She would be doing a lot more than tearing down wallpaper and painting to get the house back into shape. New carpet, new floor in the kitchen and the bathroom. These projects would keep her busy over the winter. Or longer as her budget allowed. For now she might just have to settle for some conveniently placed throw rugs.
Room after room, her list grew by leaps and bounds. One look at the house said enough. A huge project lay ahead. More than once Craig stopped and turned to her as if to gauge her response to what she’d seen.
“You having second thoughts?”
“Never.”
“You’re a brave woman.”
He had gotten a start on some of the repair work. In the kitchen, he’d removed several cabinets and new ones were ready to be installed. He told her that he had new counters on order to replace the scarred ones in the kitchen now. Room by room, the place would return to a state that a person could be comfortable living in.
“Let’s go out and see the stock.”
Good, finally back to her comfort zone.
Craig had kept most of the horses here. The stock included eight mares, three of them expecting, two foals, two yealings, and a tall, sour looking sorrel who stood in the corner, glaring at them as if daring them to get near.
He intrigued Quinn. She loved a challenge and she leaned against the fence and stared right back at him.
“What do you know about that demon over there?”
“Him? Not much. Apparently Ted bought him to put him up for stud. He’s got good lines but no one can get near him. He’s a rogue.”
“He’s skinny and looks evil. I like him.”
For the first time since she’d arrived, Craig took Quinn by the arms and turned her away from the stallion. “Please don’t do anything rash.”
Quinn smiled and raised her brow. “Rash? Me? Come on. I see a horse who’s like a blank canvas, who could have a future. I can’t let him waste away.”
Craig looked at her long and hard. Maybe he doubted her skills and determination, but she had both in abundance.
“If you have to deal with him, please make sure someone is here with you. I don’t want you in there alone with him.”
Maybe it was the charge of getting a place of her own, combined with being near the man she’d fallen head over heels for. Could have been the thought of the kisses they’d shared and the fact they were absolutely alone. Quinn took a step toward him and his arms closed around her. She pressed herself against him and slid her arms around his neck.
“Does that mean you’ll be around from time to time?”
Craig tightened his hold and leaned over so their faces were only inches apart.
“I hope so. I’ll need to check up on things. Every once in a while.”
One of the reasons Quinn had sought him out was to show him that the kisses the other night weren’t a one-time deal and to find out if he felt the same. She felt no hesitation when she pulled his head down so his lips touched hers. The kiss was soft, tender, and testing, but as she smoothed her hands down his neck, she felt his tension. His muscles bunched and held in check. What in the world would happen if he released the passion dammed up inside? Surely she’d drown in the waves.
She met his kisses with a sense of amazement and when his hands ran up her back, setting fire to her skin and her mind, she moaned against his mouth. She wanted to feel him all over her body, wanted nothing more than to make love to him until the flames were quenched.
With Craig, though, she doubted that would ever happen. The flames that blazed would only succeed in building new fires.
The sweet invasion of his tongue nearly brought her to her knees and sent sizzling pleasure straight through her body. She pressed herself more tightly against him, tangling her fingers in his dark hair, her thumb sweeping against his rough cheek. In turn, his hands explored, wandering down to the small of her back and further until he held her firmly and she had no doubt whatsoever about the extent of his desire. The hardness of his body scared and thrilled her all at once. She wanted more.
A vibration at her hip brought her back down to earth. Her phone, she realized through the haze of desire. She considered ignoring it, but she couldn’t.
Reluctantly, she pulled back. Craig kept his arms around her as she reached for the persistent phone. It was the spa.
“Hello.” She hoped her voice wasn’t too breathless. She didn’t want Alexis to know what she’d been up to.
“Your girls are done.”
Which meant her time with Craig was also done, for the moment.
“Okay, I’ll be there. Thanks Alexis. You’re awesome.”
Quinn disconnected the call and put the phone into her pocket. Craig’s arms remained around her. She sagged against him.
“I have to run. Marisol is finishing up.”
“I should get home too.”
“Thanks for showing me around.”
Craig rubbed her back. “You can move in any time, if you don’t mind the work going on inside. I’ve got some guys coming tomorrow to put in the cabinets and counters.”
“By the weekend I’ll start. I’m glad they left some furniture. I think it’ll be a while until I have enough cash to get new stuff, beyond the basics.”
She babbled and hated it. Apparently Craig was aware of it too because a smile crept over his face.
He leaned down and shut her up with a hard kiss then pulled back a fraction of an inch. “When can I see you again?”
“You tell me. My schedule is fairly open.”
“I’m free for about an hour—no, I’m not. Damn.”
“Craig, I don’t want us to be public knowledge yet. I want Marisol to be comfortable with me first.”
“And your brother would probably tell me you’re too young for me just before he killed me.”
“You’re right. He still thinks I’m thirteen sometimes. I guess he’s just watching out for my best interests, or so he thinks.” Quinn said seriously, but then grinned.
“Yeah. But I’m not going away. We’re starting something and whatever happens, I want it to be meaningful.”
Quinn sighed. “As long as Marisol doesn’t protest.”
“Why should she? She adores you.”
Quinn patted his cheek lightly. “Oh, sweet man. She likes me as a friend, but I have a feeling her mind would change if I became more to you. You know what I’m saying, don’t you?”
Craig nodded. “You’re right. She may not take it well. At first. But we will tell her.”
“We will.”
“Soon,” he whispered and tickled her mouth with his, nibbling her bottom lip lightly.
“Soon. For now I need to get her and bring her back to you.”
“You do that.” Craig kissed her one last time, a light brush that was no less thrilling as the others. Then he let her pull away. “Let me know when you’ll be moving in. I’ll be happy to lend a hand.”
She could’ve kept on talking to him, but she broke away and went back to her truck, feeling Craig’s stare on her like a physical touch.
***
“What do you mean hired Quinn to manage Emerald?”
Craig eyed Robby and sighed. His brother’s agitated pace wasn’t enough to be concerned about. Robby had a flair for the dramatic. He always had.
“I hired Quinn to manage Emerald,” he replied, emphasizing each word. “What’s wrong with that?”
Robby stopped in front of Craig and glared at him. “What’s wrong? Don’t you think you should’ve discussed it with me first?”
Craig felt his mouth fall open and for a moment he was actually at a loss for words. But he regained his senses quickly. “Why should I do that? It’s my ranch. I’m the one who bought it from the Penney’s. The place hasn’t been in our family for a long time.”
Robby seemed to realize the error in his thinking, but his brows furrowed. “You could have at least given me first refusal.”
Craig fought to keep his expression emotionless. “First refusal? Wh
at in the world do you know about raising and training Quarter Horses?”
Robby shrugged.
“That’s what I thought. You can’t run cattle there. Quinn has at least the college backing and experience to go along with it. You don’t.”
Robby huffed up, and stuck out his chest. His indignation didn’t move Craig to apologize.
“That place was my legacy too, you know,” Robby said tightly and shoved his hands into his pockets.
Craig studied his brother. Tall, lanky, good-looking, Robby nearly always got what he wanted. Emerald Ranch hadn’t been on his “must have” list.
“You had a shot at that before Mom and Dad sold the place. Emerald could’ve been yours but you chose Hollywood.”
Robby shrugged. Some of that cockiness drained as if just the mention of his stint in show business was the pin that pricked his balloon of an ego.
“Still, I’d think there’d be plenty of more experienced people out there who’d want that job. Why choose Q?”
“I want the two spreads to remain separate. I’ve got my hands full here. I’m happy to hire Quinn to manage Emerald. I’m looking for a manager. She’s looking for a ranch. Works out nicely.”
Robby didn’t reply immediately but gave him a narrow look. His lips turned down and his brows furrowed. “Is there something between you and Quinn?”
Even though the question hit like a punch to his gut, Craig kept his face free of emotion, remembering the promise he made to keep things quiet. “What do you mean?”
“I saw the way you were looking at her the night of Marisol’s party. Like you had a thing for her. More than that.”
Damn. Had it been that obvious? Had anyone else noticed? He remembered Marisol’s friend, Bonnie, and Marisol’s own questions.
“We’re friends. I like and respect her. Anything else?” Craig asked tightly. He hoped his voice didn’t give anything away.
“You know I want her back.”
“You have a funny way of showing it. Weren’t you out with someone else two nights ago?”
“Yeah, but Kara and I aren’t serious.” Robby’s voice took on a defensive tone.
“Still, not a very good way to win her back. And I’m sure she wouldn’t think so either.”
Craig pondered the irony of this conversation. Was he actually giving his brother advice on how to build a new relationship with Quinn? She’d surely kick his butt for that. But if it threw Robby off the scent, so be it.
“Leave her to me.” Cocky Robby returned. “And seriously, I’m sure I could’ve run Emerald.”
“Until you got bored with the hard, dirty work. Then what? No, you’re better off over at Long Knife Creek until you decide what you want to do with your life.”
Which, Craig was sure, didn’t include staying in Falstad any longer than he had to.
He found Marisol in the living room, curled up on the sofa with a book. One kitten lay on her shoulder, eyes closed and looking content. The other perched on one of Marisol’s legs.
“They look comfy.”
Marisol glanced away from the book, smiling at the kitten on her shoulder. “Glad someone is. Are you done in the office?”
“Yup. Ready to relax for a little while. You think you want to go for a trail ride tomorrow? Just the two of us? Have a proper picnic out on the prairie. It would be good practice for the overnighter.”
“Quinn isn’t coming?”
“No, just you and I.”
Marisol nodded. “I was wondering. I think she likes you.”
Craig raised his brows. “Well, I hope she does. We’re friends.”
Marisol rolled her eyes. “No, that’s not what I mean. I think she has a crush on you. I know you only like her as a friend, but I think she likes you a lot more.”
So, his daughter hadn’t been so impervious to the moods around the place. He could no longer count on her not noticing. He’d have to tell her the truth about his relationship with Quinn soon.
“I promise to be careful,” he murmured.
“Uncle Robby says she’s playing hard to get. What does that mean?”
Craig grimaced. His damned brother. “It means Uncle Robby needs to watch what he’s saying to you.”
“I’m not a kid anymore. I know about boyfriend and girlfriend stuff.”
“You’re ten. He shouldn’t be talking like that around you.”
“Fine,” she replied tersely. “I’ll put my hands over my ears next time.”
That ended the conversation. Marisol turned the subject to school shopping. With only a few weeks to go before school began, he needed to get her stocked up on clothes and supplies.
In previous years, she’d either been home schooled or gone to a private school in Washington DC. This would be her first introduction to public school. At least she’d made some fast friends already.
Marisol chatted endlessly about her friend Bonnie. Bonnie was learning how to rope, Bonnie had a swimming pool, and Bonnie had an older sister who was a Minnesota Vikings cheerleader.
Bonnie had a lot of bragging rights, but it amused Craig. His daughter had a few herself.
“She asked if I could sleep over Friday night. Her dad is taking her to the movies. Can I go?”
Craig put his arm around her shoulder. God, she was growing up fast. Too soon, she’d be a teenager and be gone more often than not.
“Sure, I think that would be okay, but have her mom or dad call to confirm.”
For the first time in years, Craig felt real contentment. His daughter settled into life here after a few initial bumps, the ranch was in order, and he returned Emerald to the family.
Quinn Emery was the icing on the cake.
Chapter 10
Quinn stared at the sorrel devil and he stared right back, bold and stubborn.
“You’re not going to beat me,” she told him firmly, keeping her voice soft and even. She wasn’t under the impression that Ted Penney had treated the animal with any care. He may have tried to train the stallion, then gave up when he and the horse clashed. It would be extra hard to bring the big guy around, but he was four years old, and it was time for him to earn his keep.
She didn’t intend to push him, but he had to get used to a human working around him. Her fingers itched to give him a good grooming until his coat gleamed like burnished copper under the sun and his flaxen mane and tail ran like blond silk through her fingers. That would be step one.
At some point, someone had managed to put a halter on him, but the blue nylon headpiece looked tight and crusted with dirt. And his hooves were atrocious.
His name was All Fired Up, she’d discovered. His papers were in the office inside the house. Good bloodlines, good-looking horse. Bunches of potential. She could see why Ted had wanted him. The man had some sense when it came to horses, but not enough to be a successful breeder. Sadly, Fire was neglected and distrustful, and she had to fix that.
“It’s okay, Fire. I’m only going to take that old halter off you. You can let me do that, right?” She kept her voice low and even, soothing him into security. She hoped.
She took slow steps toward the stallion. He glared at her, pinned his ears back and stomped a hoof.
The closer she got, the more his height impressed her. He stood a good sixteen hands. Decent confirmation too. Under his dirty coat, she observed a muscular, if not thin, frame. His condition wasn’t hopeless. Why Ted let the horses get into such bad condition was beyond her.
“Okay, be still, darlin’. I promise this won’t hurt. In fact, I bet you’ll like a halter that actually fits. If you’re really good I’ll scratch behind your ears. I know you’d like that.”
Another few steps brought her within arm’s length of the big animal. He hadn’t moved, but he wasn’t in better spirits either, not even when she held her palm out and presented him with a bribe of two sugar cubes.
Fire stretched his neck out, his nostrils flared and his ears twitched forward a bit. Giving in, she thought, but didn’t move. She ke
pt whispering sweet nothings. His whiskers tickled her palm, and he delicately lipped at the little white cubes.
“What a good brave boy. I knew you had it in you.”
Just when Quinn thought she’d won him over, the horse wheeled around. His heavy hindquarters caught her before she could move away. As he bumped her hard, he lifted his back hooves. The strike hit right above her knee, a quick blow, but painful enough to elicit a curse from Quinn.
Fire headed toward the opposite side of the paddock and stopped at the fence. He kept his backend to her and flipped his tail.
“Great,” Quinn groaned and pressed her hand over the sore spot. What had she been thinking? Not paying enough attention to the horse’s movement. She should’ve been one step ahead of him. She’d never been caught off guard before.
“You haven’t beaten me yet, Fire. I don’t give up so easily.”
As she limped out of the paddock, a little maroon pickup pulled up to the barn. Scott Penney jumped out of the cab.
“Quinn, you okay?”
She nodded and ducked through the fence. “I’m fine.”
“But you’re bleeding.”
She looked at her hand. A smear of blood across her palm seeped from what looked to be an inch long gash in the soft flesh under her thumb. Preoccupied with the hit her leg took, she didn’t notice the sting in her hand. That troublemaker had tried to take a chunk of flesh as well.
“Lovely.”
“You need to get that cleaned up.”
He followed her to the house and stood close when she ran water over the bite.
“It’s not too bad, but I think I should take you to the emergency room. You could need stitches.”
Quinn looked at Scott and smiled. Lucky for him he took after his mother and not his dad.
She nodded, grabbed a clean towel and wrapped it around her hand.
“Why are you here anyway?”
Scott opened the door to his truck for her. “I was looking for work. I know I’m probably the last person you’d consider, seeing how badly run down this place was, but I thought maybe you’d take me on.”
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