LITMIR.BIZ

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a good horse mom,” Annabelle told her. “And Mason is really nice. He was very calm with me. Although I think he’s mocking me when I flop around on him.”

      “He is,” Charlie told her cheerfully. “But he’s a good guy. Imagine what a horse with attitude would be thinking.”

      “Like Khatar,” Heidi murmured. “He scares me.”

      “Khatar?” Annabelle shook her head. “Why would he scare you? He’s so sweet.”

      Shane had used the distraction of the women’s conversation to talk himself off the sexual ledge. Now he managed to clear his throat and actually speak.

      “Khatar got out while Annabelle was over a couple of days ago. He seems to like her.”

      “For lunch?” Charlie asked.

      Annabelle grinned. “Even I know horses are vegetarians.”

      “If one was going to make an exception, it would be him. You be careful.”

      “I’m fine. He was practically snuggling. He’s not what you think.”

      Heidi looked as doubtful as Charlie. “Keep your distance, Annabelle. He’s nothing like Mason or Shane’s other horses.”

      “I’ll keep her safe,” Shane said.

      One of Charlie’s eyebrows rose, but she didn’t say anything.

      “At least Khatar won’t be in the way much longer,” Heidi said.

      “Where’s he going?” Annabelle asked Shane. “You didn’t sell him, did you?”

      “No. I bought about two hundred acres next to the Castle Ranch. I’m having stables built, along with a house.”

      Annabelle grinned. “What? You don’t want to live with your mother and her boyfriend forever?”

      He groaned. “Not to mention my brother and his fiancée? No.”

      “Speaking of your brother, I’d better go find him,” Heidi said.

      “I’ll walk you,” Charlie told her. “I have to get back to the station.”

      Shane expected Annabelle to go with them, but she stayed with him and seconds later, despite the hundreds of people milling around them, he found himself alone with her.

      “Come on,” she said. “I’ll show you the town. You can tell me how it’s different from when you were a kid here.”

      There was no polite way to tell her no and, in truth, he liked the idea of spending time with her. Assuming he could figure out a way to keep his hands to himself and think about something other than the way her mouth would feel against his.

      His grand plan fizzled to dust when she linked arms with him and leaned close. “As you know,” she began. “Fool’s Gold is the festival capital of the country. Maybe the world.” She glanced up at him and smiled.

      Her mouth was moving, so he knew she was still talking, but he couldn’t hear anything but a buzzing sound. Heat hit him with the subtlety of a bull rider slamming into the group. There was something about her face—the perfect shape, the dark green of her eyes, the thick lashes, the flash of white teeth when she smiled up at him.

      Even in the middle of the crowd, with food stands all around, he could breathe in the soft scent of her perfume. Or maybe it was just her. A combination of vanilla and invitation.

      “Shane?”

      He promised himself when he got back to the ranch he would bang his head against the closest wall until he knocked some sense into himself.

      “Sorry,” he murmured.

      “It’s okay. Now, what do you remember about being a kid here?”

      He focused on the question. It was a whole lot safer than focusing on her. “That I loved the ranch. There was always so much to do. I had my brothers, my friends. When Mom told us we had to move, I threatened to run away. We were all sad to leave—except for Rafe.”

      “Heidi mentioned he didn’t want to come back.” She laughed. “He’s stuck now. Falling in love will do that to a guy.” She turned her head and her long hair brushed against his forearm. “Was it always your plan to move back here?”

      “No. I knew I wanted my own ranch, and I’ve been planning for that, but I hadn’t settled on a location until Rafe and my mom told me that they’d bought the Castle Ranch. I came out to visit, saw the land next door and bought it.”

      “Impressive. And here I am excited that I just paid off my car.” She frowned. “There’s no house, right? You’re having that built.”

      He drew in a breath. “Yes, but it’s slow going. The stables are easy. I know what I want and don’t want. But the house is a pain in the ass. Every time I turn around, the contractor has more questions. Lights, sinks, countertops, appliances.”

      “Not a big shopper?” she asked, her green eyes bright with amusement.

      “No.”

      “If only there was a kit, right? Generic house surfaces and finishes. You pick one from column A, two from column B and, voilà, a house.”

      “You’re mocking me.”

      “A little. But mostly because it’s easy.”

      “Thanks,” he grumbled. “Did you build your house?”

      “No. I’m renting a charming rambler and it came with things like sinks and appliances. I would love to make some changes, but my landlord doesn’t share my thrill for interior design. He has let me paint the walls a color other than white, which I appreciate.” She grinned. “I confess I love all those decorating shows on TV and I’m the first one to read the home style magazines when they come into the library.”

      They paused by a row of food carts. He motioned to the offerings—everything from fresh-squeezed lemonade to cotton candy.

      “What would you like?” he asked.

      “I’m good.”

      He’d been hoping she would get a drink and maybe something to eat. Anything that would cause her to untangle herself from him. Not that he didn’t enjoy her pressed up against him, but that was part of the problem. He enjoyed it too much.

      Two boys ran past, nearly bumping into her. Annabelle shifted out of the way, which brought her breasts in direct contact with his chest. He clenched his jaw and did his best not to groan as the sensual burn seared through him.

      “Sorry,” she said, stepping away. “I do love the life in this town, but it can get a little crowded during holidays.”

      “How long have you lived here?” he asked, willing himself to think about granite and tile choices. Anything to keep the blood from pushing south and taking up residence.

      “I moved here last year. I got lucky. I was looking to start over and found this job right away.” She glanced at him. “I was married. After my divorce, I wanted to settle somewhere far, far away.”

      “Where did you move from?”

      “North Carolina.”

      “That is far. You don’t have a Southern accent.”

      “I grew up in Arizona.”

      “How do you like this coast?”

      “I love it. There are seasons here. We have snow.” She smiled. “I was a little nervous about learning to drive in the white stuff, but it wasn’t too bad. I have great tires and nerves of steel. Or maybe just a really strong plastic. Either way, I survived. I took my first snowboarding lesson.”

      “How was it?”

      She laughed. “Horrible. I swear my instructor was twelve and he couldn’t

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