Lead Me Home (6 page)

Sarah couldn’t know that Aurelia lusted after Matthew Tredway. If Aurelia had her way, Sarah would never know, but that was probably unrealistic. Even though Aurelia had been on the ranch a relatively short time, she’d figured out that Sarah was tuned in to almost every aspect of ranch life. Hardly anything got past her.

Right now, Sarah was waiting for an answer to her question. Would Aurelia object to having Matthew, aka muscular hero, show up every evening to discuss the next day’s menu? Hardly. But she didn’t want to appear too eager, either.

“Let’s try it for a night or two and see how it goes,” Aurelia said. “If it’s not working out, I’ll let you know.”

“Perfect.” Sarah tackled her breakfast in earnest. “My main concern is Houdini, of course. I hope Matthew’s able to turn that horse around. If it relaxes him to think about food and menus every evening, so much the better. But he’s here to train Houdini, and that’s the primary goal. Houdini’s a valuable stud, and we’re not getting the income out of him that we need to. We also hope to train him as a cutting horse eventually. Matthew’s supposed to make him a joy to deal with.”

“I’m sure he will.” What Aurelia knew about training horses could fit on the head of a pin, but she could feel Sarah’s frustration with a horse that wasn’t earning his keep. Matthew had been hired to cure what ailed Houdini, and as the new kid on the block, Aurelia wasn’t about to mess with that.

4

A
COUPLE OF HOURS LATER
, as Aurelia had begun gathering her ingredients and spices for the ratatouille, Matthew appeared in the kitchen. He was a very different Matthew from the one she’d seen the night before. This one wore an old T-shirt that was splotched with sweat and dirt, a T-shirt that strained at the seams over spectacular biceps, pecs and deltoids.

Yesterday’s shirt had somewhat disguised his physique, but this one left nothing to the imagination. He’d been wearing his hat when he’d come through the door, but he took it off to reveal hair that had a tendency to curl when he was hot and sweaty. Two damp tendrils lay across his forehead.

Caught up in the glory that was Matthew, she could barely remember her name. But she sure as hell remembered his, and imagined the joy with which she’d call that name in the midst of a spectacular orgasm. It was quite a vivid picture for ten-thirty in the morning.

“I could use some carrots,” he said, seeming distracted. “Or if you don’t have those, apples will work.”

“I have both, and good morning to you, too.”

His smile was sheepish. “Sorry. When I’m working, I have a bad habit of getting tunnel vision. And speaking of that, there was something else I wanted to ask you about. What was it?” Frowning, he gazed at the floor and tapped his hat against his denim-covered thigh. His jeans were more worn and formfitting than the ones he’d had on the night before, too.

“Did you want to discuss what time you’ll be coming to the house tonight?”

He glanced up, his gaze now focused and intent. “Sarah talked to you about that?”

“Yes.” She couldn’t stop looking at him. She wanted to walk over, peel the shirt from his body and lick the sweat from his powerful chest. Who needed whipped cream with a guy like Matthew?

“You’re okay with that plan?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

He held her gaze for a long, hot moment. “Just checking.”

Her toes curled inside her running shoes. She knew exactly what he was checking. He wanted to find out if she’d had a change of heart following their mutual admiration society the night before. He wanted to know whether she was willing to see where this sexual chemistry might lead them.

“I think it’s a fine idea,” she said, in case he had any doubts about her feelings. “I’m ready for whatever suggestions you want to make.” That was a little bolder in the double-meaning department than she’d intended, but she let the statement stand.

The effect on him was instantaneous. A flame leaped in his blue eyes and he took an involuntary step forward. Then he paused as if he’d belatedly realized this wasn’t the time or the place.

He nodded. “Good. I’m glad.”

“Do you want the carrots and apples cut up or whole?”

He blinked as if he had no clue what she was talking about. Then the fog cleared. “Cut up, if you don’t mind. And if you could put them in a plastic bag, that would be great.”

“Sure thing.” She pulled the carrots out of the refrigerator and took a couple of apples from a bowl on the counter.

“Or I can cut them up,” he said. “I’m sure you’re busy getting lunch ready.”

“That’s okay.” She got out a cutting board and set to work. “I’m the cook, which probably extends to making treats for the horses. This is for Houdini, right?”

“It is.”

“How’s everything going with him?”

“If we can stay on schedule, I’ll ride him around the corral this afternoon.”

She turned to him, knife poised in midair. “Ride him already? Sarah told me he’s never been ridden.”

“Well, today’s the day.”

His quiet confidence registered on her lust-o-meter. So would his competence if he pulled this off. She continued slicing up the apples and carrots. “You should probably sell tickets.”

“I doubt anybody would buy them.”

“I would.”

“Then I hereby offer you a complimentary ticket to the official riding demonstration featuring Houdini and yours truly.”

“How will I know when it is?”

“You might want to come out around four. I’m shooting for that.”

She scooped the pieces of carrot and apple into a plastic bag, zipped it closed and walked over so she could hand it to him. “It’s only the first day. I’m sure nobody expects you to ride him on the first day.”

“But I do.”

She admired his attitude even more than she admired his body, and that was saying a lot. “Understood.”

“Thanks for the horse treats.” His hand brushed hers as he took the bag.

“Anytime.” And she meant that sincerely. If Matthew would consider walking in here once or twice a day in a tight T-shirt, he’d contribute substantially to her job satisfaction.

His gaze lingered on her face, touching her hair, her eyes, her mouth. For one brief moment it dropped to her cleavage before moving back to her eyes. “See you at lunch.”

She could barely breathe. “Right.”

“I need to go.” But he didn’t move.

“Yes.” Heat sluiced through her, and if he didn’t leave soon, she was liable to forget her vow not to be the aggressor in this relationship.

“What time tonight?”

A slight roughness in his voice told her that he was anticipating it as much as she was. “How about eight?”

“I’ll be here.”

“Me, too.” And she’d take a second shower and put on her sexiest underwear before then.

His expression softened, almost as if he might kiss her, but then he shook his head and turned. “Gotta go.” Putting on his hat, he walked away with a determined stride. But at the kitchen doorway, he stopped abruptly.

When he turned, she held her breath, certain he was about to close the distance and take her in his arms, after all. Heart beating wildly, she moistened her lips. “Did you forget something?”

“Yes.” But instead of coming back and scooping her into a scorching embrace, he stayed by the door. “What do you think of baking some corn bread to go with the ratatouille?”

She almost laughed. She’d been thinking passion and he’d been thinking corn bread. There was no predicting what was going through a man’s mind. “I could do that.”

“Great. See you later.” And he was gone.

Turning back to the counter, she took a deep breath. The guy was seriously potent, and she’d have to stay focused on her cooking this morning or no telling what she’d end up serving for lunch. She opened the spice drawer looking for the jar of bay leaves.

She’d just located it when she was startled by the sound of booted feet and a strong hand gripping her arm. Matthew spun her around, pulled her against his chest and kissed her. She barely had time to register the heat of his body and the firm pressure of his sculpted mouth before he let her go.

His breathing was ragged as he stepped back and crammed his hat on his head again. “Some things can’t be put off,” he said. “And that was one of them.” He turned and left the kitchen.

She tingled from head to toe and blood rushed in her ears. For several seconds she stood clutching the jar of bay leaves, her gaze unfocused as she relived the thrill of being accosted by the likes of Matthew Tredway. A delicious shiver went up her spine as she recalled the imprint of his body on hers and the hunger in that one fierce embrace.

He’d been in total command of the moment, sure of himself and what he intended to do. If he could pack that much into one quick kiss, she had a lot to look forward to tonight.

* * *

A
S
M
ATTHEW RETURNED
to the corral and Houdini, the taste of Aurelia’s mouth was on his lips and her scent clung to his clothes. He’d briefly satisfied the craving growing within him, and like a light snack before a meal, it would have to do.

When he’d first walked into the kitchen, his mind had been occupied with the challenge of training Houdini. He’d thought his concentration would hold long enough to get some carrots, ask about the corn bread and leave before succumbing to Aurelia’s appeal. He’d miscalculated. Within a very short time, lust had claimed every brain cell and body part.

Although seducing her this morning was out of the question, his libido had demanded some sort of satisfaction. He’d tried to deny that urge and had nearly made it out of the house. Apparently his willpower was no match for the temptation of Aurelia’s mouth, though, and he’d turned around.

If he’d ever felt this kind of desperate need for a particular woman, he couldn’t recall it. During the night, as he’d lain in his narrow bunk listening to the cowhands snore, he’d searched for an explanation as to why Aurelia affected him this way.

Sometime in the early-morning hours he’d come up with the answer. After years of dating women who were rolling stones like he was, he’d developed an itch for a hearth-and-home kind of woman. Aurelia, with her cooking skills and voluptuous body, could give him that.

With luck, once he’d scratched this particular itch, he’d be fine again. He certainly hoped so, because he had no intention of giving up his career, and travel was a built-in requirement. Plus he liked to travel and had no real desire to stay in one spot and become domesticated.

Tonight he’d say all that to Aurelia, because he didn’t want her going into this with any illusions about permanence. He doubted she had those thoughts. She’d already stated that travel wasn’t her thing.

He figured that when the right guy came along, she’d get married and have kids. Any woman taking a good look at Matthew’s life would see that he wasn’t the type to settle down and raise a family. But it wouldn’t hurt to make sure Aurelia understood that.

Houdini watched him walk toward the corral. Matthew took out a slice of apple and began eating it. With animals as with people, sharing food could be a bonding thing. Matthew was working on building trust.

Fortunately the horse accepted a bridle, or the task would be even harder. Matthew had started out the day by leaning all over Houdini, getting him used to having an arm draped over his back. Finally he’d eased a saddle blanket on and Houdini hadn’t pitched a fit.

Normally a saddle would be the next step, but Houdini had a real fear of them, according to Emmett Sterling, the foreman. Apparently the former owners had mentioned an incident where they’d managed to put a saddle on him but hadn’t cinched it tight before Houdini started bucking. The saddle rotated around to his belly and Houdini had panicked.

A saddle wasn’t necessary in order for Matthew to ride him today. Just the blanket would work, especially if Matthew had created the bond he wanted. To that end he’d also spent time playing with the horse and grooming him.

Although Matthew was hot and sweaty from the morning’s work, Houdini looked spectacular. His black and white coat gleamed and his long white tail was completely free of tangles and burrs. For Matthew, the training process wasn’t a battle of wills. Instead it was an exercise in mutual respect and cooperation between human and horse.

His method took enormous amounts of patience, and often ranch owners like the Chance men didn’t have the time to be that patient with a horse that had been spoiled as a colt the way Houdini had. The people who had originally bought him had intended to train him, but they’d botched what little they’d done and had eventually left Houdini to train himself.

He’d done it, too, Matthew thought with a smile as he opened the gate and walked into the corral. He’d trained himself to be so independent that he had no intention of carrying a human on his back. When he was bored, he unfastened the latch on his stall and took a stroll around the barn, sometimes letting the other horses out, too, if he felt like it.

Houdini walked toward Matthew, who held an apple slice in his outstretched hand as he whistled softly.

“You’re not a bad guy,” Matthew said as the horse took the piece of apple and stood munching it, his tail swishing flies. Matthew stroked Houdini’s silky neck and scratched beneath his mane. “You’ve just been allowed to get away with murder.”

Houdini nuzzled Matthew’s pocket for more treats.

“Later. We have work to do first.”

A young male voice still finding its range called over from the fence. “You going to ride him today, Mr. Tredway?”

Matthew glanced over at the short, wiry boy leaning on the rail. “That’s the plan, Lester.” Matthew had met all eight of the teenagers earlier while they’d been busy mucking out the stalls. He remembered Lester because he was smaller than the rest and didn’t seem to be totally accepted by the other boys. Yet Emmett had told Matthew privately that Lester could clean two stalls in the time it took any of the others to clean one. He seemed to love the work, but the other boys had accused him of trying to suck up by working so hard.

“Will it be like a rodeo?”

“I hope not.” Gazing at Lester, Matthew hatched a plan. “Are you busy right now?”