Reunited with the Rancher (Texas Cattleman's Club: Blackmail 3)

He was beginning to get some peace in his life from working on the ranch, beginning to be reconciled to their separation, when Maverick sent the message to Emily.

Now Tom was back with her, and there

was no way he could stop their attraction. She was irresistible, yet when they were together, it conjured up all the old hurts.

Tonight was the first time he had kissed Emily since he moved out of the house last year. It had stirred his desire and probably ruined his chances of sleep for the night. How long would they be together? Was she in danger, or was Maverick just a coward who would go away after a while?

Until Tom knew, he wasn’t going to leave her alone. He should have saved Ryan. He damn well wasn’t going to let Emily get hurt.

He just hoped Nathan caught Maverick soon so life would settle down and he could try to pick up the pieces of his torn-up life again and move on.

He sat for an hour on the porch, gazing into the night, listening for any strange noises. He heard the sound of a frog croaking somewhere nearby. There was a slight breeze. There were no cars on the residential street. He dozed and woke and finally decided he should be closer to Emily, so he went inside. Emily had kept some odd pieces of her uncle’s furniture, like the kitchen table and a rocker, but she’d gotten rid of the beds and sofas, leaving nowhere to sleep except the floor or his sleeping bag. Or with Emily.

“Damn,” he whispered, thinking he had to get her out of his thoughts or he would not have another peaceful night until they caught Maverick. Then he went upstairs quietly and crossed the room adjoining hers with a door between them left open. He stretched out on his sleeping bag. He was asleep instantly. Twice in the night he stirred and went back to sleep, only to wake before sunrise.

He showered and dressed and went to the kitchen, where he cooked oatmeal.

As he poured orange juice, he heard footsteps and then Emily appeared. He was unable to resist letting his gaze drift to her toes and back up again. His breath caught in his chest.

“There goes peace and quiet for today,” he said. “What are you trying to do to me, Emily?”

“What? I’m not doing anything except getting ready to fix breakfast and go to work on this house. What are you talking about?” she asked.

He walked closer and put his hands on his hips to look at her. She wore a blue cotton shirt tucked into cutoffs, ankle socks and tennis shoes. His gaze roamed over the V-neck of her blouse, down over her tiny waist and her long, long shapely legs. When his gaze slowly drifted up again, she shook her head.

“That’s ridiculous. You’ve seen me like this hundreds of times.”

“I’m used to being on the ranch with a bunch of cowhands.”

“I think you better work. This place needs a lot done, and you insisted on being here.”

“I’ll try to concentrate on painting. Right now, I have a pot of oatmeal waiting. There are blueberries, strawberries, orange juice. Let’s partake and then I’ll work at the opposite end of the house.”

She laughed. “You’re being ridiculous,” she said.

He couldn’t smile. By nightfall, she would have him tied in knots. “I hope I can get my hands on this Maverick for just a few minutes,” he said quietly. She heard him and smiled, shaking her head because she probably thought he was joking.

As they ate, Tom sipped coffee and looked around. “I sent a text to my friend and he’ll be out this morning to look at the house and give you an estimate on the cost of the alarm. I told him it’s a rush.”

“That’s fast, Tom.”

“I’m a very good customer. I send a lot of business their way by telling friends and other ranchers about them.”

“You’re taking charge again.”

“I’m just helping you get organized and telling you what I can do to help. I can do other things,” he said, unable to resist flirting with her. When she walked into the room, she brought cheer and sunshine that drove away his demons from the night. “We’re eating together and we’ll work together.”

“We’ll work together. With you here, I don’t know why I need an alarm. Now if you’re planning on leaving—” she said cheerfully before he interrupted.

“I’m not leaving you. I’ll take you with me if I need to. I’m here until they get Maverick. This place is going to take a whole lot to fix,” he said, looking around.

“It’s all I have,” she answered quietly, looking at the high ceiling in the kitchen. “It’s a tie to Mom and Uncle Woody and, really, a tie to when we first got married and after Ryan was born. Uncle Woody was always so happy to see Ryan.”

“I remember staying here with you after we married when your uncle went to Chicago to his Shriner convention.”

“I remember, too, and all we did was stay in bed. But we’re not going to reminisce about that.”

“Might be more fun than painting the house,” Tom said, and she smiled as she shook her head.