Riding for Love (A Western Romance) (12 page)

“What’s this?” he asked, seeing his name on a note from Tom.

Eve grabbed the paper and shoved it beneath some papers.

As Denton moved around the room, Eve realized how much she had thought of him being in the room. The three walls covered in bookshelves had been designed with him in mind, even though he had been out of her life for many years. Her dreams had him taking over the bookwork while she ran the ranch. In reality, her body wanted him back, while her heart still fought against the idea. Her body was winning.

She sucked in a breath when he picked up Tolkien, and wondered if he remembered the message or giving her the book. A deep breath drew in his essence. He smelled divine, like fresh soap and woodsy aftershave.
Slow down, Nelly. Don’t get all dreamy-eyed about the guy, just because he’s here bringing visions of what might have been. Remember what happened this afternoon.

She took her eyes from him and picked up some papers, pretending they were the most important items in her life when, in fact, all she saw were squiggles of dark ink. Prickles went up her neck. He stood behind her and wishing he would lift her damp hair, tipped her head forward. His warm breath puffed across her hair as he leaned closer. Goosebumps rose on her arms and down her spine, landing in her groin. He was going to . .

“What’s this?” he asked, snapping her back to reality.

Shit
. The note from Tom. She snatched it and tried to stuff it under the stack of bills. Denton was too quick. Setting his glass of wine beside hers, she heard his quick intake of breath as he read.

“What’s this about accidents and a thorn?”

“I don’t know,” Eve muttered.

“What do you mean, you don’t know?” he asked, shifting his attention back at the paper. “Obviously something’s going on around here.”

Eve took the note from his hand, leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes. “None of your business, Dent.”

“It sure as hell is if this means I might have been injured not because I did something wrong, but because someone sabotaged my horse.” He rose and placed his palms on the desk. His eyes held barely controlled rage.

“You’re right to be angry. I guess I didn’t do my job right before having you tack-up Della. I should have seen the thorn. My fault.”

Denton swung her chair around so fast her hair flew into her face. She hadn’t seen him this angry since the kids had teased her in high school.

“Like hell. You love horses too much not to be careful with all their equipment. According to Tom’s note there have been other accidents. What’s going on?”

Knuckles white, Eve gripped the arms of the chair. Taking her hands, he helped her from her chair and held her hands, their bodies a breath away.

“Tell me what’s been happening. Maybe I can help, even if it’s only to listen.”

Eve released her breath and rested her head against his wide, warm shoulder. It would feel good to unburden herself to someone other than Tom. She stepped back from the security his arms offered and moved to the other side of the room. She needed to think clearly, and that was impossible if he held her.

“I’m not exactly sure when it started. It was just little things at first. A broken fence, which might be horses kicking it. A snapped bridle strap easily happening from catching on a branch or loose nail.”

“But you don’t think so.”

Walking back to her chair, she picked up her wine glass and took a sip. “No, especially with a salt block dumped in a pasture water tank. Luckily, Tom noticed it before the horses were put in the field. Then there was the water poured on hay, making it moldy. When water heaters went out in two cabins, I got worried. Those heaters were put in just last year. Thank goodness they are still under warranty or I’d have been hard pressed to pay for new ones.”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Eve wanted to kick herself. She didn’t want him to know her problems. It wasn’t any of his business.

He sat on the edge of the desk and stretched out his legs, trapping her. “Any idea who is responsible?”

She shrugged. “No, nor why, either.” She pulled out her chair out and sat down. “My employees seem to like their jobs and, as far as I know, have no gripes with me or Tom. I can’t figure it out.”

Denton stepped away from the desk and picked up the note. “Anything else?”

“Last session some of the customers had things stolen from their cabins. That alone was bad, but the strangest part was that the missing items were found in plain sight in other cabins. Since they all worked together and everyone got their things back, they figured someone from their group played a joke on them. They laughed it off and nothing more was said.”

“But you don’t think it was a joke?”

“No. Not with the other things going on here. Then tonight Dennis told me the cook reported meat missing from the kitchen.”

“Why would someone steal meat?”

“I don’t know, but it’s an additional expense.” Eve’s nerves jumped as he sauntered across the room and stood before her. Close. Much too close. His heat flowed over her, sending messages to parts of her body that she’d been denying for far too long. Like earlier in the bath, her nipples puckered and sensations zinged from her lips to her toes and all the important places in-between. With her back already against the bookcase, there was no place to retreat. Earlier, she was in his arms for comfort. Now, his smoldering eyes no longer held comfort, but pure, unadulterated heat.

“Every time you touched me today, I wanted to check for burn marks.” He stepped closer. “I’m not sure how I didn’t grab and kiss you senseless, Eve Dayton.” He took her glass and set it, along with his own, on a shelf.

“Denton, don’t. I’m not ready for this,” she pleaded, knowing full well what came next, especially since his gaze was trained on her mouth.

“Don’t what? Don’t show you how much I’ve missed you? Don’t show you how much I care about you? Don’t show you how much I need you? Don’t what, Eve?” He leaned forward, put his hands on either side of her face. “Kiss you senseless?”

He whispered his lips against hers, then swept his tongue across her lips. Her arms involuntarily moved up his back and over his shoulders, forcing him closer until her breasts flattened against his chest. This, oh this, was what she yearned for—his lips, his warmth, his touch. Her dreams hadn’t done justice to the real thing.

Had he kissed her like this when they were young? She didn’t think so. They were still just teenagers experimenting with love. This was so much more. Yes, his kisses then had been demanding, powerful, and sexy as all get out. She’d kissed a few men since him, but nothing, nothing compared to his lips moving over hers, his tongue inside her mouth, playing games with her senses.

One simple tug of her robe and her naked body would be against his. Her thighs clenched together. If she tipped her head to the side and let those luscious lips move down her neck, her chest, her . . .

She was sinking into his kiss, weakening, on the edge of falling for him all over again. It was too much, too soon. She couldn’t let him hurt her again, but despite what she thought, her heart was rushing full speed into his life.

A vision of Marie interrupted her erotic thoughts and the pinpricks of desire flowing over her skin. Why now? Why did she always come between them? Eve inched back and pushed against his chest.

“Denton, stop.”

A sexual haze filled Denton’s brain with the taste and scent of Eve, his pants tighter than earlier. Her mouth was more full than the last time he’d kissed her, her body more developed. When she brought her arms around his neck and brought him closer, he thought he would explode right then and there.

Never, in his entire life, including when they dated, had such a powerful urge to hold on and let things go where they may come over him. When her tongue met his, he fought the urge to toss her on the floor and finish what they’d started that Thanksgiving. All thought and function went out the window and filled only with Eve. His Eve, the woman he’d given his heart to so many years ago.

He wanted more, and his arms tightened around her, her breasts warm against his chest, even through their clothes. She edged back. He held her closer, chest to chest, hip to hip, his erection bouncing against her stomach.

“Denton, stop.”

“Huh? This is so good,” he groaned. “Why?”

“Please, Denton. I’m not ready. Please.”

Not ready? She wasn’t ready? He opened his eyes. “Are you kidding? We can both barely breathe.” The robe slid open revealing puckered nipples. Her eyes glistened.

He stopped, released her then tipped his head back to look at the ceiling. Her eyes had shown passion . . . passion and pain.

“I’m sorry, Eve.” He turned away and stalked to the desk, putting distance between them so he wouldn’t haul her back into his arms. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I got carried away.”

Eve moved toward him. He stepped behind the desk, using it as a barrier. Luckily for both of them, she stopped.

“Oh, Denton. You didn’t hurt me, not physically anyway.” Thankfully, she wrapped the sides of her robe together and tightened the tie. Denton dragged his eyes away from the top of breast playing peek-a-boo, and faced her.

“Could have fooled me.”

“I’m not ready for this yet, Dent. I’m still trying to come to grips with the idea you’re back in town, and you’re ready to climb into bed with me. I can’t just pick up where we left off.”

She circled to the other end of the desk. Although Denton heard her words, they failed to register. The bottom half of the robe opened, exposing bare legs. Geez, didn’t she have anything on under that thing? He’d been with her for half an hour and she’d been naked the whole time? He didn’t think he could get any harder, but he was wrong as his erection pressed against his zipper, begging to be let free.

“Denton, are you listening to me?” she asked, tugging the bottom half of her robe closed.

Standing across from him, holding the top part of her robe closed with one hand and the bottom with the other, she resembled a little girl protecting herself from the ravages of the Big Bad Wolf. His foggy brain finally cleared. He didn’t ravage little girls, and he didn’t take unwilling women. He needed to slow things down and let her get used to him being back here.

He turned around, trying to think of something, anything, to bring his erection under control. A vision of his ex and Jackie together trying to seduce him did the trick. His erection retreated and before turning around, he adjusted his pants.

“I’m sorry. You’re right. We need to start fresh.” Her obvious relief sent waves of disappointment through him. “Tell you what. I’ll take things slow and easy if you’ll do something for me.”

Denton hid his smile when a wary frown replaced the relief on her face. She wasn’t yet ready to trust him completely.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Let me help you find out who’s been working to damage your ranch.” He picked up a handful of bills. “And let me help you take care of your business. I am an accountant. Remember?”

The last request surprised him, but in retrospect it was a genius move. What an excellent excuse to be in her house. Who knew where it might lead.

“I don’t know, Dent,” she answered, finally releasing the grip on her robe. “You’d better leave.”

Much to his chagrin, the robe didn’t reopen. Another shot of skin would get him through the long, lonely evening ahead of him. Sleep would not come easy, if at all.

“That’s all right. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” She didn’t say anything, but continued to stare at him, her expression unreadable. Denton ran a hand over his face and sighed. “Well, I guess I’d better go. It’s late and tomorrow will be a busy day with the picnic and all.”

He headed toward the office door. “What about the tour?”

“Another time.”

Glad to know there might be another time, he slapped his hands on the doorframe, but before he left the room, she called to him.

“Denton?”

He stopped, hoping she’d changed her mind. He and his libido anticipated what she was going to say.

“Thank you.”

“For what?” he asked, his libido dying a quick death. Obviously she wasn’t going to ask him to stay.

“For giving me time. For understanding.”

“Uh, sure. No problem.” He made a hasty retreat, and as he strode across the yard, he wondered what good it did him to be a paragon of virtue. Hell, he had no idea what he understood. Certainly not women, and certainly not the woman he’d left. He was positive, though, that he and his hard-on were going to have a long night.

As Denton entered his cabin, a figure emerged from the shadows of the barn. Hands clenched, cussing about interfering assholes, he lowered his cap and headed down a trail into the woods.

Chapter 10

Always an early riser, Tom loved the start of a day with only the birds, fresh air, and horses to greet him. Customers still burrowed beneath covers and mosquitoes hid in bushes. In an hour or so, employees would start rustling about the ranch, their slow, subdued chores creating a backdrop to the chickadees, swallows, and wrens chirping their early morning calls. Before then, he had the barn to himself.

A mixture of horse and hay hit his senses when he stopped inside the door. He tipped his hat back on his head and took in the scene before him. Denton sat on a hay bale, his head in his hands, saddle soap and rags sitting at his feet. Tom couldn’t decide whether to ignore the man, find out if his stay was going as planned, or if he changed his mind about learning to ride after yesterday’s fiasco.

He hid a smile when Denton grabbed the saddle and rags and started rubbing the leather furiously, flinching with each movement. Tom knew the opportunity was too good to pass.

“Don’cha know you’re supposed to stand when an elder comes in the room, boy?”

Denton scowled at him from under the brim of his baseball cap. “What century you living in old man?”

“Umph.”

“Besides, if I tried to get up right now, I’d probably fall flat on my face.”

“Umph.”

Denton rubbed the saddle harder. “I don’t ever remember being this damned sore, even during the first football practices of the season in high school. In my opinion, men’s legs were not meant to be wrapped around a horse’s backside.”

“Umph.”

“Dammit, man,” Denton yelled, throwing the rag on the floor. “Can’t you say anything besides ‘umph.’”

Tom grinned at Denton for a moment. “Umph.”

“Man, if you hate my guts so much, why the hell did you manage to squeeze me in for two weeks?”

Tom took off his battered hat and slapped it against his leg. “It’s not you I necessarily hate, although you do rank up there, but what you did to Eve.”

“Ya, well, Mom used to say the same thing when I did something wrong as a kid. Doesn’t make me feel any better today than it did then.” Denton glared at him. “You didn’t answer my question.”

Tom sighed, sat on a bale next to Denton, slapped his hat against his thigh a few more times before plopping it on his balding pate. “I think you have a pretty good idea of what kind of family life Eve had.”

Denton snorted. “Yeah, I remember. She didn’t share much of her home life with me, I figured out from what others said about her father. Even though I don’t like to listen to gossip, I gathered most was true.”

“I believe you didn’t gather how much your dating Eve helped her.”

“How’s that?” Denton asked, carefully getting up to place the saddle on a Della’s stable door.

He restrained himself from helping Denton. His obviously slow and painful movements made Tom cringe. “How the hell did you get out of bed this morning? Fall?”

“Close.” He shrugged and moaned. “Tell me about Eve before I die here.”

Tom hesitated, then decided to tell Denton everything. “When you started dating Eve, I watched a shy, nervous teenage girl with no self-esteem blossom before my eyes. Her self-confidence grew to the point where she finally stood up to her father. And, of course, he didn’t like that.”

“Shit. He didn’t beat her, did he?”

“What do you think?” Tom couldn’t sit through his anger at the memories. He paced from stall to stall. “He made damn sure no bruises would show.”

“Bastard!”

“My thoughts exactly. At times I wanted to kill the son-of-a-bitch for the way he treated Eve and her mother.”

Denton picked up the rag from the floor and grimaced.

“Now don’t go feeling guilty. I carry enough guilt for both of us for not stepping in. Just because you helped her confidence, doesn’t mean her beatings were your fault. Her father hated he was losing control over her. The longer you two dated, the more she stood up to him, and the beatings came fewer and farther between. I think he realized they didn’t do any good, and, except for an occasional drunken fit, he finally ignored Eve.”

Denton hung his head and dropped his hands between his knees. “Man, I never realized. I mean I knew things were bad, but I never guessed how much. Sometimes I would touch her arm and she’d flinch, but she never said anything.”

“She was just plain happy in love, boy,” Tom said softly, sitting back down. “Doesn’t surprise me she didn’t talk about her life. Once she left the house, she wanted to forget and simply be a teenager in love. So I guess in the long run you did her a favor.”

“I hear a ‘but’ in there.”

Tom took a red handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped perspiration from his face. It was going to be a warm one today. “Yeah, well, when you left for college, I thought maybe she’d fall apart, but, man, she has gumption. When you came back for Thanksgiving, well, from the way she glowed, I figured something important had happened between the two of you.” He gave Denton a sideways glance. “Well, she didn’t tell me, but I can guess.”

“We didn’t do anything wrong, old man. Sure, I guess we messed around a little.”

“Hey, way too much information, Dent.”

“Sorry. I did tell her how much I loved and missed her.”

Tom snorted.

“Think what you want, old man, but it’s true. We talked about what we’d do over Christmas and summer and how she would come to Madison the next year for school.”

“Well, whatever you did and said, she walked around with clouds under her feet. And then . . .”

Denton jumped to his feet and cringed. “Don’t even start. Eve and I already went over this.”

“Want to share with me why you broke her heart worse than if one of the stallions had trampled over her”

After receiving a shortened version of the story he told Eve, Tom shook his head in disbelief. “Man, I’ve done some dumb things in my life, but you were dumber than a squirrel sitting in the middle of the road during rush hour.”

“Dumb and drunk,” Denton added. “And no excuse for what happened. Too many people were, and still are, hurt by the consequences.”

“Well, what are you going to do now?” Tom said, hoping he hadn’t made a mistake helping him. Time would tell.

“First of all, I’m going to figure out how I can possibly get back on a horse today and continue my lessons with Eve. In the process, hopefully win her back.”

Tom stood up and slapped Denton on the shoulder, making the younger man wince. “I have to admit, you’ve got balls. I do like you, son, and I think the two of you belong together.”

“I hear another ‘but’ in this.”

“But, if you do one thing, just one little teensy weensy thing to hurt her.” Tom squished his thumb and forefinger together. “You’ll wish you’d never set foot on this ranch. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

Tom turned to leave the barn, figuring the conversation was over.

To his surprise Denton continued. “There’s one more thing bothering me, Tom.”

“What?”

“Last night I read your note to Eve.”

Tom stopped, turned, and scowled. “Just how the hell did you manage that, may I ask?”

Denton looked Tom straight in the eye. “I went to her house last night when I saw her lights on. I needed to talk to her.”

“Just as long as you only talked, boy.” Tom clenched his fists when a flush rose to Denton’s face. Hell, he had no right to think anything about the two of them. They were both adults, and, besides, he said he would help get them back together.

“Anyway, I picked up the note from her desk when she showed me the house.” Denton grinned at Tom. “Don’t worry, we didn’t get beyond the living room, kitchen, and her office.”

“Humph.” How could he go from wanting to assist the man to wanting to punch him in the face? Is this what fathers went through with their daughters? This would certainly drive him crazy. “So did Eve share her problems with you?”

“Uh huh.” Groaning, Denton slowly eased himself back onto the bale of hay. “I think she believed at first maybe I was responsible.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not sure. She didn’t say anything, but I saw it in her eyes.”

“Well, she always did have a hard time hiding her emotions.”

“Anyway, I got her to tell me everything.”

Tom took off his hat and slapped it against his leg. “I’m afraid if things keep up, something more will happen and someone will get hurt. You came close yesterday. I can’t figure out why anyone would want to hurt Eve or the ranch. She’s worked so damn hard, she can’t lose this place.”

Denton looked up in surprise. “Is that possible?”

“I know she’s worried, and I’m afraid the repairs are going to eat into her savings. And she’s been so busy she hasn’t been keeping up with bills and correspondence. I don’t know what to do.”

“Any ideas who could be trying to sabotage things?”

Tom shook his head. “I’ve been going over and over it, but nobody comes to mind.”

“What about her father?”

“The bastard should still be in prison.”

“Want me to check?”

“Can you do that?”

“I can try. Shouldn’t be hard to find out. What about that cousin of hers?”

“You mean Snook?” Tom clenched his jaw. “The guy’s a moron. He couldn’t put two matches together and start a fire.”

“Eve mentioned yesterday one of her employees is her cousin. Would he be Snook’s brother?”

“Yeah. Unlike his brother, though, the gene pool must have been in correct alignment with the stars when he was conceived. He’s a good kid, hardworking, smart, wanting to do something with his life.”

Denton wiped his hands off on the rag. “Yeah, I remember Snook as a lazy, bullheaded, real pain in the ass to Eve and anyone who didn’t match his standards. Is he around much?”

“Nah. He left town a few years back, but I guess he’s back.”

“What’s he do?”

“Damned if I know. Probably nothing. What’re you thinking?”

“Not sure. I’m going to figure out a reason to get into town this week.”

“Break the heel on your boot.”

“What?”

“Are you deaf, boy? Break the heel on your boot as an excuse to go into town for repairs.”

“I’ll talk to Mom and get her to check into some things.”

Tom stood up. “Anything else?”

“Last night I told Eve I would do some digging. I also offered to help take care of her paperwork.”

Tom laughed. The man had all his wheels moving upstairs. “And in the process get to spend more time with her? Get in her good graces ‘cause she truly hates bookwork.”

“You’re sharp, old man. I do want to help. I’d hate her to lose all this,” he said, sweeping his arm around the barn, wincing. “If she decides to let me use my accounting skills, and allows me to spend more time with her, alone I might add, that would be an added bonus, wouldn’t it?”

Tom didn’t say anything for a bit, wondering if the man sitting before him had any deeper motive than wanting Eve. Not one to pull any punches, he asked, “You wouldn’t have any other reason to help her, would you?”

Denton glanced sharply at Tom. “You mean like trying to take over this ranch? God, man, I don’t even like horses. I’m not poor, so why would I want this place?”

“I believe you,” Tom said after a moment. “Tell you what. Let’s give Eve time to decide if she’ll accept your help. I’ll do what I can to convince her, and you and your mother can do some digging of your own.”

He sat on the bale of hay next to Denton and slapped Denton on the shoulders. If he was lucky, this man one day might end up being the closest thing to a son-in-law. Plus the fact he loved his mother. Hell, Denton might be his son-in-law and stepson. No sense in bringing it up now, though.

“You still can take a long, hot soak in your whirlpool. I’ll even bring you something to eat so you can relax longer. Afterwards, stretch your muscles.” Tom helped Denton up and guided him into his office. “Rub some of this liniment into your muscles, and by the time Eve gets here for the ride to the lake, she won’t believe you’re a decrepit old geezer trying to get on your horse.”

“As long as I don’t look like one, old man.” Denton smiled through clenched teeth. “Not a good way to impress a woman.”

Tom laughed as he followed the limping man through the barn.