“Clint
would like us to check the fences to the Southwest.” He led the way out of the
stable. “Nice scenery out that way.”
They
rode for an hour, crossing the river near a sand bar, stopping so the horses
could drink.
“This
is who you really are, isn’t it?” She turned to him, openly studying his lean,
muscular body and rugged profile. “You’re nothing like that slick talking,
poker-playing man I met in Europe.”
“Are
you disappointed?” He watched her intently.
She
hesitated, sensing that her reply was important to him. “Not at all; I like the
real you. What surprises me is that you could fool me so completely.”
He
dismounted and cupped some water in his palms, but not before she noticed a
shadow cross his face. Something was bothering him, but she couldn’t imagine
what it might be. He drank deeply, then wiped his hands on his jeans. “I regret
that,” he said, finally meeting her eyes. “But it was necessary.”
“I
understand.” She frowned. He had withdrawn, and she didn’t know why. Deciding
that there was nothing to be gained by probing further she pointed to a rise in
the distance. “Maisie sent along a thermos of coffee. Is that a good place to
stop for a break?”
He
nodded. They rode easily, side by side. Groups of cattle dotted the hillside,
grazing contentedly while the young chased each other on stiff legs. Here and
there, newborn calves lay sleeping in depressions in the ground, their presence
betrayed by the flick of an ear.
Pausing
at the top of the rise, they dismounted and left their horses to graze. Olivia
drank in the beauty of the surrounding countryside. “I don’t know how you can
bear to tear yourself away from here,” she said, spreading her arms and turning
in a slow circle. “I think it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.”
He
watched her reaction with approval and a slow smile softened his face. “I
agree. And from now on, when I leave it will be strictly for personal reasons.”
He pulled out the thermos, and two enameled cups. “As far as I’m concerned,
that was a one-off mission for IATO.” He poured the steaming coffee. “There are
a lot of Special Forces alumni like myself who’d like another chance to kick
some ass. And the way the world is changing, they won’t be short of
volunteers.”
She
was alerted by something in his voice. “Why do they do it, Josh?” He handed her
the cup and she looked around for a spot to sit. A cluster of pine trees
offered some welcome shade. “Is it the danger? Is that what makes men go off on
these missions?” She sipped thoughtfully. “Dirk’s retired from SAS. And you’re
no longer with Special Forces. What’s in it for you?”
His
body tensed and she glimpsed the flash of pain again. He silently kicked at
some pinecones, clearing a space for them to sit down. Then he seemed to get
control of himself and sank onto the ground, indicating the space beside him.
“I don’t know what makes the other guys come back for one last kick at the
can.” He gazed into the distance and she would have given anything to know what
he was thinking at that moment. “I suppose for some of them it’s the danger.
That would be a fair assessment. But for the rest of us, it’s something we have
to do.” He was striving to keep his tone light. “I can’t begin to put into
words how good it feels to know that Blazek is out of business.” He stared into
the mug.
A
magpie landed in the tree above them, breaking the silence with its raucous
chatter. Olivia turned to Josh. “I’ve been afraid to ask you, but I have to
know. Did Blazek die in that last explosion?”
His
head jerked up. “What? Oh, no. It was a close call, but I saw him drive away in
his Hummer. No one at the villa was hurt, either. We made sure of that.”
“Thank
goodness.” The relief was overwhelming. “In spite of everything, he is Eliska’s
father.” She shot him a quick glance. “Although why I should care about him, I
don’t know.”
She
started to tremble. “I’m not a brave person, Josh. I’m ashamed to admit it, but
when he walked across the floor of that warehouse, I was terrified. I kept
telling myself that Eliska’s father wouldn’t harm me, but deep down I knew he
could be ruthless.” Tears started to roll down her cheeks and she let them
fall.
“Come
here.” Josh pulled her into his arms. “I’ve been expecting this.” He lifted her
effortlessly onto his lap and held her like a child, stroking her hair with one
large hand.
It
felt so good to be held. “I’m sorry,” she hiccupped. “I didn’t mean to cry.”
He
rocked her gently. “With everything you went through I’m surprised this didn’t
happen long ago.” Tipping up her chin, he brushed his lips against her
forehead. “You’re an amazing woman, Olivia MacMillan. A few tears aren’t going
to change that.”
She
closed her eyes and enjoyed the security of being in his arms. He smelled of
soap, horses and his own intoxicating scent. When had he last kissed her? Monte
Carlo and the Costa del Sol seemed to have happened in another lifetime.
Whenever it was, it had been too long ago. The memory shimmered through her and
she snuggled against his chest, aware of the rapid beating of his heart.
She
looked up to see him staring into the distance, his brow furrowed. “What’s the
matter?” She dabbed at her eyes, her own emotional outburst forgotten.
When
he answered, his voice seemed to come from far away. “I didn’t expect to like
you, you know.” A faint grin touched his face and then disappeared. “I think I
told you that the first day I met you.”
He
was far too serious. “What are you trying to say?” She touched her fingers to
his lips.
Grasping
her hand, he placed a kiss in her palm and then he lifted her, setting her on
the ground beside him. “I can’t think when you’re so close,” he said. “I need
to do this properly.” He stood up and walked a few steps away, his back to her.
She
stilled. “You’re sorry you brought me here, aren’t you!” She scrambled to her
feet, her eyes flashing. Facing him, she poked him in the chest with a stiff
finger. “If you’re trying to let me down gently, I’ve got news for you Cowboy.
You’re not doing a very good job of it.”
He
stared at her. “What are you talking about? I’m happy that you’re here. As a
matter of fact…” He swallowed. “Listen. I’m trying to apologize. It’s been
eating away at me ever since Blazek’s men took you from the yacht.” He took a
deep breath. “We used you, Olivia. It was wrong, and you were put in danger
because of it. I don’t think I can ever forgive myself for that.”
She
relaxed as his words sunk in. “That’s what this is all about?” She gave a
relieved little laugh. “Okay, so I was mad when you first told me, back at the
villa in Monte Carlo, but I got over it. Remember?”
With
a groan of frustration, he pulled her against his chest. “Yes, I remember,
but…”
She
touched her fingertips to his mouth, cutting off any further explanation. “No
‘buts’. It’s over, Josh. Let’s not spoil this beautiful day.” She smiled into
his eyes and saw the tension drain out of them. “There is something you could
do for me, though.” She raised her lips.
“Gladly.”
His mouth covered hers with a fierceness that left her breathless and wanting
more. “Olivia.” His voice was raspy. “I’ve wanted to do this for days, but I
didn’t know how.”
She
pulled back. “You seem to be doing very well.”
“You
know what I mean.” He deepened the kiss, his mouth slanting over hers with
startling urgency. A gentle breeze rustled the trees, and the horses shuffled
nearby, but Josh and Olivia were unaware of their surroundings. The rapid
beating of his heart matched her own, and a sigh of pleasure escaped her lips.
The
sound of pounding horse’s hooves broke them apart.
“Josh.”
Clint was breathless. “Thank goodness I found you.” His face was flushed. “One
of the young calves is all tangled up in the barbed wire over by Trout Lake and
I can’t find my wire cutters.” He slapped his thigh angrily. “I must have lost
them last time I was out.”
Josh
ran to his horse and checked his saddlebags. “I’ve got mine. I can give you a
hand.” He turned to Olivia. “Would you like to come, or would you prefer to go
back to the house?”
“How
far is Trout Lake?”
Josh
glanced at Clint for confirmation. “Three, four miles?”
“’Bout
that, yeah.”
“Then
I’d better go back to the house.” She shook her head. “I haven’t done much
riding lately, and I’d just hold you up.”
His
eyes lingered for a tantalizing moment on her mouth and then he mounted. “You
can find your own way back?”
She
smiled. “Get out of here.”
“Yes,
ma’am.” He touched his hat and rode off.
* * *
“Over
by Trout Lake, you said?” Maisie was chopping green onions for a potato salad.
“Yes.
Clint said it was three or four miles from where he found us.”
“Then
they’ll be late getting back. Just as well it’s a cold supper.” She stirred the
salad. “Josh will do anything to save one of his animals. It’s not unusual for
him to stay out there all night when one of the horses is foaling.”
“I
can understand that. I have a horse at home.”
Maisie
appeared to scrutinize her more carefully. “Even so, I’d like to see him get
out more. He’s been hiding away here too long, if you ask me.”
“Hiding
from what?”
Maisie
banged the spoon against the side of the bowl. “Nothing. I’m just an old woman
who talks too much.” She placed the bowl in the refrigerator and moved to the
sink.
“Is
there anything I can do to help?” It was a feeble attempt to get the
housekeeper to talk some more and she wasn’t surprised when it didn’t work.
“No
thanks dearie.” She removed her apron. “I think I’ll go out and cut some
flowers.”
Olivia
knew when she was being dismissed. “Oh. Then I think I’ll make a few phone
calls.”
* * *
“You’re
where? I thought I heard you say Montana.” Justine’s voice sounded like she was
in the other room. “What are you doing there?”
“Right
now I’m at Josh’s ranch. You wouldn’t believe everything that’s happened.” She
hardly believed it herself.
“Try
me.”
“It’s
a long story but it’s something I should tell you in person.” Olivia sat in the
shade of the back porch. “You wouldn’t believe how beautiful it is here. I’m
looking at the Rocky Mountains right now.”
“Olivia.”
Justine’s voice took on a warning note. “You’re not breaking The Rules, are
you?
“The
Rules?” The cat jumped up on her lap, demanding attention.
“You’re
not falling in love with him, are you?”
Olivia
closed her eyes and she was back on the hilltop, the scent of pine resin sweet
in the air and Josh’s mouth ravaging hers. Her heart began to flutter. “Oh,
those rules. Of course not.” She rapidly changed the subject. “How’s everything
coming along for the wedding?”
“With
your Mother helping, it couldn’t be anything other than perfect. I’ve never
seen a woman with such organizational skills. No wonder her charities are all
so successful.” She paused and Olivia pictured her friend biting her lip. “You
will be back in time, won’t you?”
“You
can bet on it. Listen Justine, I’d better get going. I’ll see you on the Friday
night before the wedding, if not before.”
“Okay.”
Justine hesitated, and Olivia could sense that something else was coming. “You
can bring him if you like.”
Olivia
managed a convincing chuckle. She’d had the same idea herself, but discarded
it. “Thanks, but I don’t think that’s in the cards.” She scratched behind the
cat’s ears. “See you soon.”
The
cat settled down beside her as she stretched out on the lounge. “I’d forgotten
about those pesky rules,” she said dreamily, her hand in the animal’s soft fur.
“I wonder if they still apply?”
*
* *
“I’m
real sorry, son.” Clint was apologizing again. “She’s a right pretty girl, that
Miss Olivia. Do you reckon we’ll be seeing much of her around here?”
Josh
laughed easily. “You’re about as subtle as a kick in the shins, Clint Jackson.”
He laid a soothing hand on the calf slung across his horse. “But to tell you
the truth, I don’t know how long she can stay. It was a spur of the moment sort
of thing, coming here.”
“Well,
I like her.” The foreman dismounted, opened the last fence then closed it
carefully when they had passed. “I’ll call the vet.” They headed for the barn.
“Thanks,
and I’ll explain to Olivia why she’ll probably be spending the evening alone.”
* * *
Olivia
frowned in her sleep and brushed away an annoying fly that kept landing on her
mouth. A low chuckle broke through the fog of sleep and the frown turned into a
smile. She opened her eyes lazily. “Josh Morgan, you’re a pest.” Sitting up,
she noticed the slanting rays of the sun. “What time is it? Is the calf all
right?”
Josh
twirled a large dark feather between his fingers, and then handed it to her.
“It’s a little after six.” He brushed the hair from her eyes, and his hand
lingered on her neck, kneading it softly. “The good news is, we got the calf,
and the bad news is I’ll probably be spending most of the evening with the vet
until we get it stabilized.” He shrugged apologetically. “I’m sorry Olivia.”
His eyes caressed her face. “Have you noticed that every time it looks like
we’re getting something started, we get interrupted?” His mouth twitched. “It’s
getting damned annoying.”