Chapter 9

Chase stared at Lauren, enthralled by her bright eyes and rosy cheeks. She sat, relaxed on his favorite mare, as he gave her riding lessons. The wind flowed through her brown hair, and for the first time since he'd met her, she seemed as if she had no concerns. He enjoyed her company, her scent, and the playful, enticing sound of her voice and laughter. His heart hammered as he felt an inexplicable surge in his chest.

"Let's try it without the lead," he suggested. He moved toward the horse and unhooked the lead rope from her halter. "Ready? You're on your own."

The horse started at a walk and soon began to trot inside the round pen. Chase motioned to Lauren to come to the fence, and she maneuvered the horse to the side of the rail. "I think that's enough for today. I need to ride out and check on the herd now, anyway. If you can put her away, I'll be on my way." He helped her down, and they walked to the barn together.

He saddled Midnight while she groomed Lucy, just as the ranch manager had taught her.

Within minutes, Chase rode east. He followed the fence line, his property border, and found the originally cut fence in good repair.

After passing the fixed break, he slowed down. "Damn it!" The fence had been cut again. Now there was a gaping hole in the line. He'd have to have a little chat with his old friend and neighbor, Duffy, himself.

He called Mitch on his cell phone while riding back to the house. The Sherriff promised he'd be right over, and they planned to talk to the neighboring rancher, together. He called Amos and told him where he needed the fence fixed.

"I want extra security put along the fence at night, too. We can't allow this to keep goin' on."

* * * *

Lauren stood in the middle of the kitchen. She'd barely set foot in the room, and now she was in charge. Rummaging through the cabinets, drawers, pantry, and fridge, she discovered where things were and what was available. She decided her first attempt at feeding Amos and Chase should be something easy and foolproof. The other ranch hands would eat in the bunkhouse and she was thankful for that.

After pulling out the supplies needed, she set a huge pot of water on the stove to boil. While the spaghetti cooked, she prepared the sauce and a big bowl of salad. She popped several pieces of Texas-sized bread, lathered with garlic butter, into the oven to toast. Pleased with the meal, she stepped out onto the back porch and rang the dinner bell.

Chase and Amos came in from the barn and hung their hats on the wall, washed their hands, and sat at the table.

"Mmm! Sure smells good in here." Chase sniffed the air.

"Sure does, boss!" Amos sat in the same place he had before.

Lauren surmised it had been his spot for years.

"Spaghetti and meatballs? My favorite!" Chase grabbed his fork and wound the strings of noodle around the utensil.

"I hope you like it."

After Chase finished with the last bite, he licked his lips and rubbed his perfectly toned stomach. "Very, very good, Lauren."

"Thanks. I just used what you had on hand," she said, embarrassed by the accolades.

"Well, you did a damn fine job! How was your day today?" Chase asked.

"It was great. I love the horses, and Lucy's my favorite! I think we'll be friends since she already knows plenty about me. I talked her ear off while I groomed her."

"Well, horses are good for talkin' to," Amos agreed, "and they can't talk back or spread no rumors neither!" He laughed.

Lauren laughed, too. "I know! I told her all sorts of things I'd normally not say out loud to anyone." She turned to Chase. "I sure look forward to riding out with you one day soon. I'd love to see your entire ranch."

"Good! That's what we like to hear, don't we, Amos?"

"Yes, sirree," Amos said, taking the last sip of his sweet tea.

"I take it you found everything in the kitchen all right," Chase asked her pointedly.

"Yes. It's much nicer than the kitchen in my house back eastand so modern! Lots of workspace." The kitchen was a very large room, the kind she envisioned everyone happily hovering around during the holidays. She looked forward to getting up early and making coffee, imagining the fresh aroma wafting through the house.

"Just so you know, I make the coffee in the morning," Chase said, as if he'd read her mind. He poured himself a cup from the always hot and strong pot on the counter by the sink.

"Not if I get up before you," she teased, placing her plate on the counter, standing quite close to him. She stared into his eyes, thinking about what it might be like toThen Amos cleared his throat. Oh my God. She'd forgotten he was in the room.

"Ahemuh, I'm gonna head out to the barn. We got another mare about to deliver." He scraped his chair on the floor as he backed it away from the table, then stood and headed out the backdoor.

Chase's eyes searched hers, pinning her to the spot with their intensity. It was as if, for that single moment, he'd let down his guard and gave her a glimpse at the heart of the man. Everything she felt and couldn't find the words to say echoed back from the depths of those soulful blue eyes.

"Sure. I'll be right out," he said to the man who had already left the room, pulling his gaze away from the tractor beam of hers. "Are you all right to clean up in here? I'd offer to give you a hand, but Amos might need my help with the mare."

"Sure! It'll be a breeze with the dishwasher."

"Thanks, and come on out to the barn when you're done. I'm not usually a braggin' man, but I'd venture to say our sunsets out here are somethin' more to speak of than the ones you see in Michigan." He walked to the backdoor, took his hat from the peg, and put it on his head. He turned to her and winked, then opened the door and left for the barn.

Lauren watched him as he walked away, missing him already. She closed her eyes and imagined the feel of his lips touching hers, her hands running through his hair. She wanted more. Oh, so much more.

She made quick work of cleaning up the kitchen and hurried out to the barn, only to find both of them coming out of a stall with concerned looks on their faces. "How'd it go?" she asked. "Is the mare okay?"

"Yeah, she's doing fine. She's just not ready to deliver yet," Chase answered. "Maybe by morning. If not, we'll have to get the vet out here to help her along," he explained as they walked to the corral.

When they reached the railing, she paused. "Do you have very many pregnant mares left?"

"Just a few late bloomers now." He laughed as he leaned his forearms on the fence, gazing off at the sunset beyond the grazing horses.

"You were right," Lauren smiled.

"About what?"

"The sunsets out here are remarkable. This beats back east by a long shot." She put her foot on the bottom rail of the fence and looked at him. She stared at his beautiful blue eyes, mesmerized, as they stared back into hers. His eyes were too blue, too intense, but she couldn't look away.

When Chase slowly leaned in closer, she didn't pull away. He brushed her soft lips with his, cradling her head with his hands, then pulled her closer. She placed her hands on his chest as he caressed her back. Sliding her hands up to his shoulders, she played with the curly hair sticking out from beneath his hat.

Then, like a snap of a finger, he pulled away.

"II'm sorry. That shouldn't have happened." He turned away and then faced her again. "I've wanted to kiss you since I saw you at the diner."

"Really?" She stepped back and wiped her sweaty hands on her jeans. Her heart raced, her knees began to buckle, and her body quivered.

"Hey, boss!" Amos called from the barn door.

"I'll be right there," the cowboy answered, looking hungrily at her. "Goodnight, Lauren," he said, sounding regretful, and she felt certain he stifled his desire. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight." She watched him walk toward the barn, swung around, and ambled to the house. She couldn't resist the front porch rockers and sat to take in the breathtaking sunset from the perfect vantage point.

The sky lit up with orange, yellow, and pink hues as the sun dipped below the horizon. It was as if Mother Nature was putting on a fireworks display, just for her. On any other day, the sight would have taken her breath away, but at this moment, Lauren just wished she had someone to share it withand she was starting to realize who that someone could be.