They were completely quiet until they had left the ranch; almost as if he had waited for them to be away from her ranch borders.  “I didn’t know you and Brad were an item?”  He said quietly.Kara glanced at him, before looking out the window to hide the hope of his returned feelings that she was sure showed in her eyes.  Why could she not just get over these feelings she had for him.  Obviously he did not feel the same.  “We’re not.”  She stated softly, hoping that her voice did not give anything away.Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him glance at her.  “Didn’t know he kissed all his clients goodbye.”  He stated coldly.“I’m sure he doesn’t.”  She answered emotionlessly.  “But I believe he does with his female friends.”  What did that have to do with anything?  Her heart thought that perhaps he was a little j

Mat opened the door for her and waited patiently for her to get in.  For some reason he noticed at that moment that she still retained a slight limp from the accident, though it was hardly evident, unless one knew what to look for. He had no doubt that she was hiding something from him; she was definitely talking in circles at lunch and she had been quiet ever since she had gone to the bathroom.  He just wondered what her secret was.  He did not dare hope that she had feelings for him.  Had she not kissed Brad this morning?  He had barely managed to keep his temper when he had seen it.  He had never thought that Brad would be competition for her, he must have read the whole situation with this woman wrong, he thought while he got in on the driver’s side and they started on their journey again.“How much time do you need to freshen up?”  He asked casually, trying to keep the calm conversation going so they would

Kara quietly closed the door and started the water running for a shower while she started to undress.  She needed this shower, her muscles ached more than a little from sitting still for so long, she just did not want him to feel guilty about it.  She wondered why he seemed so tired today.  Angrily she pushed thoughts of him aside.  Was she always going to have this obsession over a man who obviously expected no more than friendship?  For her own sanity it was better if she put some distance between them, but she could not bear losing the friendship, even if she suffered every moment he touched her or smiled at her.With a sigh she tied her hair up and stepped under the water.  The warm water helped for her aching muscles and she lingered longer than necessary.  As she allowed her thoughts to wander while she enjoyed the water running over her, she thought about the dress he had bought her for his brother’s wedding.  With a slight

Matthew waited patiently as he flipped through TV channels.  They had come back to the hotel room to change for the semi-formal dinner and dance and Kara had offered that he shower first, since she would be long in the bathroom. He had finished dressing and was waiting for her to come out of the bathroom.  With a sigh, he flipped through all the channels a second time and, finding nothing to watch, he switched off the TV and reached for the magazine he had moved to the table earlier so he could sit down.  He’d never believed the married men about women taking forever to get ready, but he was starting to believe it now. He had just started to sit back in the chair, when he heard the bathroom door open and he glanced round to see Kara.  He had expected her to wear the black dress he had bought for her for his brother’s wedding. Instead she was wearing a pale green lace and satin dress, which bared both her shoulders.  Sleeves hung from

Kara felt uneasy all the way back to their ranches.  Maybe she just was not ready to let go of the weekend.  Or maybe she was afraid that she would not see him for a long time after he dropped her off.  After all, they both had ranches to run and it wasn’t a regular nine to five job. She was ready to confess her feelings for him, but then she was not.  They talked casually about the seminar and what they had seen to improve their ranches.  They talked about the disappearing photographer and made teasing speculations about where he could have disappeared to. The ride back to their ranches seemed too short and Kara offered him some coffee before he left, but he seemed eager to get back to his ranch, he just brought her bag into the house, kissed her forehead and hugged her gently.  “Don’t be a stranger.” She stated and he grinned before he left. Kara leaned against the doorframe and watched him disappear and stared in that directio