For a moment she didn’t reply. Fascinated, she watched the powerful play of sleek muscles moving in his shoulders and chest as he swung the axe. His rib injury had improved enough so that the bandage covered only the healing flesh, held on by sticking plaster.
“Summer?”
Flushing, she made herself remember what she had come here for. “About your taking over my part of the ranch. I’ve discussed it with Reed, and he’s amenable to you starting right away.”
His harsh features had suddenly gone expressionless. “You can tell your brother I don’t want his charity.”
“It isn’t charity, Lance. When you married me, my interest in the ranch became yours. And besides, Reed needs you.”
A snort of disbelief was Lance’s only answer.
“He does,” Summer insisted. “You know Reed is crippled. He can’t even manage to sit a riding horse, much less break in a wild mustang. Not only are you more mobile, but your skill with horses is unequaled. And there’s more than enough work for both of you to handle. Reed can manage the books like he’s been doing, while you supervise the range work. I expect he’ll be grateful for your help, but even if he’s not, I will. The ranch hasn’t operated at even a quarter of its capacity in years, but with you here, we can build it back up.”
“I think you’re forgetting one thing, princess. Your drovers aren’t gonna take orders from a breed.”
“You’re wrong,” Summer said triumphantly. “I’ve already spoken to Dusty about it, and he’s more than willing—and he thinks the others will be, too. You’ve earned their respect, whether you wanted it or not.”
He turned to eye her with a smoldering gaze, but he didn’t answer.
Rising to her feet, Summer placed her hands on her hips. At the same time her mouth curved in a provocative smile, while her tone turned teasing. “What are you going to do if you don’t take over the ranch? If you think you can just laze around the cabin all day, Lance Calder, you can think again. You may be a hero, but you still have earn your keep.”
His brows drew together. “I may be a what?”
“A hero.” Summer smiled smugly as she sauntered over to him. “Dusty says everyone thinks you’re one for rescuing Amelia. And frankly, so do I.”
A muscle twitched warningly in his jaw as he stared down at her. “Flattery isn’t going to work on me, Summer.”
“No? Then will you tell me what will?” She smiled coaxingly, which only brought an answering scowl to Lance’s features. She took a step closer. “Reed is waiting in his study to talk to you about the arrangements.”
“You’re forgetting another thing, aren’t you? Your sister won’t let me in the house.”
“I haven’t forgotten. But Amelia is likely to be asleep. And even if she’s not, Reed won’t let her interfere with something this important. Won’t you at least speak to him, Lance?”
Her sweet, wheedling tone could make him forget his own name, but this time it only served to stiffen his resolve. She was the perfect coquette, confident of her power, certain of her allure, damn her. It was all he could do to resist. “Dammit, Summer…quit trying to work your blasted wiles on me. It’s not going to work. I’m not some tame pansy you can ride herd on.”
“Gracious, I never thought you were, not for a single, solitary instant, I promise.” Reaching up, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Will you at least talk
to Reed before you say no?”
He held his head away and glowered at her.
“What can I do to convince you?” she asked softly.
“You might try honesty instead of your female tricks.”
“I tried that, Lance. I’ve persuaded…I’ve pleaded…I’ve used reason. But you’re so muleheaded and proud that nothing works.” Her smile took the sting out of her accusation. “All I have left is feminine wiles.”
He muttered a curse under his breath, but he could feel himself weakening. “I don’t suppose you can help it,” he said grudgingly. “Playing the flirt comes as natural to you as breathing.”
Summer pouted attractively. “That certainly isn’t very complimentary.”
“You don’t need compliments, princess. What you need is a good paddling.”
“Lance…shame on you! You wouldn’t raise a hand to a lady, would you?”
Her dancing emerald eyes told him very clearly she knew she had won—and so did he, though he didn’t want to admit it.
With a harsh jerk, he hauled her against his body. “Maybe I would. Just don’t push me too far.”