LITMIR.BIZ

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her hands to her sides. Stepping forward, she came within a couple feet of Colt, enough for him to see the variation of green in her eyes. Definitely eyes a man could get lost in. Not him, but some other man. Colt only did physical relationships, nothing more.

      “You’ll be dealing with me from now on.”

      Oh, he sure as hell hoped so.

      “I will take over the payments, but I need you to give me a few weeks to get on my feet. I have no job, since I came back to Stone River sooner than I’d expected,” she went on, a flash of sadness flickering in her eyes. “Our savings are...well, that’s none of your concern. But I already called a few places this afternoon and I’m sure I’ll have a job shortly.”

      She couldn’t be playing any better into his scheme. Before he could present her with his brilliant plan, she held up her hand.

      “If you can give me two weeks off initially, I’ll make sure you get interest as a sign of good faith.” Annabelle’s lips thinned. She was furious with her old man, as she should be. “I have plans for my home, so believe me, I don’t want to drag this out any longer than necessary.”

      Colt admired her determination. Hell, he knew all about setting sights on a goal and going straight for it. Hadn’t he lived his entire life by such ideals?

      The dude ranch dream he shared with his father was just the final piece of his life he needed to click into place.

      There had been setbacks along the way. Colt hadn’t expected his father to slip into dementia and require around-the-clock care. Colt hadn’t planned on breaking his back and shattering his hip bone while rebuilding the barn after a tornado ripped through town last year. His brothers had instantly reminded him there was no need to lift a hammer, they hired their work done.

      But Colt loved manual labor. He loved this farm and he wasn’t about to let anyone, even his sexy neighbor, stand in the way of him taking it to the next level.

      “Here’s the deal.” He took one step forward, closing the gap between them. Head tilted up, her eyes locked on to his. “You will make the payment on time, as was agreed by your father. One late payment and the land will permanently be mine.”

      It would be in the end anyway, but if a payment was missed, at least Colt would have his property sooner.

      Those green eyes narrowed. “I had no idea about this deal until last night when I returned home. I’ve been back less than twenty-four hours. I need some time to make job arrangements before the payment is due next week. Surely you’re not that coldhearted.”

      Part of him felt sorry for her, but he was about to extend the proverbial olive branch...whether or not she chose to accept it was on her. Either way, he would be the real winner at the end of the day.

      “Not at all.” He offered a smile that he knew had brought women to their knees...literally. “I have a position for you right here at Pebblebrook.”

      Silence settled between them as he waited on her response. They both knew he held the upper hand, but she could make this entire encounter much easier on herself.

      The muscles in her jaw clenched as she glared at him. Damn if her sass and grit weren’t the sexiest things he’d seen in a long time.

      Agreement or not, this woman would be in his bed. Visions of that crimson red hair spread all around his navy sheets flooded his mind. But seduction would have to wait, at least until she wasn’t shooting daggers at him.

      “I don’t even want to know the position you think I’m qualified for.”

      Colt laughed, realizing he’d felt more alive being the target of her snarky attitude than he had in a long time. “I like you.”

      “Well, right now, I hate you.”

      He shrugged. “You’re the yin to my yang. Sounds like we’re going to get along perfectly in the stables.”

      “Stables?” she repeated, with a quirk of a brow.

      “I’m short a stable hand and you need a job. You can start tomorrow and I’ll use your wages toward the payments.”

      Annabelle pulled in a breath and shook her head. “I can’t work long hours. I have another commitment and I need a job that offers some flexibility.”

      He leaned forward, pleased when her eyes flared. “The way I see it, you don’t really have a choice. So, if this other obligation is going to get in the way, I suggest you give it up now.”

      For a split second Colt was convinced she was going to cry. He didn’t like being played and he figured she’d try to get his sympathy by weeping. But when she blinked and glanced away, Colt realized she was simply trying to control herself.

      Yeah, Annabelle was quite a strong woman to come here and face her father’s problem. Colt despised the man for putting his child in such a position. Everyone had their breaking point and Colt figured she’d dealt with her father’s addiction for far too long.

      The strength she projected was quite the turn-on. Too bad all this business got in the way of him getting her into his bedroom. Soon, he vowed.

      “Whatever this other commitment is, you’re going to have to let it go.”

      She shoved her hair behind her shoulders and turned her attention back to him. “I can’t. I will work here, but you have to understand there are times I will have to adjust my schedule. I can give you a few hours at a time.”

      Colt considered her ultimatum. He wasn’t one to give in to demands, but he had to admit, he liked what he saw with his new neighbor. Someone with that much grit would be a fun way to break up his days. Besides, remaining somewhat on her good side would only aid in his seduction plan.

      “Fine. I’ll pick you up at seven tomorrow morning,” he informed her.

      Annabelle laughed. “I can drive myself.”

      “If you hit another section of my fence, I’ll have to take the repairs out of your check and you’re indebted to me already. The transportation is nonnegotiable.”

      When she let out an extremely unladylike growl, Colt forced himself not to crack a smile. Not even a little one. He may hang out with cowboys all day and make business deals all other waking hours, but he knew how to treat a woman. His father had instilled manners in him—somewhat—and Colt wasn’t about to laugh in her face. But he couldn’t resist the fence jab or the scheme to get a few minutes of alone time with her each day.

      “Fine,” she gritted out between her teeth. “I’ll be ready.”

      When she turned to leave, he couldn’t help but take in the fine sway of her skirt and imagine what lay beneath.

      “Oh, one more thing.” He waited until she stopped, throwing a glance over her shoulder. “Be sure to wear old clothes. We tend to get dirty.”

      Her eyes flared before narrowing. “Did I mention that I hate you right now?”

      “It will pass,” he informed her with a smile. “See you first thing in the morning.”

       Three

      “You don’t have to do this, honey.”

      Annabelle pulled in a deep breath and attempted to count backward from ten. She moved off the last step and met her father’s worried gaze.

      Neil Carter stood next to the front door, his hair messed from more than just sleeping. She hadn’t expected her father to be waiting on her so early, but that’s the type of man he was. Neil may be a professional gambler, losing pretty much all he’d worked for and all he’d provided, but he loved his family. He’d been the rock when her mother passed while Annabelle and her sister had been in grade school—well, until it all became too much and he turned to gambling. But he hurt, too, and Annabelle knew he was devastated

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