Loving a Lonesome Cowboy by Debbi Rawlins

Author:Debbi Rawlins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“Uncle Ethan? Are you going to eat in the kitchen or the den?” Erika called from the kitchen door. “I can bring you a tray.”

Sara drew away from him, retreating to her side of the couch. His eyes never left her, and she wished he’d look away, answer Erika, do anything but watch for her reaction.

What did he expect from her? To be glad that he wanted to spend the rest of his life grieving for his wife? Never to give himself a chance to be happy again or to allow another woman in?

“Uncle Ethan?” Erika moved toward the den. “Did you hear me?”

“Sorry, Erika. I’ll be right there.” His gaze stayed fastened on Sara. He waited until Erika disappeared again, and then said, “I’ve upset you.”

“Not at all.” She shrugged a shoulder. “Why would you think that?”

“Because I got carried away this afternoon, and I may have given you the wrong impression.”

She forced a laugh. “This isn’t the dark ages. So we got a little physical. Nothing to get worked up about.” She stood. “You’d better go eat your dinner before it gets cold.”

“Sara.” He grabbed her hand when she would have walked away, and stood to face her. “I didn’t take our intimacy this afternoon lightly. And I doubt you do.”

“What do you want from me, Ethan? Do you want me to be upset? Do you want me to admit I can never replace Emily?” She sighed when he flinched. “Fine. I have no intention of ever trying to replace any woman or to be anyone but myself. I spent eight years in a horrible, stifling marriage, trying to be Cal’s idea of the perfect wife. I won’t make that mistake again.”

He looked stunned, then thoughtful. “I didn’t mean to—I only wanted—” He made a sound of exasperation. “I’m making a big mess. And to be honest, I’m not sure what I’m trying to say, because, dammit, I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day.”

She squinted at him in confusion and pulled her hand away. Was he trying to give her the brush-off or not? He looked almost sorry he’d added that last surprising tidbit. “Go eat, okay, before you make me crazy.”

“Uncle Ethan!” Erika’s voice had grown impatient.

“Coming.” He backed towards the kitchen, but kept Sara in his sights. “What time will the girls be going to bed?”

“In about half an hour. Why?”

“I want to show you something.” Then he turned and strode to the kitchen.

Apprehension needled her, and she had the reflexive desire to shut herself in her room until he left. The thing was, she understood part of how Ethan felt. She didn’t know what she wanted, either. The last thing she needed was another relationship. She certainly hadn’t been looking for one. Ethan had been totally unexpected.

Yet something about him appealed to her at a level so deep it frightened her. She couldn’t describe or pinpoint the attraction. He had many admirable qualities. Probably more than she knew. The new revelations were still sinking into her overworked brain.

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