It Takes a Cowboy

“You must be very good at your job.”

“I’ve had training at being a lawyer. I don’t have the foggiest idea how to raise a child,” she said ruefully.

“You show definite potential,” Scott assured her, and he seemed sincere behind the smile.

She made a wry face at him. “Thanks. I suppose I’m to assume you’re an expert at it.” And then she sagged weakly against the counter as the day’s events caught up with her. “Oh, God.”

Scott rested a hand on her shoulder. “You okay?”

“I’ll let you know when I decide.”

“Harrowing morning, wasn’t it?”

“I hope I never have to live through another like it.”

“I’m sorry, Blair. I should have heard him slip out. I don’t usually sleep so heavily—or so late.”

“It wasn’t your fault. I’m the one who should apologize because we’ve taken such advantage of your hospitality. I’ll reimburse you for the broken fishing rod, of course.”

“Not necessary.”

She shook her head. “I insist. Jeffrey had no right to take your property. It’s my responsibility to see that it’s replaced.”

He stroked her lower lip with his fingertip, a gleam of amusement in his eyes. “Ms. Dependability again. You’re just so darned cute when you get that way.”

“Scott...”

He lowered his head to brush a light kiss across the tip of her nose. “On you, responsibility is incredibly sexy. It makes me go crazy.”

She forced herself to respond in the same light, teasing tone. “Oh, is that what does it?”

“Really cute,” he murmured, then pressed his lips to hers. She knew she should pull away, but maybe she just needed the contact then. Needed a way to vent the emotions that had been building in her all morning. She rested her hands on his chest and leaned into the kiss, letting his warmth soak into her.

This kiss was different from the ones they’d shared last night. The passion was still there, simmering in the background. But there was a new tenderness this time. A new layer of meaning that Blair found even more unsettling than the physical hunger she’d been aware of before. She didn’t want to get involved with this man. Didn’t want to fall in love with him. And yet...

He lifted his head, ending the embrace slowly, reluctantly. “Oh, yeah,” he said, his voice not quite steady. “On you, it is definitely sexy.”

He pulled her closer and lowered his head again. Blair spread her fingers on his chest and held him away. “No. That’s enough, Scott. I’m really not up to this right now.”

He sighed faintly. “All right. But remember where we left off.”

She gave him a quelling look. “Don’t make any assumptions based on what just happened. You caught me at a vulnerable moment.”

His grin had a wicked edge to it. “Then I’ll be watching for the next one.”

“Behave yourself.”

“That’s never been something I was very good at.”

“Learn.” She stepped away from him. “I’m going up to pack.”

He didn’t try to detain her when she walked out of the kitchen without looking back at him.

CHAPTER EIGHT

AFTER THEY’D CLEANED the cabin and packed, there was still time for a card game before lunch. The hike Scott had suggested the night before was out, of course; they’d all had enough of trekking through the woods that morning. The fast-paced card game—Scott’s idea—gave them a chance to relax, laugh, put the morning’s fright behind them and get comfortable with each other again. By the time it ended, things were back to normal, much to everyone’s relief.

They had lunch before leaving—canned soup again. No one complained about the very plain fare, but they ate without much enthusiasm. Their departure time loomed near, and Blair suspected Jeffrey and Scott were no more excited about leaving than she was. It had been such a pleasant w