He had. It was now a little after nine, which was hardly early by his standards, but early given what he’d had to accomplish before being able to leave the dam site. When he’d told Jason where he was going and why, his brother had reminded him that the county commissioners were set to arrive around noon. As the older brother, Maco was accustomed to taking the lead in such matters. This time, however, he’d maintained that seeing Shari Afton—and learning how to be a responsible guard dog owner—was more important than taking some commissioners on a tour, which Jason could do.
“You’re making her a priority because you can’t stop thinking about what Paul told you, aren’t you,” his brother had said, “about the Greenspeakers’ techniques.”
“Yeah, I am.”
“So, if you were a betting man, who do you think will give us the most trouble, ranchers fighting for their water rights or a bunch of tree huggers?”
“They’re terrorists, not environmentalists.”
“Terrorists.” Jason sobered. “My money’s on them. They don’t care who they hurt as long as they make their point.”
Maco was replaying the Homeland Security agent’s warning, what Roe and his fellow ranchers had said, and his conversation with Jason as he drove on to Shari’s property. He’d debated leaving his Colt behind so she wouldn’t think of him as some armed cowpoke, but its weight on his hip felt right. To his surprise, several dogs, all Dobermans, were running loose. The regal-looking animals started sounding off, their voices merging into something capable of waking the dead. Were they always this high-strung?
Yesterday he’d tried to warn Shari to be careful but had pulled back from spelling out the reasons. Today he’d have to be up front about everything. And if she wanted nothing to do with him after learning he might have inadvertently placed her in danger, he’d have to live with it.
Before that, however, he’d study the woman who’d kept him awake for most of the night.
Only that.
Spotting her standing in the open training kennel door, he wondered how long she’d been watching him. He’d again driven his Jeep, so she had to know it was him from the moment the rig came into view. Why then wasn’t she walking over to greet him?
Ona and the dogs, Bruce and Tucker included, started running in circles around the Jeep, forcing him to travel at a crawl. It pleased him to realize he could identify the two that might go home with him today. Then, almost as soon as the thought surfaced, he acknowledged that would leave her with two fewer guardians.
Maybe he should insist she keep them with her.
Maybe he needed to clear his head.
He’d killed the engine and gotten out before she headed his way. Waiting, he patted random heads and backs, but his attention remained on her. Today she wore a sleeveless shirt that buttoned down the front and denim shorts maybe two inches shy of being immodest. Her legs were taut and tanned. Was she deliberately showing that much skin for his benefit?
Right. According to the weather report, the temperature might reach 90.
“Quite the welcoming committee,” he observed when they were close enough to carry on a conversation. Much as he wanted to shake her hand—and hold on to it as long as she’d let him—several wet tongues had slathered his fingers. He started to wipe them on his jeans but stopped because he didn’t want anything getting close to his cock. So far it was behaving itself, but he didn’t trust it. “When I was here before, they weren’t running loose. Is this exercise time?”
Instead of answering, she stared at him with her legs slightly spread, her hands fisted, and her head back. She wasn’t just taking the measure of him, she was probing beneath the surface and looking for something he couldn’t grasp. Sexual energy arched between them; he’d bet everything he had invested in Mustang Construction on that. Just the same, she was reaching beyond and beneath the obvious.
Damn but he wanted to have sex with her.
“What?” he asked.
After a moment she nodded. She wasn’t moving. It was as if she was guarding herself against something, but what? “I let the guard dogs out again this morning because I wanted them to check things out.”
“Again? What things?”
“The property.”
“Why?”
“Because of what happened last night.” Before he could probe for more, she told him that something had caused the dogs to sound off during the night. “Ona was the first. She’d been sleeping on the floor next to me. Maybe her growls alerted the others; their hearing amazes me.”
“Wait,” he said around the fist gripping his heart. “You had an intruder?”
“I don’t know,” she said, her voice low and hands still clenched.
“Okay. Okay.” Struggling to concentrate despite the concern chilling him, he lifted his hat and raked his fingers through his hair. Had she walked outside with nothing more than her nails as defense? “Ona sounded the alarm, which means—hell, which means that whoever was here had gotten close to the house. Maybe was in it.”
“No.” Her tone remained low and somber and yet he sensed her effort to keep it that way. “When Ona and I left the bedroom, she didn’t go tearing around poking in the other rooms. Instead, she went right to the front window. That’s when she really started growling.”
“Shit. Tell me you called nine one one?”
She shook her head. When he started to ask why not, she held up a hand he longed to squeeze. Hell, he’d give a great deal to have those unadorned fingers around his cock. Maybe they’d gallop off into the sunset together followed by camping out in the wilderness where—
“I have a kennel full of guard dogs,” she said as his cock twitched. “I told myself it didn’t make sense to call a cop clear out here because I’d let myself get spooked.”
This wouldn’t have happened if you’d brought Bruce and Tucker inside,
he came close to throwing at her. Because he knew better than to step on that land mine, he didn’t.
“Did the dogs hit on anything?”
“Yes. Both last night and this morning.”
That was too much, the explanation he didn’t want to hear. Before he had half a chance to try to stop himself, he’d eaten up the distance between them and grabbed her hands. He was vaguely aware that he held her too tight but couldn’t make himself let up. Despite her muscled arms and legs, she was a small woman with narrow hands. He felt as if he towered over her.
“Tell me,” he ordered with his eyes locked on hers and his knees brushing her legs and the dogs watching.
“Like last night, the, ah, excitement started with Ona. The moment I let her out this morning, she went around to the front window.”
“Damn.”
“She sniffed at it for a long time and then circled the house. She stopped at all the windows.”
Someone had stood outside in the dark staring in at her, maybe watching her sleep. If he ever got his hands on the bastard, he’d kill him. “Please tell me you called the cops this morning.”
To his relief, she nodded. “They’re going to send someone out when they can, but you know as well as I do it won’t do any good. I didn’t see any footprints.”
Because the bastard was gone and the dogs’ paws had obliterated the evidence. Because whoever he was, he’d accomplished what he’d come here for. “What about these guys?” Still holding her warm, dry hands, he nodded at the Dobermans. “Did they act the way Ona did?”
“Their hits were even stronger because they’re trained to—”
“Trained? They slept while whoever it was snuck up on you.”
She shivered, then tried to cover it up by shrugging and shaking her head. “They were in their kennel. I had some noise baffling put in there for the neighbors’ sake.”
She wouldn’t lock the dogs up again. Whatever it took, he’d make sure of that. In the meantime, he’d face what had happened here last night and his inadvertent role in it.
“Did you get any sleep?”
“Not so you’d notice.”
A flippant comment to mask the long, nerve-racking hours spent alone. “I need to tell you something,” he said.
When she gave no indication she’d heard, he pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. She felt even smaller with her sun-warmed skin sending primitive messages to his core. She smelled like soap and shampoo with a faint rose scent mixed in. He wasn’t sure but didn’t think she’d put on makeup, and her clothes, despite his reaction to the skin they didn’t cover, were practical and well used. Hell no, she hadn’t thought about seducing him. She’d had a lot more important things on her mind.
He needed to protect her.
“Maco?”
“What?” His name coming from her throat sent electricity shooting through him. His cock took even more notice. Much more and he couldn’t hide the evidence from her.
“We, ah, you need a lesson with the dogs.”
“To hell with that.” To keep from bracketing his legs around hers and tipping things over a dangerous edge, he pushed her back but didn’t let go. Had her life been in danger last night? Or was the bastard stalking her? “I just said there’s something you need to know.”
“About?”
“Some things I learned yesterday after you left.”
9
T
hey wound up sitting on her front porch with the lawn chairs turned so they faced each other. Shari couldn’t remember whether the chair placement had been her idea or his and had no recollection of which of them had taken the first step toward the house. Her hand remembered his strength from when they’d walked hand in hand from his vehicle to the porch, which was in need of sanding and staining.
Her porch didn’t matter. Neither did her response to his presence, not that she’d been able to convince her body.
Like before, Maco wore jeans and his narrow-toed boots. Today’s shirt was a cream color with spread collar, yokes, and pearl snaps like before, but he’d rolled up his sleeves probably in deference to the greater heat. It was open at the throat and part way down his chest. She couldn’t get her mind off the fantasy of finishing the job. When he leaned forward with his hands on his thighs and his knees nearly touching hers, she was certain she’d feel his breath if he exhaled forcefully enough. Hopefully he wouldn’t, because she wasn’t sure she could handle it.
Wasn’t sure? What was she thinking? No doubt about it, she’d explode if his breath caressed her skin.
So this was how she reacted to the possibility of danger now that she was an adult. She got horny.
But maybe only Maco Durant could do that to her.
Except for Ona, who’d sprawled out at her feet, the other dogs were resting in the shade of her apple tree. To the casual observer, the scene would appear relaxed and comfortable, two friends discussing the weather.
Except she knew almost nothing about where he’d come from and why he’d become what he was.
“I should have told you who I was expecting yesterday,” he began. “Because it turned out that it involves you.”
“In what way?”
His deep and quiet voice slipped like silk over her, making concentrating on the words all but impossible.
“Paul Statford worked for the Forest Service most of his career. A year or so after he retired, Homeland Security offered him a consultant position.”
Maco was stalling. She had no choice but to wait for him to get to the point.
“That’s what he’s doing these days. Dams are of particular concern for the agency because of the catastrophic consequences if terrorists succeed.”
“Flooding, you mean?”
“Mainly that.”
“But the Graves River Dam isn’t built yet. What—?” As the pieces fell together, she clamped her hand over her mouth and spoke around it. “Your machinery and the building material that’s already there is worth millions of dollars?”
He nodded, his eyes aging as he did. “Members of Greenspeakers—have you heard of them?”
“Yes.”
“Anyway, they don’t consider themselves anti-establishment, as long as the powers-that-be agree with them. They insist on calling themselves environmentalists, albeit extreme. And sometimes radical.”
“Maco, I’m well aware that the dogs I train could be placed in dangerous situations. That they could lose their lives.”
His nod said he was grateful to her for bringing that up. “I wish that wasn’t a possibility.”
“So do I, but I know better.”
“Do you?”
“Say it, Maco.”
Eyes sober, he leaned forward and placed his hands on her knees. Shards of energy shot up her thighs and softened her core. She hadn’t thought about her erotic dream since waking up in the middle of the night, but it rushed at her now. He’d been her mystery lover.
“The dogs aren’t the only living things that are in danger. So are you.”
“You don’t believe Ona’s shooting was an accident, do you?”
“No. Same with what happened last night. That was no deer or stray dog. Look, I’m damn sorry. The last thing I wanted to do was place you in jeopardy because of our business relationship.”
“You have no way of knowing if what I’ve been experiencing is tied into your operation.”
“What other explanation is there?” His hands remained on her knees, keeping her hungry for things she barely grasped.
“Is that what the Homeland Security guy said?”
“I didn’t need him to come to that conclusion. Nothing like what’s happened over the past few days has ever taken place before I came on the scene, right?”
“I guess.”
“What do you mean, you guess?”
Don’t bring up the past. It has no place in today’s conversation.
“I’m not sure. I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around what’s been happening.”
“Understandable. Shari, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want your dogs after all.”
“You can’t be serious. You need them.”
He squeezed her knees with hands that effortlessly handled horses, maybe even wild ones. Then, seeming to realize what he’d done, he let go and backed away. “I can’t deny that.”
Fighting the need to rub where his hands had been, she placed her hand over her throat. The last few days aside, she hadn’t felt this vulnerable since she was a child, but whether the sensation came from what they were talking about or his presence, she wasn’t sure. As unnerving as it made her feel, she wanted it to be his presence.
“Maco, yesterday when Roe and the other ranchers were there, I took note of their rifles. Maybe they’d been hunting out of season earlier and had wandered on to my property.”
“You’re trying to tell me it might have been coincidence?”
“I don’t know.”
“It wasn’t.”
“How can you be sure? There are a lot of deer around here, lots of open land.”
Sighing, he shook his head. “According to Paul, Roe and some of his friends are connected to Greenspeakers.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah, shit. Let me talk. See if it makes as much sense to you as it does to me. You’re the only person in the county who supplies guard dogs. I asked around about you, probably said more than I should have. Roe had been out to the dam site earlier. He noticed that I didn’t have any dogs and put one and one together. Ona’s shooting was a warning, to me.”
“You can’t be sure,” she said even as the possibility numbed her.
“What if I’m right?” He indicated the sleeping Dobermans. “I want them with you.”
“What about your business?”
“I’ve been thinking about that. Maybe I’ll hire that security firm we talked about.”
“We don’t know if there is one.”
“I’ll bet there is. Once Greenspeakers realizes you’re keeping your dogs and they’re on duty twenty-four seven, they’ll leave you alone.”
“You think so?”
“Who knows what those bastards are thinking? Like Paul told me, they get off on intimidation, but I’m not going to let them get away with it.” His eyes bored into her.
He cared about her in ways that confused, excited, and frightened her. In truth, everything about this conversation and what had already happened between them confused her. If he kept it up, she’d be hard-pressed to remember what had brought them together. “I’m no hothouse flower.”
Something blazed in his eyes. What had she said to set him off? “I didn’t say you were. But nothing like this has ever happened to you, right?”
If she kept her mouth shut, she’d be able to protect the past. He’d never have to know about the terrified girl who’d run out of the house instead of trying to save her father. He wouldn’t know she hadn’t retaken her birth name in part because she hated what it stood for. But if she remained silent, her past would always stand between them. For the first time in her life, she didn’t want that to happen.
“I lost my father to a killer,” she whispered. “Does that count?”
“You what?”
“It was a long time ago.” Stunned by what she’d just said, she hurried the words. “The man responsible was caught and convicted. Justice done.”
“Shit. Look, I hardly know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.”
“That’s not going to happen. Where were you?”
Not going there!
“That’s not what this reveal of mine is about.”
“The hell it isn’t. I want to know.”
Her feet were under her before she realized what she’d done. Holding tight to her emotions, she retreated until her backside rested against the railing and she had nowhere to go. Why the hell had she said what she had?
“Someday, maybe,” she came up with.
Not if I can help it.
“But not here. And not now. I don’t know what made me decide to bring that up. We’re talking about your need for guard dogs, remember.”
He stood. How far away was he, no more than six feet and taking over the space between them. Taking charge of her body and mind. Yeah, that’s why she’d let the floodgates to the past open. It was time to close them again.
“We’ll get back to the dogs, but not until I’ve dealt with what you just laid on me,” he said. “My parents are alive and well. They’re hardworking people who have never had any contact with law enforcement.”
“Good,” she said. As long as he stayed where he was, hopefully she could keep up her end of the conversation.
“They’ve turned much of the ranch’s operation over to three of my brothers, but they’re still involved in every decision. We’re hoping they’ll finally take a vacation, come out to see what Jason and I are doing. See more of the world than the land that’s been in the family hands for four generations. Eventually I’ll lose them, but I don’t see it happening for a long time.”
Four generations? What does stability like that feel like?
“I hope it doesn’t.”
“I’m trying to wrap my mind around what it’s been like for you losing your father the way you did. What about your mother? She’s all right?”
Get it over with.
“She’s dead, too.”
“Oh God, I’m so—”
“She didn’t die when Dad did, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
His frown let her know he was aware she hadn’t given him time to express sympathy. “So at least you had her while you were growing up.”
“Not really.”
“What happened?”
“A bunch of things I’m not going to talk about.”
Why not?
every line of his body demanded, but to her relief, he remained silent. No one knew the whole story, and despite her earlier impulse, she wasn’t about to explain it to this man she barely knew.
This cowboy she wanted with a hunger that terrified her.
And brought her to life.
“What about siblings? Can I at least ask that?” His arms were at his sides and he looked, what, confused? She couldn’t blame him.
“None. I’m serious, Maco. I’m not going to say anything more.”
“You need to.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I don’t.”
“I don’t believe you.” With that, long, strong legs brought him to her. The few inches still between them were nothing, a wisp of space they could breach with a single move. She wanted, damn, how she wanted! Being around Maco was like spinning in a whirlpool that kept sucking her deeper and deeper, not into a dark, drowning death but toward ever-growing need. Maybe it would never end.
“Have you noticed,” he said softly, “that every conversation we’ve had has been intense.”
“I guess.”
“Why do you think that is?”
He was asking her? How would she know—except that just seeing him made her feel new.
“You tell me,” she finally came up with.
The corners of his mouth lifted. “No can do. What I will tell you is I have no regrets about meeting you. About exposing you to danger, yes, in spades, but I want to get to know you better. What about you?”
Oh hell, the conversation was becoming sexual, wasn’t it? Not that she didn’t want the words and emotion and maybe the deed behind them so she’d stop thinking about sex all the time. “I thought about you last night—does that count? In fact, I had a dream about you.”
Every hint of humor, if that’s what it had been, faded from him. “What was I doing?”
On the brink of sidestepping what had the potential to suck her even deeper into the whirlpool, she changed her mind. She couldn’t go on throwing up barriers between them. “I think you know.”
“You too?”
Just like that she was in his arms with hers wrapped around his waist with his holster pressing into her middle and her breasts flat against his ribs. Dizzy, she looked up. His mouth covered hers. Meeting him strength for strength, she parted her lips. Heat bled into heat, bringing with it a heady mix of power and weakness. Her sex juices flooded, and her legs caught fire. Her breasts ached and tingled at the same time. What felt like flames flowed over the back of her neck and along her shoulders.
Holy shit,
she nearly blurted.