Claiming the Rancher's Heart. Cindy Kirk

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СКАЧАТЬ could see the flecks of gold in his eyes and feel his breath upon her cheek. She was already anticipating the taste of his lips when he abruptly sat back, his hand dropping to his side. “This is a bad idea.”

      Her heart dropped like a lead balloon and she felt like a child whose favorite toy had been snatched from her grasp.

      For several heartbeats they simply looked at each other.

      “You’re right.” Her pulse, which had stalled, began to thump like a bass drum. “It’s late. I should get home.”

      When she stood he didn’t try to stop her. By the time she reached the front door, her heart had settled into a regular rhythm. She paused on the porch and took a deep breath of crisp mountain air, hoping it would clear her tangled thoughts. Darkness had fallen, but thanks to a brilliant moon and a sky filled with stars, she could see clearly.

      Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bert racing across the yard toward her. Her spirits lifted and she stopped at the base of the porch steps to give the dog a goodbye hug. Bert reciprocated with a wet kiss to her cheek. She laughed and gave the animal another quick squeeze.

      When she straightened, she found Josh staring.

      “What can I say?” she said. “Animals love me.”

      “Of course they do,” she thought she heard him mutter under his breath.

      Though the truck in the drive was less than twenty feet away, the walk seemed to take forever. She quickly discovered that heeled sandals and a gravel drive weren’t a good combination. Not to mention that every time she took a step, Bert pushed against her, forcing her closer to Josh.

      When they got to the pickup, Josh reached past her to open the passenger door. Stacie inhaled the spicy scent of his aftershave and a yearning to play “kiss the cowboy” returned.

      But instead of giving into temptation, she stepped back, putting a more comfortable distance between them. She was congratulating herself on her good sense when sharp teeth sank into the back of her heel. She yelped and leapt forward, crashing against Josh’s broad chest.

      His arms closed protectively around her and a look of concern blanketed his face. “What’s wrong?”

      Stacie turned in his embrace to cast the dog a reproachful look. “Birdie bit the back of my foot.”

      The animal cocked her head and swished her tail slowly. Her dark lips curved upward until it almost looked as if she were smiling.

      “Nipping heels is one of the ways she herds cattle,” Josh said in an apologetic tone. “It’s her nature.”

      “I don’t like that part of her nature.” Stacie wagged a finger at Bert. “Don’t do that again.”

      The dog stared for a moment and then lifted a paw and proceeded to lick it.

      “She’s sorry,” Josh said, a little smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

      “Yeah, right.” If Stacie didn’t know better she’d believe the animal had wanted her in Josh’s arms and had done what she could to make that happen.

      “Nothing will ever hurt you,” Josh said, his eyes dark and intense. “Not on my watch.”

      “Are you saying the cowboy will protect me against the big, bad dog?” she asked in a teasing tone.

      “Most definitely.” His gaze drifted to her lips.

      Though she knew she was playing with fire, Stacie slipped her arms around his neck, raking her fingers through his thick, wavy hair. “What I want to know is, who’s going to protect me against you?”

      She wasn’t sure he heard the question. Because the words had barely left her lips when his mouth closed over hers.

      Chapter Three

      “You kissed her?” Seth Anderssen let out a hoot of laughter that echoed throughout the Coffee Pot Café.

      Josh scowled and wrapped his fingers around the small cup, wishing he’d kept his big mouth shut. After all, Seth’s sister, Anna, was Stacie’s friend. If Seth mentioned to her he’d been blabbing about the date, it might get back to Stacie. And she might get the mistaken impression that he was interested. Which he wasn’t. Not in the least.

      “Did she come back into the house?” Seth asked in an all-too-innocent tone. “So you two could get even better acquainted?”

      Josh met his friend’s blue eyes. “Are you asking if I slept with her?”

      Though no one was seated nearby, Josh had automatically lowered his voice. When his marriage crumbled he’d provided more than his share of grist for the town’s gossip mill, and he wasn’t eager to repeat the experience.

      Seth’s gaze remained steady. “Did you?”

      “Of course not.” Josh responded immediately, making sure his tone left no room for doubt. “We just met. Besides, she’s not my type. And I am not hers, either. She told me so.”

      A smile quirked the corners of Seth’s lips. “Tell that to someone who’ll believe it.”

      “She’s Anna’s friend.” Josh ground out the words, irritated at the teasing, yet not sure why. Seth had always liked to rattle his cage. Why should now be any different?

      “She’s also very pretty,” Seth pointed out.

      “She’s a city girl,” Josh continued. “A hothouse flower not suited to this climate.”

      Just like Kristin, he thought.

      “Sometimes those hybrid varieties can surprise you—”

      “Then you go out with her—” Josh stopped himself, finding the thought of Stacie dating Seth strangely disturbing.

      “I’m not her perfect match.” Seth took a sip of coffee. “You are.”

      The words hung in the air for a long moment.

      “I don’t believe that bull,” Josh said finally. “Look at Kristin and me. Everyone said we were a perfect match. Didn’t even make it three years.”

      Though he now realized they were better off apart, the failure of his marriage still rankled. When he’d said his vows, he’d meant every word. He’d been willing to do whatever it took to make it work. But he’d learned the hard way that for a marriage to succeed, both parties had to share that commitment.

      “That’s because you and the wicked witch weren’t matched by a computer.”

      “Get real. You don’t believe in that stuff any more than I do.”

      “I filled out the questionnaires, didn’t I?”

      “Only ‘cause you knew Anna would have your hide if you didn’t.”

      “Speaking of which…” Seth’s gaze settled on the doorway. “We got us some company.”

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