LITMIR.BIZ

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Nate offered.

      “Oh, so you’re doing Camden Peters’s stunts.”

      “Yes, ma’am. A little trick riding.”

      “What happens if you get hurt?”

      Reece couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t plan on that happening. I learned how to fall during my rodeo days. Believe me, those broncos have so many creative ways to toss you off, I’m pretty sure I’ve learned them all.”

      “Oh, I hope so.” She glanced down at Sophie. “Is this your little girl?”

      “My niece. She lives with me now.”

      Betty Hunter smiled. “Just look at all those beautiful curls. You remind me of Emily. She had hair like this. And she was such a precocious child.”

      Emily groaned. “Mother, I’m sure Mr. McKellen doesn’t want to hear about my childhood.”

      Reece found he enjoyed Emily’s blush. Damn, if it wasn’t as appealing as the rest of her. He placed a hand on Sophie’s shoulder. “I think it’s time we get settled. Thank you, Nate, for your hospitality.” He looked at Emily. “And thank you for watching Sophie. Would you happen to have Jason’s cell phone number?”

      “Sure.” She went to the purse on the counter and searched the for a business card. She handed it to him.

      “Is there a problem?”

      “Just a little mix-up with living arrangements.” Reece didn’t want to involve the Hunters in his problems. “Thanks again for watching Sophie.”

      “It was my pleasure,” Emily said. “Bye, Sophie.”

      When he turned to the door, Nate stopped him. “I’ll bring some bedding down to the bunkhouse later. Say, why don’t you and Sophie come up for supper tonight? There’s always plenty.”

      Reece knew Nate meant to be neighborly, but he hated feeling obliged to people. “Thank you, but we’re both pretty tired after the long drive today.”

      Sophie started to hand back the doll and Emily came down on her knee. “Oh, sweetie, remember, I gave Sunny to you, to keep. Maybe we can play again.” She touched the child’s cheek. “See you later.”

      Reece saw the longing in his niece’s eyes. He knew she was lonely, how much she’d missed her mother. And someone like Emily and her family would be easy to turn to, but he had to remember the stop at the Double H was only temporary. He stole one last glance at Emily Hunter, knowing if he stayed the next few months were going to be full of temptation. For both of them.

      At seven-thirty that evening Emily made her way toward the bunkhouse, all the time telling herself that she was only bringing them the bedding. She was not doing it because she wanted to see Reece McKellen again. Okay, so he was a drop-dead sexy man, who didn’t seem to like her, she reminded herself. Why? Was he just not attracted to her? Okay, she could accept that. She shook her head. Why was she even thinking about him? She didn’t need to get involved at this time in her life. Not with her career just taking off. She needed to stay focused on Hunter’s Haven.

      She’d worked too hard to get through school and spent too many hours on her feet as a waitress to let a man come along and turn her head now. But it wasn’t just the man, it was Sophie. Emily was drawn to her, too. And that was even more dangerous. Just as soon as she dropped off the sheets and towels, she’d stay away from them both.

      Emily stepped up on the wooden porch and glanced through the bare window. Sophie at the table playing with her new doll. Emily knocked, then opened the door.

      “Hi, Sophie.”

      “Emily.” The little girl stood up. All ready for bed, the child was wearing pink pajamas, her damp hair in ringlets.

      Emily’s heart tightened. “I brought you some towels and sheets.” Just then she heard running water in the other room. Well, she wasn’t about to interrupt the man’s privacy to give him a towel.

      She glanced around the ranch hand’s new quarters that Shane had built this past spring. The efficient kitchen had a stainless-steel stove, an oversize refrigerator and a long table that could seat twenty men. On either side of the room a hallway led to the two bedrooms. She knew that the large bathroom was designed in two sections with several walk-in shower stalls, separate from the sinks and toilets. She didn’t want to think about the naked man now using one of the stalls, or the water spraying over his muscular body.

      She quickly shook away the image and turned her focus to the table holding a cooler and groceries. “Did you eat?”

      Sophie nodded.

      Emily saw the carton milk and loaf of bread. Why didn’t they just come to the house and have pot roast? No. That wasn’t her business.

      “Hey, how about I make up your bed? Where are you sleeping?”

      The child motioned for her to follow as she walked into the nearest bedroom where five single bunks lined both sides of the long walls. The first two had sleeping bags opened on top of the new mattresses.

      “I think I can make you a little more comfortable. Emily pulled off one nylon bag and spread out the sheet.

      “You want to help me?” Sophie came over, and with some instruction, she tucked in the corners. Of course it wasn’t as good as could be, but the child was obviously proud of her handiwork. With one bed made, Emily started on the other. Maybe if she hurried she’d be finished before Reece returned. Suddenly she glanced up and saw the man in the doorway, leaning lazily against the frame. Too late.

      No fantasy she’d ever had came close to the real thing. The real thing was six foot two inches of pure male standing there in a pair of worn jeans and nothing else. His broad shoulders and well developed chest were bare and damp.

      “Unca Reece,” Sophie called out. “I made my bed.”

      “You sure did,” he acknowledged never taking those sable eyes off Emily.

      “Emily helped me,” she said.

      “I can see that,” he told her. “You just seem to show up everywhere.”

      Emily felt heat flood her face. “Tori wanted to make sure you had enough bedding. I brought towels, but I can see you didn’t need them.”

      “We made do, but thanks.” He went to the other side of the bed and began to tuck in the sheet, careful to make sure that Sophie was able to help. “We’re leaving in the morning and heading back to L.A.”

      “But the movie… Have you heard anything from Jason?”

      She shook her head. “I’ve called, but he’s been in meetings all day.”

      “I’m getting the same message. If I didn’t have Sophie it wouldn’t matter. But I need to provide her with a stable environment. Her caseworker wasn’t crazy about me bringing her on location as it was.”

      Emily realized she didn’t want to see them go, but knew the child had to come first. “What will Jason do about a stuntman?”

      “It’s not a problem to replace me. The stunts are pretty simple. A good horseman should be able to handle them. Even Camden Peters.”

      Emily shook her head. “It’s stipulated in his contract that he doesn’t do stunts.”

      Reece’s face split into a grin and her breath caught. “I guess he’s afraid to take any chances.”

      “I don’t care. We’re lucky to get him for the part.”

      Reece had worked with Camden Peters once before. The man was demanding and used his star power to get special treatment. “I’d say he’s the lucky one to have a chance at such a great part.”

      Emily didn’t know why, but this man’s praise meant a lot to her. “Thank you.” Her gaze lowered to see a series of faint scars across his chest.

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