of there."

He set the flashlight down on the ground, directing the light toward the front paw held captive
between the steely jaws of the trap.

"This'l only take a second." Tyler careful y tripped the release springs and the trap popped open.
"There you go. Let me have a look at that paw to see how bad it is."

But Reba couldn't sit stil long enough for him to inspect her leg. The dog whirled around and around,
dancing a happy dance. She barked and licked Tyler's face. He laughed and ruffled her fur.
"Obviously, you're not seriously hurt. Just scraped up a bit and bruised. Come on. Let's go home."

****

Tyler opened the door to his apartment and Reba bounded in ahead of him. Immediately, she loped off
straight to his bedroom. He heard Caitlyn's sleepy murmur and greeting. Tossing his jacket on the
back of the sofa, he walked down the hal and stopped in the doorway to his room to gaze at the
woman sitting up in his bed. The woman he loved and wanted with such a fierce urgent desire, he
didn't know how he'd survive if she left him for good.

Reba jumped on the bed and nuzzled and licked Caitlyn al over. Caitlyn laughed and cooed, kissing
the dog again and again, burying her nose in the soft yel ow fur. When the dog saw Tyler in the
doorway, she jumped off the bed and ran toward him, nudging his hand, demanding to be petted.

Caitlyn yawned and smiled a sleepy smile at him. His stomach plummeted and his heart accelerated.

"You found her," she said with a yawn. "What time is it?"

"A quarter past four." Tyler sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed her hair away from her face. The
past week's differences seemed to have receded into the background. It was like it had been before
the air show, when they'd practical y been living together.

Reba hopped back on the bed and rested her head on her mistress's lap and sighed. Caitlyn rubbed the
dog's ears. "Where were you, you naughty dog? You know not to go too far." She looked up at Tyler.
"Where was she?"

Tyler petted the dog, scratching her neck beneath the col ar. "Caught in one of the traps." He inspected
the front paw where she'd been snagged.

"She seems fine. More embarrassed than hurt. But very glad to see me. Weren't you, girl?"

Caitlyn took the dog's head in her hands and bent close. "Don't you ever do that again, you hear? I was
scared to death. And you might have been seriously hurt."

Reba licked her face, then yawned and stretched. She moved to the end of the bed, circled twice and

plopped herself down, settling in for the night.

Caitlyn stared at the dog, then at Tyler, exasperation and something else, something hot, shimmering in
the depths of her green eyes.

He waited with bated breath. He wanted her in his bed more than anything. Even if it were only to
sleep. Of course, he wanted to make love to her in the worst way. It had been more than a week, and
his body ached with wanting.

"Stay with me," he said, gently touching her cheek with one finger.

"Tyler--"

"Just for tonight. You're tired. I'm tired. Reba's had a rough time of it. I want you to stay." He wanted
her to stay forever, but he'd take tonight if that was al she could give.

She sat silent for a long moment, biting her thumb, gazing up at him. "Okay," she said, her voice a
whisper and a promise. "I'l stay just for tonight."

****

Caitlyn fel into a swift deep sleep, her backside nestled spoon-like to Tyler's front. She didn't want to
admit even to herself how wonderful it felt sleeping next to him again. She'd missed his hard muscled
body, his heat, his smel , his touch.

She slept like the dead. She'd been physical y and emotional y exhausted ever since she'd been il at
the air show. Her body needed to mend, and her emotions needed to find some sort of balance. Her
brain and heart were battling it out and the stress left her weak and drained.

Near dawn, Reba left the bed and wandered off to find some other place to sleep. Caitlyn adjusted the
covers and wiggled closer to Tyler.

He gathered her in his arms and kissed the nape of her neck. He bumped her rear, pressing his arousal
against her suggestively, while he slipped one hand beneath her nightshirt. His fingers glided upward
until he found and cupped her breast. He rubbed her nipple between thumb and forefinger.

Her breath stal ed in her lungs. "Tyler?"

"Hmm?" His hot breath scorched the delicate shel of her ear.

She swal owed. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," he said, nipping and kissing her earlobe. "Just ignore me and go back to sleep."

She inhaled deeply. "I . . . uh, don't think that's possible."

His hand moved stealthily down her stomach, slipped beneath the elastic of her panties and cupped

her mound. His fingers tangled in her soft curls, expertly seeking out her most intimate flesh. With the
gentlest touch, he brushed across her pleasure point.

Once . . . twice . . .

She gasped his name on an exhale.

"You want me to stop?" he whispered in her ear.

Caitlyn shook her head. She couldn't concentrate and speech was practical y beyond her abilities as
Tyler's clever fingers worked their magic.

She moaned, her body automatical y responding to the rhythmic movement Tyler orchestrated. Before
she could catch her breath, she was riding the crest of a powerful orgasm.

She flipped on her back and clutched the biceps of Tyler's strong arm. "Oh God. I need you inside me.
Now! "

Tyler ripped off her panties and shucked his briefs. He grabbed a condom and sheathed himself.

"Hurry, Tyler! Hurry!"

He braced his arms on either side of her and Caitlyn opened to him, welcoming his first powerful
thrust with a lift of her hips. She wrapped her legs around him to pul him in closer.

Her orgasm intensified, and she shuddered deeply from within. The wet heat of her body closed
around Tyler's shaft, enveloping his hardness as they rediscovered their unique sensual dance once
again.

Caitlyn cupped his jaws with her hands, caressing him as his face contorted with the intimate pleasure
of his climax. His eyelids slowly closed as the orgasm stole over him; his body stiffened, and he
plunged deeper inside her, seeking the ultimate release.

Tyler col apsed on top of her, his breathing ragged in her ear as his head rested on the pil ow beside
her own.

Caitlyn fel asleep in Tyler's arms, her body replete with lovemaking.

She snuggled under the covers with a sigh of contentment. Tomorrow would be soon enough to face
the consequences of giving in to temptation.

****

A couple of days later, Tyler was working in the maintenance hangar once again. He didn't know
where Caitlyn was; she was making herself scarce, as usual.

The night they'd spent together meant nothing to her. Yes, she'd sought him out when she'd needed

help. But the next morning when he woke up, she'd been gone. Reba had been gone, too. The smiles
exchanged, the kisses stolen and the early dawn lovemaking hadn't changed a goddamned thing.

She was one stubborn woman. And he loved her to distraction. How was he ever going to let her go?

Wiping his hands on a grease rag, he tossed it on the workbench, then stood staring at Caitlyn's
vintage biplane at the other end of the hangar. She worked on the plane every free minute she could
spare. Scaffolding stil held it propped up off the ground. Parts of the engine were scattered on the
floor and benches. She was determined to finish the job before she left.

Tyler shook his head. She'd never make it.

Maybe if she didn't complete the restoration, she'd stay a little longer. She'd be hard pressed to find
another place with available resources and equipment to do the work. She had everything she needed
here. Not only to repair her dad's plane, but to live happily ever after, if she'd just give him a chance.
Give them a chance.

Tyler clenched his jaw. He doubted she'd stay any longer, even if the plane wasn't finished. Knowing
how determined she was to leave and move on, she'd probably pack it up as it was and head out.
Away from the Diamondback Ranch. Away from him.

Tyler walked the length of the hangar and circled the plane. He'd never had the opportunity to fly a
Pitts Special. The plane was a real beauty. He could certainly understand Caitlyn's attachment. She
was crazy about the old plane. It represented al that she'd loved, al that she'd lost.

Tyler froze in his footsteps and stared at the plane. Could the Pitts be the key to winning Caitlyn's
trust?

If he could get her out of the way for a day or two, and if he were able to recruit some help, he could
probably finish the restoration and surprise her.

It was certainly worth a try.

Hel , he'd tried everything else. One more attempt wouldn't hurt anything. Nothing could make it
worse than it already was.

Maybe the gesture would get it through that thick beautiful skul of hers that he was wil ing to do
anything for her. He'd never let her down. She could always depend on him for love and support.

He'd searched for her damn dog in the middle of the night, hadn't he? He'd lent her his competition
plane to fly in the air show, right? He'd even coached her through the maneuvers and routines. And
when she'd been too sick to fly, who had stepped in and flown for her?

He had, damn it.

What more did he need to do to convince her they were perfect for one another?

He'd run out of ideas and arguments trying to change Caitlyn's mind to marry him. He couldn't let her
go without one last attempt. If finishing the plane didn't help convince her, Tyler didn't know what
else he would do. Living the rest of his life without her was too horrible to contemplate.

Tyler continued his inspection of the biplane, thinking long and hard. Caitlyn had promised his mom
she'd go to the big house on Saturday for a baking lesson before she left the Diamondback Ranch for
good. He decided to enlist his mother's help to keep Caitlyn busy and occupied the whole day. He
needed as many hours as possible with his reluctant flygirl out of the way, so he could finish the
restoration of the Pitts Special.

With no time to waste, Tyler paid a visit to his mother and told her his plan.

Ruth's eyes twinkled when she smel ed romance in the air. "Oh baby, I hope it works. Caitlyn's the
perfect wife for you. I couldn't have chosen better myself. I'l do anything to help you. You know I wil
."

"Thanks, Mom. Why don't you invite Jessie and Theresa and Gil ian over, too? I'd like for them to get
to know Caitlyn better. Maybe if she sees how happy they are in their marriages, it'l help her come
around to the idea of marrying me."

"Good thinking. Kelsey can come, too." Ruth rubbed her hands together, as if she were plotting to take
over the world. "We'l make it a girls-only baking party. I promised Caitlyn a girls' night out when she
first arrived, except it backfired and never happened."

Tyler smiled. "Oh man, if you could keep Caitlyn away from the airfield for the day and night, I'm
sure to finish the work on the plane. You think you can manage it?"

Ruth's eyes twinkled again. "Of course, I can. I'm a McCade, aren't I?"

"Wel , actual y only by marriage," he said, just to get a rise out of her.

Ruth swatted his arm. "Oh, you know what I mean. Once we McCades set our minds on something, we
usual y get it done. Right?"

"Right." Tyler kissed his mother's cheek. "I've set my mind on Caitlyn. But I'm going to need help to
get the job done."

"Love wil find a way, son. Have a little faith."

Tyler knew he was going to need more than faith if he were to succeed in this venture. He thought of
al the favors he could cal in from his brothers and friends from around the countryside.

Failure was not an option. Ever since he'd conquered his fear of flying, Tyler was convinced that
anything was possible. He'd just have to make it happen with Caitlyn. No, failure was not an option.

****

Caitlyn sat at the big oak table in Ruth's kitchen, chopping pecans. She'd asked Ruth for the recipe for
the Texas Hot Cocoa Cake soon after Tyler had shared the slice of cake with her that night in her
camper. The night they'd shared their first kiss.

So sweet. So hot. So long ago. So much had happened since then.

Best not think about that right now, or she might start crying again. She'd cried enough tears to fil the
Brazos River. Best to concentrate on the pecans.

What with one thing or another, Tyler's mother had never gotten around to giving the recipe to her.
Last week before the air show, Ruth had invited Caitlyn to bake with her and they'd set the date. Even
though her relationship with Tyler had changed, Ruth had renewed the invitation and insisted on
making it a girls' night out. Ruth had been so persuasive, Caitlyn hadn't been able to refuse.

What in the world had she been thinking?

When she'd parked her scooter next to al the cars and trucks sitting in front of the old ranch house,
Caitlyn seriously questioned her sanity. Had she wil ingly agreed to spend the day and night with
Tyler's family? The man whose love and proposal she'd rejected?

It had taken al of Caitlyn's courage to knock on the front door instead of turning tail and running back
to the airfield. The only thing that kept her standing on the porch was knowing if she went back, she'd
have to avoid Tyler al day long. Again. It was getting harder and harder to stand by her resolve.
Especial y after giving in to temptation and sleeping with him the other night.

Again . . . what had she been thinking?

Of course, Tyler had assumed she'd changed her mind about marrying him after they'd made love that
night. The next day's conversation had turned into a heated battle that only left her more confused than
ever.

She knew she was being stubborn. She loved the man, didn't she? Then why did she continue to refuse
his love?

Obviously, she had trust issues, and it wasn't easy to let them go.

Oh wel . She'd promised she'd come today, and here she was. After Ruth welcomed her into the
house, Caitlyn braced herself for recriminations, but none came. Even though everyone knew she'd
refused Tyler's proposal and the prize money, they were al being nice to her. The McCades were an
awesome family like that. She'd thought so from the beginning; she thought so now.

She wondered if they knew he'd deposited the contest winnings into her bank account without her
knowledge. It stil stuck in her craw how he'd done that. The man had a way of getting what he wanted.

He was a handsome heartbreaker. Only she wasn't going to let him break her heart. She was going to
leave before that could happen.

Caitlyn couldn't deny the tiny flicker of fire that burned brightly knowing he wanted her so badly. If
only she could take that flying leap of faith . . .

"Caitlyn, darlin'," Ruth said from over near the sink. "Why don't you give that nut grinder to Kelsey.
Kelsey, you finish those nuts. I'm going to need them in a few minutes. Caitlyn, you come on over
here. I want to show you how to melt the butter and cocoa for the icing. It's almost like making candy,
except you don't let it boil."

"Oh my God, Ruth. That cake smel s heavenly," Jessie said, walking into the kitchen after putting little
Daniel down for a nap. "One of the best things about this family is that awesome chocolate cake.
Right, Theresa?"

"Definitely. Plus Ruth's fried chicken and homemade biscuits. I've tried to make the biscuits, but I just
can't seem to get them right."

"Lord a mercy," Ruth said. "You wouldn't believe how many pans of burnt biscuits I buried in the
pasture when I first started cooking. It's a wonder we didn't have biscuit trees sprouting up al over the
place."

"Oh Grams, that's too funny. Biscuit trees." Kelsey stopped cranking the handle of the old-fashioned
nut grinder for a moment, then smiled. "That would be cool though, wouldn't it? Biscuit trees. How
yummy."

Ruth shook her head. "Not the biscuits I buried. They weren't fit to eat. You'l get the hang of making
them, Theresa. Just you keep practicing."

"Practicing for what?" Gil ian asked, walking into the kitchen behind Jessie. She was carrying baby
Zachary who'd just woken up. "What we need to practice is getting both babies down for a nap at the
same time."

"I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon," Jessie said. "Daniel only has two speeds now that
he's learned to walk. He either goes ninety miles an hour, or he's out like a light."

Ruth scurried over to look and marvel at her newest grandchild. "I swear that baby is growing like a
weed. Caitlyn, have you ever seen such a pretty baby boy?"

Caitlyn couldn't help glancing at Jessie, who winked at her and smiled. "Oh, Ruth. That's what you
said about Daniel. I bet you said that about al your babies."

Ruth took the baby from Gil ian and kissed him on the forehead. "Wel , every baby deserves their spot
in the limelight. Don't you, my little man? So what do you think, Caitlyn?"

"I think you're absolutely right," Caitlyn said, joining into the spirit of the conversation. "He is a
handsome boy. Just like his daddy and his uncles."

"Truer words were never spoken," Ruth said in al seriousness.

Everyone laughed.

"Wel , it's true." Ruth looked around the kitchen. "You can't deny al my boys are handsome. And
speaking of the boys, I better get supper cooking as soon as we finish the cake. They're al going to be
mighty hungry after they finish--"

"Ruth!" Al three of her daughters-in-law glared at her.

"They're on their own tonight, remember? It's girls' night out," Jessie said. "I think they're ordering
take out from Sarah Sue's cafe, and one of them wil run to pick it up. At least, that's what Cameron
told me they'd planned."

Tyler's mother frowned and bit her lip. "Oh right. I forgot. Wel , doesn't matter what they're doing or
not doing . . . never mind. What kind of cookies do y'al want to bake after we finish the cake?"

Caitlyn glanced at the faces of al the women who were frowning at their mother-in-law and casting
speculative looks her way. Something was going on she wasn't supposed to know about. "What are
the men doing today?" she asked in as casual a voice as she could muster.

Ruth smiled. "Nothing to worry your pretty little head about, darlin'. You just keep stirring that
chocolate and don't let it boil."

Caitlyn suddenly had a bad feeling about al of this. It was starting to look like the McCades had
plotted to keep her busy while Tyler did something.

But what could he do? He'd already given her the prize money. What else was there? And even
though she'd told him not to repeat his marriage proposal, he'd asked her again several times since the
air show. Every time it was getting harder and harder to refuse.

He couldn't force her to marry him; so there real y wasn't anything he could do. Except try to wear
down her defenses. And if she were honest with herself, she'd have to say he was close to doing just
that.

Giving into temptation and sleeping with him again had almost been her undoing. Tyler's lovemaking
was like a drug, and she was afraid she needed another fix. Although, she trusted him with her body,
she stil couldn't trust her heart to him and commit to forever.

She didn't know how to do forever.

Caitlyn stirred the cocoa mixture and sighed. She couldn't risk her heart again. It would kil her if she
built her hopes around Tyler, then have him disappoint her. Better to stick to her guns and move on. It
was much safer to depend only on yourself. Not always easier, but definitely safer.

Theresa came up beside her near the stove and took the wooden spoon from her hand. "I'l take care of
this. Why don't you and Jessie get some fresh air? I'm sure she'd like to take a walk or sit on the front
porch while little Daniel is down for his nap. The sunset is beautiful from there. Take a break. I know
we McCades can be pretty overwhelming at times. Even without the menfolk in residence."

"What are they up to?" Caitlyn asked, searching the woman's pretty face.

"Ask Jess. Maybe she'l tel you."

****

The sun was beginning to set, when Tyler and his crew of volunteers decided to break for dinner.
They'd made great progress on the restoration of Caitlyn's plane. Tyler had assigned various jobs to
the workers, explaining what was to be done and how.

Dal as walked into the hangar carrying three large bags of burgers and fries. Two ice chests were
already stocked and ready with soft drinks and cold beer. Everyone chowed down, ready for the
break, preparing for the long night ahead.

Tyler sat with his brothers at one of the workbenches. "Damn, I hope this works, and Caitlyn changes
her mind." He bit into his cheeseburger. "If it doesn't, I'm royal y screwed."

"Maybe not," Cameron said. "Caitlyn seems to be a lot like Jess. I knew Jessie loved me--hel , she'd
loved me for years--but she was so damned stubborn about actual y marrying me. It took a lot of
persuading on my part to cut through her defenses." He pointed a French fry in Tyler's face to
emphasize his next point. "So, if this doesn't work, you'l just have to think of something else."

"That's the problem. I'm running out of ideas," Tyler said. "Except I can't quit trying. Failure is not an
option."

"Right." Cameron popped the fry into his mouth. "You have to keep believing she'l eventual y come
around."

"She'l come around," Dal as said, opening a beer. "I know al about being stubborn. I almost lost Gil
ian because I was so pig-headed. I acted like a bastard toward her. Luckily, she loved me enough to
forgive me."

Austin nodded. "Same here with Theresa. I can certainly understand Caitlyn being afraid to take the
risk. Just don't give up, Ty."

"I won't. I never thought I'd find a woman to love. God knows I dated enough of them." He banged a
fist on the table. " Goddamn it! She has to change her mind and marry me. She just has to."

CHAPTER TEN

Four Shaker-style rockers sat on the front porch of Ruth's ranch house. Caitlyn sat in one and Jessie in
another. They watched the sun set and talked on al manner of topics. Al except the most important one.
They careful y skirted the issue of Caitlyn's relationship with Tyler.

They sat in companionable silence for a while until Caitlyn couldn't stand it any longer. "I do love
Tyler, you know."

Jessie rocked back and forth. "I know. The McCade men are a unique bunch. I've known them for
years. We al went to school together. There's only the one school in Salt Fork."

Caitlyn smiled. "One school with twelve grades?"

"Thirteen if you count Kindergarten," Jessie said with a grin.

"Wow. Y'al must have known each other pretty wel then."

"Yes, considering there were only ten or twelve students in each grade."

"I can't even imagine that kind of school." Caitlyn shook her head in wonder. "I never stayed
anywhere long enough to make close friends at the schools I attended. We were always moving
wherever my dad got stationed."

Jessie stopped rocking. "Is that why you're afraid to marry Tyler?"

Caitlyn felt her cheeks heat up. "You don't beat around the bush, do you?"

"Sorry. You don't have to tel me if you don't want. I just thought you might need to talk about it. Would
it help to know I refused Cameron's proposal at first, too?"

"Did you?" Caitlyn said, surprised. "Why? You seem so happy now."

Jessie shrugged a shoulder. "It's a long story. Suffice it to say, I was scared. And stubborn.
Sometimes, I wondered why he didn't just find someone else. He didn't give up, though. Thank God.
We al have issues, Caitlyn. We al have to learn to trust. Austin nearly lost Theresa because he was so
afraid to trust again, to love again."

"Austin? It's hard to believe that big strong man was ever scared of anything."

"Wel , believe it. It's true."

"So, al of your stories have happy endings." Caitlyn sighed. "I don't see how mine can."

Jessie stared at her. "But you said you love him."

"Yes." Caitlyn's voice was barely a whisper; she felt tears gather in her eyes.

Jessie stopped rocking and leaned forward in the chair. "Listen, I've known Tyler McCade my whole
life. Yes, he was a lady-kil er. Al the brothers were to one extent or another. I don't know how many
hearts Tyler broke, but I'l tel you a little secret--I've never seen him this serious about a woman
before. I've never seen him ready to commit. Ever."

She started rocking again. "When the McCades final y fal in love, they fal hard. They're responsible
men and they love their women deeply. They had a good example set by their parents. Ruth and
Daniel McCade adored each other. They were the kind of couple who held hands wherever they went
even after being married thirty years. They weren't afraid to show their love for one another. That's
the example Tyler and his brothers and his sister grew up with."

Caitlyn looked out at the mesquite trees standing in the pasture; the cool evening breeze swished the
branches back and forth. "So you're saying I should give Tyler a chance? I should take that risk? I
should just do it?"

"I'm saying you ought to think long and hard before you throw away his love. If you open your heart to
Tyler, he'l always be there for you. That streak of goodness and commitment runs deep in al the
McCades. You'l never find another man like Tyler."

"I know. I want to believe, but it's hard," she said with a sigh. "It's not easy to let go of my fears."

"Actual y, it's easier than you think," Jessie said. "Al you need to do is imagine how your life wil be
without Tyler in it. Which is the greater risk?

Leaving or staying?"

Caitlyn thought a minute. "I'm not sure."

"Wel , nothing's for sure in this life." Jessie reached over and covered Caitlyn's hand with her own.
"You've been given the chance to choose what kind of life you want to live. With Tyler or without.
You have to take that first step if you want your chance for happiness. The McCades are worth it,
Caitlyn. Bury your past and welcome the future with Tyler."

"I don't know. I'l have to think about al you've said. Seriously think about it." Caitlyn sighed again
and shook away the despair. She squeezed Jessie's hand then let go and forced a smile. "So . . . I
notice you haven't told me what the men are real y up to today. Why are y'al keeping me out of Tyler's
way? I feel like there's been a McCade conspiracy launched against me."

"It's a secret. I don't want to spoil Tyler's gift." Jessie's eyes twinkled. "You'l love it, I promise. I
hope you can accept it graciously."

Caitlyn bit her lip. "As opposed to how I accepted the prize money, his love and his proposal of
marriage?"

"I didn't mean it like that," Jessie said with a groan.

"Don't worry about it. I know I have issues with intimacy and commitment." Caitlyn watched a

chaparral bird run swiftly across the yard into the pasture where it disappeared. She turned back to
Jessie. "You see, I've been let down so often, I guess I've come to expect it."

"Tyler loves you, Caitlyn. He's ready to give up his freedom and settle down with you. Give him a
chance. You'l be glad you did."

****

Tyler crashed in bed around five that next morning. It had been years since he'd pul ed an al -nighter.
Staying up until dawn wasn't as easy to do at thirty-two as it had been at eighteen. He must be getting
old. Just one more reason he needed to convince Caitlyn to take a chance on their relationship. He
didn't want to live the rest of his days alone. He'd had enough of that.

The weeks he'd spent with Caitlyn in and out of the bedroom had been pure nirvana. He'd final y seen
why his brothers had settled down into happy domesticity. He wanted what they had. What his parents
had shared.

Now, if only he could make Caitlyn see reason.

As he drifted off to sleep, Tyler had to smile. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on him. After al
these years, after al the women he'd dated, how ironic that when he'd final y fal en in love and was
ready to commit himself forever, the woman of his dreams adamantly refused to marry him.

Oh yeah. The gods in the heavens were surely looking down and laughing. He'd been hoisted by his
own petard.

****

Every time Caitlyn tried to return to the airfield the next morning, one or another of the McCade
women found reason after reason to postpone her departure. It was funny how quickly they dredged up
excuses to prevent Caitlyn from leaving.

What was Tyler up to? Her curiosity was thoroughly aroused. She knew it had to be something big,
and it most probably had something to do with wearing down her last defenses against accepting his
proposal.

Never in her life had anyone gone to so much trouble on her behalf. It wasn't only Tyler; it was his
family, too.

She thought about the talk she'd had with Jessie last evening. The woman was right. Caitlyn was going
to have to decide which was riskier: leaving Tyler and living without him, or staying and sharing their
life together?

It shouldn't be that difficult to choose. She loved Tyler with her whole heart. He wasn't Scott. Tyler
was . . . Everything she'd ever wanted.

He'd been there for her from the very beginning, even when he'd stil been in pain and recuperating

from the crash. He'd helped her learn the ropes of flying the applications; he'd offered her the use of
his Sukhoi for the competition; he'd coached her through the contest routines. Who had nursed her
when she'd been so sick? Who'd taken her place in the competition and won the money she'd so
desperately needed? Who had hunted for Reba in the middle of the cold dark night?

And the lovemaking? Her body trembled just thinking about Tyler's touch. His care and patience and
generosity, his exquisite attention to detail that made her feel special and cherished.

No one had ever made her feel like that . . . in bed or out.

A feeling of warmth and contentment settled in Caitlyn's heart. She hugged herself and smiled
dreamily.

It didn't matter what Tyler's surprise was, she final y knew what she wanted. She wanted to share her
life with Mr. Do or Die McCade. Happily and forever after.

Okay, then. She'd just sit back, relax and let the day play out like Tyler had obviously gone to such
lengths to arrange. She'd go with the flow and wait to see what Tyler had in store for her.

She smiled when she thought of al the possibilities.

****

Tyler woke up a little past noon after sleeping soundly al morning. He grabbed a bite to eat, then
hurried to the hangar. He wanted to test-fly the Pitts before he presented it to Caitlyn.

The afternoon was clear and bright and cool. The sky was blue with fluffy white clouds floating
above the western horizon. A good day for flying.

He fil ed the fuel tank, walked through the pre-flight inspection, then grabbed his gear. As he climbed
into the cockpit, adrenaline started pumping through his veins. Thank God he was able to fly again. He
didn't know how he would've lived if he'd been permanently grounded.

He didn't know how he'd live if Caitlyn left him. He'd dated enough women to know that what he felt
for Caitlyn was extraordinary. Amazing.

Awesome.

Living his life without Caitlyn would be a thousand times worse than being grounded. A mil ion times
worse. If he had to choose . . . hel , there would be no choosing; Caitlyn would win hands down every
time.

Taxiing across the tarmac, Tyler maneuvered down the runway, accelerating into a perfect lift-off that
made his heart soar.

Holy shit! No wonder so many pilots loved their Pitts Specials. The plane handled like the gem it
was. Damn, he might just have to buy a Pitts for himself.

Circling around the airfield, Tyler did a few loops and barrel rol s just for the hel of it. Oh, yeah. As
soon as he was able, he was definitely getting a Pitts.

He brought the plane down for a perfect three-point landing. His gift to Caitlyn was nearly ready. A
text to his mom and he'd be good to go.

****

Caitlyn found herself once again sitting on the front porch of the ranch house, alone this time,
impatiently waiting for the unveiling of Tyler's surprise.

Everyone had gone home after lunch, and Ruth had suggested she sit outside while she straightened the
house a bit. Caitlyn had packed her bag so she'd be ready to leave on the instant.

"But don't go back yet," the older woman warned as she shooed her out the door, eying the overnight
bag with a frown.

"I won't. Not until the coast is clear."

"That's the spirit." Ruth's smile was warm and loving.

Caitlyn inhaled a deep breath of the fresh West Texas air and rocked back and forth, her hands
clutched on the arms of the chair. Now that she'd made up her mind about Tyler, she didn't want to
waste another precious moment. She'd lived her whole life in a sort of limbo--moving from place to
place, losing her mom and dad, entering into that fiasco of an engagement with Scott--she'd never real
y belonged anywhere.

She stared off into the distance. She loved the Diamondback Ranch. She loved the green pastures
where the cattle and horses grazed, the cultivated fields where the cotton and wheat grew, the Double
Mountains on the horizon. She loved the bil ions of bright stars in the domed-night sky and the miles
and miles of countryside, visible as far as the eye could see.

She loved the McCade family. But most of al , she loved Tyler. How had she thought she could live
without him? How could she have thought she'd be able to leave the Diamondback Ranch? She'd final
y found a place to cal home. She'd final y found a family who welcomed her into their inner circle.

And she'd final y found a man she could trust, a man who would never let her down.

No, she didn't want to waste another minute.

The screen door opened, and Ruth walked outside. The older woman's face was wreathed in smiles
and her eyes twinkled. It wasn't hard to figure out where her sons had gotten al that McCade charm.

"I just got word from Tyler," Ruth said. "You can return to the airfield now. Darlin', you've been a
great sport about al of this. I enjoyed our girls' night out. I hope to see you again real soon."

Caitlyn rose to her feet. "I enjoyed it, too. Thanks for inviting me. And thanks for teaching me to bake

that awesome chocolate cake."

"My pleasure. Now you need to get a move on. You don't want to miss the surprise."

"Miss the surprise? How could I miss it? Oh, Ruth, can't you give me a little hint? Just a teeny-tiny
one?"

Tyler's mom shot her a mischievous look. "Now, you know I can't do that, darlin'. You just get on your
little scooter and head on back to the airfield.

And don't forget to watch the skies. That's where you'l find your surprise." The older woman shook
her head, consternation creasing her brow. "Oh dear . . . I've said too much already. Now you run
along before I accidently let the cat out of the bag."

Caitlyn kissed Ruth's cheek and found herself the recipient of a fierce hug.

The older woman stepped back and smiled. "Now, you go on. Don't want to keep Tyler waiting any
longer."

"Thanks, Ruth." Caitlyn snagged her overnight bag from beside the rocker and dashed across the yard
to where she'd parked her scooter. She revved the motor and waved to Ruth.

Caitlyn rode back to the airfield, the scooter kicking up dust from the dirt road, leaving a trail behind.
As she neared the compound, she heard the familiar sounds of a plane engine and propel er preparing
for takeoff.

Ruth had said to watch the skies. Caitlyn shifted gears and zipped along the road at a clipping pace.
When she emerged from the mesquite trees into the open airfield, a red and white biplane whizzed
overhead. Caitlyn skidded to a stop and gazed upward.

Oh my God! Her dad's Pitts Special!

So this was Tyler's big surprise. He'd finished the restoration in record time. He must have had a lot
of help. This was what the conspiracy to keep her out of the way had been al about.

She rode the scooter to her camper and parked it. Reba ran toward her and enthusiastical y greeted
her. Caitlyn petted the dog while she watched the plane flying against the backdrop of the clear blue
sky. Tyler zoomed low overhead and waved. On the second pass, he blew her a kiss before climbing
higher in the sky.

Caitlyn's throat clogged with tears as she blew him a kiss in return. She couldn't believe what he'd
done for her.

Because he loved her.

Tyler kept flying almost straight up, higher and higher, then suddenly dropped into a tailspin. Al at
once, a great plume of white smoke spiraled out behind him. It was beautiful to behold.

Caitlyn held her breath and waited anxiously as Tyler plummeted toward earth. Seconds ticked by
slowly, and her heart pounded loudly in her ears.

She knew she was watching Mr. Do or Die McCade doing what he did best, yet somehow this time
was different. This time she had something at stake. This time her heart and her future were up there
with him.

Just when she thought she was going to die from the suspense, Tyler smoothly pul ed out of the
nosedive; the plume of white smoke cut off abruptly as he climbed quickly in the sky, gaining altitude
again.

The Pitts Special was performing like a champ. Tyler couldn't have given her a better gift.

The white smoke bil owed out again and it didn't take Caitlyn long to realize Tyler was writing a
message in the sky. She waited breathlessly.

Skywriting required a level of expertise not many pilots' ever achieved. Of course, Tyler not only did
it with skil ful precision but also with a flourishing finesse.

Caitlyn smiled and hugged herself. What would he write? What would he spel out? Would he profess
his love for the world to see? Repeat his proposal of marriage? What?

The white puffy letters were clear in the majestic blue sky. By the time Tyler finished writing the
message, tears of happiness and joy coursed down Caitlyn's cheeks.

Stay and be mine forever.

Caitlyn laughed and cried as she ran across the tarmac to meet him when he landed. Reba bounded
along beside her.

Tyler brought the plane down and taxied across the runway, stopping where Caitlyn waited for him
with tears in her eyes and the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen.

He climbed down from the cockpit and she launched herself into his arms, lifting her face and inviting
his kiss. He didn't need any more encouragement. Tyler gathered her close and covered her mouth
with his, drinking in her sweet goodness. Tongues tangled and arms tightened.

Tyler thought he could stand like this forever. Wel , not forever. They'd need a bed soon.

He broke off the kiss and stared down into the face of the woman he loved so much it hurt. "Surprise,"
he said softly. "I hope you like it."

"I love it!" Caitlyn stood on tiptoe, bringing his head down and kissing him again.

Tyler's body reacted as it always did when he was anywhere around her. After a blissful moment, he
pul ed back again. "I meant what I wrote up there, but I know I can't bribe you to marry me. If you
need more time or . . . decide you real y can't marry me . . ." He inhaled deeply and smoothed the

wispy tendrils of her hair from her face. His fingers lingered against her soft cheek. He knew he
couldn't make her stay. He'd have to let her go, if that's what she real y wanted. Even if it kil ed him.
"I only want what you want. But dear God, Caitlyn--I want you more than life itself. I love you so
much, it's downright scary."

Caitlyn stepped back a little, and Tyler's heart nearly broke. Was she going to refuse him? Was she
going to reject him yet again? How would he be able to stand it?

She cupped his jaws with gentle hands, her touch scorching his skin. "I love you, too. I did a lot of
thinking at your mom's house, and I decided I do want to take a chance on our love. I want it more than
I've ever wanted anything in my whole life." She glanced over her shoulder at the Pitts Special, then
back at him. "But I must admit, your aerobatic display just now was awesome to behold. And
finishing the restoration of my dad's plane was a very sweet thing to do." She kissed him softly.
"Thanks."

Tyler took a deep breath and gathered her in his arms. His world final y felt right again. "Caitlyn
Ross, wil you do me the honor of being my wife? To have and to hold, from this day onward, in the
air and on the ground, forever and ever?"

Caitlyn smiled. "Yes, I wil . And you know what?"

"What's that, sweetheart?"

"I think I'm going to enjoy being Mrs. Do or Die McCade."

"You think? I know I'm going to enjoy it." Tyler hugged her tight and covered her lips once again.

Reba danced around them, twirling in happiness, knocking against them, barking her approval as
Tyler and Caitlyn sealed their future together with a kiss.

###

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The Diamondback Ranch Series

Book One: The Doctor Wears a Stetson

Book Two: The Cowboy's Surrender

Book Three: A Match Made in Texas

****

The Diamondback Ranch Series

Book One: The Doctor Wears a Stetson

by Anne Marie Novark

Jessie Kincaid was fifteen and innocent when Cameron asked her to the prom. She lost her heart that
night, but his plans didn't change. He left their smal town to pursue his dreams.

Seventeen years later, a trip home leads Cameron McCade back to Salt Fork, Texas, and the newly
widowed Jessie Divine. Since his return, the fire between them burns as hot as ever. Can they take up
where they left off? Can Jessie risk her heart again?

The Diamondback Ranch Series

Book Two: The Cowboy's Surrender

by Anne Marie Novark

Copper River Oil Company is drilling for oil on the Diamondback Ranch. Dallas McCade can't do
a thing to stop them, because he doesn't own the mineral rights. To add insult to injury, they've
sent a woman to oversee the operation. Dallas has good reason to distrust women. As soon as he
sets eyes on Gillian Bankston, he loses his temper . . . and his control. That makes him spitting
mad and frustrated as hell.

Gillian has never met a man quite like Dallas. He's as prickly as a cactus, but his kisses are hot
enough to ignite a West Texas wildfire. Gillian's been burned before and wants nothing to do with
love . . . or lust. Battle lines are drawn and it's war between the sexes. Will they surrender to the
powerful attraction neither can deny? Who will be the first to wave the white flag?

The Diamondback Ranch Series

Book Three: A Match Made in Texas

by Anne Marie Novark

When Austin McCade’s wife dies, a vital part of him dies, too. The sexy single dad devotes himself
to his motherless daughter and his work on the Diamondback Ranch. For twelve years, he ignores
life and women . . . until a new pretty schoolteacher moves to town.

From the moment Theresa Rogers arrives in Salt Fork, Texas, people warn her about the lonely
widower. He’s a hopeless case, a lost cause.

But Theresa sees beneath the crusty exterior of the man to the deep emotions and his enduring
loyalty. Can she pierce the impenetrable wall surrounding his broken heart? Will she be able to
vanquish the ghost who keeps him from loving again?

****

Return to Stone Creek

Book One: Her Reluctant Rancher

by Anne Marie Novark

Living with his stern grandfather taught Trevor Callahan one important lesson: Caring makes a
man weak. Now the old man is dead and Trev returns to Stone Creek for one reason and one
reason only--to sell the Rocking C Ranch. Maybe then he can put his past behind him and move on.

Beth Evans once confused lust for love and vows never to let it happen again. The bookmobile
driver is trying to raise funds to build a new library. The late Hank Callahan bequeathed a million

dollars for the project, but he attached one stipulation: Do not let his grandson sell the ranch.

Return to Stone Creek

Book Two: Tall Dark and Texan

Former bad boy Mitch Defalco roars into Stone Creek, Texas, on the back of a Harley with his
newly discovered daughter riding behind him.

Single mom Sarah Cooper cannot believe he's moved in next door. She had a secret crush on him
years ago when he dated her older sister back in high school.

As Mitch tackles the responsibilities of fatherhood, Sarah admires the way he's turned his life
around. She asks him to help her with a personal problem: Her fear of men. Mitch knows he's bad
news for sexy Sarah, but how can he refuse her dangerous request, when she's determined to move
forward with or without his help?

Texas Two Steps: Darcy and Gabe

A Short Story of Passion and Romance

by Anne Marie Novark

Ever since her divorce, Darcy Miller spends many a Saturday morning attending home repair
workshops at the local Builders' Depot. When the sexy new instructor offers one-on-one lessons,
Darcy discovers do-it-yourself is much more fun with the help of a handsome handyman.

****

You might also enjoy:

The Rancher's Virgin Acquisition

by Lynda Chance

When the stagecoach that is carrying Emma Martin to her new job in Denver is attacked and
robbed in the wilds of Colorado, she is the only survivor. Alone and terrified, she is rescued by
Luke Butler, a rancher who knows only one way. His way.

When Luke Butler finds Emma Martin, he has no other choice but to bring her back to his ranch.
Soon, his life is turned upside down by a female who doesn’t know how to mind and who doesn’t
know how to stay put.

The battle that follows is a clash of wills, a test of tempers, and a lesson in love.

and

The Doctor's Wife

A Short Story

by BK Reeves

Just what the doctor ordered . . . After losing her parents, Milly Blakely cuts her hair and pretends
to be younger to get on the Orphan Train. She travels a long way to find a new family. Rad
Powell’s wife, Frances, is dying. He gives in to her wish for a companion and takes in Milly
Blakely.

Milly is a blessing and so much more than a mere companion during Frances’ last days. After the
loss of his wife, Rad realizes how much this young woman has changed his life and touched his
bruised heart. Can he find a second chance at love?

Happy Reading!!!

Table of Contents

d43b2a7bee104fea972f348f37d2b8cf

Table of Contents

CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
Book Two: The Cowboy's Surrender
Book Two: The Cowboy's Surrender

Document Outline

CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
Book Two: The Cowboy's Surrender
Book Two: The Cowboy's Surrender

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