Your Ranch Or Mine?. Cindy Kirk

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СКАЧАТЬ Still, to his credit, he kept moving forward. She took advantage of the opportunity to let her gaze linger. His short-sleeved cotton shirt showed off muscular forearms tanned by the sun. Although the majority of the men wore jeans, Mitch had eschewed Wranglers for navy pants. His dark wavy hair, longer than most of the men’s in the room, brushed his collar. She couldn’t help remembering how it had felt to slide her fingers through the soft strands and—

      “You know Mitch, don’t you, Anna?” Cassie asked.

      Anna fisted her hands tighter and nodded. She took a deep steadying breath and inhaled the tangy scent of his cologne, the same brand he’d worn all those years ago. She’d always loved the way he smelled, the way he tasted….

      For a second her composure wavered.

      Mature and confident. Fixing a smile firmly on her lips, Anna stuck out her hand. “Nice to see you again, Mitch.”

      “I heard you were back in town.” He hesitated for the briefest of seconds before his hand closed over hers. His palms, once rough and callused, were now smooth and the mere touch of his fingers sent electricity shooting up her arm.

      Her breath caught in her throat and she wondered if he’d experienced the same jolt. But his face remained expressionless, his eyes shuttered.

      He dropped his hand. An awkward silence descended. Thankfully Stacie’s fiancé, Josh Collins, chose that moment to stroll over with a tray of drinks.

      “Care for some wine?” Josh asked, his gaze shifting curiously from Anna to Mitch.

      “Don’t mind if I do.” Cassie took a glass of chardonnay and smiled her thanks.

      When Josh turned to Anna, she shook her head. With Mitch’s presence affecting her so strongly, she needed coherence more than alcohol.

      Mitch took a glass of burgundy and grinned. “Looks like someone has put you to work, Collins.”

      “I don’t mind.” The handsome rancher shrugged good-naturedly. “This is an important night for Stacie.”

      “May I have your attention, please?” Stacie’s voice rang out over the crowd. Once the room grew silent, the vivacious brunette explained the mixer she’d designed to help everyone get better acquainted.

      Anna groaned to herself. When she’d walked in and seen all the small tables with two chairs, she’d immediately thought of speed dating. But instead of racing between potential dates, they’d have five minutes at each table to share information about their business or occupation.

      “I love this.” Cassie’s eyes snapped with excitement. She turned to Mitch and gave his hand a squeeze. “I’m so happy you asked me to come with you.”

      A twinge of something that felt an awful lot like jealousy stabbed Anna in the heart. The emotion took her by surprise. She’d have sworn on a stack of Bibles that any feelings she’d had for Mitch Donavan had disintegrated years ago.

      “It was great seeing you again.” Anna focused her entire attention on Cassie. “I’ll give you a call.”

      “I’d like tha—”

      “Everyone should be in their seats now,” Stacie called out.

      “Ooh, I see an empty seat over there.” Cassie flashed Anna a parting smile and hurried to a table where rancher Wes Danker sat.

      Anna scanned the room. Only two empty seats remained. Both at the table next to where she and Mitch stood.

      Confident. Mature.

      “I guess you’re stuck with me.” Anna slipped into the closest chair and rested her folded hands on the table.

      “It appears so.” He pulled out the remaining chair and sat down.

      Anna inhaled another steadying breath. Then, for good measure, she took one more. She had five whole minutes. More than enough time to apologize.

      “Mitch,” she began, her confidence faltering as his enigmatic gaze settled on her. “I realize this is awkward, but I want—”

      “Explain about your business,” Josh instructed, moving from table to table. “Or your job. That’s what this time is for.”

      Anna didn’t care about the rules. She’d waited thirteen years to make amends and by God, she was going to seize this opportunity.

      “Mitch.” She kept her fingers wrapped tightly together, resisting the urge to reach out and touch him. “I—”

      “Before I moved back to Sweet River, I had my own architectural firm in Chicago,” he said in a tone you’d use with a stranger. Before she could get another word out, he told her about several of his favorite commercial projects before mentioning that he’d recently started designing custom log homes.

      She listened to him extol the many facets of an architect’s life. As he spoke he kept his gaze focused on a spot over her left shoulder. Despite his cool attitude, she heard the pride in his voice as he described several of his designs. This wasn’t just a career for him, but a passion. A passion he’d obviously had since boyhood. Why hadn’t she known this was what he’d always wanted to do with his life?

      Because you never asked. You were always too busy talking about yourself.

      “Time to switch,” Stacie announced.

      Switch? Anna pulled her brows together. “I didn’t get my turn.”

      “Sorry,” Josh said with an easy smile. “You can catch up with Mitch later.”

      Anna turned back, fully prepared to be a rule-breaker, but Mitch had already risen and moved to the next table. Disappointment rose inside her. Still, Anna consoled herself with the knowledge that once the game of musical chairs was over, she’d have her chance.

      But when she finished her last spiel about Alex’s law practice and looked around the room, she realized there would be no second chance with Mitch. Not tonight. The handsome man with brilliant blue eyes had disappeared. And he’d taken the former volleyball captain with him.

      Chapter Three

      For seven days after the Young Professionals meeting, Anna stalked Mitch Donavan. Okay, perhaps stalked was too strong a word. But whatever you called it, she made it her business to find out more about him. And the YP meeting was her springboard to all things Mitch.

      Whenever she ran into someone who knew him, she’d bring up the YP meeting. She’d start talking about who was there and make sure she mentioned his name.

      That’s how she found out he was living next door to Pastor Barbee while his log home at the foothills of the Crazy Mountains was being built. It was how she discovered he worked from home. And that he was now coaching the football team of Cassie’s thirteen-year-old.

      That last bit of information had given her pause. Until she reminded herself that Mitch’s personal life was none of her concern. She was merely trying to right a wrong, not hook up with the guy.

      Anna flipped open the vanity mirror of her Jeep. Since she’d been small, looking her best had given СКАЧАТЬ