Unmasking The Maverick. Teresa Southwick

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СКАЧАТЬ went to the other end and opened the doors to give him more light, then came back. Her breath caught when she saw that he’d removed his long-sleeved flannel shirt. The olive green T-shirt he wore under it was snug and fit him like a second skin that highlighted every luscious muscle.

      She swallowed, then said, “So, here she is. Sorry about the tool explosion there. My dad left all his stuff out. He was going to take another look at it. Just between you, me and the goats, that would involve less looking and a lot more colorful language. When he’s working on this tractor, the words run more to the four-letter variety.”

      While she nattered on, he’d opened the side panel to inspect the inside. Without looking up, he said, “What about you?”

      “Oh, I’ve been known to swear, but only when necessary. And always in a ladylike way.” She heard him chuckle and that brought a smile to her face. Resting her back against the workbench, she settled in to keep him company. Hand him tools. Admire the way his back muscles moved and bunched under that snug shirt. Check out his world-class butt in the worn jeans. “And I guess I also have a way with words that are more than four letters.”

      “How’s that?” He didn’t look up but kept poking around in the tractor engine.

      “I write freelance articles about ranch life for farm and outdoor magazines.”

      “What kind of articles?”

      “A recent one was about recycling bent nails, rusty hinges and old bottles. A rancher’s motto is ‘Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.’”

      “I know all about that,” he said wryly.

      She remembered him saying he’d grown up making do. “I’m working on an article now about preparing for the winter. Cold weather in Montana isn’t for sissies.”

      “I bet.”

      “So, between my writing job and chores on the ranch, I keep pretty busy.”

      “Sounds like it. A good life.”

      “It is. I love what I do.”

      “You’re lucky.”

      She couldn’t see his expression but there was a wistful tone in his voice. Since he had his head buried in the engine, this might be a good time to ask some of the questions that had been rolling around in her mind when she couldn’t sleep last night.

      She’d hoped he would open up a little while ago when she called, but he didn’t. Maybe he would now. What was the worst that could happen? He’d take his tools and go home? She was willing to risk it.

      “So, dinner last night was awkward. Did you notice how we got paired off?”

      “Yup.” He still didn’t look at her. “This morning when I was helping with chores, Luke asked what I thought about you.”

      “No. Really? What did you say?” That was unexpected.

      “I told him you make a mean macaroni.”

      And? Her heart skipped a beat waiting for...what? Didn’t matter because he didn’t come through with more. “At least you didn’t say I was mean.”

      “Actually, I said you seem nice.”

      “I think I am. But Luke was probably just making polite conversation. Not necessarily matchmaking.”

      “There’s more. He underlined the fact that you’re single and I’m single.”

      “And?” she prompted.

      “And I asked him why you’re still single.”

      “What did he say?”

      “That I should ask you. So, why are you still single?”

      “Because I’m not married,” she said.

      “Smart-ass. So why aren’t you married?”

      If that question had come up at dinner last night she would have been angry and defensive. With so many people watching her reaction, it would have felt too much like the public way she’d found out the man she’d expected a proposal from had cheated on her and gotten a girl pregnant. But now they were alone, and Brendan wasn’t even looking at her, so it felt like the solitude of the confessional.

      “So many reasons for being single,” she started. “I’m too old—pushing thirty, a spinster by Old West standards. Not thin enough. Men seem to like stick women who have to run around in the shower to get wet. On top of that there are no men here in Rust Creek Falls—”

      “Don’t look now but—” Without turning he lifted a greasy hand. “Man. Says so right on my driver’s license.”

      “Okay. That last one deserves some context. I grew up in Rust Creek Falls. Spent my whole life here and most of the guys have, too. They’re friends of Ronan and Keegan and, by extension, like my brothers. So...ew. It’s too weird. That makes meeting men a challenge.”

      “Okay. I respect your honesty.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Luke was just doing his part, then.”

      “Exactly.” She beamed at him. “Look at you paying attention and participating in the conversation.”

      “I’ve been told I’m too quiet. So I’ve been making an effort since I got out.”

      By “out” she assumed he meant leaving the military. Since he was doing his best to take part, she’d give him an opportunity to share. Maybe the fact that he was elbow-deep in a tractor engine would help.

      “I noticed your license plate holder. So you were a marine?”

      “Yup. From Prosperity, Texas.” He picked up a tool from the workbench beside him. “I loved the Corps. It was a good career.”

      She could hear respect, reverence and regret in his tone. And, frankly, he sounded a little lost. “Why did you leave, then?”

      “My dad got sick. Cancer. I came home to be with him.”

      “That must have been a difficult time. I bet you miss him.”

      His movements stilled for a moment. “Yeah.”

      Fiona knew about Luke and Eva’s plan to offer a stay at Sunshine Farm to someone going through a hard time in order to pay their happiness and good luck forward. They were always looking for someone in need of a fresh start. With these bits of information Brendan had revealed, she could see why they’d opened their arms to him. “So you’re trying to figure out what to be when you grow up?”

      He didn’t answer but straightened from his troubleshooting position over the engine and climbed up on the tractor. The key was in the ignition and he turned it. Instantly the engine rumbled to life. He nodded. Anyone else would have pumped their arm or woo-hooed in triumph. A victory boot scoot wouldn’t be out of the question, either. But not this man. His reaction was quiet satisfaction.

      He turned off the machine and climbed down. “Mission accomplished.”

      “What СКАЧАТЬ