LITMIR.BIZ

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I’ve got a large herd of Charolais and a large herd of Hereford cows.”

      “Oh, is one for milk and one for meat?” she asked.

      Both Tanner and Gina laughed. “They’re both meat cows,” Gina replied.

      “Don’t be embarrassed,” Tanner said to Colette, whose cheeks had turned a charming pink. “I wouldn’t know a bunting from a bonnet when it comes to babies.”

      She laughed, the sound musical and sweet. “I’m afraid I don’t know much about cows.”

      “Tanner also breeds horses,” Gina explained. “Two Hearts has been responsible for several championship quarter horses.”

      “Two Hearts…that’s the name of your ranch?” Colette asked.

      “Yeah. Gina named the place,” Tanner explained, remembering the day the ranch had been named. It had been two days after their parents’ funerals as they had stood on the front porch and gazed out across the expanse of pasture and fields that surrounded the ranch house.

      “Tanner didn’t like it,” Gina replied. “He thought it sounded too feminine.” She gazed at Tanner and smiled. “But he said if Two Hearts is what I wanted, then that’s what it would be.”

      “I always did spoil you,” Tanner exclaimed.

      They finished the meal talking about less personal things—the beautiful spring weather, the latest movies they’d seen and the most recent political scandal.

      Tanner found his gaze drawn again and again to Colette, slightly irritated by the fact that he found her so attractive.

      When she smiled a dimple danced in one of her cheeks, and when she grew thoughtful she pursed her lips in what appeared to be a direct invitation to explore their creamy texture.

      She seemed to be as bright as she was pretty and their conversation was lively and surprisingly stimulating. But he wasn’t here to enjoy the company of Gina’s roommate and boss. He reminded himself of this as the meal came to an end and they each ordered a cup of coffee.

      Tanner wrapped his hands around the thick mug of coffee and decided it was time to renew his campaign to get Gina back on the ranch where she belonged.

      “Gina. I’m worried about you,” he said, deciding that authoritative demands wouldn’t work. He needed to appeal to her on another level.

      “There’s nothing to worry about,” she protested. “I’m doing just fine.”

      “You don’t understand the dangers of city life,” he continued. “You’ve been sheltered all your life. You aren’t ready for this, Gina.” He reached across the table and took one of her hands in his. “You know I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t worried sick about you.”

      Gina pulled her hand away, a pained expression on her pretty features. She looked at Colette, as if seeking some sort of support.

      “She seems to be handling her new independence quite well,” Colette said. “I was on my own at her age and I’ve managed to do pretty well for myself.”

      Tanner forced a smile, hoping it hid his irritation. “But Gina isn’t you. Besides, I couldn’t help but notice that your apartment isn’t in the best area of town and there is no security to speak of.”

      Although Tanner hoped he’d managed to hide his own irritation, he saw the spark of the same emotion that lit Colette’s eyes. “This area is in the process of rejuvenation. It was a good business decision on my part to put my shop here and live in the same area.”

      “That’s fine for you, but it isn’t fine for Gina,” he replied. “She simply isn’t ready for this jump into city life and being on her own. She’s too young, and ill equipped to handle life on her own.”

      “If you’re so concerned about Gina’s life here, why don’t you stick around for a few days, watch her working, see how well she’s handling things?” Colette suggested.

      Gina looked horrified at the very idea. Tanner frowned. Hanging out for a few days in Kansas City was not in his plans, but then he hadn’t expected Gina to have such a strong support system in her roommate.

      “That’s a great idea,” he replied, hoping neither of the women saw the intense frustration building inside him. This wasn’t working out as he’d planned and Tanner didn’t like being thwarted.

      “Tanner, I know how busy the spring season is at the ranch,” Gina exclaimed, horror still radiating from her eyes. “I’m sure you can’t spare any time to just hang out here with me and Colette.”

      “On the contrary, Gina, I’ve always told you where my priorities lie, and family has always been my number one priority,” he replied. He paused a moment and took a sip of his coffee, then continued. “Besides, I’ve got good men working for me back at the ranch. They’ll keep things running smoothly while I’m gone. I’ve already checked into the hotel down the street, and maybe spending a couple of days hanging out will reassure me.”

      He forced a smile. He had no intention of being reassured. He did not intend to leave Kansas City without Gina in tow. Legally he had no leverage. She was of age and could refuse to return to the ranch where she belonged.

      But Tanner knew there was more than one way to skin a cat, and he knew the best way to get Gina back where she belonged was to gain Colette’s support.

      He gazed at the lovely blonde, a rush of adrenaline sweeping through him as he realized that was one cat he wouldn’t mind skinning at all.

      Chapter Two

      “I can’t believe you did that,” Gina exclaimed the moment the two women were once again alone in the apartment.

      “Did what?” Colette asked as she kicked off her shoes and flopped down on the sofa.

      “Suggested that Tanner stick around for a few days.” She paced back and forth in front of Colette, her slender body stiff with tension. “That just gives him more opportunity to manipulate me into doing what he wants, not what I want.” Gina sat in the chair opposite the sofa.

      “Gina, I think he’s just worried about you, and after a day or two of seeing you here, I’m sure he’ll realize you’re doing just fine.”

      Gina leaned forward. “You don’t know him, Colette. He’s relentless. Don’t be fooled by his charm, don’t be fooled by him. He’s so cursedly stubborn, he doesn’t even have a girlfriend.”

      Colette held up her hands in a gesture of helplessness. “Gina, this is between you and your brother. He doesn’t have to try to charm me. It’s you he wants to take back to the family ranch.”

      “He wants me to go to school and get a job teaching in the local grade school and eventually marry Walt Tibberman.”

      “Who is Walt Tibberman?” Colette asked curiously.

      Gina stopped her pacing and sat in the chair opposite Colette. “Walt works on the ranch for Tanner. He’s a nice guy and a hard worker and I know he has a thing for me, but I don’t feel any sparks with him. There’s no magic between us.”

      Colette bit her tongue. She didn’t believe in that kind of magic. As far as she was concerned, love was a nice illusion used to sell greeting cards and flowers, a nice word to justify lust and passion. As far as Colette was concerned, love was for needy, clingy women who were afraid to live their lives alone.

      She stood and smiled at her young roommate. “Gina, if this is what you want, to stay and build a life here, then stand strong against your brother. And with that bit of advice, I’m going to bed.”

      A few minutes later as Colette changed out of her clothes and into the short cotton nightshirt she always wore to bed, she couldn’t help but think about Tanner Rothman.

      She had not only found him ruggedly handsome to look at, but utterly charming,

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