LITMIR.BIZ

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if she were honest, she wanted him to find her attractive if for no other reason than to refuse his advances. Which was why she’d taken care to match a form-flattering pair of periwinkle capris with heeled sandals and a flirty butternut blouse. She left her hair loose, flowing to her shoulders, gold hoop earrings her only jewelry.

      Snatching her brush from the bedroom dresser, she gave her hair a final sweep. The outfit would do. She was halfway to Weathering Rock before she admitted she was nervous. The last three days had passed in a breeze of planning for Lauren’s party, leaving little time for much else. Now, as she drew closer to the ancient home, she fixated on Caleb, wondering what it would be like to kiss him.

      God, she was such an idiot!

      Where the hell did that thought come from? So what if he was good-looking and had a smoldering old-fashioned personality? He’d told his brother to slash her tire. What kind of sick, controlling person did that?

      The sun was sinking toward the horizon when she pulled up the drive at Weathering Rock. The fading light cast long shadows over the grass and drew eddies of tangerine and gold from the front windows. The house looked different during the day, its three-story height imposing. She hadn’t considered it closely when she’d left Saturday morning, but now realized a series of lightning rods jutted from the roof. They varied in size, some ornate and engraved with elaborate scrollwork, others plain. It made her think of the ball lightning she and Caleb had seen and how reluctant he’d been to acknowledge it.

      She parked at the top of the drive and left her car under a leafy maple. The air was ripe with aromatic scents of summer and evening. Squelching her anxiety, she walked up the steps to the front porch and pressed the doorbell.

      “Arianna.” Caleb smiled when he answered the door, his silver-blue eyes kindled by natural warmth. “It’s good to see you.” He stepped aside, making room for her to enter. “Please, come in.”

      “Thank you.”

      She brushed past him, catching the subtle hint of his aftershave, and the cleaner, lighter scent of soap as if he’d recently showered. He was dressed rather formally in gray trousers and a black button-front shirt open at the throat. The contrast against his white-gold hair was a striking combination of shadow and light. However much she wanted to pretend otherwise, she couldn’t deny her attraction.

      “Is Wyn joining us?”

      “No. He had business in Sagehill and won’t be returning until late.”

      Caleb shut the screen door, but left the interior open for ventilation. She’d noticed on her first visit that central air was one amenity Weathering Rock lacked; the old home probably was not structured for ductwork.

      “Something smells goods,” she commented, catching a tantalizing blend of aromas wafting from the kitchen.

      “I’m afraid I’m not a very good cook. Fortunately Winston has a dinner service.” Caleb slipped his hand beneath her arm and escorted her down the hallway. “I thought since the weather is pleasant, we’d dine outside. I hope you don’t mind. I, uh…” He grimaced. “Have been feeling closed in lately.”

      She studied him and realized his face was drawn, creased with shadow and heavy lines of fatigue. Another headache?

      “Outside is fine.” She secretly enjoyed his presence beside her, and the feel of his fingers around her arm. She thought about drawing away, but what was the harm in accepting the attentions of an attractive man? And there was no question that Caleb–sick or not–was attractive. Damn attractive.

      “This way.” Caleb held the rear door, allowing her to step onto the back porch.

      She blinked, startled by the sight that greeted her.

      White wicker furniture with overstuffed pillows had been grouped around a coffee table of glass and rattan to form an inviting sitting area. Potted plants and hanging baskets overflowing with colorful blooms added a touch of whimsy to the sprawling veranda. Further away, a glass table with a white wicker base had been set with a dinner service for two.

      “This is…” Arianna paused, looking at the blush-colored china, elegant stemware and white taper candles in crystal holders. There was even a vase of freshly cut roses, the creamy pink blooms likely snipped from the bushes on the side of the house. “Lovely.” She had not expected him to do anything so elaborate and wasn’t certain if the romantic setting had been intentional or merely the result of his old-fashioned gentility.

      “I hoped you’d like it.” Caleb moved to a small table where a bottle of wine nestled in an ice bucket. He worked a corkscrew into the top of the bottle. “Can I offer you a drink?”

      “Please.” She set her purse aside. Part of her was tempted to ask why he didn’t bother with one of the newer bottle openers available, but decided the antiquated corkscrew fit his personality. She liked the way it exaggerated the play of muscle up his arm and across his shoulders as he yanked the cork free.

      Noticing her interest, he grinned. “See something you like?”

      Arianna flushed. “What makes you think I’d be interested?”

      “I don’t know.” He turned away to pour wine into two long-stemmed glasses. “I’ve been told I’m marginally good-looking.” His smile thinned. “Even on my worst days.”

      “Arrogant too.” She stepped closer, accepting the glass he offered. Her gaze sharpened, zeroing in on the creases beneath his eyes. “You don’t look good. Maybe this wasn’t the best night for a conciliatory dinner.”

      “Thursday night.” He raised his glass in a toast. “You chose it. I’d be happy if you promoted me to something halfway human before you left.”

      “Mmm. The jury’s still out on that one.” She took a sip of wine, moving toward the porch railing to gaze over the fields beyond. Green and rolling, the ground unfurled as far as she could see. To the left, towering oaks and hemlock surrounded the sloping roofline of a white bank barn. A light breeze brought the scent of sun-warmed grass and sweet clover. It danced across the porch, lifting the hair from her shoulders. Several hundred yards away, a small pond glinted in the fading sun surrounded by dense clumps of milkweed, cattails and rushes. The setting was serene, picturesque as a postcard. Sighing, she closed her eyes in appreciation.

      “It’s beautiful here.”

      “You’ll get no argument from me.”

      She blinked, surprised to find him sitting on the railing facing her, his back to the field. One long leg was planted against the floor, the other bent casually at the knee. She hadn’t heard the tread of his shoes against the plank boards. How had he moved so soundlessly?

      He glanced toward the barn, his collar gaping at the throat. It left the diamond-shaped scar on his neck exposed. “The date stone on the barn reads 1832. The wood has been replaced, but the foundation is original. I imagine the home is just as old.” He grinned as an idea struck him. “Do you like horses?”

      “I–” Arianna hedged. “I don’t know. I’ve never been around them. I don’t dislike them.”

      “Good. Let’s go for a walk.” Caleb offered his hand. The gesture was so natural, she automatically twined her fingers with his. Before she realized what he’d done, he led her from the porch, guiding her down a well-trodden path to the barn. His hand was embracing and warm.

      Too warm, she realized, focusing on the ashen cast of his skin. She was tempted to ask about his headaches, but stifled the urge to pry.

      “Winston isn’t much for horses,” Caleb said as they walked. “He tolerates Ranger, but if it were up to him, he’d convert the barn to additional space for those blasted vehicles he drives.” Releasing her hand, he opened the door. “Personally, I don’t understand the need.”

      If the three-car garage she’d noticed to the west of the house was any indication, Wyn favored more than one car. “What do you drive?”

      “I

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