Claiming the Rancher's Heart (9 page)

Everything was in readiness. Coffee perked noisily in the shiny chrome pot, perfectly cooked bacon sat draining on paper towels, and the scrambled eggs were almost done when a knock sounded at the kitchen door.

Setting the burner heat to low, Stacie sauntered to the door, her heart tripping over itself. With suddenly sweaty palms, she opened the door.

“Hello, ma’am.” Josh whipped off his hat. “I’m Josh Collins.”

She extended her hand. “Stacie Summers. Pleased to meet you.”

“Pleasure is all mine.” He held her hand for several extra beats and a tingling traveled up her arm.

She took a steadying breath and motioned him inside. Instead of sitting at the table as she expected, he stepped close, crowding her.

“Are you hungry?” she stammered. Her body thrummed at his closeness.

His gaze met hers and she shivered at the hunger in the blue depths.

“Starved,” he said in a deep, sexy voice that brought to mind tangled sheets and sweat-soaked bodies.

“Me, too.” She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “I’m ravenous.”

He reached for her, but Stacie slipped past him, feeling his eyes on her as she walked to the stove. No need to make this too easy or quick. She’d discovered last night that anticipation was half the fun.

She’d just turned off the burner and scooped the eggs onto two plates when she felt his arms slip around her waist.

“It smells good in here,” he said, his breath warm against her neck.

“It’s the coffee.” She spoke extra loud so he could hear her answer over the pounding of her heart. “I ground the beans myself.”

“It’s not the coffee.” He leaned even closer and nuzzled her hair. “You smell like spring flowers.”

“I love a man who knows how to give a compliment.” She turned in his arms and faced him.

“What I want to know is,” Josh’s gaze dropped to her lips, “do you taste as good as you smell?”

“I—”

Josh’s mouth closed over hers before she could respond. His lips began their delicious assault on her senses and Stacie forgot how to breathe. By the time he stepped back, her knees quivered like jelly and she had to lean against the counter for support.

“Yep. You
do
taste as good as you smell.” His gaze dropped to her chest.

Her breasts strained against the thin cotton fabric, already anticipating the feel of his lips.

“Wow.” Stacie fanned her face. “It’s getting warm in here. Do you mind if I unbutton my shirt?”

His eyes glittered in the fluorescent lights of the kitchen. “Need help?”

“I’m good.” Actually she was feeling more wicked than good as she unfastened each button with exaggerated slowness. Finally the shirt hung open.

“You’re not wearing a bra.”

“I’m not wearing any panties, either,” she said, offering him an impish smile. “Course, I’m not taking off my pants.”

His smile turned into a grin. “Of course you aren’t.”

He stepped forward, pushing aside the shirt with his fingers, his hands closing over and cradling each small mound. His thumb scrapped across the tip and Stacie moaned.

Josh lowered his head. “I have to taste—”

His mouth had just closed over one aching nipple when the door swung open with a clatter.

“The horses—” Seth pulled up short. A swath of bright red splashed across his cheeks.

Josh whirled, his muscular body shielding Stacie as she pulled her shirt together.

“Don’t you knock?” Josh demanded.

“I saw the light,” Seth stammered. “The guys are saddled up and ready.”

“Ready for what?”

“You asked for help moving the herd this morning,” Seth said.

Josh muttered an expletive and raked a hand through his hair. “I forgot.”

“I understand,” Seth said, his bland expression fooling no one. “You had other…things…to attend to…”

Stacie ducked her head and fastened the last button, wishing she could sink through the floor.

“Enough, Seth,” Josh warned. “Whatever you saw, whatever you
think
you saw, is between Stacie and me. Not you. Not anyone else. Understand?”

“Absolutely,” Seth said immediately.

“We’re clear then.”

“I saw nothing.”

Josh blew out a hard breath. “Okay.”

Seth’s gaze shifted to the plate of eggs and his expression brightened. “Do you mind if I grab some breakfast? I’m starved.”

Easing the truck’s door open, Stacie stepped from the vehicle and closed the door, being careful not to slam it. She cast an assessing look at the place she temporarily called home. Though the rooms upstairs were dark, lights shone in the kitchen.

That meant one, if not both, of her roommates had already started the day. It also meant if she entered through the back, she’d be asked all sorts of questions. Questions she wasn’t sure she was ready to answer.

She glanced longingly at the front door, but in her heart she knew that would only postpone the inevitable. Squaring her shoulders, she followed the sidewalk to the rear of the house and pushed open the screen door.

“I’m home,” she called out in a cheery tone.

“Perfect timing.” Anna turned from the stove, a large wooden spoon in hand. “The oatmeal is almost ready.”

While Stacie was dressed in yesterday’s clothes, Anna had on a raspberry-and-cream-colored summer dress with matching sandals. Lauren was more casual. Like Stacie, the psychologist wore jeans and a cotton shirt. But Lauren’s shirt was crisp and freshly ironed, not rumpled from a night on the floor.

“You’re making breakfast?” Stacie couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice. Though Anna was a good cook, she normally stayed out of the kitchen.

“Anna has gone domestic.” Lauren glanced up from the
New York Times,
a wry smile on her lips. “I’m not sure what to make of it, but if it means a hot breakfast, I’m all for it.”

“I was in the mood for oatmeal,” Anna said, “and you weren’t around.”

“Because she spent the night with Josh.” Lauren raised a coffee cup to her lips, but didn’t take a drink. Instead she peered at Stacie over the rim, curiosity lighting her eyes. “How was he, by the way?”

“Lauren!” The words shot from Anna’s mouth before Stacie could respond. “You don’t ask about a man’s sexual prowess. At least not right away.”

Lauren choked on her coffee, but quickly brought herself under control. “I was asking how he was doing, not how he was in bed. Although, if someone wanted to share…”

“Josh is busy.” Stacie moved to the cabinet, took out a cup and poured herself some coffee. Though she normally added cream and sugar, this time she left it black. “He and Seth and some other guys are taking the cattle to another part of his land today.”

Stacie didn’t quite understand the purpose of the cattle move, but she knew it was an all-day event. That’s why she’d volunteered to drive herself home. And if talking about bovines meant she didn’t have to discuss her sex life, she’d chatter about the brown-and-whites all day.

“Cows remind me of dogs,” Stacie said. “When they look at you with their big brown eyes, it’s almost as if they can read your mind.”

“You sound like Dani.” Anna shook her head, but a smile lifted her lips. “Lauren and I had dinner with Seth and her at the Coffee Pot last night. She’s getting so old. I can’t believe she’ll be seven soon.”

Though Anna hadn’t been keen on returning to Sweet River—even for the summer—she seemed to be enjoying the opportunity to reconnect with her family. Every time she talked about her brother and his young daughter, her eyes sparkled.

If only Paul and I could be so close,
Stacie thought wistfully. But then, Seth accepted and supported Anna’s dream of owning her own clothing boutique, so there was no tension between brother and sister.

Stacie fought a pang of envy.

“Seth is planning a big party for Dani,” Lauren added. “We’ll be invited.”

From cattle drive to birthday party. Could this conversation get any crazier?

“There was a write-up in the Denver paper yesterday you should read,” Anna said, changing the subject once again. “About a cooking contest.”

“Who’s sponsoring the contest?” Stacie asked, her interest piqued.

“Remember Jivebread? That catering firm in Denver that’s so popular?” Anna asked.

“Of course.” Stacie’s heart skipped a beat. The firm, known for innovative recipes and eclectic cuisine, was her dream company. She’d interviewed with them a couple times, but both times lost out to more experienced chefs.

“They’re looking for innovative recipes,” Anna continued. “The winner gets five thousand dollars and the chance to work with their catering team for one year.”

“That would be a great opportunity.” Stacie kept her tone casual. “Who’s doing the judging?”

Anna leaned back and grabbed a newspaper clipping from the counter. She took a sip of coffee and glanced down. “Abbie and Marc Tolliver.”

Stacie groaned. Anyone else and she might have stood a chance. But with those two she was dead in the water.

Lauren glanced up from her coffee. “Is that a problem?”

“Big problem.” While Stacie didn’t want to be negative, she had to be realistic. “I entered a recipe in the Best of Denver competition a couple years back. Marc and Abbie were the final-round judges. They didn’t like my entry at all.”

While their criticism of the dish had some validity, and she’d learned from their comments, her recipe style hadn’t changed much since then.

“That doesn’t mean they won’t like the one you submit this time,” Anna said with a touching loyalty.

“Perhaps Stacie’s passion has changed.” Lauren took a sip of coffee and cast Stacie a pointed glance. “From recipes to men. Or more specifically, to one certain cowboy.”

“My passion hasn’t changed,” Stacie said firmly, her gaze shifting from one roommate to the other. “Working for Jivebread would be a dream come true. Whatever is happening between Josh and me…well, it isn’t anything permanent. If I got that job I’d be outta here in a heartbeat.”

Anna opened her mouth for a brief second, but instead of responding, she busied herself filling the bowls with oatmeal and placing them on the table.

“Seth mentioned he was helping Josh today.” Lauren tilted her head. “Did he see you before you left?”

Oh, he’d seen her all right. Stacie didn’t need to close her eyes to remember Seth’s startled expression.

“Our paths crossed,” Stacie drawled. “I think he was as surprised to see me as I was to see him.”

“So, he knows you spent the night,” Lauren said.

Stacie laughed, though right now she was finding it hard to see the humor in the situation. “Let’s just say I have no doubt he knows exactly what’s going on between Josh and me.”

Anna dropped into the seat opposite Stacie. “What
is
going on between you and Josh?”

“Chemistry, Anna, chemistry,” Lauren interjected before Stacie could answer. “Mixed with common values, it’s a potent combination.”

“Yeah, but I thought Stacie didn’t like cowboys,” Anna said, her eyes clearly puzzled.

“I didn’t,” Stacie said, starting to understand how a trapped animal felt, “I mean, I don’t.”

Lauren lifted a perfectly tweezed brow. “You don’t like him, yet you slept with him?”

“I don’t like the lifestyle,” Stacie clarified. “But I like Josh.”

“You know he was married before.” Anna’s expression gave nothing away.

Stacie focused her attention on sprinkling raisins over her oatmeal. “He told me.”

Anna pushed her bowl aside and leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. “Did he tell you Kristin was a city girl who made it clear to everyone in this town that being with Josh wasn’t enough of a reason to stay? He didn’t go out socially—even with the guys—for almost a year after she left.”

There was a warning in Anna’s tone that came through loud and clear. But it was the censure that raised Stacie’s hackles.

“Say what you mean, Anna.” Stacie held on to her rising temper with both hands.

“I don’t want to see him hurt, Stace,” Anna said, her eyes filled with concern. “I know he’s hot. And a person would have to be blind not to see the sparks that fly whenever you’re together. But he’s also vulnerable.”

And I’m not?

“I like him,” Stacie said. “And he likes me.”

Lauren added an extra dollop of brown sugar to her cereal. “Would you consider staying in Sweet River?”

“No,” Stacie said. “But that’s no secret. Josh knows I have to complete myself before I can be a partner to any man.”

“Complete yourself?” Anna laughed. “Honey, you’ve been spending way too much time with Lauren.”

“What she’s saying makes sense,” Lauren said before Stacie could respond. “There would be more happy people in this world if women and men gave themselves permission to pursue their dreams.”

“Thank you, Lauren,” Stacie said.

“Hey, I’m not saying Stacie should give up her dream.” Anna sounded affronted that they’d even suggest such a thing. “I’ve just seen the way she looks at Josh.”

“Don’t forget the way he looks at her,” Lauren added.

“Can’t deny it,” Stacie admitted. “There is that attraction. But it’s purely sexual. And that’s the way we both like it.”