by Ann Roth
Two days ago, he’d kissed her senseless. The sight of him now brought it all back—the feel of his strong arms around her, his solid chest against her breasts, his warm, soft mouth on hers....
Her lips tingled and every nerve in her body began to hum. She was about to move away and find a different aisle when Sly spotted her. A slow smile spread across his face. Her heart tumbled over in her chest.
“Sly...hi.” Mustering a smile, she wheeled slowly toward him.
“I was just thinking about you,” he said.
He was? “I didn’t expect to find you here,” Lana said. “I mean, it’s the dinner hour, and isn’t this a superbusy time of year for ranchers?”
“You wouldn’t believe how busy. But my housekeeper’s husband sprained his back yesterday, and she’s taking a few days off to take care of him. Monday happens to be her grocery day, and a man’s got to eat, so here I am.” He spread his hands. “She made a list of what to buy—a long list. I didn’t have a chance to shop until now.”
“I’m usually here on Saturdays,” Lana said. “But you know how I spent that.”
“I sure do.” He was close enough that she could see the silver flecks in his eyes aglow with heat.
Her whole body grew warm. She cleared her throat. “I was talking about the mural. I worked on it Saturday night and all day Sunday until I left for dinner at my parents’.”
“Did you finish it?”
“There are a few little touch-ups left, but it’s basically done.” She was pleased with the results. “I’m going to call Sophie tonight and invite her over.”
“Excellent plan. Call if you need me.”
Sly tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. As if they were together. The humming in Lana’s body increased.
She barely registered his words. She was too lost in his heated gaze, the familiar scent of his spicy aftershave, the warm caress of his fingers.
His eyelids dropped to half-mast and she thought he was going to kiss her. Yes!
Her body screamed for her to step into his arms. But voices warned her that a mother and a young child were approaching.
Stepping away from Sly, she snatched a head of lettuce from a nearby display. “I’ll, uh, keep you posted,” she said as she pivoted the cart and hurried away.
Chapter Seven
“I keep running into your brother,” Lana told Dani on Wednesday night. They were sitting at Coffee, Tea + Treats in the heart of downtown, sipping tea and eating pie.
She’d seen him Monday at the grocery, and again yesterday at the post office. Lana had been on her way inside to mail brochures to the parents of several prospective preschoolers. Sly had been on his way out. He’d lingered to chat and tempt her with his smoldering eyes yet again.
“That’s interesting,” Dani said. “I met my brother for dinner last night, and the sly dog never said a word about it.”
“There isn’t much to say, except that it’s weird that we ran into each other twice in two days. I accused him of stalking me, and he said that he wondered if I was stalking him.”
Lana laughed, but there was nothing funny about her feelings. Each time she saw Sly, the heat simmering between them seemed to grow more intense. Even talking about him made her feel restless. She shifted in her chair.
Dani frowned. “You’re fidgety tonight.”
“Am I?” Lana forced herself to sit still.
“Prosperity isn’t a small town, but sometimes it feels that way,” Dani said after pausing to eat her pie. “I run into people I know all the time. What if you and Sly have been doing that for years, but didn’t realize because you hadn’t met each other yet?”
“It’s possible,” Lana mused. But Sly was so attractive that she was sure she’d have remembered him. “Let’s change the subject. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about adoption? From the adoptee’s point of view.”
“Not at all. What do you want to know?”
“What was it like for you to be adopted?”
Deep in thought, Dani was silent a moment. “Losing our mom and then our father when I was so little was rough. I was the baby and the only girl, and my parents and my brothers spoiled me rotten. Then suddenly everyone I loved was gone. I hated being separated from my brothers, but as minors, none of us had a say in what happened. I was so happy when Sly and Seth returned home to find me.”
“But Seth left again when he was seventeen, right?”
Suddenly somber, Dani nodded. “He dropped out of high school, jotted a goodbye note and just took off.”
For a moment, she stared into space at something only she could see. “Neither Sly nor I has heard from him in ages, but not for lack of trying. The postcard came from California, but we never knew exactly where. He could be anyplace.” Her shoulders slumped and she let out a heavy sigh. “Seth has washed his hands of both of us, and I’m not even sure why.”
Lana couldn’t imagine having a sibling who refused to stay in touch. “That must be hard for you.”
Dani nodded. “I try not to think about it.” She fiddled with her fork. “Back to the adoption. I was six when I went into foster care. It was a relief to have a place to go. Big Mama was a good foster mom, but what I really wanted was a real mother. It turned out she’d always wanted a daughter, so ours was a match made in heaven. By the time I was eight, I had my ‘real’ mother.” No traces of solemnity now. “Not that it’s always been roses. Big Mama likes to do things her way, and I prefer my own way. We butt heads a lot, but I know she loves me. And I adore her.”
Lana’s heart ached with the need to share the same deep love with her own child. “Did Sly mention that I’m converting my guest bedroom into a nursery?” The night before, she’d put the final touches on the mural. “Now all I’m waiting for is the crib and changing table to arrive. Once I put them together, I’ll be ready for a baby.”
“That sounds exciting.”
“It is. Thanks for not lecturing me about jumping the gun and spending all my spare time and some of my savings when I’m not even sure I’ll get this baby.”
“Who would put you on such a downer?” Dani asked.
“My mother. She’s against what I’m doing. Not adoption per se, but adopting as a single mom. She believes running my own business takes up way too much time for me to raise a child, especially when I’m on my own.”
“Hey, if Big Mama raised me and managed her restaurant successfully, I don’t see why you can’t do the same thing.”
“Exactly. I painted a mural on the wall, and it turned out well. I’m hoping that if Sophie comes over I can impress her with it. I so want her to pick me to adopt her baby.”
“Inviting her over—that’s a great idea.”
Lana nodded. “Credit Sly for that. After he saw the mural I was painting, he—”
“Hold on. My brother has been to your house?”
“Last Saturday, and he didn’t stay long.”
Just long enough to make her head spin.
Dani’s eyebrows lifted. “It’s not like him to just drop by without calling first. What’s wrong with that man?”
“I asked him not to call, and I guess he listened.” Lana could count on one hand the number of men who’d really listened to her in her life. Her father, the minister when she’d needed counseling after Brent had left, a single dad or two at the day care who asked for advice about their kids. And Sly.
The more time she spent with him, the luckier she counted herself. He was considerate and warm, he listened and he kissed like a dream. She was sorry the lawsuit prevented her from getting to know him better.
“That day at Big Mama’s, he really impressed Sophie,” she said. “When she mentioned something about wanting to see him again, he offered to come over if—no, when—she visits
.”
“Sly did that? He’s superbusy at the ranch right now, so that’s pretty amazing. Have I mentioned what a great guy my brother is?”
“Oh, once or twice.” Lana laughed.
But Dani wasn’t smiling, she was dead serious. “Are you interested in him?”
“After my divorce, I’m still a little gun-shy. Besides, right now, I’m focusing on the adoption.”
“So? Sophie isn’t due for months yet and you can’t just sit around, waiting. Occasionally, you have to go out and have a little fun. Sly is fun. But you danced with him, so you’re already aware of that.”
He was more than fun, a lot more. But Lana wasn’t going to share that with his sister. “He has a bit of a reputation.”
“You’ve heard about that, have you?” Dani wrinkled her nose. “It’s true, my brother used to be quite the ladies’ man. Not so much anymore.”
“Did he have a bad breakup?” Lana asked. Sly hadn’t brought up any past romances, but then, she’d never asked.
“Is a breakup ever good? Mine never are. Years ago, Sly had a serious girlfriend, and last year he dated someone for a while. But as always, things didn’t work out.” Dani shrugged. “As the queen breaker-upper and breakup-ee, I understand the process only too well. But eventually you have to move on. I mean, I always do.”
She sounded just like Kate. “Sometimes healing the heart takes a while,” Lana said. “It did for me.”
“I’m sure Sly isn’t carrying a torch for any of his exes. But he hasn’t dated much since his last breakup. That’s why, when he mentioned you, I got excited. Now that I know you, I’m doubly thrilled.”
“I think you’re great, too,” Lana said. “But don’t expect anything to happen with Sly and me. Besides the adoption and his reputation, he’s suing my cousin.”
“There is that. But the lawsuit is tearing him up. Sly has never sued anyone before. He wouldn’t be doing it now unless he had to. When I heard what happened at the gas station last week...”
“It sounded horrible.” Lana closed her eyes a moment and shook her head.
Her cousin claimed that Sly had provoked him, but several bystanders corroborated Sly’s version of the incident. If only the two men would settle their differences...
Glum, she rested her chin heavily on her fist. “I’m not sure what to think about any of it. I wish just they’d sit down and work things out.”
Then, if she wanted to date Sly—and despite all the reasons why that wasn’t a good idea, she did—she could do so without feeling as if she were betraying her family. She’d also have to somehow make sure that dating him wouldn’t impact any possible adoptions. Of course, if Sophie chose her, Sly would pose no problem. But the jury was still out on that.
“They could definitely work it out if your cousin would pay up and apologize.”
“But what if he isn’t responsible for what happened?” Lana asked.
“Then...I have no idea.” Dani tightened her ponytail. “Trust me, Sly has tried to talk with him several times. The way he’s acted makes him look guilty.”
“Cousin Tim can be a real jerk, all right,” Lana agreed. “But he’s family, and I have to support him.”
Her parents ought to give her decision to adopt the same unflagging support, she thought. Next time they gave her grief, she’d point that out to them.
“I guess so, but it makes me sad. Maybe this poisoned-cattle thing will sort itself out. I hope so, because you and Sly would make a great couple. If you give this thing between you a chance, you might even have a shot together. Promise me you won’t write him off.”
“I promise,” Lana said, wondering at herself. For so many reasons, she and Sly were wrong for each other.
Weren’t they?
But her promise was enough to make Dani’s face brighten. “Regardless of what happens between you and my brother, we can still be friends, right?”
Lana smiled. “Absolutely. What about you, Dani? Are you dating anyone?”
“A guy named Paul, but it’s not serious. He’s not exactly the man of my dreams, but he’s cute and sexy. Unfortunately, he has a bad habit of not showing up when he says he will, and he’s canceled dates at the last minute.” Dani sighed. “But I like him, so I put up with it. Sly says I have rotten taste in men. He’s right, but I can’t help who I’m attracted to.”
Just as Lana couldn’t help being attracted to Sly. “I understand,” she said. “By the way, my best friend, Kate Adams, says she knows you.”
“Kate’s great! She comes into Big Mama’s now and again. Tell her I say hi.” Dani glanced at her watch. “Whoa, it’s almost nine. I’m due at Big Mama’s at five tomorrow morning, so I’d best go home and get some sleep.”
“Ugh, that’s early.”
“We open at six, and someone has to be there. Heck, I’m used to it. And don’t forget, we close at four. That means I’m usually out of there by five-thirty, which frees up my whole evening.”
Before they parted, they shared a warm hug.
“Let’s get together again soon,” Lana’s new friend said. “Maybe Kate will join us.”
Lana smiled. “It’s a date.”
* * *
AFTER A DAY that had started at dawn and finished some twelve hours later, Sly sprawled gratefully on his La-Z-Boy, relieved for some R & R at last. The only things he was good for tonight were sipping a cool one and watching a basketball game. Halfway through the first quarter and his beer, his eyelids dropped shut. He was heading off to la-la land when the trill of his cell phone jerked him awake. Ace and the rest of the crew would call if anything went wrong, but right now, an emergency was the last thing Sly wanted to deal with. Grumbling, he slid the phone from his hip pocket.
Lana Carpenter, the screen said. His sister had programmed her number into his phone. Well, well. Suddenly wide-awake, he muted the TV and answered, “Hey.”
“Hi.” She sounded a little breathy and unsure of herself. “Am I calling too late?”
He wasn’t about to explain that he’d dozed off. “Nope, I’m sitting here, relaxing.” He was also alert now—every part of him. “You must have talked to Sophie,” he said.
“We just hung up, and guess what? She’s coming over to see the nursery on Saturday!” She made a squee sound.
Sly imagined the sparkle in her green eyes and the excited flush on her cheeks. “That’s great,” he said with a grin.
“Isn’t it? And she does want you to be there, if you wouldn’t mind.” She rushed on. “Coincidentally, the furniture store in the mall called this afternoon. The rocking chair, baby lamp, crib and changing table I ordered will be delivered to me tomorrow. I’ll have to assemble the crib and changing table, but I can take care of that tomorrow night. When Sophie arrives, the nursery will be perfect.”
“Putting furniture together can be tricky. If you need help, I’m your man.”
Her man? Had he really just said that? Then again, it was just a figure of speech.
“Thanks, but I’ll have the whole evening to tackle the job. It’ll be fun.”
Some women would jump all over his offer. Not Lana. She was every bit as independent as Dani. Sly admired that. He liked Lana, a lot. Only the more reason to stay away.
“What time should I be there on Saturday, then?” he asked, half regretting his offer to come over. Their kisses the other day had only strengthened his feelings for her. They scared him. It was safer to steer clear of her.
“Shoot, I just realized that I offered to feed Sophie lunch,” she mumbled as if to herself. “I’ll have to run to the grocery on my way home from work tomorrow night. You’re invited to eat with us—if it’s possible for you to leave the ranch in the middle of your Saturday.”
Her tone had grown muted, as if she expected him to back out. This Saturday happened
to be his day to work, but he wasn’t about to renege. And not only because he was a man who kept his word.
Lana needed him, and he wasn’t about to let her down. He would talk with Ace tomorrow. Knowing the foremen, Ace wouldn’t mind if they traded Saturdays.
“I’ll make time,” he said. “Barring emergencies, I’ll stay for as long as you need me.” But he’d keep his distance from Lana, and when Sophie left, he’d go, too. That would work.
“Can you come a little before noon?”
Sly nodded, but Lana couldn’t see him. “I’ll be there.”
Chapter Eight
Sophie’s text came in just after eight o’clock Friday night. Have 2 postpone 1 week. K?
Lana glanced at the parts of the crib scattered across the rug—screws and springs and things she had no idea what to do with. She’d been struggling to make sense of it all for what seemed like hours and wanted to cry. What kind of idiots had written these stupid assembly directions anyway?
Suddenly she was crying. Over impossible instructions and a silly one-week delay. Lately she’d been so emotional, a combination of nerves and PMS.
Sniffling, she replied to Sophie’s text. Okay. See you a week from tomorrow at my house.
4 sure, Sophie responded.
Lana needed a break and a glass of wine. No, not wine. Since her big hangover the night she’d met Sly, she’d lost her taste for alcohol. Hot chocolate, then, because she wanted something warm, sweet and comforting. But hot chocolate reminded her of the day she and Sophie had each ordered a mug at Big Mama’s. A day that had not gone especially well.
Great, now she was crying again.
Clutching her cell phone, Lana left the mess in the nursery and headed for her bedroom. She flopped on the bed. She wasn’t in the best shape to make a call right now, but she had to talk to someone. Kate was going out with friends tonight, but it was early yet. Maybe she was still at home, getting ready. When her friend’s voice mail clicked on, Lana disconnected.