LITMIR.BIZ

Скачать книгу

injured.

      While she was staying at the ranch, Luke was responsible for her safety. He wouldn’t take that lightly. Casey’s trust was one reason, but Luke had always had a soft spot in his heart for her. If he’d had a sister, he’d want her to be just like Audrey Faith.

      “You know I can’t get much done with you hovering over me, Luke.”

      “I know no such thing. You can work your magic, with me hovering in the back of the barn. It’s the only way I’ll allow it.”

      “Now you sound like Casey. Bossy.”

      He had to smile at that. Casey was a pill when it came to his sister. “Maybe so, but just so we’re clear, you’re not to come in here unless I’m with you. Got that?”

      Audrey frowned but finally nodded. “Okay.”

      They came up to the paddock at the far end of the barn and looked over the half door to see the stallion pacing and snorting. The space was larger than most, the ground covered with a bedding of cedar shavings and straw.

      “He’s a beauty,” Audrey whispered in awe. Her expressive eyes lit with longing and Luke could see her mind working already. She would find a way to connect with this animal.

      “That, he is. I hate to give up on him. I was tempted, believe me. After I tripped in the stall and cursed loud enough for the next county to hear me, Trib got perplexed, and it was all I could do to get out of his way before he trampled the stuffing out of me. He’s got heralded ancestry and he’ll make someone a fine horse one day. If—and that’s a big if—we can find his gentle side.”

      The horse stayed near the back wall, looking at them with sharp, wary eyes that took everything in. He knew Luke, but he still didn’t trust him. And now Audrey was added to the mix. “He’s better in the corral, but he doesn’t play well with others, so he’s pretty much a loner.”

      “That has to change and it will. In time.”

      “You have a couple of months.”

      Audrey glanced at him. “It’s a tall order, but I’ll do my best.” Her eyes deepened in color and her voice rang with sincerity. “I know this is important to you, Luke.”

      She was sweet, and he was grateful for her help. On impulse, he bent to kiss her cheek, but she shifted her head at that exact moment and damn if he didn’t lay a kiss right smack on her mouth.

      His senses filled. Her lips were soft and smooth against his rough mouth. She tasted familiar, like wild berries in the spring. She had a scent that lingered, reminding him of something he couldn’t quite grasp. She purred deep in her throat, the sound a little startled and a whole lot of sexy. It made him wince and question his sanity as he pulled away sooner than he would’ve liked.

      It was a short, quick kiss, but he’d learned this much: Audrey wasn’t a delicate child. She was passionate. But when he wanted to explore a little more, the words CASEY’S SISTER flashed through his mind like a banner being pulled across the sky by a plane.

      What was it Casey had said? She’d had a loser boyfriend and was feeling a little low right now. He couldn’t take advantage of that.

      “Sorry,” he said quietly.

      Audrey’s expressive eyes stayed on his as seconds ticked by. Silence filled the barn. Not even Trib made a sound, and then finally she whispered, “No need to apologize.”

      “I meant to kiss your cheek.”

      “I know.”

      It had been an awkward head-shifting and lips-meshing moment. He couldn’t put his finger on what niggled at him, but there was definitely something rattling around in his brain. He took a deep breath, noticing for the first time how unique Audrey’s scent was. “Are you wearing perfume?”

      She shook her head. “Lip gloss. It’s called Sweet and Wicked.”

      Luke zeroed in on her mouth. He should’ve known. He’d taken a sip from her sweet and wicked lips and liked how she tasted.

      “TMI?” she asked with a raised brow.

      Too much information. Luke grinned. “Nope. Trust me, I can handle sweet and wicked.”

      Her eyes left his, but not before Luke caught an odd expression cross her features. “I figured as much.”

      Luke took a last glance at Trib in the paddock. The horse continued to watch them with a ready-to-bolt stance. “He’s sizing us up.”

      “Together, we’re too intimidating for him,” Audrey said.

      “He’ll have to get used to it. From now on, it’s him and you and me.”

      She sighed, and the warmth of her delicious breath wafted by his nostrils. He had a bad feeling that Sweet and Wicked would haunt his dreams tonight. But he kept that thought to himself as he laid a hand to the small of her back and led Audrey out of the barn.

      * * *

      After spending time with Luke, Audrey needed to calm her nerves. She lay down beside Jewel on the bed and the cat immediately started purring loud enough to wake the dead.

      “You’re happy to see me, aren’t you?” she cooed. “Well, I’m happy to see you, too.”

      She stroked the back of Jewel’s head, just under the ears. The cat’s coat was soft and smooth under her fingertips. When she had enough, Jewel stretched her neck so that Audrey could scratch her under the chin and the cat’s noisy purring settled into a soft hum.

      The lull made Audrey’s eyes grow heavy and she relaxed on the bed. Rather than fight it, she gave in to her fatigue by closing her eyes and then drifting off to sleep.

      Later, the sound of a woman’s voice outside her bedroom door startled her. “Audrey?”

      Disoriented, Audrey lifted her head from the pillow.

      Next came a soft knocking. The cat jumped down from the bed and padded to the door, listening. “Audrey? It’s Sophia, Logan’s fiancée. Are you okay in there?”

      Audrey shook out the cobwebs from her head and glanced at the clock. It was after seven! She scrambled off the bed and strode to open the door. Audrey faced a stunning woman dressed in a summery, soft peach, spaghetti-strapped dress. She had long flowing dark hair, amber eyes and skin that could have been kissed by a Mediterranean sun. “Oh, hi.”

      “Hello. I’m sorry if I interrupted your sleep.”

      Audrey’s hand flew to her disheveled hair that had come loose from the rubber band. Some people had hat hair. Audrey had bed hair and she could only imagine what the tangled mess sitting atop her head looked like right now. She wasn’t brave enough to glance in the mirror. She straightened out a few wrinkles in her clothes for what it was worth. “I usually never sleep in the afternoon.”

      The woman smiled. “I’m Sophia.”

      “Audrey Faith Thomas. But everyone calls me Audrey.” She stuck out her hand and instead of a shake, Sophia wrapped both hands over hers and gave a little squeeze.

      “It’s nice to meet you.”

      “Did I miss dinner?”

      “Not at all,” Sophia said. “Luke got a little worried when you didn’t come down so I offered to check on you.”

      “I’m fine, just a little more tired than usual. Sorry to delay the meal.” Audrey opened the door wider. “Come in. I just want to put a brush to this mop.”

      Sophia stepped into the room and Audrey rummaged around until she came up with her hairbrush. “I didn’t bring too many clothes with me. My friend’s sending my things from Reno, but unfortunately, for now, what you see is what you get.”

      “There’s nothing wrong with the way you look,” Sophia said. “Dinner is pretty casual at the Slades’ these days.”

Скачать книгу