“So, Grady,” Emma began, leaning toward him, “how did you happen to be at the ranch when Karen got the news about her bull being shot?”
“We had some plans,” Karen said, hoping to waylay that part of the inevitable interrogation.
Of course, that was exactly the wrong thing to say. The glint in Emma’s eyes brightened. “Oh, really? What sort of plans?”
Karen was about to respond, when Grady laid a hand over hers and shook his head.
“I can handle this,” he said, then turned to Emma. “We were going to pay a few calls on Karen’s neighbors.”
That seemed to disconcert Emma completely. “Why?” she asked, her expression baffled.
“Just to chat,” Grady said cheerfully. “Haven’t you ever dropped by to pay a neighborly visit?”
“Well, of course, but the two of you, together…” Her gaze narrowed. “What’s going on? Were you counting on Karen to smoothe the way for you so the neighbors would accept you once you’ve stolen her ranch from her?”
Grady sighed. “I’m not stealing anything. As an attorney, surely you know the inadvisability of making slanderous accusations.”
Emma refused to back down, just as Karen had predicted. She merely leaned forward, her gaze intimidating, and said, “If the shoe fits, Mr. Blackhawk.”
“It doesn’t,” he said mildly. “Which brings us back to being careful about the words you choose to describe a legitimate business offer.”
“Then you still want the ranch,” Emma concluded.
“Of course. That hasn’t changed.”
She glanced at Karen. “And you’re still refusing to sell?”
“So far,” Karen said, determined to match Grady’s light tone.
“Then it seems to me as if your continued presence at the ranch constitutes harassment,” Emma said to Grady.
When a dull flush crept into Grady’s cheeks, Karen concluded enough was enough. “Okay, that’s it,” Karen advised her friend. “Grady is not harassing me. He’s helping me to figure out who’s behind all of the attempts to ruin me.”
Her announcement was greeted by a collective gasp.
“What attempts?” Gina demanded. “And why haven’t you said anything about this to us?”
“I didn’t think they amounted to anything, at least not until today.”
Cole turned to Grady. “But you disagree? These are serious?” he asked.
Grady nodded. “Serious enough. Cut fence lines, an infection deliberately spread to her herd and today somebody shot the bull she was counting on for breeding.”
“Damn,” Cole muttered, then looked at Karen. “No need to worry about that. I’ll speak to my father. He just bought a prize bull for stud. I’m sure he’ll work something out with you.”
“Thank you. Grady’s already volunteered to bring over a couple of bulls from his herd.”
Emma continued to regard Grady with suspicion. “Why would you do that?”
His gaze never wavered from hers. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“I’m sure you’d rather see her go bankrupt,” Emma accused.
“You’re wrong,” Grady said flatly. “At this point, the only thing I care about is keeping her safe.”
Emma regarded him with shock. “You think Karen’s in danger?”
“Whoever shot that bull was making a statement,” Grady said. “So, yes, I think she could be in danger.”
“Then you’ll move in with us, Karen,” Cassie said at once.
“Absolutely,” Cole agreed.
Karen sighed at the rush of protectiveness. “Thank you, but I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be just fine at the ranch. The whole purpose of this is to chase me away. I won’t give in to that.”
“Her hands and I will see that nothing happens to her,” Grady added.
“The hands will be in the bunkhouse, and you’ll be in the next county,” Cassie pointed out.
Grady’s gaze clashed with hers. “No,” he said. “Until this is resolved, I’ll be at the ranch.”
Karen’s mouth gaped at the unexpected declaration. This was a turn of events she definitely hadn’t anticipated. “You will?”
“Oh, no,” Emma said. “You’re not using this to get your foot in the door out there.”
“Oh, Emma, be quiet,” Karen snapped. “This is between Grady and me.”
“But—” Emma began.
“Emma, I said I would handle it,” Karen said pointedly, ignoring the stunned expressions around the table. She touched Grady’s cheek. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, I really do, but it’s not necessary. Once we tell the sheriff about our conversation with Maggie, I’m sure it won’t be long before he brings her in for questioning.”
“There’s no guarantee he’ll arrest her,” Grady argued. “Nor do we know for certain that she’s behind this. We only know how deep her bitterness toward you runs.”
Gina held up a hand. “Hold it. Are we talking about Maggie Fletcher?”
Karen nodded.
“You think she’s behind all of this?” Gina asked, her expression incredulous.
“It’s possible,” Karen said cautiously. “She wasn’t happy about me marrying Caleb. And this morning she made it abundantly clear that she still resents me.”
Cole shook his head. “Maggie’s not at fault here, not if you’re including what happened to the bull,” he said. “Maggie couldn’t hit a barn at ten paces. She’s terrified of guns, has been ever since her daddy got hit by a ricocheting bullet when he was trying to teach her to shoot. That’s what ended his rodeo career.”
“Oh, my God, I’d forgotten that,” Karen said, recalling how the story had circulated through several counties, making Maggie the butt of a barrage of jokes. “You’re right. Her aim was so bad that her father declared her a danger to herself and everyone around her. She hasn’t picked up a gun since.”
“That you know of,” Grady said, clearly unwilling to give up their prime suspect so readily. “Maybe she’s been practicing.”
No one seemed to buy that, Karen included. “That brings us back to square one,” she said. “We have no idea who’s been behind these attacks.”
Grady’s grim expression turned determined. “All the more reason for me to move in with you until this is settled.” He scowled at her. “Don’t even waste your breath arguing with me.”
Karen didn’t intend to try. For once, Emma remained silent as well. And after intense scrutiny of Karen’s face, even Cassie gave up trying to persuade her to move in with her and Cole.
Grady gave a nod of satisfaction. “I guess that’s settled then.”
It was settled, all right. What was less certain was why the decision had set off a surge of anticipation deep inside Karen. She was pretty sure it had absolutely nothing to do with her sense of security. In fact, quite the opposite. Having Grady move in represented a whole new kind of danger.
* * *
Grady couldn’t pinpoint the precise moment when his mission had shifted, but there was undeniable proof that it had. He couldn’t be in the same room with Karen without wanting her, without trying to seize whatever kisses she was willing to permit him. He wanted kisses and a whole lot more, which was just one reason he’d maneuvered his way into staying at the ranch.
The fact that she hadn’t fought him harder suggested that she was accepting his presence, accepting that there was something incredible happening between them despite all the odds against it.
“I’ll need to run out to my place and get a few things,” he told her after they’d left Stella’s.
She nodded, though her gaze seemed determinedly fixed on the passing scenery.
“You can come along. In fact, I’d feel better if you did. I don’t want you alone at your house even for a couple of hours.”
He grinned at that. She clearly intended that as a message to him curbing any expectations he might have about moving into her room, rather than down the hall. She seemed to have forgotten that that guest room had already been the scene of an incredibly intimate encounter.
“You had any company since we were in there the other day?” he inquired wryly.
A blush bloomed on her cheeks. “No, of course not, but…” Her voice faltered.
“Then I’d say any tidying up can wait. We barely rumpled the sheets.”
She frowned at his teasing. “Whose fault was that?”
“I’d have to say it was a mutual decision,” he said, grinning at her.
“You’d be wrong,” she countered. “You made the decision all on your own, thinking you knew best, just the way you’re doing now.”
He turned to meet her gaze. “Are you saying you have regrets about the way things turned out?”
“Well, of course, I do, don’t you?”
“Speaking from a purely personal perspective, I’d have to say that night’s been on my mind a lot.”
“Would you have changed the outcome?” she persisted, her gaze now clashing with his.
Grady thought about it, thought about how he’d been aching to make love to her for a long time now, but eventually he shook his head. “No, I can’t say that I would.”
Her eyes widened in obvious surprise. “You wouldn’t?”
“Despite all these claims you’re uttering now, you weren’t ready to accept me into your life, much less into your bed. We made the right decision.” He reached for her hand, lifted it to his lips. “But we can certainly reconsider it.”
She gave a little nod at that. “I think we should.” Her heated gaze locked with his. “In fact, why don’t you forget that trip out to your place, so we can reconsider it right now.”
Worried that the traumatic day had simply made her vulnerable, he searched her face, but he didn’t see a single trace of lingering doubts. Grady had already passed the turnoff to the Hanson ranch, but he slammed on the brakes and turned the truck around.
Ten minutes later, he’d pulled to a stop by her house. Still clinging to the steering wheel, he faced straight ahead, not daring to look at her.
“Have you changed your mind?” he asked, giving her one last chance to back out.
“No,” she said, her voice strong and not the least bit uncertain.
“Thank heaven,” he murmured, leaping out of the truck and going around to catch her in his arms. He scooped her off her feet and twirled her around until they were both dizzy.
“Grady, you’re crazy,” she chided, laughing. “Put me down.”
“Not until I can put you down on that big, old bed,” he said, and headed for the house.
As if she weighed nothing, he climbed the stairs eagerly, two at a time. Her twinkling eyes met his. “If I didn’t know better, Grady Blackhawk, I’d think you were as anxious as a bridegroom on his wedding night.”
His step almost faltered at the image, but he managed a grin. The idea wasn’t nearly as repugnant as it should have been. He’d never given much thought to marriage or happily-ever-after, but if ever a woman could turn his thoughts in that direction, it was surely Karen.
Inside the guest bedroom, where late-afternoon sun had cast a pale glow across everything, he gently deposited her on top of the colorful old patchwork quilt.
“Not being all that familiar with wedding nights,” he said, studying her closely, “I can’t say for certain, but you seem to me to have the radiant glow of a bride yourself.”
“That’s how I feel,” she admitted in a whisper. Her eyes swam with unshed tears. “Oh, Grady, how did this happen? I never expected it, not in a million years.”
“I didn’t either,” he told her candidly. “But I don’t regret it. Do you?”
“No,” she said fervently. “How could I, when I feel so incredibly alive?”
“Oh, darlin’, just you wait,” he said as he stripped off his boots and shirt, then joined her on the bed.
He cradled her in his arms, giving both of them time to adjust, time to prepare for the step they were taking. He knew that despite all her brave declarations, Karen was still harboring doubts. How could she not? She had loved her husband, a man who had considered Grady his enemy, even if that thinking had been the irrational bitterness of a boy carried over into adulthood. Grady understood all of that, which made the fact that Karen was with him all the more precious.
He stroked her cheek, rubbed the pad of his thumb across her lower lip, felt the heat begin to rise in her…and in him. Her soft moan was too much, an invitation for the kiss he’d been deliberately postponing.
When his mouth settled over hers, tasting, savoring, coaxing, she responded with more abandon than she ever had before, her lips parting, her tongue sweeping across his lips. She moved restlessly beside him, an invitation for more adventurous exploration.
Beneath the wool of her sweater, her skin was hot and soft as silk. Inch by tempting inch, he slid the sweater higher, pressing kisses in its wake until she trembled. Impatient now, she ripped the sweater over her head and tossed it aside, but when she would have unclasped her bra, Grady stopped her.
“Not just yet,” he said, his gaze feasting on the swell of breasts concealed by plain white no-nonsense cotton. Somehow that image seemed to epitomize Karen, a devastating mix of fiery sensuality and practicality.
He ran a finger along the edge of the fabric, where pale skin burned beneath his touch. He skimmed a caress across her nipple, which thrust against the soft fabric. When he could stand it no longer, he bent and drew that hard, tight bud into his mouth, feeling the shudder that washed over her.
“You’re torturing me, you know that, don’t you?” she whispered on a gasp.
“Am I?” He was delighted by the admission.
“You needn’t sound so pleased with yourself,” she grumbled, then reached for the snap on his jeans. She had it open and the zipper down before he could prevent it.
And then she was touching him, adding to the pulsing heat of his arousal, sending him closer to the edge than he wanted to be.
“Clever woman,” he said, shifting out of her reach. “But not just yet. We have places to go and things to try before we get to that point.”
“Oh, really?” She seemed intrigued with that. “Tell me.”
He shook his head. “I’ll show you.”
He resumed the concentrated attention to her breasts, finally taking off the bra and circling each tight peak with his tongue before drawing it into his mouth. Her hips bucked as he took her closer and closer to release just with that slow, suckling assault on her senses.
Satisfied that he’d distracted her, he slid off her shoes and jeans, then began working his way up a silky calf and rounded thigh with kisses meant to tease and torment. She was writhing when he slipped his fingers beneath her panties and found her slick and ready. One wicked caress, then two, and she was coming apart, her eyes wide with surprise as waves of pleasure washed over her.
“Not fair,” she accused when she finally caught her breath.
“Oh, darlin’, it’s not over. We’re just getting started.”
To prove it, he shucked his jeans and jockey shorts, retrieved a condom from his wallet, then started once again to coax her toward a whole new peak.
This time he allowed her clever, wicked hands to roam where she wished until at last, knowing his restraint was at the breaking point, he poised above her parted legs. Their gazes locked, he slowly entered her, withdrew, then thrust deeper into that welcoming heat.
With each thrust, her hips rose to me
et him, as her flushed skin turned slick with sweat. When he pressed a kiss to the pulse at the base of her throat, it was thundering, as was his.
Her name was on his lips when the explosion tore through him, his shudders setting off hers, rippling through both of them for what seemed an eternity, until at last they faded into quiet, exhausted satisfaction.
He rolled onto his back, taking her with him, holding her as if she were the most precious, fragile gift he’d ever been given, though he knew she would never, ever appreciate being considered anything but strong. This…everything about her…was amazing.
And then he felt a drop of moisture fall from her face onto his. One quick glance told the story: These weren’t happy tears. Though she quickly, impatiently tried to brush them away, it was too late. He had seen the truth. They were tears of regret and sorrow.
Grady felt his heart break in two. How could she regret anything so perfect?
It was Caleb, of course. Always Caleb. Grady had to wonder, would there ever come a day when Caleb Hanson didn’t share a bed with them?
CHAPTER 13
Grady had seen her tears, felt them, Karen realized as she lay in his arms. She felt the sudden stirring of tension, saw the distance in his eyes where only moments ago there had been such fiery passion.
When he eased away from her, then turned his back, she felt as if she had betrayed two men, not one.
Eventually she slid out of bed and went to her own room, where she showered as if that could wipe away not just the evidence of their lovemaking but her regrets as well.
How could she have been so wrong? she wondered. She’d been so sure she was ready, that her feelings for Grady ran deep enough for this next step in their relationship.
And they did, dammit. She had felt alive and treasured when he’d been making love to her. She had responded in a way she never had with Caleb, without any inhibitions at all.
“Oh, God, that’s it,” she murmured, burying her face in her pillow. It wasn’t just that awful sense of having betrayed someone that she’d been feeling, but guilt that she had felt more, given more, with Grady Blackhawk than she ever had with the man she’d married.
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