Micah’s voice pulled her from her reverie. “Yeah, I do. Do you like apples?” She cut off a large piece and handed it to Micah. After she poured the batter into a round cake pan, she sliced the apples into wedges and slid them into the batter in a pinwheel pattern.
“My grandmother made an apple cranberry pie that was great,” he said. He looked up, a wistful smile on his face. “Would you be able to make one of those?”
Her gaze jerked up; her eyes blazed into his. “Only if you give me permission to look at her recipes.” She paused as if measuring her words. “I wasn’t stealing anything you know.”
“I know.” Micah looked up, his coffee cup held between his fingers. He shrugged then stood. “It’s just that the box is nearly all I have left of her. Pops gave away everything else.” Reaching over her head, he pulled the recipe box from the shelf and placed it in her hands. “Feel free to use anything.”
She waited for him to move away, but instead, he put his hands on the counter on either side of her.
Cary clutched the recipe box, using it to keep him from getting closer. It didn’t work. He leaned in, his breath warming her neck, his lips a soft feather against her skin. With every intention of telling him off, she raised her gaze to his face, his mouth. She sucked in as much of a breath as she could with her lungs on strike, lifted to her toes and brushed her lips across his.
With the last of her reserves, she lowered to her heels and tried to turn away.
Micah wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “Don’t go.” The first kiss had been soft and sweet. This time the heat from his mouth scorched her lips, fueling her passion. He ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, the wet slick feel draining away the rest of her reservations.
In the recesses of her non-functioning brain, a speck of rationality still existed. Cary pushed against Micah’s chest then ducked beneath his arm. Her shaky legs carried her to the other side of the table. What the hell was going on? The attraction she felt for Micah overwhelmed her.
He leaned against the counter, his eyes still on her. His breathing was fast, almost as fast as hers, and his eyelids were half closed. His desire filled the room, so thick it surrounded her.
Can’t do this. If she became involved with Micah, she might want to stay. Who was she kidding? She’d stay without a second thought.
A picture of Willa Wild popped into her mind and then Mad Dog’s face. She couldn’t risk the little girl getting mixed up in her problems. Micah could take care of himself, but Mad Dog wasn’t averse to using a kid to get what he wanted.
“I can’t do this.” Cary put down the box and hurried toward the door. When she looked back, he hadn’t moved. “I’m married.”
~~~
Micah woke before dawn and pulled on his jeans and work shirt. He’d acted like a horny seventeen-year-old boy last night, and he needed to apologize. The two kisses were burned into his memory and just thinking about Cary made him hard.
He needed to get his head together. He didn’t have the time or inclination to play with a woman, much less a married one. Why had she waited so long to mention that little tidbit? Kind of a funny thing to keep a secret. And if she was married, why was she here? And where was her husband? Something didn’t make sense with her latest revelation.
He hurried downstairs to make coffee and line out his day. Getting his mind back on ranching was the smart thing to do. Getting his mind off of Cary was becoming more difficult the more he was around her.
On a normal day, he was the first one up. Brewing a pot of coffee was his first chore. It took four minutes for the first cup to filter into the pot then he’d head for the office with the steaming mug.
As he descended the stairs, he noticed the pool of light shining through the kitchen door.
Some kind of steaming egg and potato casserole sat on the counter. Cary bent in front of the oven, positioning a second casserole dish and a huge pan of biscuits inside. The small, red pup slept on a towel by the door.
She stood, dropping the worn, handmade hot pads on the counter and then turned. Her hand flew to her chest as her eyes widened in surprise. “You scared the crap out of me. Next time make some noise.”
At the sound of her voice, Goodun jumped to his feet. In a comical show of bravado, the pup ran in circles barking at whatever monster intended to harm his mistress.
A lock of white blonde hair curled over her forehead and her cheeks were flushed from the heat. She was beautiful in an offbeat, biker kind of way. No, she was beautiful in every way, and that was his problem. If anyone had asked him if he’d go for a woman like Cary, he’d have laughed. The only woman he’d become involved with that wasn’t a cowgirl was Marlene and look how that had turned out.
Micah grabbed the cup of coffee from the microwave then pulled a chair up to the kitchen table. He took a sip, looking over the cup rim at her. “You’re up early.”
She bent down to reassure Goodun then returned to the stove. “I have breakfast to cook for your hands. I’d like to be ready today.” She turned her back to him and started cutting up fruit. Neat squares of cantaloupe, watermelon and pineapple mixed with strawberries and blueberries. Micah recognized his grandmother’s mixing bowl.
All thoughts of moving to his office vanished. His morning got better the longer he watched her move around the kitchen, her hips clad in well-fitting camouflage cargo pants, her army green T-shirt rising to give him tantalizing peeks of the creamy skin at her waist when she reached into the cupboards for ingredients.
He took another sip as she turned and found him watching her. Before he could react, she threw the washrag at his head, missing him by less than an inch. Hot coffee splashed over the rim of his cup and onto his lap.
Hands on hips and a frown on her face, she stood like a delicate Xena, warrior princess. “See anything you like?” She was so incensed he couldn’t help but laugh.
He was nothing if not honest, sometimes to his detriment. “Yes, I did.” He grabbed the cloth from the floor and dabbed at the wet spot on his Wranglers. This would mean a return trip to his bedroom for dry jeans, but it was worth the inconvenience. He took a second to stare at her, drinking in the exotic look of dark eyes and white hair.
“I need to change clothes. How long until breakfast is done?” As he watched, she tried unsuccessfully to stop the smile from blooming on her face. He was going to have to get this woman off his ranch before he made a total fool of himself. Aw, hell. Who was he kidding? He didn’t want her to leave.
“The men will be here in half an hour. If you hurry, I’ll take care of you first.”
Her words caused the blood in his veins to heat. A mental picture of her kneeling before him, taking care of him, set his brain on fire. He turned and hurried upstairs before she saw the effect she had on him. “Dammit all to hell.”
“You’re not supposed to swear, Pa.” Willa Wild stood in the hall outside her bedroom door. She had the hem of her turquoise Elsa nightie clutched in one hand to keep it from dragging on the floor. Her curly red hair was as wild as her name.
A tomboy during the day, his daughter was all princess at night. Micah knelt beside her and pulled her into his arms. “Thanks for reminding me. Come on. Let’s get you dressed. Goodun needs someone to take him outside.”
By the time Willa and Micah were both dressed the ranch hands had made it into breakfast. A cacophony of voices met them at the top of the stairs. Willa Wild took off to race into the kitchen. He could hear her sweet voice as she greeted her friends. His daughter had never met a stranger.
“Hi, boss.” Barnsey stood in one corner of the kitchen with a plate piled high with food. Two of the younger men were talking to Willa and the puppy. The rest of the men were crowded around the table waiting for breakfast.
Cary pulled another casserole pan from the oven and replaced the empty one on the table. Before she could move away, the men refilled their plates. “Good stuff, Ms. Cary,” one of the men replied.
Micah grabbed a p
late from the stack. If he didn’t get his butt in gear, the food would be gone. The aroma of sausage, eggs and salsa filled his nostrils. This was one of his gram’s recipes. And it was every bit as good as when she’d made it.
As he spooned the food into his mouth, he looked up to find Cary watching him. She bit her lip and quickly turned away. Micah shoveled the last forkful into his mouth, and put the plate in the sink. “This hit the spot. Thanks for taking care of me.” When she jerked her head up, he laughed. “And all the other men.”
As her face grew red, she slapped at him with the dishtowel.
“Wait, no. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” At his raised voice, the others stopped talking and looked at them. “I meant cooking for the crew.”
She nodded and began cleaning the table. One by one, after complimenting Cary, the other men left the kitchen. Cary refused to look at him and made a show of filling the dishwasher.
“Cary.” He moved closer, until his shoulder touched hers. He bent close and whispered in her ear. “I’m sorry.”
The strident sound of a familiar voice sent an electric shock down his spine and he jerked away.
“This is a cozy little picture. I see you’ve moved in my replacement.”
Marlene stood just inside the back door. Her hair, so like Willa Wild’s, bloomed in a curly red crown around her head. Dressed in stiletto boots and leggings, her sapphire silk top was cut low to show off her assets. She looked more striking than when she’d left. Being alone must agree with her.
No wait. She’d been single for years, but he’d bet his best hat she hadn’t been alone for a minute.
Marlene walked across the room, her hips swaying in the way that used to scramble his brain. She sidled up to him and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “Hi, baby.”
“What do you want?” He took a step back, putting distance between them. There’d been a time when he couldn’t keep his hands off her. He’d thought in terms of forever, but for Marlene, the chase was more rewarding than the prize. “You’re a week early for your visit with your daughter.”
She closed the distance and ran her finger across his lips and down his chest. “Did it ever occur to you that I might be missing her? And you?” When she tried to step even closer, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the living room. There was no need for Cary to witness their interaction.
When they reached the doorway, Marlene pulled free and turned back to Cary. “I think it’d be best if you stayed away from my husband!”
Chapter Six
Cary heard raised voices coming from the living room, but the words didn’t register. She picked up the washcloth, rung it out then began scrubbing the counter as if the task would fix the unfixable.
Looking down at her hands, she stopped. In one swift movement, she turned and fired the wet rag across the room. It splatted against the window in the back door then slid to the floor.
He was married. The bastard was married and he’d kissed her—twice.
And even worse. She’d kissed him back.
Cary retrieved the rag and put it in the laundry room. She grabbed a fresh one from the drawer and rinsed the large yellow bowl. She couldn’t think about this now.
Baking had been the one constant in her life, the one thing that didn’t change. It hadn’t taken nearly long enough to finish the apple cake, so she looked around for something harder.
Soufflé was one of her favorites. But even the thought of the creamy goodness couldn’t pull her thoughts from Micah. She couldn’t hear him or his wife any more. Maybe they’d left. Maybe they’d gone outside or maybe, her over-active brain suggested, they’d gone upstairs.
She stopped what she was doing. It was time she left. She’d have earned enough money to get her a few hundred more miles. On the drive cross-country, she could earn gas money working at one back roads café or another.
Although it pained her to throw out the makings for the soufflé, she dumped it into the garbage. After she’d washed the bowl, she tiptoed to the doorway into the living room. It was empty.
She’d have liked to throw what she owned into her duffle and leave before Micah came back, but she needed the money she’d earned. Unsure what to do, she sat on the bed, wondering about this place and the man who lived here.
In spite of her city upbringing, this was the first place she’d felt she belonged. In the few days since she’d arrived, she’d become attached to Willa Wild West. The name didn’t fit the girl. She was as sweet as any child Cary had ever met.
At the sound of gravel hitting the house, Cary stood and moved to the window. Micah’s pickup roared out of the driveway. Fixing her eyes on the barn, she saw the calves playing in the pen. She’d miss the animals and the rolling hills. She’d miss Micah.
Enough! There would be no missing that man. That married man, she corrected.
She barely had enough money to buy a tank of gas and food for a few days, but she had to leave now. She could write and ask him to send the rest of her money after she was far away. Straightening her spine and strengthening her mind, she stuffed her few belongings in her bag and ran down the stairs.
It looked like for once luck would be with her. She didn’t see anyone as she stowed her bags in the trunk of the green car. The red electrician’s tape that masked the crushed taillight had curled away from the metal. She smoothed it into place. It would have to do until she got to another town.
Cary smoothed out the towel that covered the ripped upholstery and slid behind the steering wheel. She took one more look at the house and barnyard before turning the key. Once again, she didn’t belong, and it was time to go.
The drive into town took what seemed to be mere minutes. The only thing she needed to do was gas up the Focus before heading down the road. She pulled up to the pumps in front of the Co-op.
She’d watched Micah charge a tank of fuel the first day she was here. He owed her six days work. She was sure he wouldn’t mind if she took a few gallons as part of her pay.
The teenager behind the cash register narrowed his eyes when she told him she wanted to charge a tank of gas. He opened a notebook then slowly shook his head. “Sorry ma’am. You’re not on our approved list.
What was with this town? Was everyone this suspicious of newcomers? She pulled out her wallet. She had no choice but to spend the last of her money. She’d laid the bills on the counter, pushing them toward the kid when a large rough hand stopped her.
Micah stood beside her, his face grim, his hand on her arm. He spoke without taking his eyes off hers. “Tom, would you fill up Ms. Crockett’s car, please.”
The boy’s face flushed red.
“And from now on, Cary can charge anything she wants.”
The young man nodded as he hurried out to the pumps, leaving them alone in the store.
“Leaving so soon?” Micah stood back, folding his arms across his chest. The arms of the T-shirt he wore stretched across his biceps, the muscles in his shoulders strained the fabric. “You could have at least said goodbye.”
The look on his face tightened her lungs into a miserable knot. She struggled to pull in a breath. “Your wife is back. You don’t need me.” God, had she ever seen a more handsome man or sounded more pathetic?
“Marlene has nothing to do with you.” He leaned against the counter. “She’s not a cook.”
And there it was. Three strikes of stupidity for her in the last hour. A new record. She’d thought he liked her. She’d thought he’d come after her. She’d even thought about staying before Marlene showed up.
Micah wasn’t asking her to come back because he was attracted to her. He wanted a cook, plain and simple, and if he had any other choice, he wouldn’t be here now.
She closed her eyes and concentrated on the logical side of her brain. Being a cook was what she wanted, too. To be just a cook and make enough money to escape Mad Dog.
“If I come back, you’ll have to explain to her that I’m no threat. I don’t mess around with marri
ed men.” Cary put the bills back into her wallet then looked him in the eye. “Ever.”
“Let’s clear something up. We’re not married and haven’t been for six years.” He stepped behind her and placed his hand on the small of her back, steering her toward the door. “Let’s go.”
Cary hurried, moving away from his touch as she walked out to the car. The red tape laid in a wadded mess below the taillight. She tried to smooth it back into place but the edges refused to stick to the fender. Tossing it in the trashcan, she climbed into her car.
Micah leaned down, his arms resting on the driver’s side door. “What year is this?” The scent of hay and horses wafted in the window.
How could that make this man smell so good? She tore her gaze away from him and dug for the keys in her purse. “Two thousand.”
“See you at the ranch.” With a nod, he walked to his truck.
The drive into town felt like it took minutes, but the drive back seemed to take hours. When Cary arrived at the ranch, she leaned against the front of the car and enjoyed the warm air. For the first time in her life, she knew where she wanted to belong, but she didn’t have any idea of how to achieve what that.
But sitting here wishing wasn’t accomplishing anything. Time to go inside and prepare dinner.
As she mounted the steps, she caught sight of Marlene rocking at the far end of the porch. Cary pretended not to notice, but Marlene followed her into the kitchen.
“Micah tried to tell me you’re nothing but the cook. He’s a fool. I can see the way you look at him, and it isn’t an employee to boss kind of way.” She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a can of Diet Coke. “He likes to fool around, but he always comes back to me.”
Anger warred with embarrassment as the emotions raced through her body. She wanted to tell this obnoxious woman she was wrong, but when Micah had kissed her, she hadn’t protested.
“I’m the mother of his child.” Marlene took a bottle of Jack Daniels from the pantry and poured a healthy dose into the pop can. She turned to face Cary. “That will never change.” With a self-satisfied smile, she left Cary struggling for words.
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