LITMIR.BIZ

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      LEXI HAD SHOWERED and changed clothes by the time Cade’s truck pulled up outside. Her frequent trips out of town for riding clinics had turned her into a speed packer, so when Herb had called to ask if she’d housesit, she’d only needed five minutes to pack a bag before heading for Thunder Mountain Ranch.

      Thank goodness she hadn’t been on a trip when Herb had called. Her next gig was more than a week away, and by then— But she didn’t really want to project too far ahead. Despite hearing from her mother that the situation seemed to be under control, Lexi couldn’t erase the memory of Herb’s frantic phone call.

      He was an animal vet, not a people doctor, but if Herb had been scared, Lexi figured there’d been a reason. She was eager to hear Cade’s opinion now that he’d actually seen Rosie. But that wasn’t why her heart hammered and her breathing pattern changed when she heard his boots on the porch as he crossed to the front door.

      It was unlocked because Herb and Rosie never bothered locking up during the day when they were home. Although at one time Cade had enjoyed the freedom to walk right in, Lexi didn’t think he’d assume that he could do it now. Rather than wait for his knock, she crossed to the door and opened it.

      He looked even sexier than he had earlier. Or maybe that hard, desperate kiss had affected how she viewed him. His day’s growth of beard was unusual, or it had been five years ago. He’d always said he kept his chin silky-smooth for her.

      The prickle of his beard this morning had startled her because she wasn’t used to that with Cade. But his lips had felt achingly familiar. Beard or no beard, she wanted to kiss him again.

      He walked through the door and set down a battered duffel bag. “Thought I might as well bring this in so I can shave and shower at some point.”

      “Good idea.” Her brisk tone covered a zing of awareness. It had been a natural thing for him to say, yet now she was thinking of stroking his freshly shaven cheek and breathing in the scent of soap. “How’s Rosie?”

      “Feisty.”

      “Yeah?” That surprised a chuckle out of her. “How so?”

      He walked over to the couch and sank down on it. “She let me know that if I’d called the Brotherhood together because I thought she was going to croak, that I’d seriously miscalculated. And she really doesn’t want any of us bringing her flowers, FYI.”

      “That’s funny.” Lexi chose an easy chair that was at a right angle to the couch. “Any word from her doctors?”

      He shook his head. “You know how that goes. They’ll want to run a bunch of tests before they say anything definitive. Mom’s convinced herself it’s a false alarm, but...”

      “You aren’t so sure?”

      He took off his hat and propped it on his knee. “No.” Leaning his head against the back of the couch, he closed his eyes. “I want to be convinced, but when I first got there and hugged Dad, I could feel his fear. And he has a medical background, so it’s not like he’s clueless about what’s going on.”

      “I thought the same thing.” The way Cade leaned back and closed his eyes made her wonder if he had a headache. He used to get them when he was stressed. Having her massage his temples used to help, but the only surefire cure had been a round of hot sex.

      “Anyway, they sent me home to get some sleep, but there’s no time.”

      “Why not?”

      He sat up and glanced at her. “Too many things to handle. By the way, I noticed you’d turned the horses out and put Hematite in the little paddock.”

      “I thought you’d want him isolated at first.”

      “You did exactly right. We need to see how he settles in here before turning him out with the others. But did he behave himself?”

      “Sure did.”

      “Great. That’s great. How about Ringo?”

      “He’s fine. I found a litter box in the storage shed along with half a bag of litter and a cat bed. You know Rosie and Herb, always figuring another stray will show up.”

      “Thanks for taking care of him for me. Damn. I should have stopped for cat food. I’ll get some when I go back. He usually sleeps during the day, so I might as well leave him in the bathroom until I get the cabin ready.”

      She should have guessed he’d want to bunk there. “Have you heard from the guys?”

      “I’m picking up Damon at one and Finn at three.”

      She checked the grandfather clock ticking away in the corner. “That gives you time to take a nap in one of the guest rooms. I’ll get the cabin ready.” He did have a headache, poor guy. She could see it in his eyes.

      “Thanks, but I wouldn’t feel right about that. My brothers, my job.” He put on his hat and stood. “Mom said the sheets were still in the hall closet.”

      “They are, but I can do it.” She followed him out of the living room.

      “Not as well as I can. I’ll bet you wouldn’t think to stick a rubber snake in Finn’s bed.”

      “Please tell me you’re not going to do that.”

      He glanced at her and grinned.

      “This isn’t the time or place. Don’t be an idiot.”

      “Too late.” He chuckled as he opened the bifold doors and pulled sheets and pillowcases from a shelf labeled Bunk Beds.

      “Cade!”

      “I’m not going to do it, but it’s good to know I can still get you riled up. Hold these while I pull out the blankets.”

      “And then you’ll let me finish the job while you take a nap, right?”

      “Wrong.”

      “What if you fall asleep at the wheel because you’re exhausted?” She was caretaking, but she couldn’t help it. If he pushed himself too far and something happened to him or the other two, then where would they be? The thought was unacceptable on so many levels, especially the deepest one, where Cade would live forever in her heart.

      “I won’t fall asleep at the wheel.” After hauling blankets out of the closet, he folded them over his arm.

      “Right. I keep forgetting that you’re Superman.”

      “I keep forgetting that you have a smart mouth.” He closed the closet doors and turned to her. “I’ll take the sheets now.”

      She held on to them and stepped back. “Look, I don’t want to tell you how to do this, but—”

      “But you’re about to.”

      “It’s just that the cabin should be vacuumed before you take these out there or they’ll get all dusty.”

      He paused. “Damn. You’re right. Okay, we’ll just pile this stuff on the couch until I’m ready for it. I wasn’t thinking.”

      “Which is why—”

      “Don’t start with me.” He glared at her as he walked back into the living room. “I’ll be fine as long as I keep moving. Where’s the vacuum cleaner?”

      “You have a headache.”

      He laid the blankets on the couch. “You don’t know that.”

      “Yes, I do. You have that squinty look.” She deposited the sheets on top of the blankets. “You should at least lie down for a while.”

      He turned to her with a sigh. “Let up on me, okay? I’m doing the best I can with a shitty situation.”

      Remorse hit her. She’d allowed fear for his safety to turn her into a nagging pest, which wasn’t getting either of them anywhere. “I’m

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