McKettrick's Luck by Linda Lael Miller

Author:Linda Lael Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN
Published: 2011-06-17T16:00:00+00:00

BACK AT THE BRIDGES PLACE, Jesse helped Mitch out of the truck and back into his chair, and he and Ayanna chorused their thanks and hightailed it into the house.

Jesse and Cheyenne stood alone, at the base of the porch steps, in the light of a three-quarter moon, with crickets chirping in the brush and the smell of newly turned dirt ripe in the warm air.

“I had a good time,” Cheyenne said.

“Me, too,” Jesse answered. He hesitated, then laid his hands on Cheyenne’s shoulders. “I’m about to kiss you again,” he told her, wondering if she’d allow it or just turn and walk away.

She sighed, whether from impatience or anticipation he didn’t know, closed her eyes and tilted her head back.

Jesse chuckled and brushed her lips with his.

She put her arms around his neck, the way she had in the barn earlier, when he’d kissed her the first time. Jesse felt a charge go through him, felt the echo of it pass into her.

When she stepped back, she blinked, like somebody waking up from a deep sleep. “I’d better go in,” she said, but she didn’t move.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he told her.

“I’m busy tomorrow,” she said.

Jesse waited. If Keegan had used their discussion about the job at McKettrickCo to move in—

“Poker game,” she explained. He wondered if he’d heard her right, and his confusion must have shown in his face because she laughed. “It seems some of the women of Indian Rock are plotting to win a seat at the big tournament in Vegas. You’ve got some competition.”

Jesse laughed, too, but it was more relief than amusement. Now he wouldn’t have to go by Keegan’s place and call him out. “Is that right?” he asked.

Cheyenne raised an eyebrow. “I take it you don’t feel particularly threatened,” she said lightly.

Hell, no, he didn’t feel threatened, though he wasn’t about to say as much. There were dozens, if not hundreds, of these mini-tournaments springing up all over the country, in local casinos and even online. The pros bought in, for a hefty fee, and, as last year’s winner, Jesse was comped by the organizers, expected to defend his title.

“And you’re going to play?” he asked as a frisson of excitement shivered down his spine.

“Why not?” she said. “It’s just a friendly game.” Was she trying to convince him of that, or herself? It felt like something more to Jesse, though the truth of it was he didn’t think any of the townswomen had an ice cube’s chance in hell of getting beyond the local casino just up the road.

He kissed her again, but briefly this time. He didn’t want to push his luck with Cheyenne; she was as skittish as a field-born filly, and there was still the issue of those five hundred acres standing between them. He was a good judge of character, but Cheyenne was a puzzle. She might really like him—or she might be angling to get that land.

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